Eric Clapton had always stressed how much he did "Music From Big Pink" influenced to turn to American music in his decision. Much like George Harrison, he was a big fan of Dylan's temporary backing, and here he has just met the desire to play with THE BAND. Indeed, one could "No Reason to Cry" classify as a The Band LP, on Clapton's lead singer. For all tracks, most members of The band play with, two titles are those of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko (Beautiful Thing; All Our Past Times), who is also the song with Clapton at the beautiful "All Our Past Times" shares. The songs are wonderful across the board, "Carnival" with its driving rhythm almost funky, blues, there are also to satisfy (Last Night, only on CD; Double Trouble; County Jail), the ballad "Hello Old Friend", the probably among the best Clapton-pieces, the great "Black Summer Rain," to outstanding musicians such as Ron Wood and Billy Preston. A very American album overall. The often overlooked and underestimated Marcy Levy, who later Marcella Detroit was called and a half of Shakespeare's (sic) Sister was above this panel a strong partner, both in songwriting and the vocals. The not terrible "Innocent Times" testifies to its vocal power, only "Hungry", a pretty doofes country rock piece, drops. That Clapton appears seldom to "No Reason to Cry" as a guitarist in the foreground, actually speaks only for him. All good guitarists that they can not always play in the foreground, and here the band idea was simply more important than Star and solo airs. "Sign Language" is a great Dylan-piece by a band The album could have been. "No reason to cry" needs in front of the very similar, albeit a little bit better "Slowhand" not to hide. It is much better than the lame "there's one in every crowd" and contains partly better songs than "Ocean Boulevard".
Why the LP was panned by critics and so little appreciated so? I think it is mainly because that Clapton here no solos plays like dominoes or Cream-hours. But this is, as I said, a Missverständis. Clapton wanted to get away from the super-guitarist image. There are also wonderful licks and slide deposits to satisfy the "No reason ...". It lacks veilelicht a hit like "I Shot The Sheriff" or "Wonderful Tonight". So what? Again and again, the LP is accused that the sessions were alcohol-clouded. On the other hand, were the entire 70 at Clapton once he was away from heroin times. One dared Clapton little, at least he himself. In his biography he talks contemptuously about "No Reason to Cry", while at the same time he admits that he really can not remember anything anymore. Clapton's voice sounds on "No reason ..." something more fragile, but that just makes the charm of this roots music from. That Clapton sings at all, was indeed discovered much later by the critics, who still and always only saw the Guitar God in him. All accusations and prejudices fade so if you just listen this very relaxed, very pleasant LP as Clapton and THE BAND. The songs are great anyway! If you like The Band and Dylan in the early 70's (Planet Waves, Before the Flood, etc.), here leigt 100% correct.
