Emily: With a mix of covers, new arrangements, and original songs, Eric Clapton shows off a range of bluesy goodness on 461 Ocean Boulevard. Although critical reception for the album is mixed and its merits have been debated over time, it is Clapton through and through, and I enjoyed it upon my first listen. Original, blues-infused tracks like Let It Grow show creativity, while unique covers (Bob Marley, anyone?) show depth and diversity. On every track, however, Clapton puts his guitar-playing prowess at the forefront. Whether it’s rock, blues, or a combination of the two, a Clapton guitar solo is always a classic.
Favorite Tracks: Let It Grow; I Shot the Sherriff; Motherless ChildrenZack: The task of deciding which albums to include so as to adequately represent the musical achievements of Eric P. Clapton is one that I certainly do not envy. He is a certified guitar god, a multi-genre genius, and a virtuoso of his craft. He churns out must-have albums like it’s his job (which I guess it sort of is). An album would have to be a perfect microcosm of his works to make the cut. It would have to blend blues and hard rock together into that signature Clapton sound. It would have to feature at least one of his more famous singles: Cocaine or maybe, hmmm, I don’t know, I Shot the Sheriff possibly. It would have to ooze “Slowhand” from every pore. Enter 461 Ocean Boulevard, which is practically just a long list of check marks for what a Clapton album should be. Sure, it may not be as dynamic as some of his other works, but that just helps to show off the bluesier side of his guitar even more. From start to finish, this album was a pure example of Clapton’s brilliance and a great first step for anyone looking to explore Slowhand’s vast discography.
Favorite Tracks: Let it Grow; I Shot the Sheriff; I Can’t Hold Out
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