..:: audio-music dot info ::..


Main Page    The Desert Island    Copyright Notice
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz


Eric Clapton: Reptile

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s

Artist: Eric Clapton
Title: Reptile
Released: 2001.03.05
Label: Reprise Records
Time: 65:23
Producer(s): Eric Clapton, Simon Climie
Appears with: The Yardbirds
Category: Blues
Rating: ******.... (6/10)
Media type: CD
Purchase date:  2001.03.07
Price in €: 12,99
Web address: www.ericclapton.com

 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Reptile (Eric Clapton) - 3:26
[2] Got You On My Mind (Joe Thomas, Howard Biggs) - 4:30
[3] Travelin' Light (J.J.Cale) - 4:17
[4] Believe In Life (Eric Clapton) - 5:06
[5] Come Back Baby (Ray Charles) - 3:54
[6] Broken Down (Simon Climie, Dennis Morgan) - 5:26
[7] Find Myself (Eric Clapton) - 5:15
[8] I Ain't Gonna Stand For It (Stevie Wonder) - 4:50
[9] I Want a Little Girl (Murray Mencher, Billy Moll) - 2:58
[10] Second Nature (Eric Clapton, Simon Climie, Dennis Morgan) - 4:48
[11] Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (James Taylor) - 4:46
[12] Modern Girl (Eric Clapton) - 4:51
[13] Superman Inside (Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II, Susannah Melvoin) - 5:07
[14] Son & Sylvia (Eric Clapton) - 4:44

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Eric Clapton - Vocals, Guitar, Album Sleeve Concept

Steve Gadd - Drums on [1]-[14]
Pino Palladino Bass on [1], [10]
Paul Carrack - Keyboards on [1], [10], Hammond Organ on [10]
Paul Weller - Drum Programming on [1], [3], [6], [8], [10]-[11], [13]
Nathan East - Bass on [2]-[9], [11]-[14]
Andy Fairweather Low - Guitars on [2]-[9], [11]-[14]
Doyle Bramhall II - Guitars on [2]-[9], [11]-[14]
Billy Preston - Hammond Organ on [2], [5], [13], Piano on [6]-[9], Harmonica on [14]
Joe Sample - Wurlitzer on [3], [6], Fender Rhodes on [4], Electric Piano on [8], [11], [14], Electric Piano on [11], [14]
Tim Carmon - Hammond Organ on [3], [8], [9], [11], Piano on [5], [13], Synthesizer on [12]
Paulinho da Costa - Percussion on [3]-[9], [11]-[14]
Tim Carmon - Hammond Organ on [4], [7], Synthesizer on [14]
Nick Ingman - String Arrangements on [6], [11]-[12], [14]

The Impressions:
Fred Cash - Backing Vocals on [2]-[5], [7]-[13]
Sam Godden - Backing Vocals on [2]-[5], [7]-[13]
Vandy Hampton - Backing Vocals on [2]-[5], [7]-[13]
Ralph Jonhson - Backing Vocals on [2]-[5], [7]-[13]
Willie Kitchens Jr. - Backing Vocals on [2]-[5], [7]-[13]

Alan Douglas - Recording
Simon Climie - Protools
Mick Guzauski - Mixing
Adam Brown - Additional Engineering, Additional Protools
Pete Karam - Additional Engineering
Paul "P.Dub" Walton - - Additional Protools
Tom Sweeney - Ass. Engineering
Matt Fields - Ass. Engineering
Lee Dickson - Guitar Technician
Bob Ludwig - Mastering
Bush Branch - Management
Paul Higgens - Lettering
Jack English - Photography
Catherine Roylance - Design  
 

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


2001 CS Warner Brothers 47966
2001 CD Warner Brothers 47966



Liner notes from the album:

Where I come from, the word "reptile' is a term of endearment, used in much the same way as "toe rag" or "moosh". It is used sparingly and with the greatest respect, it's not an insult, it's a sign of recognition...

In my recollection the first person ever to use the word in reference to me was Charlie Cumberland: "Here comes the reptile that plays the banjo." And coming from Charlie, that was indeed a compliment, for Charlie is, himself, a very fine example of a "reptile"...

Included in the artwork of this album will be a sort of rogues' gallery of some of the most significant "reptiles" I have meant on my travels, starting with the Ripley variety (Charlie is the one with the cloth cap on), and going on to include the people who have helped me to make this album...

The music itself is dedicated to the man who was, in my opinion, the greatest reptile of them all, my uncle Adrian, who passed away in the spring of two thousand... He was a fine man, very gifted and widely creative, an important member of our family, and the community... Unfortunately in the last years of his life, I saw very little of him, and so for a while after attending his funeral I found myself in the state of suspended animation, remembering my early childhood and the precious times I had spent with him... In those early days I was given to believe that he was my brother, and as a result he had an incredibly profound effect on my view of the world... I realize now that most of my tastes in music, art, clothes, cars, etc., etc., were formed in this period of my life, and were due mostly to the wonderful relationship I had with my uncle Adrian (a.k.a. "son") and his wife Sylvia... I thank you both for the joy and love you shared, this album is for you, for all that you gave to me...

Eric C., October 2000



A reptile, according to Eric Clapton, is something of a bloke, as in some local character you might share a pint with down at the pub. So this 14-song collection is aptly named: If it were a barfly, it wouldn't turn heads when it entered the bar, but it wouldn't empty the place, either. Working with essentially the same team that put together '00's Riding with the King (sans, of course, B.B. King), Reptile feels like a summary of the many guises Clapton has adopted in his illustrious past. Blues has always been the backbone of EC's music and here he tackles Walter Davis's "Come Back Baby" with surefootedness. Clapton has mined J.J. Cale's fine-and-mellow repertoire in the past, coming up with the hits "Cocaine" and "After Midnight"; here he revives Cale's "Travelin' Light" with unfussy aplomb. He kicks things off with an instrumental samba, ventures back into lite rock, and mixes originals and covers, the latter bunch including Stevie Wonder's "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" and James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight." In the end, it's apparent this reptile is something of a chameleon.

Steven Stolder, Amazon.com



Wenn die Zeichen nicht trügen, dann ist Eric Clapton derzeit mit sich absolut im Reinen. Drei Jahre nach Pilgrim und nur wenige Monate nach Riding With The King, der puristischen 2000er Blues-Kooperation mit B. B. King, grast der britische Gitarren-Doyen die vielfältigen Stil-Weiden ab, die er auch in der Vergangenheit schon des Öfteren heimsuchte. Der Opener "Reptile", gleichzeitig das Titelstück, ist eher eine Ausnahme und gibt dennoch rein instrumental (!) die Stimmung vor: völlig entspannt und lässig unspektakulär, butterweich jazzy, in federndem Latin-Puls. Ähnliche Nonchalance zeichnet das optimistische Liebeslied "Believe In Life" aus, ein soft getuntes Pop-Stückchen, wie er es in jüngerer Zeit des Öfteren bot.

In diese Kategorie fällt ebenso das zart besaitete "Modern Girl": sacht gezupft, dezent von Percussion durchsetzt, anschmiegsam die Stimme. Und zu relaxt-swingendem Honky Tonk-Piano und DooWop-Chorus, "Find Myself". Weiter greift "Travellin' Light" zurück, wieder mal knöpft sich Clapton da mit sicherem Gespür ein souverän forciertes Stück aus dem Song-Katalog von J.J. Cale vor, das ihm passt wie ein Maßanzug von Armani. Und natürlich kommt der Blues nicht zu kurz: Aus voller Kehle und mit gospeligem Background-Chor intoniert er Ray Charles' schwerblütigen Oldie "Come Back Baby" oder, mit extra kernigen Vocals, "Broken Down". Fett groovt der Klassiker "Got You On My Mind", ganz und gar blue mäandert "I Wanna Little Girl" dahin. Dezentes Swamp-rock-Feeling offenbart "Second Nature", respektabel münzt er Stevie Wonders "Ain't Gonna Stand For It" zum souligen Uptempo-Bluesrock um.

Eric Clapton bietet mit Producer Simon Climie nicht die großen Überraschungen, aber einen vielfältigen, wohl temperierten Repertoire-Streifzug und weit mehr als nur solides Handwerk, woran die schon seit Jahren für ihn aktive Crew von Gitarrist Andy Fairweather-Low über Bassist Nathan East und Drummer Steve Gadd bis zu Keyboarder Joe Sample gehörigen Anteil hat. Dass zum Finale das schwerelos-filigrane "Son & Sylvia" als zweites Instrumentalstück "Reptile" abrundet, signalisiert: Clapton muss sich und der Welt nichts mehr beweisen.

Claus Böhm, Amazon.de



Having rushed to the shops on the 5th March to purchase my copy of Clapton's latest, my initial reaction was one of disappointment. But fear not, Reptile is one of those albums that WILL grow on you. The only disappointment was that I wasn't really prepared for the 'retro' feel of this album. But that retro feel is exactly why this record really is a breath of fresh air. The think that strikes most is the impact that the impressions make on this album. Mostly subtle, but as you listen you realise that they add a little spark that gives this record some of that magic that makes you listen to music in the first place. The album is sandwiched between two instrumentals. The first being 'Reptile' a sort of Bossa Nova track, which to be honest doesn't quite work. It's a nice piece of music, but it is certainly missing the magic the rest of the album contains. However, the second instrumental track is the final track on the album and is a different kettle of fish altogether. 'Son & Sylvia' is certainly one of the most beautiful pieces of music Clapton has ever written. Soft gentle acoustic guitars are gradually joined with various instruments including a synthesized harmonic which works surprisingly well. Well quite a few cover versions in this album, the very blues orientated 'Got You On My Mind' followed by the more up beet 'Travelin' Light' another album highlight. 'Come Back Baby', 'I Want A Little Girl' and 'Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight' are also included. The latter being another highlight as Clapton can be heard straining for those high notes and yet instead of impeding the song it actually adds to the emotion. The final cover on the album is Stevie Wonder's 'I Ain't Gonna Stand For It' and it is certainly one of the best tracks on the album. One could be forgiven for asking why I have yet to mention any guitar solo's. There are no really big solo's in the album, in fact the piano is used to great effect the whole way through which is what gives it's retro feel. There are some great guitar parts, but all as part of the whole rather than standing out on their own. This though is where the magic of the record comes in to it as there are so many parts to listen out for in each song, you can keep listening to the record in different ways. 'Broken Down' is the prime example of where the impressions transform what would previously have been a possible dull song in to an all singing all dancing track that takes you breath away. My personal favorite is 'Believe In Life', a slow long sounding much like an unplugged track, great sentiment, great melody and just a lovely song. Yet again this track doesn't grab you by the throat, but after hearing it a few times you can't get it out of your head. 'Second Nature' unfortunately sounds very similar to 'Broken Down', but nothing like as good and suffers for being on the same album. 'Find Myself', I would say (and I could be wrong!), is Clapton's focus of the album being about his relationship with his Uncle. I won't spoil this one for you, but trust me when I say it is nothing like you will be expecting, yet again it is fresh. 'Modern Girl' was originally recorded for 'Pilgrim', but you wouldn't notice, as it slots in to this record nicely. To be honest it wouldn't have fitted in very well with the concept of Pilgrim so it was a good job it was left out. The penultimate track on the album is a collaboration between Clapton and Doyle Bramhall II. Very much more of a rock track, nothing like anything else on the album, yet it fits in. Don't ask me why, it just does. Oh and it's another great track despite the stupid title. All in all another great album, from Clapton, not what I expected, but in this case that is no bad thing. If artist's kept churning out the same stuff all the time we would soon get bored. Not quite as good as 'Pilgrim', but it is so different that it's hard to compare the two. All in all it is yet another must buy from old slowhand. Or maybe I should call him the Reptile!

Rating : 9/10
David Ramsbotham, 7 March 2001



Clapton Readying New Solo Album, Reptile

Upcoming release to include covers of songs by James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles. Less than a year after collaborating with B.B. King on the hit album Riding With the King, Eric Clapton plans to release a new solo album, titled Reptile, on March 13. For Reptile the guitarist once again worked with Simon Climie, formerly of British pop band Climie Fisher and who previously collaborated on Clapton's Pilgrim (1998) solo LP and his 1997 dance music project TDF. Others also appearing on the album include jazz keyboardist Joe Sample, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees the Impressions (minus their leader, the late Curtis Mayfield), former Beatles sideman Billy Preston, Texan singer/guitarist Doyle Bramhall II and ex-Squeeze member Paul Carrack. In addition to Clapton's original numbers, Reptile also features a number of covers, including new versions of James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," Stevie Wonder's "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It," Ray Charles' "Come Back Baby" and J.J. Cale's "Travelin' Light." Cale, of course, is the artist who originally wrote and recorded "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," songs that Clapton re-recorded for his 1970 self-titled debut album and 1977's Slowhand, respectively. The singer/guitarist dedicated Reptile to his late uncle Adrian, who passed away last spring. In the liner notes, Clapton writes that he was especially close to Adrian because as a child he was led to believe that his grandmother was actually his mother and that his uncle was really his brother. Clapton will kick off a world tour at London's Royal Albert Hall on February 3, but has yet to announce any U.S. dates.

Brian Ives
Fri., January 19, 2001 8:22 PM EST



Eric Clapton Dedicates 'Reptile' To Late Uncle, Aunt

Eric Clapton's forthcoming album Reptile is dedicated to his uncle Adrian and aunt Sylvia Clapp, relatives who were particular favorites of the guitar legend when he was a youth in England. In the liner notes accompanying advance copies of Reptile, Clapton writes that his Uncle Adrian died in the spring of 2000, as Clapton was commencing work on the album, "He was a fine man, very gifted and wildly creative, an important member of our family, and the community." Clapton continues, "In those early days I was given to believe that he was my brother, and as a result he had an incredibly profound effect on my view of the world...I realize now that most of my tastes in music, art, clothes, cars, etc., etc., were formed in this period of my life and were due mostly to the wonderful relationship I had with my uncle Adrian." Clapton was raised by his grandparents, who he was led to believe were his parents until he was told the truth as a teenager. He also notes that the term "reptile" is "a term of endearment" in his boyhood home of Ripley, England, and that his Uncle Adrian was "the greatest reptile of them all." The album-closing instrumental "Son & Sylvia" is his direct musical tribute to his aunt and uncle. Clapton recorded Reptie last year in Los Angeles, with a band that included Billy Preston, Paul Carrack, and Doyle Bramhall II. The vocal group the Impressions, which was founded by the late Curtis Mayfield, also appears on several songs. Besides his original compositions, Reptile includes several cover songs, including James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," Stevie Wonder's "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It," J.J. Cale's "Travelin' Light," and Ray Charles's "Come Back Baby." Clapton has just started the European leg of a world tour that's slated to hit North America in the spring.

Gary Graff, Detroit
2/6/01, 3 p.m. ET
 

 L y r i c s


REPTILE

(Instrumental)


GOT YOU ON MY MIND

I've got you on my mind, I'm feeling kind of sad and low.
Got you on my mind, feeling kind of sad and low.
I'm wondering where you are, wondering why you had to go.

Tears begin to fall every time I hear your name.
Tears begin to fall every time I hear your name.
But since you went away, nothing seems to be the same.

  No matter how I try,
  My heart just don't see why
  I can't forget you.
  If ever it should be
  You want to come back to me,
  You know I'd let you.

  [First Verse]

  [Chorus]

  [First Verse]

I'm wondering where you are, wondering why you had to go.
I'm wondering where you are, wondering why you had to go.


TRAVELIN' LIGHT

Travelin' light is the only way to fly.
Travelin' light, just you and I.
A one way ticket to ecstasy,
Away on down, just follow me.
Travelin' light is the only way to fly.

Travelin' light, now we can catch the wind.
Travelin' light, just let your mind pretend.
We can go to paradise,
Maybe once, maybe twice.
Travelin' light is the only way to fly.

Travelin' light is the only way to fly.
Travelin' light, just you and I.
We can go to paradise,
Maybe once, maybe twice.
Travelin' light is the only way to fly.


BELIEVE IN LIFE

When the world has seen the light
At the beginning of the day,
You will let me call your name,
'Cause I love you more than light,
And it will always be this way
As long as I believe in life.

When the morning comes too soon
And I am still without your love,
You will let me call your name,
'Cause I love you more than light,
And it will always be this way
As long as I believe in life.

Whatever happened to the girls I used to know?
Whatever happened to the places that we'd go?
When we were running in and out of time,
But all the time we still believed in life.
We were running in and out of time,
But still believed in life.

And when the day is almost done
And there is nothing left to say,
You will let me call your name,
'Cause I love you more than light,
And it will always be this way
As long as I believe in life.

Running in and out of time,
But still believed in life.

And when the day is almost done
And there is nothing left to say,
You will let me call your name,
'Cause I love you more than light,
And it will always be this way
As long as I believe,
As long as you believe,
As long as I believe that you believe, then I'll believe, I'll believe in life.
As long as I believe that you believe, then I'll believe, I'll believe in life.

Believe in life.
I believe in life.
I believe in life.


COME BACK BABY

Oh come back baby, oh mama please don't go.
Child, the way I love you, well you'll never know, oh.
Come back baby, yeah yeah,
Let's talk it over one more time.

Well I admit, baby, that I was wrong.
Don't you know baby, child you've been gone too long.
Come back baby, yeah yeah,
Let's talk it over one more time.

I said if I could holler like a mountain jack,
I'd go up on the mountain, people, I'd call my baby back, oh.
Come back baby, yeah yeah,
Let's talk it over one more time.

Now one of these days, baby, and it won't be long, yeah.
You're going to look for me child, you know, and I'll be gone.
So come back baby, yeah yeah,
Let's talk it over one more time.


BROKEN DOWN

Everything was wonderful when you were in my life.
Yesterday we were on a roll, baby, then we end up in a fight.
Everywhere I look, I see problems, where I never seen before.
The cracks in the sidewalk, when I get home my key don't even fit the door.

  The moon don't shine, it's broken down.
  The clouds are crying, they're broken down.
  The car won't start, it's broken down.
  And this shattered heart, it's broken down.
  My whole damn world, it's broken down.
  Since you left me girl, I've broken down.

Stepped outside into the night, I took a walk around the block.
I stopped by the church that I used to go inside but even that door was locked.
So I came back home, feeling so alone, a light had burned out in the hall.
My TV is broke, said I'm out of smoke, there's no one I can even call.

  Chorus

Said my whole damn world, it's broken down.
Since you left me girl, I've broken down.

Till you come back, come back to me, I'm going to be broken down.
Till you come back, come back to me, I'm going to be broken down.

  Chorus

I mean my whole damn world, it's broken down.
Since you left me girl, I've broken down.
My whole damn world, it's broken down.
Since you left me girl, it's broken down.


FIND MYSELF

We took the long way home, you held my hand,
The days so full of all the things we had planned.
We walked beyond the green, beyond the day.
We shared a dream that I let slip away.

I had to find myself.
I had to find myself.
No use looking for no one else,
'Cause I'll be lonely till I find myself.

You were the man who knew too much to say.
So many things that I learned came your way.
These things I know that I can't forget,
Deep in my heart, they're a part of me yet.

They helped me find myself.
They helped me find myself.
No use looking for no one else,
'Cause I'll be lonely till I find myself.

Too many years rolled by without a word.
I tried to hide behind things that I'd heard.
And now the truth is clear for all to see
That through it all, it was you believed in me.

You helped me find myself.
I had to find myself.
No use looking for no one else,
'Cause I'll be lonely till I find myself.

I got to find myself.
I got to find myself.
No use looking for no one else,
'Cause I'll be lonely till I find myself.


I AIN'T GONNA STAND FOR IT

I don't want to believe what they're telling me;
Somebody's been picking in my cherry tree.
I don't want to mistrust somebody by mistake.
Somebody's been digging 'round in my cake.

  And I ain't gonna stand for it, baby.
  I ain't gonna stand for it, baby.
  I ain't gonna stand for it, baby, nah nah.
  I ain't gonna stand for it, baby.
  I ain't gonna stand for it, baby.
  I ain't gonna stand for it, baby, nah nah, nah nah.

I don't want to believe what somebody said;
Somebody said somebody's shoe was under my bed.
I don't want to cause nobody no bodily harm.
Somebody's been rubbing on my good luck charm.

  [Chorus]

Oh, my my my my my my.
Oh, my my my my my my.
Oh, my my my my my my.
Oh, my my my my my my.

  [Chorus]

  [Chorus]


I WANT A LITTLE GIRL

I want a little girl, call my own.
She must be someone who's all alone now.
Say, I want a little girl to fall in love with me, oh yeah.

I want a little girl, but she may not look
Just like a picture in a story book.
If she can cook chicken, yeah, she'll suit me to a T.

And she don't have to wave her hair
Or even wear fancy clothes, I wouldn't even care.
She don't wear nylon hose, oh.

I want a little girl to love a lot.
You know that I'd give her everything I got.
I want a little girl to fall in love with me.


SECOND NATURE

You walk into the room, you know what's on my mind.
You know just how to reach me, baby, without even trying.
Don't need no one to tell me what this is leading to,
'Cause something deep inside of me is dragging me to you.

So roll the dice, baby, see what the future brings.
Sure feels like the right time for you to spread your wings.
Ain't no one but you, baby, ever stopped me in my tracks.
Once this thing gets rolling, darling, well there ain't no turning back.

  Second nature, to look at what we've found.
  Second nature, you know we're heaven bound.
  No need to think about it, you know we're safe and sound.
  Second nature for you to come around.

So take me to your heart, babe, and lead me to your door.
Take me in your arms, babe, never leave me any more.
Ain't no one like you, baby, to stop me in my tracks.
All I know for this old heart, well there ain't no turning back.

  Chorus

You must have heard my call,
Like rain to a waterfall.

  Chorus

  Chorus


DON'T LET ME BE LONELY TONIGHT

Do me wrong, do me right, do me right baby.
Tell me lies but hold, hold me tight.
Save your goodbyes till the morning light,
But don't let me be lonely tonight.

Say goodbye, woman say hello, say hello.
It's sure enough good to see you, but it's time to go,
And don't say yes, but please don't say no.
I don't want to be lonely tonight.

Go away then, damn you, go on and do as you please, do as you please,
But you ain't going to see me getting down on my knees,
'Cause I'm undecided and your heart's been divided.
You've been turning my world upside down.

Do me wrong, do me right, do me right baby.
Go on and tell me lies but hold, hold me tight.
And save your goodbyes till the morning light,
But don't let me be lonely tonight.

Save your goodbyes till the morning light,
But don't let me be lonely tonight.
'Cause I don't want to be lonely tonight.

I don't want to be lonely.
Don't do it, don't do it, don't do it, don't do it.


MODERN GIRL

She's a modern girl in a modern world
Where only the strong can survive.
Too many dreams have been laid at her door,
But the modern girl will ride on, oh oh oh.

Where would you fit in the scheme of her day
And where could you fit in her heart?
Trying to be small will get you nowhere at all,
But the modern girl will ride on, oh oh oh.

  Don't throw your love away.
  Don't throw your love away.
  Don't throw your love away.
  Don't throw your love away.

She moves through your life like a warm summer breeze,
And nothing will stand in her way.
The sound of her voice brings your heart to its knees,
But the modern girl will ride on, oh oh oh.

  [Chorus]

  [Chorus]


SUPERMAN INSIDE

Living, loving, ain't going to waste my life.
Singing music, someday the sun don't shine.
I don't want to be the one,
The one that can never say,
"I need to let it out, won't you let me in."

Give it all up, surrender thankfully.
Fall down on my knees, my hands open wide.
I don't want to be the one,
The one that can never say,
"I need to let it out, won't you let me in."

  Look in the mirror, even with a broken heart I'm fine.
  Keep on pushing, getting closer to peace of mind.
  Look in the mirror, even with a broken heart I'm fine.
  Living is so sweet now with Superman inside.

No more running, ain't going to hide away.
I'm standing outside in the pouring rain.
'Cause I don't want to be the one,
The one that can never say,
"I need to let it out, won't you let me in."

  Chorus

  Chorus


SON & SYLVIA

(Instrumental)

 

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


Currently no Samples available!