Customer Reviews

Backless

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though not in the same league with Clapton's best solo albums from the 1970s (that would be "461 Ocean Boulevard" and "Slowhand"), "Backless still contains enough good Clapton performances to keep it interesting. The best are the countryish "Promises," the bluesy "Walk Out in the Rain," the superbly rockin' "Tulsa Time," and "Watch Out for Lucy." The rest aren't quite as good but are a cut above your average filler material. This is the kind of album you can plug in and play in the background without getting any nasty surprises. Overall, its well worth a listen for Clapton fans and for fans of 70s rock.

One of the most underrated albums in my opinion is Eric's 1978 "Backless" recording. It is a fantastic collection of music, starting with "Walk out in the Rain" actually written by Bob Dylan/Helena Springs. This track sets the tone for the album, mellow bluesy rock that really gets in your head after a few listenings. "Tulsa Time" may be the most known track, at the end of the album, and it is a great remake of a classic.

In between are some nice traditional blues ("Early in the Morning" - similar to the sound heard on "From the Cradle"). "Watch out for Lucy" could come straight out of a roadside beer bar, a great "live band" sound even though it's a studio recording. Criticisms of this album are commonly along the lines of "Eric goes Country...etc..", but I would urge Clapton fans to give it a try... it's good listening

This has become one of my favorite albums. As was the case with many of Eric Clapton's 70s recordings, there is conscious, post-traumatic sense of escape from the trappings of superstardom. "Backless" is the antithesis of the apocalyptic drama that was Cream or Derek and the Dominos. No one would ever die for this music--it's just for fun, to make you smile, and to enjoy some great playing. His two Dylan songs are nothing you would confuse with "Desolation Row"--they are simple songs that could've been written by anybody, and they are both quite enjoyable here. The real highlights, though, are the minor hits "Promises," "Watch out for Lucy," and "Tulsa Time" which have a great after-hours motel room feel about them. "Promises" is as close to perfection as you could get--a subdued vocal, lyrics ruminating about one of those relationships that get under your skin, a great rhythm track, and subtle slide guitar touches that double the wordless chorus. "Watch out for Lucy" is an irresistable toe-tapper that allows Clapton to cut loose on the guitar, and "Tulsa Time" is a rocker that provides another good setting for Clapton to cut loose. I love the organist and the drummer on this session--and found myself thinking of Garth Hudson and Levon Helm.

This is a great album for anyone who likes subtle, home-style music. This is from a period when Clapton was heavily influenced by country music and wanted to incorporate it into his work. Don't let this scare you, though. This album is still a rock 'n roll album, but it just takes a much more laid back approach to it. This album shies away from the "Clapton is God" mystique. It isn't forced, and Clapton isn't feeling obligated to be the guitar hero anymore. There is still great guitar work in it, but it blends in naturally and smoothly. This is one of my all-time favorite Clapton albums (Among the 17 or so that I own).

Backless is another melting pot of sounds from Eric Clapton. He mixes in some straight blues with "I'll Make Love To You Anytime" and "Roll It", the superb "Watch Out For Lucy" has a rockabilly feel, "Tulsa Time" is good old rock & roll, "Walk Out In The Rain" and "Early In The Morning" has a subtle sound while the top ten single "Promises" and "Golden Ring" are ballads. Stir them up and you have another Clapton classic.

This is just another example of how Eric Clapton was a victim of expectation. The poor guy got slammed so many times by reviewers because he didn't record the kind of songs they wanted him to at the time. But this disc has weathered time very well and it supports what I told my friends back when it was released in '78: this is good stuff. Not his best, perhaps, but more than worth a listen. "Watch out for Lucy" is a catchy pop tune and "Roll It" is an interesting song that might not sound like EC to many listeners but I still like it. The highlights for me are "If I Don't Be There By Morining" and "Tulsa Time", both excellent funky tunes. It's interesting to compare these studio versions with the live versions on "Just One Night" which were recorded a year later in Japan. I actually prefer the live versions but these studio cuts are also excellent. By the way, the Cd also includes the full length version of "Early in the Morning", another excellent tune.

The cover photo of this album captures the mood of this album to the proverbial 'T'...It is generally living-room relaxed and laid-back, and though cut in the general mold of the preceding year's release "Slowhand," this effort has a bit more grit to it, as evidenced in the eight-minute treatment given the traditional blues standard "Early in the Morning" and the honky-tonkish "Tulsa Time," both delivered with a winning "edge." However, tuneful and rhythmically-measured songs are the order of the day here. Clapton pens four tunes himself, easily the best of which is the catchy pop-shuffle "Watch Out for Lucy." The commercial hit of this album is the understated "Promises," which displays Clapton's increasingly relaxed vocal tone offset against an equally congenial backdrop of steady-rolling instrumental and rhythm arrangements. There is not a single standout cut amongst this collection, but the quality is uniformly good, the musicianship of the high standard one expects of Clapton and his cohorts, the overall end-effect being one of over-arching pleasantness. This is not a "great" album, but is one that wears well; it is, indeed, very easy on the ears...

I think this is one of his better earlier CDs. Although there are no rock 'em sock 'em tunes, songs such as "Roll It", If I Don't Be There By Morning", "I'll Make Love To You Anytime" and others still allow you to have a rockin' good time. It's an excellent CD to listen to when exercising or working outside. The only problem is you like it so much it makes you stop to listen. To me, that's the quality every good music CD has. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

As an owner of nearly all Clapton's albums, I can't understand why people keep writing this disc off. In my humble opinion, it's extremely geniune- Clapton's guitar tone and vocals here are both superb. George Terry, as always, also shines on 2nd guitar, as does Eric's whole band. Clearly, this was the best band ever to stand behind Slowhand- you can hear exactly why on this record. Nearly every song on the disc is great with the exception of "Roll It," which is an obvious filler. All in all, though, I think this album carries more punch than the previous "Slowhand." As a side note, though the CD is remastered, it still doesn't quite have the grace of my old "Backless" vinyl LP...turn that up to +1, let it run, and you feel like you're right in the room with Clapton!

Great kinda mellow rock album. One of my favorite 70's recordings and I like it more and more as my tastes mellow and a bit of a country rock twang sounds good to me. May have to buy it on CD one day -- Lord knows how long the vinyl will hold up.