-Paul

Please *DO NOT* distribute this Voice Card outside of Archipelago.

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Note 37.86 Eric Clapton 86 of 8 BAHTAT::BELL "SWAS Leeds 845 2214" 46 lines 1-NOV-1989 09:0 (Desert Island + "Journeyman" Review)
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Re - a few. The Desert Island Discs radio prog EC was on a while back. I just found this in a UK Musicians Mag 'Making Music'.

The two classical pieces EC chose were "Suor Angelica" by Puccini and a duet from Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers". The other stuff he picked were all black artists, "Crossroads Blues" Robert Johnson then Muddy Waters,Stevie Wonder,Ray Charles,Freddie King and lastly Prince's "Purple Rain". His one allowed luxury was a guitar and for a book "The complete works of Charles Dickens".

This months issue of the same mag has the following revue of ECs latest album. (Reproduced without permission)

ERIC CLAPTON - Journeyman (Warner Bros)

The rejuvenation of Eric Clapton as a South Bank show artist and Desert Island Discs guest is now complete. And the outward signs of the erstwhile Slowhand feeling comfortable enough to deal with the world at large are backed up by "Journeyman" tackling music in general.

There are no styles here that Clapton doesn't feel entirely at home with. In the past it would have been easy to pick out tracks like "Hard Times" with its smokey club piano, brushes and huffing bass as Eric's natural home. But instead of seeming unsettled by the shifting chords of "Breaking Point", or worried that the classic riff and lift of key on "Bad Love" smacked too much of "Layla", Eric now handles it all with unfettered confidence.

That said, Slowhand does still score his best points on the lazy reflective numbers- the Rhodes and acoustic guitar driven "Lead me on" and the slow extended melody of "Anything For Your Love".

Listen perticularly for the constant hammer-ons buzzing around in the background of that track. Producer Russ Titelman has banked up strings, gospel choirs, pianos, and swirling Hammonds on either side of "Journeyman" but wisely still left a clear channel straight down the middle for those slightly mocking guitar lines which are never far away.

These days when Clapton sings about never making the same mistake again, you can just catch a smile in the voice that means he's certain he will. Another sure sign he's in a good mood.

Anyone else heard this new album yet? I guess I know what's going on my Christmas present to myself list this year.

Richard Bell