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Eric Clapton: Clapton Chronicles - The Best of Eric Clapton

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s

Artist: Eric Clapton
Title: Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton
Released: 1999.10.12
Label: Reprise Records
Time: 73:01
Producer(s): See Artists ...
Appears with: The Yardbirds
Category: Blues
Rating: *********. (9/10)
Media type: CD
Purchase date:  1999
Price in €: 13,99
Web address: www.ericclapton.com

 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Blue Eyes Blue (Warren) - 4:43
[2] Change the World (Kennedy/Kirkpatrick/Sims) - 3:55
[3] My Father's Eyes (Clapton) - 5:24
[4] Tears in Heaven (Clapton/Jennings) - 4:31
[5] Layla (Clapton/Gordon) - 4:22
[6] Pretending (Williams) - 4:48
[7] Bad Love (Clapton/Jones) - 5:19
[8] Before You Accuse Me (Take a Look at... (Diddley) - 3:59
[9] It's in the Way That You Use It (Clapton/Robertson) - 4:12
[10] Forever Man (Williams) - 3:12
[11] Running on Faith (Williams) - 6:18
[12] She's Waiting (Clapton/Robinson) - 4:56
[13] River of Tears (Clapton/Climie) - 7:21
[14] (I) Get Lost (Clapton) - 4:19

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Eric Clapton - Guitars, Vocals

Phil Collins - Producer
Simon Climie - Producer
Tom Dowd - Producer
Bob Ludwig - Mastering
Ted Templeman - Producer
Russ Titelman - Producer
Lenny Waronker - Producer
Rob Cavallo - Producer

Kevin Mazur - Photography
Norman Watson - Photography  
 

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


By the time Eric Clapton launched his solo career with the release of his self-titled debut album in August 1970, he was long established as one of the world's major rock stars due to his group affiliations -- the Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Blind Faith -- affiliations that had demonstrated his claim to being the best rock guitarist of his generation. That it took Clapton so long to go out on his own, however, was evidence of a degree of reticence unusual for one of his stature. And his debut album, though it spawned the Top 40 hit "After Midnight," was typical of his self-effacing approach: It was, in effect, an album by the group he had lately been featured in, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. Not surprisingly, before his solo debut had even been released, Clapton had retreated from his solo stance, assembling from the D&B&F ranks the personnel for a group, Derek and the Dominos, with which he played for most of 1970. Clapton was largely inactive in 1971 and 1972, due to heroin addiction, but he performed a comeback concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London on January 13, 1973, resulting in the album Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert (September 1973).

But Clapton did not launch a sustained solo career until July 1974, when he released 461 Ocean Boulevard, which topped the charts and spawned the #1 single "I Shot the Sheriff."

The persona Clapton established over the next decade was less that of guitar hero than arena rock star with a weakness for ballads. The follow-ups to 461 Ocean Boulevard, There's One in Every Crowd (March 1975), the live E.C. Was Here (August 1975), ...

William Ruhlmann, All-Music Guide



In a way, there are two Eric Claptons -- the guitar legend, so good that he was once called God, and the mature pop musician, creating music as elegantly tailored as his suits. Since Clapton famously left the Yardbirds because he was afraid they were getting too pop, it's unnecessary to point out the irony in his evolution from blues-rock trailblazer to tasteful adult-contemporary crooner. By the end of the '90s, he had certainly firmly positioned himself in the adult-pop market, and even when he dipped into the blues, it was done with self-conscious class. Clapton Chronicles: Best of 1981-1999 makes this clear, as it compiles highlights from the second two decades of his career. At the beginning of the '80s, Clapton wasn't washed up -- he had a Top Ten hit with "I Can't Stand It," taken from his last album for RSO -- but he stumbled initially at Reprise, as 1983's Money and Cigarettes failed to generate any attention or hits, apart from the appealingly middling "I've Got a Rock N' Roll Heart." Perhaps that's why the album is ignored on Clapton Chronicles, which starts with the Phil Collins-produced 1985 effort Behind the Sun (by the way, that means a more accurate subtitle would have been Best of 1985-1999). Not surprisingly, both Behind the Sun and its follow-up, August , also helmed by Collins, have a pop sheen, even though they're clearly aiming for the album market. His 1989 effort, Journeyman , was his hardest-rocking record in years, particularly on a strong version of Bo Diddley's "Before You Accuse Me," yet it still had a nice, commercial gloss. It was the one album where he got the balance right, and the songs from it that made the cut -- "Before You Accuse Me", "Bad Love" and "Pretending" -- really form the heart of this compilation. Journeyman performed well commercially, too, yet it was quickly overshadowed by the phenomenal success of "Tears in Heaven." His tribute to his son, who died tragically at an early age, became his biggest hit and set the stage for the phenomenal success of 1992's Unplugged , a fine album that went platinum ten times over. Just as importantly, it established a new public image -- classy, stylish, and substantial. And that's the image that prevails on Clapton Chronicles; his much-lauded blues album From the Cradle -- a triple-platinum record that hit number one -- is written completely out of the picture.

In its place are songs from movie soundtracks -- the Babyface-produced "Change the World" (from the John Travolta flick Michael), "Blue Eyes Blues" (from the Julia Roberts and Richard Gere reunion, Runaway Bride), and "Get Lost" (from the Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfieffer romantic melodrama, The Story of Us). Apart from "Change the World," which is a strong song, these tunes are a little too self-conscious and sound too subdued, as do the selections from 1998's Pilgrim . The thing is, this deliberate move to paint Clapton's '80s and '90s recordings as adult-contemporary fare is more or less accurate. While the absence of any songs from From the Cradle means that a significant portion of his weightiest music from this era is missing, that album was a bit of an aberration, since Clapton's musical journey from 1985 to 1999 was taken mostly in the middle of the road.

And Clapton Chronicles certainly captures that journey.

Some may complain that Money and Cigarettes is missing, but musically it was more of a piece with the RSO records, and From the Cradle or 24 Nights wouldn't sound appropriate in this collection of singles. And on that level, Clapton Chronicles works really well, missing none of the major hits from the late '80s and '90s. Whether it's a necessary addition to a Clapton collection is a matter of taste. It's certainly an excellent compliment to Unplugged and Time Pieces, his two most popular and pop-oriented albums, but that might not be what every fan wants.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide



The last time anyone expected Eric Clapton to rock out was probably with Derek & the Dominos - almost three decades ago if you're counting. The '70s presented a sultry side to his music, and by 1985 he was just as much a refined pop vocalist as he was great white bluesman. Each of the songs on this lockstep hits package from this latest period (it covers 1985-1999) find Clapton in lite-rock male singer mode. The tracks cut with ubiquitous '80s face Phil Collins choke on glossy production ("Bad Love," "She's Waiting"); in the '90s, it's Babyface stealing the show on "Change the World" and "Runaway Bride's Blue Eyes." Clapton manages something resembling real commitment with "Tears in Heaven," even though its omnipresence on mid-'90s airwaves made its mawkish side unmistakable. Only with scattered guitar solos and a fairly passionate "Before You Accuse Me" are we reminded that Clapton the measured aristocrat was once Eric the blues hound. But modern radio listeners willing to plunk down good green for Chronicles aren't likely to be concerned either way.

© 1999 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Oh weh, wenn dies für Sie der erste Kontakt mit Eric Clapton ist, dann werden Sie hier aber ganz schön verwirrt. Wie, was? Das soll dieses legendäre Gitarrenidol sein!? Dies soll (wie seine frühe Apostelschar verkündete) der "Gott" der Gitarre sein? The Clapton Chronicles schreiben die Chronik der Zeit von Mitte der Achtzigerjahre bis zu den späten Neunzigern, und diese Chronik bringt wenig von dem bahnbrechenden Blues-Rock aus Claptons Zeit der Klassiker der Sechziger- und Siebzigerjahre, sondern mehr von dem auf Hochglanz polierten Popsound von Phil Collins, der einen der vierzehn Tracks produzierte, die auf dieser Anthologie zu finden sind. Seine Neu-Aufnahme eines seiner größten Erfolge -- das einst so packende, jetzt nur noch gefällige "Layla" -- illustriert vielleicht am besten Clapton in seiner Midlife-Crisis: Wer möchte schon gern in der dunkelsten Phase seines Lebens herumstochern? Clapton selbst bestimmt nicht, denn er macht aus seiner aufrührerischen, wütenden Attacke einen Sonntagsspaziergang zur allgemeinen Entspannung. Und Fans auch nicht, die sich mit so biederem MOR-Futter abspeisen lassen wie "My Father's Eyes", "Tears in Heaven" und den beiden neuen Tracks "Blue Eyes Blue" und "Get Lost".

Steven Stolder, Amazon.de
 

 L y r i c s


Blue Eyes Blue

I thought that you'd be loving me.
I thought you were the one who'd stay forever.
But now forever's come and gone
And I'm still here alone.

'Cause you were only playing,
You were only playing with my heart.
I was never waiting,
I was never waiting for the tears to start.

  It was you who put the clouds around me.
  It was you who made the tears fall down.
  It was you who broke my heart in pieces.
  It was you, it was you who made my blue eyes blue.
  Oh, I never should have trusted you.

I thought that I'd be all you need.
In your eyes I thought I saw my heaven.
And now my heaven's gone away
And I'm out in the cold.

'Cause you had me believing,
You had me believing in a lie.
Guess I couldn't see it,
I guess I couldn't see it till I saw goodbye.

  Chorus

'Cause you were only playing,
You were only playing with my heart.
I was never waiting,
I was never waiting for the tears to start.

It was you who put the clouds around me.
It was you.

  Chorus

Oh, I never should have trusted you.
Oh, I never should have trusted you.
Oh, I never should have trusted you.


Change The World

If I can reach the stars,
Pull one down for you,
Shine it on my heart
So you could see the truth:
That this love I have inside
Is everything it seems.
But for now I find
It's only in my dreams.

And I can change the world,
I will be the sunlight in your universe.
You would think my love was really something good,
Baby if I could change the world.

And if I could be king,
Even for a day,
I'd take you as my queen;
I'd have it no other way.
And our love would rule
This kingdom we had made.
Till then I'd be a fool,
Wishing for the day...

That I can change the world,
I would be the sunlight in your universe.
You would think my love was really something good,
Baby if I could change the world.
Baby if I could change the world.

I could change the world,
I would be the sunlight in your universe.
You would think my love was really something good,
Baby if I could change the world.
Baby if I could change the world.
Baby if I could change the world.


My Father's Eyes

Sailing down behind the sun,
Waiting for my prince to come.
Praying for the healing rain
To restore my soul again.

Just a toerag on the run.
How did I get here?
What have I done?
When will all my hopes arise?
How will I know him?
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Then the light begins to shine
And I hear those ancient lullabies.
And as I watch this seedling grow,
Feel my heart start to overflow.

Where do I find the words to say?
How do I teach him?
What do we play?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That's when I need them,
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Then the jagged edge appears
Through the distant clouds of tears.
I'm like a bridge that was washed away;
My foundations were made of clay.

As my soul slides down to die.
How could I lose him?
What did I try?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That he was here with me;
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

My father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.


Tears In Heaven

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven.

Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven.

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please.

Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven.

  First Verse


Layla

What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.

  Layla, you've got me on my knees.
  Layla, I'm begging, darling please.
  Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind.

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.

  Chorus

Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain.

  Chorus

  Chorus


Pretending

How many times must we tell the tale?
How many times must we fall?
Living in lost memory
You just recalled

Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right
Two go out working
Three stay home at night

  That's when she said she was pretending
  Like she knew the plan
  That's when I knew she was pretending
  Pretending to understand

  Pretending, pretending
  Pretending, pretending

Satisfied but lost in love
Situations change
You're never who you used to think you are
How strange

  Chorus

I get lost in alibis
Sadness can't prevail
Everybody knows strong love
Can't fail

Don't be pretending about how you feel
Don't be pretending that your love is real
Don't be pretending about how you feel
Don't be pretending that your love is real

Pretending, pretending
Pretending, pretending


Bad Love

Oh what a feeling I get when I'm with you
You take my heart into everything you do
And it makes me sad for the lonely people
I walked that road for so long
Now I know that I'm one of the lucky people
Your love is making me strong

  I've had enough bad love
  I need something I can be proud of
  I've had enough bad love
  No more bad love

And now I see that my life has been so blue
With all the heartaches I had till I met you
But I'm glad to say now that's all behind me
With you here by my side
And there's no more memories to remind me
Your love will keep me alive

  Chorus

  Chorus

  Chorus


Before You Accuse Me

Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else

I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
Well your mother said "Son"
"Don't call my daughter no more"

  First Verse

Come back home baby, try my love one more time
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
If I don't go on and quit you
I'm gonna lose my mind

  First Verse


It's In The Way That You Use It

  It's in the way that you use it,
  It comes and it goes.
  It's in the way that you use it,
  Boy don't you know.

And if you lie you will lose it,
Feelings will show.
So don't you ever abuse it,
Don't let it go.

Nobody's right till somebody's wrong.
Nobody's weak till somebody's strong.
No one gets lucky till luck comes along.
Nobody's lonely till somebody's gone.

  Chorus

  Chorus

  First Verse

I've seen dark skies, never like this.
Walked on some thin ice, never like this.
I've told you white lies, never like this.
Looked into true eyes, never like this.

  Chorus


Forever Man

How many times must I tell you babe,
How many bridges I've got to cross?
How many times must I explain myself
Before I can talk to the boss,
'Fore I can talk to the boss?

How many times must I say I love you
Before you finally understand?
Won't you be my forever woman?
I'll try to be your forever man,
Try to be your forever man.

  Second Verse

Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Try to be your forever man.

Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Forever man, forever man, forever man.
Try to be your forever man.


Running On Faith

Lately I've been running on faith
What else can a poor boy do?
But my world will be right
When love comes over you

Lately I've been talking in my sleep
I can't imagine what I'd have to say
Except my world will be right
When love comes back your way

  I've always been
  One to take each and every day
  Seems like by now
  I'd find a love who cares just for me

Then we'd go running on faith
All of our dreams would come true
And our world will be right
When love comes over me and you

  Chorus

Then we'd go running on faith
All of our dreams would come true
And our world will be right
When love comes over me and you
When love comes over you


She's Waiting

  She's waiting for another love.
  She's waiting for another love.

She's been waiting for another love,
Someone that she can show into her heart.
And when she finally finds a stronger love,
Your whole world's gonna fall apart.

  Chorus

You've been abusing her for far too long;
Think you're a king and she's your pawn.
Get ready now, 'cause pretty soon
She'll be gone and you'll be on your own.

  Chorus

I see the hunger burning in her eye;
Any fool could see there's something wrong.
You keep pretending not to care,
But I will hear you sing a different song.

  Chorus

Waiting for another lover,
Hoping for the time that she'll find another...


River Of Tears

It's three miles to the river
That would carry me away,
And two miles to the dusty street
That I saw you on today.

It's four miles to my lonely room
Where I will hide my face,
And about half a mile to the downtown bar
That I ran from in disgrace.

Lord, how long have I got to keep on running,
Seven hours, seven days or seven years?
All I know is, since you've been gone
I feel like I'm drowning in a river,
Drowning in a river of tears.
Drowning in a river.
Feel like I'm drowning,
Drowning in a river.

In three more days, I'll leave this town
And disappear without a trace.
A year from now, maybe settle down
Where no one knows my face.

I wish that I could hold you
One more time to ease the pain,
But my time's run out and I got to go,
Got to run away again.

Still I catch myself thinking,
One day I'll find my way back here.
You'll save me from drowning,
Drowning in a river,
Drowning in a river of tears.
Drowning in a river.
Feels like I'm drowning,
Drowning in the river.
Lord, how long must this go on?

Drowning in a river,
Drowning in a river of tears.


(I) Get Lost

I'm sorry.
Why should I say I'm sorry?
If I hurt you,
You know you've hurt me too.

  But you get lost inside your tears,
  And there is nothing I can do,
  'Cause I get lost inside my fear
  That I am nothing without you.

You're angry.
Why shouldn't you be angry?
With what we've been through,
Well I get angry too.

  Chorus

'Cause I am nothing without you.

Why should we have taken so long
To be looking inside of our mind?
Everything we tried went wrong.
Are we worried 'bout what we might find?

I'm sorry,
But can I say I'm sorry?
If I hurt you,
You know it hurts me too.

  Chorus

And you get lost inside your tears,
And there is nothing we can do,
'Cause I get lost inside my fear
That I am nothing without you.

'Cause I am nothing without you.
And I am nothing without you.
'Cause I am nothing without you.
'Cause I am nothing without you.
 

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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