ERIC CLAPTON – Slowhand [Deluxe Edition] (2012)

* Fixed

There is simply no-one like ERIC CLAPTON.

From the days when ‘Clapton is God’ was common graffiti on walls everywhere to today, Clapton is simply one of the best guitar players and most disarmingly charming singers in pop, blues and rock music.

His most iconic album, “Slowhand”, recorded at Olympic Studios in South West London, contains some of his very best and most beloved songs, including “Lay Down Sally”, “Wonderful Tonight” and “Cocaine”.

“Slowhand: The 35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” offers the original album, remastered and expanded, with all nine original numbers and four bonus tracks: a great version of “Alberta”, plus the previously unreleased “Looking at the Rain,” “Greyhound Bus,” and “Stars, Strays and Ashtrays.” These comprise Disc One of the set.

A week before the ‘Slowhand’ sessions commenced, the band performed at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Disc Two captures nine songs from the concert, most previously unreleased.

These include rocking versions of “Tell the Truth,” “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”, “Stormy Monday”, “Can’t Find My Way Home”, “Layla”, “Steady Rolling Man” and a very long take on “I Shot the Sheriff”.

A very well recorded set for the age, without hiss or noises. An enjoyable listening for sure.

But the must have here is “Slowhand”, the main album, with its remastered treatment.

I just can’t believe how good this disc sounds. The remaster job by Kevin Reeves at Sterling Sound is one of the best I’ve ever heard, keeping the warmth of a vinyl but with an excellent dynamic range.

Super Classic Rock at its best.

Disc One: ‘Slowhand’ Remastered And Expanded:

01. Cocaine

02. Wonderful Tonight

03. Lay Down Sally

04. Next Time You See Her

05. We’re All The Way

06. The Core

07. May You Never

08. Mean Old Frisco

09. Peaches And Diesel

10. Looking At The Rain * (Bonus Track)

11. Alberta * (Bonus Track)

12. Greyhound Bus * (Bonus Track)

13. Stars, Strays And Ashtrays * (Bonus Track)

* previously unreleased

Disc Two: Live At Hammersmith Odeon, April 27, 1977:

1. Tell The Truth 9.00

2. Knocking On Heaven’s Door 5.18

3. Steady Rolling Man 6.55 *

4. Can’t Find My Way Home 6.06 *

5. Further On Up The Road 6.35

6. Stormy Monday 12.42

7. Badge 8.37 *

8. I Shot The Sheriff 14.04 *

9. Layla 6.02 *

* previously unreleased

BUY IT !

www.amazon.com/Slowhand-35th-Anniversary-Deluxe-Edition/dp/B009KNPNT6