Record Reviews

ERIC CLAPTON ~ OLD SOCK BUSHBRANCH / SURFDOG 822685180156 (Barcode: 822685180156) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2012 - 2013 Released: 2013 This is the 19th solo studio album by the British guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, recorded with a large team of musicians, including guitarists JJ CaleFind albums by this artist, Greg LeishFind albums by this artist and Doyle Bramhall IIFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, bassist Paul McCartneyFind albums by this artist, drummers Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist and Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and numerous others. The album presents twelve tracks, two of which are new original songs and the rest and interpretations of Blues, Pop and Reggae songs, some of which are well known standards. The album is evidently a collection of songs Clapton just loves to sing and play, accompanied by some great musician friends, excellently performed and played, but with no intention to invent anything new. After all these years he really does not need to prove anything anymore, and this just a great collection of great songs. For people, who have been following Clapton’s career, this is just a classic Pop / Blues album, as perfect as they come and his voice and guitar playing are still as strong as ever. Overall, this is another excellent album in Clapton’s continuous music journey, which now lasts over six decades. Great songs, excellent sound quality and superb musicianship make it a pleasant listening experience, which Clapton knows how to create without a hitch.

Updated: 21/06/2026Posted: 21/06/2026

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES LLOYD / THE MARVELS ~ TONE POEM BLUE NOTE 602435263410 (Barcode: 602435263410) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the 3rd album by the legendary American saxophonist / composer / bandleader Charles LloydFind albums by this artist, recorded under the Charles Lloyd & The MarvelsFind albums by this artist moniker, which features guitarist Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist, steel guitarist Greg LeishFind albums by this artist, bassist Reuben RogersFind albums by this artist and drummer Eric HarlandFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all studio recordings except one live track. Three of the tracks are original compositions by Lloyd and the rest are by Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist (two tracks), Leonard CohenFind albums by this artist, Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, Cuban songwriter Bola de NieveFind albums by this artist and Hungarian guitarist Gabor SzaboFind albums by this artist. The music is quite different from the strictly Jazz oriented material the listeners expect from Lloyd’s recordings, combining strong influences of Americana and even Country, and the ambience of the lineup, with two guitars and the rhythm section, with no brass other that the leader, who plays mostly flute and a mellow tenor saxophone, is quite unusual and different. The music is, as expected, very beautiful and offers a sublime example of the surviving skills of Lloyd, who is undoubtedly one the greatest American Jazz musicians of all time, and who, despite his advanced age, sounds completely relevant today, as he did throughout his entire career. There is less improvisation and the focus is on the melody and Lloyd’s superb soloing. Overall, this is another monumental piece of contemporary American Jazz, which sadly very rarely achieves such level of sophistication, authenticity and freshness these days. It takes a moment to get used to the somewhat sound of the music, especially the steel guitar parts, which is rarely part of the Jazz milieu, but the music is absolutely fabulous.

Updated: 17/06/2026Posted: 17/06/2026

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend