Eric Clapton, singing his way of life.

Eric Clapton.
His recent reputation is not very good. There have been various things, such as his comments related to COVID-19. However, there is still a strong core of people who appreciate Clapton as a guitarist. Up to those in their 40s today, he should be recognized as one of the "three great guitarists," alongside Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. But for younger generations, interest in the guitar itself has faded, and they might have the feeling of "Who is Eric Clapton?"

I myself don't really understand the essence of Clapton's guitar playing. If anything, I feel attracted to the fact that the ups and downs of his life are etched directly into his music. I like the so-called "singer-songwriter Clapton who sings about his way of life."
For example, "Layla." The passionate guitar parts are by Duane Allman. As for performances where Clapton's guitar is impressive, perhaps it would be The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" or John Lennon's "Cold Turkey." Even so, when people talk about the "greatness of Clapton's guitar," it still doesn't quite click for me.

On the other hand, I feel that the greatness of Clapton's music lies in how he pours his life and passion into it. Whether it's "Layla" or "Bell Bottom Blues," intense emotions are thrown into the songs. In that sense, Clapton's albums are worth listening to as a "record of a life."

For example, "461 Ocean Boulevard," released after he was left in tatters by drugs, is an extremely relaxed work. It's not a work that lets his "slowhand" explode, but the laid-back atmosphere is conveyed brilliantly. The band's performance with its soft groove is also wonderful, and in that sense, he must also have talent as a sound maker. I don't know how much Clapton himself was involved in the sound production, but all the albums from this period are interesting as they reflect his state at the time.
One of his representative works, "Slowhand," includes "Wonderful Tonight." This song is also a lump of passion. It's a song filled with his feelings for George Harrison's ex-wife, Pattie Boyd, and it's amazing that he expresses his love so openly. The guitar phrases themselves are simple and even sound cliché, but they are filled with emotions that transcend that.

I think the first time I listened to Clapton was "Bad Love," which was out in real-time when I was in junior high school. Clapton's works from the 90s are poorly rated, but "Bad Love" is a rock number reminiscent of the riff from "Layla," and I thought it was quite cool at the time. However, when listening to the album as a whole, the other songs didn't really click. From there, I listened to his greatest hits, became familiar with the more pop-oriented Clapton in songs like "Let It Glow"
and "White Room," and gradually reached out to albums like "461 Ocean Boulevard."

It wasn't until I became an adult that I was able to understand the true appeal of Clapton's music. As I approached the age he was when he made those works, I was able to empathize with them. But that only goes up to Clapton in the 70s.
I haven't listened to his albums from the 90s onwards very enthusiastically. In particular, I haven't been able to follow his recent works at all. However, the period when he incorporated an R&B-oriented approach was interesting. The aspect of him as a "soul singer Clapton" came out strongly, and for me, who feels the appeal of him not as a guitarist but as a singer who pours in passion, it felt quite right.

Clapton's appeal lies in "spilling out his passion." In other words, the more he hits a wall or suffers in life, the more interesting works are born. Conversely, when he leads a stable life, his musical stimulation thins out, so he comes to rely on the power of producers and changes in sound. Thinking about it that way, I have a strong impression that Clapton is not so much a genius as he is "someone who can put his life into music." Intense works are born precisely when he is suffering from something or taking on new challenges. Clapton's life and music are in an inseparable relationship.

I think I'll listen to his recent works soon. I've become an old man myself, and I might find new discoveries in the music of an older Clapton.