23 Mar
461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton (RARE 1974 Polydor release)
461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton (RARE 1974 Polydor release) Review
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book “Take Me To A Circus Tent” and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60’s and 70’s.
“461 Ocean Boulevard” Clapton’s 1974 album on so many levels is important not only for deserving its rightly place in your CD collection but for the myriad of reasons.
What makes this particular release fascinating is the incredible diversity of those that have purchased this either as an 8-Track tape, cassette, LP, and or CD. There are those that are the Clapton collector. Searching for every note they seek any product to get their fill. Others that are into the Mayall/Yardbirds/Cream/Blind Faith/ and Derek & The Dominos with such passion that they are leery to venture into solo material with few exceptions and finally those that don’t know his legacy but pick up music as they hear it on the radio. The one road that brings them all together is “461 Ocean Boulevard.” Although the songs aren’t structured for those that clamor for the guitar hero, they are strong enough that this record and the self-titled Eric Clapton are represented.
“Motherless Children” may be listed as a traditional song but the first time the slide was put to the six string Clapton took possession. The vocals and the instrumentation create a natural sound that engulfs your ears from the first listen. “Give Me Strength” slows the tempo a bit and has blues stamped all over. Interestingly enough is Eric penned this song. It could pass for a cover but this is Clapton 74. “Willie And The Hand Jive” saw excessive airplay on the Album Rock and progressive stations after the record hit the shelves. With the mix of reggae and funk there is something magical the way Clapton took on something out of the realm and made it such a terrific creation. “Get Ready” which Clapton wrote with Yvonne Elliman solidifies how his ego was in check here. These were not hired hands but a band to him. Elliman and Marcy Levy offered strong vocals to the mix, Jamie Oldaker picks his spots well as a drummer, Carl Radle’s bass-lines are respected through the continents, Dick Sims may not be known to the masses but he is no stranger to the professional, and George Terry was not specifically second guitarist. During the years with Clapton in the live setting he was allowed to take a few solos and not be relegated to all rhythm all the time. Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff” not only is one of the most impressive covers of the period but opened the door a crack for those to explore the music of the Whalers, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, etc. “I Can’t Hold Out” is sometimes criticized for being too laid back as Eric puts the blues to work. “Please Be With Me” mixes a folk and Gospel approach. “Let It Grow” is majestic in its splendor. A timeless tune that will never age. “Steady Rollin’ Man” gives us a dose of the blues in upbeat fashion. The finale is a perfect choice. “Mainline Florida” has the memorable riff and the exact energy to be four minutes without a single flaw.
If you want a very good record to become excellent in the blink of an eye, all you do is pick up the remastered version with 26 songs and 2 CD’s! Combining session out-takes with live material the end result more than doubles the original LP. If you want a treasure check out Clapton’s live version of “Smile.” Think Sinatra meets Slowhand!
Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book “Take Me To A Circus Tent”
461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton (RARE 1974 Polydor release) Overview
RARE 1974 original Polydor release
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