RECORDS

Rip It Up, Issue 48, 1 July 1981, Page 16

RECORDS

Eric Clapton Another Ticket RSO B. B. King There Must Be a Better ' World Somewhere . MCA Tom Dowd produced Eric Clapton's two best ‘ studio albums, Layla and 461 Ocean Boulevard. He is back at the board for Clapton's latest, Another Ticket, a brilliant testimony to Eric's .revived musical fortunes. The wonderful . band supporting Clapton on the superb live, album Just One Night performs ‘ just as well under studio . conditions. The lethargy that crippled Clapton's previous, American band is nowhere in evidence. The line-up of Albert Lee (guitar), Chris Stainton (keyboards), - Henry x Spinetti (drums) and Dave„'Markee (bass) has been reinforced by ex-Procul Harum Gary Brooker on keyboards. Everyone gets a chance to show their paces, but the emphasis is where it belongs on Clapton's well-worn voice and ever-eloquent guitar. .. . - \ ' In essence, the album is not dissimilar , from other recent studio efforts. There is a mixture of country, ballads and blues, but at every turn the slackness of Slowhand and Backless is gone. Listen to Clapton tear things up on 'Muddy Waters' 'Blow Wind Blow' or his own T Can't Stand It' (shades of Stevie Winwood in the Spencer Davis days) or the furious rave-up that closes the album on 'Rita Mae'. This time it's for real. That other old guitar wizard B. B. King also turns in a performance to blow the dust

off your speakers. King has tried some adventurous (sometimes disastrous) collaborations in the past. He has worked with rockers, jazzers and Philly soft-soul merchants. His work with the Crusaders was especially fine. He has now teamed with Dr John and Doc Pomus for an album that marks a new peak in King's long career.

The album's general feel was blueprinted in Dr John's City Lights and Tango palace albums a sort of slowmotion funk, relaxed and rolling, a near-drone that is utterly infectious. Backing up the basic group of B. B. King, Dr John (keyboards), Pretty Purdie (drums), Wilbur Bascomb (bass) and Hugh McCracken (rhythm guitar) is a horn section led by Hank Crawford (alto sax) and David "Fathead" Newman (tenor). Crawford and Newman get plenty of solo space and they lay down some lovely lines.

B. 8., too, is in fine form. His singing and guitar are spoton.

B. B. King and Dr John an inspired collaboration.

Ken Williams