FDF Vol 3 Issue 361 - Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard.



Album – 461 Ocean Boulevard

Artist – Eric Clapton
Key Players -Yvonne Elliman – vocals. Dick Sims – Keyboards. George Terry -Guitars and vocals. Carl Radle – bass. Jamie Oldaker – drums. Albhy Galuten – syth, piano and clavichord. Eric Clapton – vocals, guitar, dobro.

Produced By – Tom Dowd

Release Date – July 1974

Overview - This is the second solo studio album from Eric Clapton. Clapton was coming off heroin addiction at the time and holed up in a home studio (the name of the record) near Miami Florida. Mostly inspired by a demo tape he was passed from former Derek and The Dominoes bassist Carl Radle. One of the members of Claptons band at the time was listening to Bob Marley's “Burnin” record and, with some pressure Clapton decided to record and release it. It would become his only Billboard #1 single. The album it self features many cover songs and re-arrangements.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) – The 11 track 43 minute album opens with an uptempo take on

“Motherless Children”. Clapton is in fine form and the backing band is up to the task holding down the groove. “Better Make it Through Today” is a quiet stroll while the Johnny Otis penned “Willie and the Hand Jive” still has its fun funky blues riff, but the vocals and overall tempo are held in check.  “Get Ready” features strong work with Clapton and Elliman vocally. Its the first track you can really hear her in more than just a backing vocalist role. “I Shot the Sheriff” is the cover you can still hear pretty regularly. Clapton then takes on the Elmore James track “I Can't Hold Out”. Its no denying the blues are, and were a huge part of Claptons influences. “Please Be With Me” has some nice harmonies with Elliman and dobro playing. “Let it Grow” is another track that still finds it's way on to classic rock radio today. “Steady Rollin' Man” is the bands take on the Robert Johnson tune and again the organ and “Mainline Florida” ended the original LP and it is full of long organ runs. “Give Me Strength”was an additional track added to the cd release. Another track with some organ an slow dobro playing by Clapton.

Where are they now? -Elliman, who was well know for the song “If I Can't Have you” stepped back from the music industry to focus on herself and family. She released a record in 2004. Terry worked as a producer and released a record in 2004 as well. Radle passed away in 1980 at age 37. Oldaker would continue to work with Clapton for much of the 70's and get back with him again in the 1980s. He's worked as a producer and session musician. Eric Clapton continues to write, and tour. He is slated to do a residency in England this May to celebrate his 70^th birthday.

FDF Overall Take/Was it worth Dusting Off? - I have to admit that I am a very VERY casual fan of Eric Clapton. What I like and find interesting I really like. There is no denying he is a spectacular guitar player. That being said I'd reach for a Cream or the out takes disc from the Derek and the Dominoes box set first. This album isn't that bad, you can recognize a few of the tunes easy enough and it is not so terrible you wouldn't toss on from time to time.

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