Artist: Eric Clapton Album: Money and Cigarettes

Year: 1983
Duration: 0:0-1

A Deep Dive into Eric Clapton's Album 'Money and Cigarettes'

Eric Clapton has been a legendary figure in the music industry for several decades. His remarkable contributions as a guitarist and singer have earned him a loyal fanbase across the world. One of his masterpieces, the album 'Money and Cigarettes,' is a reflection of his brilliance and artistry. Released in 1983, this album is considered groundbreaking and features some of his finest works. In this blog post, we take a critical review of this album, exploring its history, genre, the best songs, and the most innovative parts, as well as providing some criticism of the album.

It is hard to talk about Eric Clapton's musical prowess without first acknowledging his role in shaping what is now generally referred to as blues rock. Coming up through the ranks of the Yardbirds, Cream, and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Clapton's unique sound has undoubtedly changed the course of modern music. Interestingly, 'Money and Cigarettes' departs slightly from his signature blues rock genre. Instead, it features a range of songs that blends rock, blues, and country—a kind of hybrid between rock and country. This combination is unique and sets the album apart from his previous works.

One of the standout tracks in the album is 'I've Got a Rock and Roll Heart,' which opens the album. The song is upbeat and almost has a country music feel to it. Clapton's vocals are powerful, and his guitar sound is fantastic. The title track, 'Money and Cigarettes,' is a slow, bluesy ballad that, in characteristic Clapton style, features some killer guitar riffs. The song's lyrics portray a man who is restless and searching for meaning in life and is willing to trade almost anything for money and cigarettes.

One of the innovative parts of the album is the fact that Clapton co-produced it with Tom Dowd, a producer whose credits include works from the likes of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding. Dowd was a master engineer and producer who brought a fresh perspective to the album, and his contribution is evident in the fantastic sound quality of the songs. Another highlight of the album is the acoustic track 'Pretty Girl,' which showcases Clapton's skills at playing the acoustic guitar. The song has a sweet melody that has a way of taking you back to a simpler time.

That said, like every other album, 'Money and Cigarettes' has its flaws. The album falls short in creating a cohesive storyline with the songs, which sometimes makes it feel like a collection of random singles. Also, some of the later tracks in the album, like 'Don't Wanna Lose You' and 'Hold On,' lack the same intensity and creativity found in the opening tracks.

In all, 'Money and Cigarettes' remains a remarkable album that showcases Eric Clapton's prowess as a songwriter, guitarist, and singer. It departs slightly from his signature blues-rock sound and instead features a range of songs that blend rock, blues, and country. The album has standout tracks like 'I've Got a Rock and Roll Heart,' 'Money and Cigarettes,' and the acoustic 'Pretty Girl.' However, it falls short in creating a cohesive storyline and has some tracks that lack the same intensity found in the opening tracks. All in all, 'Money and Cigarettes' remains an impressive body of work from one of the greatest guitarists of all time.