Eric Clapton, considered by many to be one, if not THE, best guitar player, ever. And while that may be a challenge of debate for the lot of you, there is no denying the quality of his solo efforts released over the decades, beginning with his self-titled debut back in 1970, which included his phenomenal cover of J.J. Cale’s “After Midnight”. Since that album, he has consistently been able to cull at least one single off each album. If you were to ask me (and I know you’re not), I’d controversially select 1975’s No Reason To Cry. But that’s me. (If Audio Fidelity is asking me (and I know they’re not), I’d call No Reason To Cry an EXCELLENT candidate for SACD.)
From 461 Ocean Boulevard (“I Shot The Sheriff”), to the star-studded No Reason To Cry (“Hello Old Friend”), to the runaway success of Slow Hand (“Cocaine”,”Lay Down Sally”, “Wonderful Tonight”), on through to every solo effort he has created since, one thing is apparent, Eric Clapton, is one of our greats.
So, it is no surprise, and is certainly a pleasure, to announce that Audio Fidelity will be reissuing Clapton’s 1985 star-drenched album, Behind The Sun, on SACD. Newly signed to Warner Brothers, Clapton would release Money And Cigarettes in 1983, an album not as well-received as his previous efforts had been. However, that changed with the release of Behind The Sun, his new album to fans with the help of Phil Collins, Steve Lukather (Toto), Donald “Duck” Dunn, and others. The album moved into the ’80s style with grace and eventually went Platinum in sales.
Audio Fidelity plans the SACD release of Behind The Sun on March 18.
Side Note: My Shameless Pitch to Audio Fidelity for No Reason To Cry on SACD:
Follow up with No Reason To Cry. What an incredible star-studded album that was with Bob Dylan, Ron Wood, The Band, Yvonne Elliman, and others. If you ask me, there was no better Eric Clapton album released.
Journeyman is coming soon!
Matt,
I had to go to Japan to get a proper re-master of No Reason To Cry. It shouldn’t have to be that way.
Joe
Joe, I couldn’t agree more. It’s such a wonderfully collaborative effort with every song a gem, including Dylan with “Sign Language”. It’s the ONE sessions that I’ve would have loved to be a part of.
Good to hear that about journeyman the last good release from clapton
You apparently never heard From the Cradle or Me and Mr. Johnson (or the even better side release, Blues For Mr. J) then? The album with B.B. King (Ridin’ With the King) is great fun too.
Journeyman has its moments, for sure, but also plenty of filler. “Anything For Your Love” is atrocious. At its best though — “Old Love,” “Running On Faith,” and the wonderful cover of Ray Charles’ “Hard Times” — it’s a fine album.
Anyhow, Behind the Sun is a really weak album. Synth-heavy, and Phil Collins’ slick production was not the right fit for Clapton at all. The follow-up, August, was even worse. But he would sink lower, about a decade later on the truly awful Pilgrim.
Sorry… It’s actually “Sessions For Robert J,” not “Blues For Mr. J.” Anyhow, it’s great.
Here I am about to utter what some will consider blasphemy. But I’ve not been a huge Clapton fan. I’ve always felt him to be a bit overrated. So, why am I so big on No Reason To Cry? Unlike Behind The Sun, the collaboration on No Reason to Cry stands so far out, it REALLY should eclipse anything else he has done That album session was a party, day one!
Having said all that, I do respect his work, and his many fans.
Yes shaun I have heard those and own them and also own pilgrim,reptile,back home and the self titled clapton that came out in 2010 that’s why I didn’t bother with his last release old socks I think that was the title.That’s why I will take 80’s clapton over these its been a snooze fest I know the man is getting older but damn play the thing I just because your aging doesn’t mean you have to quit rocking and yes I own about everything clapton has been involved with in his career
Greg, I’m with you. Funny enough, I’m not a big fan of Clapton’s Robert Johnson work. See Peter Green for the ultimate, also various Stones and Keb Mo covers. My favourite is 461 Ocean Boulecard, and I’ve got that as a SACD, so quite happy with my Clapton stakes.
Sadly, I believe he has 1 or 2 good (or listenable) songs on every record (and Lady in Red is definitely not one of those). I wish iTunes was about at that stage, it would have saved me a lot of money! I still think the title track on Another Ticket with Gary Brooker one of his best songs. The From the Cradle rehearsals are great, but on the record he tries to copy the blues men’s voices, which doesn’t work too well. Because he’s made so many records, his One more Car, One more Driver DVD is phenomenal, mining his full career. The BB King and JJ Cale combos were fun, but his greatest work was saved for Cream and Damp;tD, imho.