Eric Clapton's second studio album 461 Ocean Boulevard was released in 1974. It was a critical and commercial success and marked his return to the studio after his three-year heroin addiction. Named after the address of the house he stayed at during the album's recording, it is often considered one of his best, if not his best, solo studio albums.
Clapton's weakness for songwriting (without a partner, I mean) is normally just that--a weakness. By now though, he's realized that songwriting isn't his knack, so he puts his energy into what he knows he can do best: reinvent and reinvigorate the blues as well as contribute the few first-rate original songs--three this time--he's been able to muster since his last album. He's also realized he's not going to have the deep and powerful voice of his idols anytime soon. Because of this, the relaxed nature that Clapton tried to achieve on his debut is fully realized here. "Please Be with Me" and "Let It Grow" become just as vulnerable and genuine as the aching on Layla and "Mainline Florida" and "Motherless Children" rock just good as Cream did. A- [Later: B+]
(scroll down for a ranking of Clapton's best work!)
Welp, we finished the saga of Eric Clapton! Of course, Clapton released more albums after this, but we covered most of his critically acclaimed recordings. I will listen to a few more of his albums and review them on his discography page before we move onto Delaney and Bonnie. Generally, I found Clapton's work to be a little disappointing because I felt that most of his albums didn't deserve the overwhelming praise they get. Other than on 461 and Layla, my biggest problem with his work was that I never connected with Clapton's vocals or the vocalists for his bands. That said, none of the albums I reviewed for the Clapton saga got a grade worse than a B, which is a somewhat rare feat and which means I thought all of his albums were engaging and worthwhile for Clapton fans. Additionally, Clapton is one of the best guitar soloist I have listened to--off the top of my head, Neil Young, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix are the only guitarists whose solos I definitely prefer. Although I find his guitar playing to be quite enjoyable, I'm aware that I do not fully grasp the contributions he made to the guitar world because I do not play guitar myself.
Here's a ranking of his best albums:
4. Cream: Disraeli Gears (1967):
I'm going to revisit "Strange Brew," "Sunshine of Your Love," and "Tales of Brave Ulysses" more than anything on the band's debut, but when considering both albums in their entireties, I'll pick up Fresh Cream slightly more. I still find myself disliking "Blue Condition" and "Take It Back," which are pretty much the only songs holding it from being as good or better than 461 Ocean Boulevard. B+
3. Cream: Fresh Cream (1966):
When I start a new band or artist, I find that I often underrate their first album because I'm not yet familiar with their vision. That's certainly the case for Cream's debut, which I find myself enjoying more and more. "Toad" is one of the few songs with an extended drum solo that I find both enjoyable and impressive. B+
2. 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974):
What else do you want me to say? I just covered everything I wanted to get out in the review! A- [Later: B+]
1. Derek and the Dominoes: Layla and Other Assorted Songs (1970):
Essentially every element of Clapton's music--the songwriting, playing, singing--reaches its peak here and Clapton achieves all of this on a double album no less. Pattie Boyd found it such a convincing love letter she married him. A