BLUES N'AT

     Today Mrs. Black-N-Gold continues her celebration in honor of Eric Clapton's 70th birthday. She honors Slowhand today by looking at his hit album "461 Ocean Boulevard". Clapton's second solo album is one of Mrs. Black-N-Gold's favorites. It's got a laid-back kind of vibe, probably indicative of the mood in the studio. The album was named after the house that was rented by EC while he recorded this in Miami. Clapton recorded this album following his recovery from heroin addiction.

      The albums kicks off with a rollicking version of the blues standard "Motherless Children". Although the song itself is a somber one, from Clapton's first guitar licks, it's more of an uptempo tune on this album. Next, Clapton slows it down for "Give Me Strength". "Dear Lord, give me strength to carry on" could be EC asking for strength to help him kick the heroin habit. The old Johnny Otis hit "Willie and the Hand Jive" follows. Covered by many, Clapton's version was released as a single that reached #26 on the Billboard Top 40. The following track is "Get Ready" a Clapton collaboration with his backup singer, Yvonne Elliman. Clapton gives Elliman a chance to step up to the mic and shine. Next up is Clapton's version of the Bob Marley hit, "I Shot the Sheriff". EC received a lot of flack for this song. Media members and fans alike scoffed at the white, English bluesman trying his hand at Marley's reggae classic. Originally, Clapton didn't want to release the song on this album, but was later persuaded. Good thing for him as it charted #1 on Billboard's Hot 100.

     Side two gets bluesy with Clapton's cover of the Willie Dixon penned "I Can't Hold Out" (otherwise known as "Talk to Me Baby"). Dig the guitar solo in this one, classic Clapton. "Please Be with Me" follows. Written by former Allman Brothers compatriot, the late Scott Boyer, this has always been one of Mrs. Black-N-Gold's favorites. Hearing Clapton signing the lines "won't you please read my signs, be a gypsy. Tell me what I hope to find deep within me. Because you can find my mind, please be with me" and hearing the beautiful guitar in between lyrics always blows Mrs. Black-N-Gold away. Another favorite is next with "Let It Grow". "Plant your love and let it grow"! The guitar work on this reminds me of Slowhand in his Derek & the Dominos days. Clapton pays tribute to another blues great on the next tune, Robert Johnson's "Steady Rollin' Man". It keeps this masterpiece just steady rollin' along. The closing number is a rockin' little tune called "Mainline Florida" written by Clapton's guitarist, George Terry. Digging the guitar in this one, too.

      Mrs. Black-N-Gold can't help but admit it, she's crushing on this disc. Back when it was released in 1974, I guess many critics dismissed this. How can they do that? This album is like a day at the beach. You can just smell the ocean air and her the waves. What better why to celebrate Slowhand? Until next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!