Behind Dylan's back

"Backless" 1978 was the sixth and final album with his "American" band that Clapton had accompanied on his comeback course since '74. Clapton's main influences besides the Blues were, like on "Slowhand", Don Williams, JJ Cale and especially Bob Dylan. The album title was referring to the fact that Clapton had found that when performing with Dylan, but is not fully concentrated, this this also mitbekam, without turning around, and then abmahnte with disapproving eye. Dylan was also the Clapton gave a cassette with two songs that he had written with his then-girlfriend and choir singer Helena Springs and ended up on the album, namely Walk Out in the Rain and If I do not be there by Morning ,

Is "Backless" style (blues, country, folk, gospel, rock and roll) very similar to its predecessor "Slowhand", it can not keep up with this high, although strong songs are included: the single release Watch out for Lucy and Tulsa Time slide well rid of mandatory Blues Early in the Morning and Marcy Levy appealing vulgar solo on Roll it does not disappoint. My favorite song is the JJ Cale cover I'll Make Love To You Anytime with his horny wah slide guitar.

Convinced of the two Dylan songs If I do not be there by Morningstar over Walk Out in the Rain, but - with all due respect - there was also a reason why the Dylan songs himself out brought (as Sign Language to "No Reason to Cry ").

I have nothing against a few well-kept country songs, which is okay there was already on "Slowhand", and Tell Me That You Love Me. Golden ring but is an exercise in irrelevance, and the unspeakable Promises ("la la lalala la la ..."), the incomprehensibly also appeared as a single, engaged Clapton - despite duet with Marcy Levy and slide guitar! - Had as close as never before to hit level approach, frightening for a man who was '65 had opted out of the Yardbirds, because it For Your Love was "too commercial", and just 8 years ago presented an album like "Layla". Clapton later lamented the general lethargy of his band, including himself, the very well expressed in these songs. Maybe it was one reason that he recorded his next album "Just One Night" and "Another Ticket" in completely new cast (this time British nationality).

Conclusion: more suitable for Clapton fans; convincing is clearly in stylistic kinship "Slowhand" failed.

On Vinyl Early is 5:36 in the Morning; CD of the song then appeared in a full-length, nearly eight-minute version. These sessions have now appeared on "Crossroads 2" and especially to "Blues" four more outtakes: two versions of Before you accuse me (the Clapton then later on "Journeyman" and "Unplugged" officially published), cryin 'and To make somebody happy.