[1] Pretending (Jerry Williams) - 4:48
[2] Anything For Your Love (Jerry Williams) - 4:16
[3] Bad Love (Eric Clapton / Darryl Jones) - 5:11
[4] Running On Faith (Jerry Williams) - 5:27
[5] Hard Times (Ray Charles) - 3:00
[6] Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller) - 2:26
[7] No Alibis (Jerry Williams) - 5:32
[8] Run So Far (George Harrison) - 4:06
[9] Old Love (Eric Clapton / Robert Cray) - 6:25
[10] Breaking Point (Grebb / Jerry Williams) - 5:37
[11] Lead Me On (Cecil Womack / Linda Womack) - 5:52
[12] Before You Accuse Me (Ellis McDaniel) - 3:55
JERRY WILLIAMS - vocals,guitar
GEORGE HARRISON - guitar, background vocals
ROBERT CRAY - guitar
ROBBIE KONDOR - harmonica, keyboards,vocoder, synthesizer, programming
DAVID "FATHEAD" NEWMAN TENOR - saxophone
HANK CRAWFORD - alto saxophone
RONNIE CUBER - baritone saxophone
JON FADDIS, LOU SOLOF - trumpet
GREG PHILLINGANES - piano, keyboards,synthesizer, background vocals
RICHARD TEE - piano, Fender Rhodes
ALAN CLARK HAMMOND - organ, synthesizer,keyboards, programming
GARY BURTON - vibraphone
NATHAN EAST - bass, background vocals
DARYL JONES - bass
PHIL COLLINS - drums, background vocals
CAROL STEELE - congas,tambourine, percussion
CHAKA KHAN - background vocals
DAVE O'DONNELL - Engineer
MICHAEL O'REILLY - Engineer
JACK JOSEPH PUIG - Engineer
STEVE RINKOFF - Engineer
DAVE WITTMAN - Engineer
LARRY ALEXANDER - Engineer
EUGENE NASTASI - Assistant Engineer
RICHARD ARNOLD - Assistant Engineer
JEFF BOVA - Programming
ALAN CLARK - Sequencing, Synthesizer Strings
ALEXANDRA SARAPASE CONOMOS - Assistant Producer
ARIF MARDIN - Arranger, String Arrangements
BEN FOWLER - Assistant Engineer, Engineer, Mixing Assistant
STEVE "BARNEY" CAHSE - Engineer, Mixing
RUSS TITELMAN - Mixing, Producer
ROB EATON - Mixing
GARY WRIGHT - Mixing
TED JENSEN - Mastering
TERRY O'NEIL - Photography
ROGER FORRESTER - Photography
1989 LP Warner Bros WX 322
1989 CD Warner Bros WX322CD
1989 CD Warner Bros 926074-2
This is a classic Eric Clapton album. Not only does it include a lot
good original stuff, but his guitar playing is really exploring his
technique and differs from the stuff done previous. The cover of Hound
Dog is excellently done! It's a must get if you're a Clapton fan in any
shape or form!
For most of the '80s, Eric Clapton seemed rather lost, uncertain of
whether he should return to his blues roots or pander to AOR radio. By
the mid-'80s, he appeared to have made the decision to revamp himself
as a glossy mainstream rocker, working with synthesizers and drum
machines. Instead of expanding his audience, it only reduced it. Then
came the career retrospective Crossroads, which helped revitalize his
career, not only commercially, but also creatively, as Journeyman
— the first album he recorded after the success of Crossroads
— proved. Although Journeyman still suffers from an overly slick
production, Clapton sounds more convincing than he has since the early
'70s. Not only is his guitar playing muscular and forceful, his singing
is soulful and gritty. Furthermore, the songwriting is consistently
strong, alternating between fine mainstream rock originals
("Pretending") and covers ("Before You Accuse Me," "Hound Dog"). Like
any of Clapton's best albums, there is no grandstanding to be found on
Journeyman — it's simply a laidback and thoroughly engaging
display of Clapton's virtuosity. On the whole, it's the best studio
album he's released since Slowhand.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide
Journeyman erschien unmittelbar nach dem formvollendeten Box Set
Crossroads und zeigt Eric Claptons Schachzug, Zurückhaltung
vorzutäuschen und dann für sein aufmerksames Publikum auf
einmal den Blues voll anzukurbeln. Die hier mobilisierten
Hilfskräfte können sich sehen lassen: George Harrison, Phil
Collins, Robert Cray, Chaka Khan und David Sanborn machen aus
Journeyman weniger eine Party von Superstars als vielmehr eine mit
Augenmaß und Geschmack geplante, gestaltete und produzierte
Sammlung. Ab und zu blitzt Claptons Rolle als Lead-Gitarrist durch,
aber mit seinen Gesangsbeiträgen hält er sich zurück.
Die Version von "Before You Accuse Me" ist tief nachempfunden und wenn
Clapton vielleicht an dieser Stelle auch nicht so ganz imstande ist,
den runtergekommenen "schmutzigen" Blues aus der Schmuddelkneipe zu
liefern, so beseelen seine Finger seine Musik immer noch mit ein wenig
Soul.
Rob O'Connor, Amazon.de
Ehe Xlapton für Unplugged ausstöpselte, lieferte er als
Journeyman perfekte Reisemusik: frische Rocksongs mit Drive, passend
zur nächstlichen City-Tour wie fürs Dahinschnurren auf der
Autobahn.
Um ein spektakuläres Album zu machen, genügt es oft schon,
einen großen Namen zu tragen und alle paar Jahre mit der Hilfe
ausgebuffter Sudioprofis (Greg Phillinganes, Richard Tee, Nathan East,
Jim Keltner) und prominenter Freunde (George Harrison, Phil Collins,
Daryl Hall, Robert Cray) ein paar Oldies sowie eine Handvoll
Originalsongs unter der Regie eines namhaften Produzenten (Russ
Titelman) aufzunehmen. Voraussetzung für den Erfolg ist allerdings
immer noch, daß die neuen Kompositionen etwas taugen und
attraktive Neuinterpretationen der Oldies gelingen. Eric Claptons neue
Platte erfüllt keine dieser Bedingungen ganz. Am schlechtesten war
er sicher beraten, gleich fünf Songs des Lohnschreibers Jerry
Williams zu akzeptieren: Denen helfen weder Clapton Interpretation noch
die ausgefeilten Arrangements aus ihrer Belanglosigkeit. George
Harrison hat in jüngster Zeit unter eigenem Namen attraktivere
Songs veröffentlicht als das hier vorgestellte "Run So Far". Und
Womack & Womacks Ballade "Lead Me On" überzeugt, wenn
überhaupt, mehr durch Arrangement als melodische Finesse.
Über die Rock 'n' Roll-Nummern "Hound Dog" und "Before You Accuse
Me" sei besser geschwiegen - Claptons Metier ist der Blues, den er
routi- niert in Ray Charles' "Hard Times" und dem zusammen mit Robert
Cray geschriebenen "Old Love" zelebriert. Bleibt unterm Strich ein
einziger überragender Song: "Bad Love", Claptons Versuch, (mit
Hilfe von Mick Jones) "Layla" noch einmal zu schreiben. Dieser Song hat
die Qualitäten, die man von einem Musiker wie ihm erwartet. **
Interpret.: 06-08
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
ANYTHING FOR YOUR LOVE
God's got a plan, he's making it clear
Sweet little love song in your ear
Like hearts made of diamond, love will prevail
Put a little wind in your sail
I'd do anything, anything you can dream of
I'd do anything, anything for your love
For your love
For your love
Listen now baby, I'll tell you true
Just how much that I love you
I got a sweet feelin' I know is real
This kind of love you can't conceal
Chorus
Chorus
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
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
HARD TIMES
My mother told me
'Fore she passed away
Said son when I'm gone
Don't forget to pray
'Cause there'll be hard times
Lord those hard times
Who knows better than I?
Well I soon found out
Just what she meant
When I had to pawn my clothes
Just to pay the rent
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Lord those hard times
Who knows better than I?
I had a woman
Who was always around
But when I lost my money
She put me down
Talkin' 'bout hard times
Hard times
Yeah, yeah, who knows better than I?
Lord, one of these days
There'll be no more sorrow
When I pass away
And no more hard times
No more hard times
Yeah, yeah, who knows
HOUND DOG
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' round my door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' round my door
You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more
You told me you was high class
I could see through that
You told me you was high class
I could see through that
And baby I know
You ain't no real cool cat
First Verse
You made me feel so blue
You made me weep and moan
You made me feel so blue
You made me weep and moan
'Cause I'm looking for a woman
All your lookin' for is a home
First Verse
NO ALIBIS
I beg your pardon, hello darlin'
This is me you're talkin' to
Sit down and tell me about it
You don't have to shout it at me
Tell me what you really want to do
Don't give me no alibis
No untrue stories you're trying to justify
Don't want no alibis
Just another reason for another lie
Mountain gets steeper
The hole you dig gets deeper
You better stop and climb out
'Cause I'm trying to give it all to you
Baby I can see right through you
Sometimes you lose what it's all about
Don't give me no alibis
Can't go through life trying to justify
Don't want no alibis
Just another reason for another lie
Chorus
Mountain gets steeper
The hole you dig is getting deeper
Better reach out and pull yourself out
Nobody ever gonna love you the way that I love you
And I never want to see you doin' without
Chorus
Chorus
RUN SO FAR
You fly
Out as your smile wears thin
I sigh
Knowing the mess you're in
And you know that you can't get away
And you know you can't hide it from yourself
Lonely days, heavy heart
No escape, can only run so far
I know
Something I ought to say
Stuck here
Trying to find a way
And you know that you can't get away
And you know you can't hide it from yourself
Lonely nights, blue guitar
No way out, can only run so far
Lonesome tears, at the bar
One way street, can only run so far
I pray
That you might make it through
Those teardrops
Now seems a part of you
And you know that you can't get away
And you know you can't hide it from yourself
Fallin' down, under par
Can't get out, can only run so far
Lonely days, heavy heart
No escape, can only run so far
Lonesome tears, at the bar
One way street, can only run so far
OLD LOVE
I can feel your body
When I'm lying in bed
There's too much confusion
Going around through my head
And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame still burns
Why can't I get over?
When will I ever learn?
Old love, leave me alone
Old love, go on home
I can see your face
But I know that it's not real
It's just an illusion
Caused by how I used to feel
And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame will always burn
I'll never get over
I know now that I'll never learn
Chorus
BREAKING POINT
Well I just don't get it
Can't make the pieces fit
I might just as well forget it
But my heart won't let me quit
You say it's only a part of love
That's right
But I get a little worried sometimes
When I start to lose
Tired of holding it together
When I know I'm going to blow another fuse
I'm at my breaking point
My breaking point
I'm at my breaking point
My breaking point
Well you're never gonna get it
If you don't get up and try
Try and spread those wings around me
Honey let me see you fly
You say it's only a part of love
That's right
But I get a little worried sometimes
When I start to lose
Tired of holding it together
When I know I'm going to blow another fuse
Chorus
Maybe someday you'll recover
I can see it in your eyes
One more thing that you'll discover
That you'll finally realize
LEAD ME ON
Tell me anything you think I wanna hear
Just to keep me standin' here
To secure your shaky fears
Tell me you love me, but in your heart you know you don't
So you lie 'cause you think I want
To make believe you love when you don't
Lead me on, lead me on
Lead me on, lead me on
I'll play along and along and along
Baby lead me on
Lead me on
Pretend it's rainin' when the tears flow from my eyes
And you're warm when you're cold as ice
And everything's gonna be alright
And it's a shame, little Johnn wears my name
And you know I'm not the one
Still you say he is my son
Chorus
And when I leave to go work for you
You cry you're lonely too
To make me feel your love is true
But in your dreams you slip and tell it all
I hear you calling out his name
You say you love him loud and plain
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