Eric Clapton's 2006 album "Road To Escondido" was in many ways, a journey. Clapton tells the story that he and Cale got together to make the record and how concerned he was about disturbing Cale, who some have claimed is reclusive despite his legendary songwriting credibility having penned tracks recorded by Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bryan Ferry and others. Clapton and Cale did get together and recorded "The Road To Escondido", released in 2006. It's a departure for Clapton who (though he's covered classic Cale compositions like "After Midnight" and "Cocaine"), had not recorded with him up until this album even though the two have been friends and musical collaborators.
An all star cast of musicians plays on the record including drummers Jim Karstein, Steve Jordan and Abraham Laboriel Jr., bassists Gary Gilmore, Willie Weeks, Nathan East and Pino Palladino (three of them have played with Clapton in touring bands while Gilmore was a fixture in Cale's early bands), Walt Richmond and the late, great Hammond B3 player Billy Preston (who played with The Beatles before they broke up, had a successful solo career, and, playing with Clapton off and on until his death), guitarists Doyle Bramhall II., Derek Trucks, Albert Lee and John Mayer (before his solo career really took off), and numerous other percussionists and horn players, plus, Dennis Caplinger on fiddle and Taj Mahal on harmonica.
Trucks and Bramhall were integral parts of Clapton's touring band in 2006-2007 as well. Clapton and Cale produced the record along with Simon Climie who has produced records with Clapton in the past. This record is not too flamboyant compared to a lot of Clapton's blues inspired or pop oriented albums of the past. Since this record, Clapton has gone on to release a new self titled album and did a live album and subsequent tours with Steve Winwood in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
This album is mellower for a blues/rock record, but it's no less exciting to listen to as Cale's prolific and well crafted ability as a songwriter shines through. Cale penned eleven of the songs while one is a Brownie McGhee cover ("Sporting Life Blues"), one is composed by Clapton, about his children, and there is a blues entitled "Hard To Thrill" co-written between Clapton and Mayer. It is the songwriting that gives this album it's strength and at least a couple of the Cale numbers might be recognizable.
It is a pleasure to listen to. It's bluesy, but not over the top. Sparse, yet full in terms of the sounds and the content of the songs. A great record to be sure.
Track listing:
1. Danger
2. Heads In Georgia
3. Missing Person
4. When This War is Over
5. Sporting Life Blues
6. Dead End Road
7. It's Easy
8. Hard To Thrill
9. Anyway the Wind Blows
10. Three Little Girls
11. Don't Cry Sister
12. Last Will and Testament
13. Who am I Telling You
14. Ride The River
No comments:
Post a Comment