'There's One In Every Crowd'

by Eric Clapton

Reviewed by Kerry Doole Clapton (no relation)

For all those who see Eric Clapton as the Perfect Master, the last 12 months have certainly been a vintage year. First came his masterful '46l Ocean Boulevard' album, followed by a triumphant world tour that delightfully included Auckland, and now a new album.

So after an all-too lengthy period in the wilderness, Eric is back with a vengeance, be it making gossip columns with his affair with Patti Harrison, starring in 'Tommy' or writing-off -his sports car. Well then, does his new album deliver the goods?

The cover is certainly intriguing; a shot of an emaciated mongrel with mournful eyes leaps out at you.

The initial reaction to the music is that Clapton has taken no risks. There's the customary traditional blues, a couple of spirituals, and five original Clapton cuts, all in the restrained, relaxed style that dominated '461 Ocean Boulevard'. No dazzling riffs a la 'Layla' or 'Sunshine of Your Love' here. Eric has changed as has his music; it was indeed sad that so many of those who saw him at Western Springs were not prepared to accept the changes.

'There's One In Every Crowd' can validly be seen as extending the reggae feel of '461'. The choice of Jamaica and Miami as recording locations certainly reflects this — Mmm, the sunshine, the palm trees, good dope; the trials of being a rock 'n roll star!

Side one opens with a traditional spiritual; 'We've Been Told, Jesus Coming Soon'. And once we're feeling expectant, along comes 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' — that's right, the one you sung in Sunday School, but I bet you never did it as beautifully as this. Definately a high point of the album, with Yvonne and Marcy sounding just so sweet. This 'spiritual' emphaiss is certainly not new in Clapton's music, remember his 'Presence of the Lord' of Blind Faith days, and '461' has 'Motherless Children', and 'Give Me Strength'. We might dislike the sentiments, but the beauty of the style of music cannot be questioned.

The style changes with 'Little Rachel' and its J J. Cale-like strumming rythms, then onto the reggae of 'Don't Blame Me', an amusing sequel to 'I Shot The Sheriff'.

'It could never have been me I didn't shoot no deputy'.

Its musically similar to 'I Shot The Sheriff' without being as immediately catchy. Side one ends with an habitual Elmore James song. 'The Sky Is Crying'. A slow blues with fine piano from Dick Sims.

Clapton's band here is identical to the one we saw at Western Springs; the empathy is striking, the playing superb, the backing vocals of Yvonne Elliman and Marcy Levy giving a more rounded sound.

On first hearings there don't seem to be as many highspots as on '461' but there are 40 minutes of serene music from a man whose master of himself and his instrument. That surely suffices.

'There's One In Every Crowd'. There should be one in your record collection.