Artist: Eric Clapton Album: Journeyman

Year: 1989
Duration: 54:13

Eric Clapton's Journeyman: A Critical Review

From his days with The Yardbirds and Cream to his successful solo career, Eric Clapton is a rock and blues legend. In 1989, he released the album Journeyman, which showcased his skills as a guitarist and songwriter. With hits like Bad Love and Pretending, the album solidified Clapton's reputation as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at Journeyman, discuss the music genre of the album, highlight its best songs, and analyze its most innovative moments.

Journeyman is an album that spans various music genres, including rock, pop, and blues. It is a product of Clapton's wide musical range, and it reflects his personal growth as a musician. The album's opener, Pretending, sets the bar high with its catchy guitar lick, tight rhythm section, and soulful vocals. It's followed by Anything for Your Love, which is a bluesy pop song that showcases Clapton's singing and his guitar work. The track Hard Times is a blues masterpiece that transports listeners to the Delta with its haunting slide guitar and Clapton's raspy voice.

One of the most innovative aspects of Journeyman is its use of session musicians. Clapton enlisted a star-studded cast of performers to help him record the album, including Phil Collins, Robert Cray, and George Harrison. Their contributions add depth and variety to the tracks, and they bring out the best in Clapton's guitar playing. The most notable performances are from Collins, who played drums on most of the album's tracks and brought his signature precision and energy to the record.

Journeyman's best songs are its hits. Bad Love is a guitar-driven anthem that showcases Clapton's signature blues-rock sound. It's a song that's hard not to sing along to, and it's a testament to Clapton's songwriting skills. Pretending is another standout track that bursts with energy and groove. Its catchy riffs, Clapton's soaring voice, and the tight rhythm section make it a classic. The album's closing track, Running on Faith, is a beautiful ballad that showcases Clapton's acoustic guitar work and his soulful voice. It's a perfect ending to a fantastic album.

As much as I love Journeyman, it's not without its flaws. Some of the tracks feel a bit formulaic, and they lack the spontaneity and freshness of Clapton's early recordings. For example, Lead Me On and Breaking Point sound like they could have been written for any pop star, and they lack Clapton's distinctive voice. Additionally, the album's production is a bit too polished for my tastes, and it lacks the raw edge of Clapton's earlier recordings. However, these are minor quibbles, and they do not detract from the overall quality of the album.

In conclusion, Eric Clapton's Journeyman is an impressive album that showcases his talents as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. It's a diverse record that spans many music genres, and it's a testament to Clapton's musical range. Its best moments are its hits, which are classics of Clapton's repertoire and fan favorites to this day. While the album has its flaws, it's a worthy addition to any rock or blues fan's collection. If you haven't listened to Journeyman yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. You won't be disappointed.