Not one of EC's best, the 1977 album, Slowhand is much stronger if one wants to hear some Clapton from this era. Just One Night is also a better option as it contains several live versions of songs from Backless.
May 28, 2008 |  | BACKLESS COULD HAVE BEEN MORE! |  |
Coming one year later after what was probably his most commercial album, "Backless" finds Clapton searching long and hard for material and, despite two Dylan penned tunes in the countryish opener "Walk Out in the Rain" and the bouncy rocker "If I Don't Be There By Morning", this recording still comes up short of the goal line.
A problem that has plagued Clapton his entire career plagues him moreso here and that problem is too much filler fills out this album. Covering JJ Cale has been a good career move for Clapton in the past ("Cocaine", "After Midnight") but this seems to prove 3rd time unlucky as his cover of "I'll Make Love To You Anytime" just doesn't compare to the original. Clapton's own originals, which on his previous release "Slowhand" were some of his strongest material, are a letdown for sure. "Watch Out For Lucy", "Golden Ring" and "Tell Me That You Love Me" are non-offensive but also rather stale and forgettable.
On the good side his own "Roll It" with Marcy Levy on vocals shows some punch, "Tulsa Time" is an energetic rocker and "Early in the Morning" (restored on the remaster to it's full 8 minute version) is a sweet slice of Clapton blues. Also included is the melodic pop rock hit "Promises".
"Backless" was a letdown coming off the heels of "Slowhand". It's not a complete washout but Clapton IS treading water a bit too much on this release. It is one of those borderline CD's that should be approached with caution. A few more great songs and this is as close to classic as Clapton gets, but listening to the material here, it's also very close to being a total loss. Die-hards only.
April 29, 2008Funny how some music you thought was so good at the time turns out to be almost forgetable. Thus is the case with this title from Eric Clapton. I'm a music junkie but even junkies reflect and reevaluate. I love his other titles like the stripped down Unplugged, the dueling guitar duet blues of The Road to Escondido and the superb 461 Ocean Blvd. [Deluxe Edition] but this one doesn't have enough of what makes Clapton, Clapton. You know, smoky vocals, reminisent of old time blues players and guitar licks that have lots of feelings. This is not a bad disc but not one of his best either. It's like he's going through the motions on some tracks. Favorite tracks are few but here are a few worth a drop to my (your) I-Pod. Here they are. "Roll It" features the guttural vocals of Marcy Levy that is straight out of the old r&b tradition, coupled with multiple sweet guitars and a driving , infectious beat that sounds like muscle schoals revisited; nice slide guitar too. "I'll make love to you" is vintage Clapton at his finest, simple lyrics, dark, brooding vocals that matches his bluesy guitar. For some straight up blues, try "Early in the morning." This song sounds like circa 1950 Jimmy Reed, complete with harmonica and slide guitar, a down trodden sack-'o-woes bag of lyrics and you've gotta case of the blues. It has that "Hoochie Coochie Man" feel to it too as a bonus. If you want something melancholy but a little more poppy try "Promises." It's a catchy tune , the type you want to sing along with after a few listens; it has that instantly familiar quality. Good stuff. That's it folks. For die hard Clapton fans only. For the rest of us, try some of the aforementioned discs for your introduction to old slow hand.
January 28, 2008 | | (1.5 stars) There's a good chance this is his worst | |
Pointless, Meaningless and Substanceless would've all been more appropriate titles - this makes no Reason to Cry seem like Disraeli frickin' Gears. "Promises" is one-third of Clapton's "axis of evil" - that is, three big, grating soft-rock hits from the period (the other two are "Blunderful Tonight" and "I've Got a Soft-Rock-Cheesier-Than-Foreigner-MOR Heart and I am Now Writing Songs That Make Me Seem Like I've Never Played Rock or Blues or Any Music with Emotion in My Life" - the rest of the population knows them as "Wonderful Tonight" and "I've Got a Rock `n' Roll Heart"), and it could very well be the worst of the three. And while one bad song can't ruin an album, seven or eight can - "Golden Ring" has an accordion, for the love whatever's holy anymore! And really, Clapton, why all the ubermellow, not-even-remotely-tasteful-or-interesting country-rock? ("Walk Out in the Rain", "Watch Out for Lucy", "Roll It", "Tell Me That You Love Me")? Oh yeah, because he's a greedy superstar willing to jump on anything that can possibly make him money. Forgot about that... anyway, fans of his bluesier work will want to hear "Early in the Morning" and "Tulsa Time", but this should be near the bottom of your Clapton buying list. Unless you're on crack. Actually, I don't know what being on crack would have to do with you enjoying this album. I just threw that in there to scare your parents. Did it work?
December 9, 2007 | | A nice record for Clapton fans | |
When I started listening to Clapton, I bought every record from the 70's and 80's with the exception of this one, which at the time I was unable to find in any store. So, when I saw it in the Amazon promotions, I didn't hesitate in buying it. In resume, it's definitly not one of his best records but it also isn't one of the worst. It's easy to listen and has some well constructed songs. I wouldn't recommend it to a casual Clapton listener, but if you're an admirer then it surely is a nice item to add your collection.
November 29, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(32 reviews)