There have been sublime recordings, such as his stuff with the Yardbreakers, classic rock anthems, such as 'Layla' (which I personally can't stand) and commercial pop albums, such as 'August'.
BUT there are some really awful moments in there too. Not least as his racist remarks about immigration. He has since stated that he didn't mean it literally. Mmmm nice try Eric. And then there are the personal yet slightly mawkish ballads, mundane pop albums, collaborations with big Phil..... A mass of contradictions. Can you ignore the low points, or more to the point should you? At which point does he get let off the hook?
Listening to 'Slowhand' again today I can't quite help wondering how someone who is so talented; so talented that they were even compared to God, can make so many missteps. And these were not just any ordinary missteps. It is hard to comprehend how someone whose influences are so rooted in African-American music, particularly blues and folk, could have even contemplated voicing such opinions as he did on stage in Birmingham in 1976.
But putting that to one side for now, 'Slowhand' is a strange hybrid of an album. Part blues, part rock and part pop. When firing on all cylinders the effect is mesmerising, such as on 'Cocaine' and 'The Core'. Then there is the classic 'Wonderful Tonight'. I can see why it is cited as a classic but I've heard it at least thirty times too many. A bit saccharine for my tastes.
Elsewhere on the album there are laid back blues, slide guitar and easy listening instrumentals. A strange brew.
But despite its faults, I still like this album as it holds a certain sentimental value. First came across it when I was investigating his back catalogue, having hired the CD from Alpha Video in Hartlepool. It was a great way to audition music before making a purchase..... well after making a copy onto cassette, listening for several years, finding a job, buying a house, waiting for Internet retail to take off and then buying secondhand on Amazon.
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