Eric Clapton: Backless (1978)

Slowhand and Backless are basically bookends that ended the decade on a high note.

Kronomyth 8.0: A wonderful tomorrow.

Given the success of Slowhand, Eric Clapton wisely repeated the formula for Backless. There’s the ridiculously catchy song with a girl’s name in it (Watch Out for Lucy), the love song written by the man who needs his woman to straighten him out (Tell Me That You Love Me), another J.J. Cale song (I’ll Make Love to You Anytime), etc. As an added attraction, Backless features a terrific song penned by Tulsa native Richard Feldman and Roger Linn, Promises, that became the album’s biggest hit. Add the lively Tulsa Time to the mix, and you’ve got all the makings of another platinum-selling album. But (and you knew one was coming) a Clapton album always seems to have its share of peaks and valleys. Surprisingly, Bob Dylan is the source of some of that disappointment. Walk Out in the Rain is a fine song; If I Don’t Be There By Morning isn’t. Honestly, Dylan’s relationship with Helena Springs didn’t bring out the best in the bard, at least where their songwriting partnership was concerned. Clapton was at least smart enough to keep his relationship with Marcy Levy professional, although Roll It, which features Levy on lead vocals, amounts to album filler. Little else jumps out on Backless, which still leaves you with at least half of a very good album. With a backing band that, by now, fits him like a pair of old jeans, Clapton plays and sings from a place of comfort and confidence. On a personal note, this was the first Eric Clapton album that I owned, on 8-track no less, and I suspect the fact that the first program was front-loaded with the album’s best songs helped me form a positive opinion of it. Most likely, I just kept repeating that first program, which is how my brain works anyway: playing one or two songs in an endless loop all day. At the moment, it’s “Promises” and “Watch Out for Lucy.” Today is going to be a good day.

Original elpee version

A1. Walk Out in the Rain (Bob Dylan/Helena Springs) (4:10)
A2. Watch Out for Lucy (Eric Clapton) (3:24)
A3. I’ll Make Love to You Anytime (J.J. Cale) (3:21)
A4. Roll It (Eric Clapton/Marcy Levy) (3:40)
A5. Tell Me That You Love Me (Eric Clapton) (3:30)
B1. If I Don’t Be There By Morning (Bob Dylan/Helena Springs) (3:45)
B2. Early in the Morning (traditional, arr. by Eric Clapton) (5:25)
B3. Promises (Richard Feldman/Roger Linn) (3:01)
B4. Golden Ring (Eric Clapton) (3:30)
B5. Tulsa Time (Danny Flowers) (3:30)

Original 8-track version
A1. Watch Out for Lucy
A2. I’ll Make Love to You Anytime
A3. Promises
B1. Walk Out in the Rain
B2. Early in the Morning
C1. Roll It
C2. Tell Me That You Love Me
C3. If I Don’t Be There By Morning
D1. If I Don’t Be There By Morning (cont.)
D2. Golden Ring
D3. Tulsa Time

The Players

Eric Clapton (guitar & vocals), Marcy Levy (vocals), Jamie Oldaker (drums, percussion & vocals), Carl Radle (bass guitar & vocals), Dick Sims (keyboards), George Terry (guitar) with Benny Gallagher (backing vocals on B4), Graham Lyle (backing vocals on B4). Produced & engineered by Glyn Johns; assistant engineer: Jon Astley.

The Pictures

Art direction by David Stewart and Nello for El and Nell Ink. Typography by Ken Carroll. Photography by Nello, additional photos by Laura K. Sims, Rob Fraboni and Andy Seymour.

The Plastic

Released on elpee and 8-track in November 1978 in the UK (RSO, RSD-5001), the US (RSO, RS/8T-1-3039), Canada (ROS, RS8-1-3039), Germany (RSO, 2394 213), Japan (RSO, MWF-1056), Yugoslavia (RTB, ST-2220105), and in 1979 in Argentina (RSO, 6035) with gatefold cover. Reached #18 on the UK charts and #8 on the US charts (RIAA-certified platinum record).

1. Re-released on elpee and cassette in 1983 in the UK (RSO, SPELP/SPEMC-1) and Japan (RSO, 18MW-0045).
2. Re-issued on remastered CD in 1996 in the US (Mobile Fidelity, UDCD-653).
3. Re-issued on remastered compact disc in 1996 in the US (Polydor, 531 826).
4. Re-issued on remastered compact disc in 1998 in Japan (Polydor, POCP-9124).
5. Re-issued on remastered compact disc in 2001 in Japan (Universal, UICY-9163).