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CD Review: Eric Clapton, "Back Home" (Reprise)
The idea of Eric Clapton going "Back Home" is appealing. Just how appealing the idea is, however, depends almost entirely on the guitar slinger's definition of "home."
Perhaps, he's referring to his longstanding passion for the blues, so nicely showcased on 1994's "From the Cradle," 2000's "Riding with the King" and, best of all, last year's "Me and Mr. Johnson." Or he could mean his sleek rock side, which has manifested in such winning albums as 1989's "Journeyman." But, then again, he could be thinking of his slick pop phase, which produced such watered-down hit songs as "Change the World" and "My Father's Eyes."
Unfortunately, judging by this new album, Clapton seems to define "home" as all of the above. And, in trying to be everything to everyone, the singer-guitarist manages to create a work that is painfully lacking in both focus and coherency.
The 12-song set, which includes Clapton's first batch of new, original material in nearly five years, starts off fairly strong with the radio-friendly blues-pop tune "So Tired."
But that's about it for highlights.
"Say What You Will" is a limp, reggae-inspired track that is islands removed from Clapton's convincing take on Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" (from 1974's "461 Ocean Boulevard"). The vocalist goes to church on a glossy, gospel-tinged version of Stevie Wonder and Syretta Wright's old "I'm Going Left" that will surely lead some fans to prayer--as in, "Please, lord, let this song stop!" Worst of all, he seems to dig out all the tricks he learned from Babyface (who wrote Clapton's "Change the World") with the sappy take on The Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody."
An all-star cast that includes the likes of John Mayer, Robert Randolph, Stephen Marley and Steve Winwood doesn't help this project. But not much beyond a stronger definition of "home" could.
