Journeyman

Performer: Eric Clapton
Artist: George Harrison; Phil Collins; Robert Cray; Hank Crawford; Chaka Khan; Daryl Hall; David Sanborn
Engineer: Dave O'Donnell; Dave Wittman; Steve "Barney" Cahse; Jack Joseph Puig; Larry Alexander; Michael O'Reilly; Steven Rinkoff; Ben Fowler
Producer: Jill Dell'Abate; Russ Titelman
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel includes: Eric Clapton, Jerry Williams (vocals, guitar); George Harrison (guitar, background vocals); Robert Cray (guitar); Robbie Kondor (harmonica, keyboards, vocoder, synthesizer, programming); Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Jon Faddis, Lou Solof (trumpet); Richard Tee (piano, Fender Rhodes); Greg Phillinganes (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); 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). Recorded at The Town House, London, England and Power Station, Skyline Studios, New York, New York. Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Cecil Womack (vocals, acoustic guitar); Linda Womack (vocals); Jerry Williams (guitar, background vocals); Phil Palmer, Robert Cray, George Harrison (guitar); Robbie Kondor (harmonica, keyboards, synthesizer, vocoder, drum programming); David Sanborn, Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Jon Faddis (trumpet, horns); Lou Solof (trumpet); Richard Tee (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Greg Phillinganes (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Alan Clark (keyboards, synthesizer, string synthesizer); Jeff Bova (synthesizer, programming, drum programming); Rob Mounsey, Robbie Kilgore (synthesizer); Gary Burton (vibraphone); Steve Ferrone (drums, hi-hat); Jim Keltner (drums, tambourine, percussion, drum programming); Phil Collins (drums, background vocals); Carol Steele (congas, tambourine, percussion); Jimmy Bralower (drum programming); Lani Groves, Nathan East, Tawatha Agee, Tessa Niles, Vaneese Thomas, Chaka Khan (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Steve "Barney" Cahse; Gary Wright; Rob Eaton; Russ Titelman. Recording information: Power Station Studios, New York, NY; Skyline Studios, New York, NY; Town House, London, England. Photographers: Roger Forrester; Terry O'Neil. Unknown Contributor Roles: Darryl Jones; David "Fathead" Newman ; David Sanborn; Eric Clapton; Greg Phillinganes; Hank Crawford; Jeff Bova; Jerry Williams; Jim Keltner; Jimmy Bralower; Alan Clark; Nathan East; Phil Collins; Phil Palmer; Pino Palladino; Richard Tee; Rob Mounsey; Robert Cray; Tawatha Agee; George Harrison; Robbie Kondor; Steve Ferrone; Cecil Womack; Chaka Khan. Arranger: Arif Mardin. 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 laid-back 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 As the '80s drew to a close, Clapton's lifestyle included fraternizing with models and wearing designer suits to go with stylish haircuts. Amid all this jet-setting, Clapton released JOURNEYMAN, an album that found his songwriting involvement limited to cuts co-written with Foreigner's Mick Jones ("Bad Love") and Robert Cray ("Old Love"). Respected producer Russ Titelman twisted knobs as a number of famous guests contributed to the creative process. Old friend George Harrison contributed guitar, harmonies and a song ("Run So Far") while Clapton's band from AUGUST (Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East, Phil Collins) are also present. Although the slick production of most of Clapton's '80s work is evident, his passion is far from lacking. "Running On Faith" finds Slowhand looking deep inside himself as a gospel choir chimes away in the background. On Ray Charles' "Hard Times" Clapton reminds listeners that heartache is around the corner. The sweet nothings whispered in "Lead Me On" are made that much sweeter by the harmonies of Cecil and Linda Womack. E.C. also manages to have a ball with a shuffling "Hound Dog" and a rollicking take on Bo Diddley's "Before You Accuse Me."

Over the course of four decades, Eric Clapton has carried the British blues legacy into the mainstream of pop music. From his mid-1960s days with the Yardbirds and John Mayall, through his years as guitar god with Cream and Blind Faith, and eventually to his more laid-back solo albums, Clapton has remained one of rock's most successful musicians. Given his guitar-superstar status, Clapton has played alongside the biggest musical acts of the 20th century, from soloing on the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," to performing at the Band's LAST WALTZ, to recording an album with B.B. King. Overcoming numerous setbacks and tragedies, old Slowhand has settled nicely into a long and prolific career.

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