Review: Eric Clapton – Journeyman – Deluxe Edition
Eric Clapton – Journeyman – Deluxe Edition
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Bushbranch – Surfdog Records
Release: 2025
Text: Martien Koolen
‘Journeyman’ is the eleventh solo album by Eric Clapton and at the time, in 1989, it was heralded as a return to form for slowhand Clapton, after struggling with a severe alcohol addiction.
Eric Clapton was one of the best guitar players in the early days of his career, think John Mayal and the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos. However, Clapton’s solo albums – for example ‘461 Ocean Boulevard’ – were, if you think how good his guitar picking was, rather mediocre.
‘Journeyman’ was recorded in New York, and it features powerful pop rock songs that does not really bring out the best in Clapton’s guitar playing, although songs like Pretending, Bad Love, Running On Faith and Old Love are certainly not the worst songs Clapton ever recorded.
On ‘Journeyman’ Clapton is assisted, among others: by George Harrison (Run So Far), Phil Collins (Bad Love), and Robert Cray (Old Love). Old Love is the standout track of the album, featuring nice guitar solos by Cray and Clapton, while the lyrics are a kiss-off to Clapton’s ex-wife Pattie. Bad Love is another great track, co-written by Mick Jones of Foreigner and featuring Phil Collins on drums.
This Deluxe edition contains four bonus tracks, being: Higher Power, Elton John’s Border Song, Forever and That Kind Of Woman, which are very worthwhile to listen to on this special edition of ‘Journeyman’.
Tracks:
01. Pretending
02. Anything for Your Love
03. Bad Love
04. Running on Faith
05. Hard Times
06. Hound Dog
07. No Alibis
08. Run So Far
09. Old Love
10. Breaking Point
11. Lead Me On
12. Before You Accuse Me
13. Higher Power (Bonus Track)
14. Border Song (Bonus Track)
15. Forever (Bonus Track)
16. That Kind of Woman (Bonus Track)
Website: https://ericclapton.com/