Eric Clapton: 461 Ocean Boulevard [POLYDOR]

Why you'll love it

This EU reissue puts the album on 180g vinyl in a gatefold jacket, mastered from the original tapes. 461 Ocean Boulevard went to No. 1 in the United States and Canada, reached No. 3 in the UK and sold more than two million copies.

This edition

• 180g vinyl
• Gatefold jacket
• Mastered from the original tapes
• Pressed in the EU
• Stereo mix

About the album

After three years away from the studio, Eric Clapton found his way back by keeping things loose. Bassist Carl Radle sent him a demo tape with keyboardist Dick Sims and drummer Jamie Oldaker that Clapton called "simply superb," Robert Stigwood booked Criteria Studios in Miami with producer Tom Dowd, and Clapton moved into a rented house at 461 Ocean Boulevard in Golden Beach, Florida. The whole album came together in April and May 1974.

He wanted songs left unfinished so the band could make them their own, and you can hear the easy chemistry. "Motherless Children" kicks off at a gallop, "Willie and the Hand Jive" slows Johnny Otis into a swampy shuffle, and "Let It Grow" is one of his loveliest ballads. Guitarist George Terry talked a reluctant Clapton into covering Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff," Yvonne Elliman co-wrote "Get Ready," and Terry's "Mainline Florida" closes with slide guitar through a talk box.

Bob Marley later told Clapton he liked the cover very much. Stigwood then recommended the house and Criteria to the Bee Gees, who made Main Course there, which is a better reference than any estate agent has ever given us.

Also at Kops: more Eric Clapton on vinyl · browse Rock

Tracklist

Listen

On Polydor (cat# 811 697-1), a reissue of the 1974 album.