Backless

Backless is the sixth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released in November 1978. Produced by Glyn Johns, and released by RSO Records, Backless reached no. 8 on the pop charts. While the single "Promises" only reached no. 37 on the UK Singles Chart, it was a much bigger success in the US, reaching no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up single, "Watch Out for Lucy", was the B-side of "Promises", but reached no. 40 on the Billboard 100 on its own merit. It was Clapton's last studio album to feature his longtime bassist Carl Radle, who died in 1980.

Critical reception

The Globe and Mail noted that "there is none of the old spectacular playing—the emphasis is definitely on mellow funkiness—but the duet he plays on 'Roll It' with singer Marci Levy has some eloquent licks all the same."^[2]

Track listing

Side one

1. "Walk Out in the Rain" (Bob Dylan, Helena Springs) – 4:16
2. "Watch Out for Lucy" (Eric Clapton) – 3:26
3. "I'll Make Love to You Anytime" (J. J. Cale) – 3:23
4. "Roll It" (Clapton, Marcy Levy) – 3:42
5. "Tell Me That You Love Me" (Clapton) – 3:31

Side two

1. "If I Don't Be There by Morning" (Dylan, Springs) – 4:38
2. "Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Clapton) – 5:25
3. "Promises" (Richard Feldman, Roger Linn) – 3:04
4. "Golden Ring" (Clapton) – 3:32
5. "Tulsa Time" (Danny Flowers) – 3:28

Note: "Early in the Morning" is extended to 7:58 on CD editions of the album.

Singles

• 1978 – "Promises" (No. 37 UK Singles Chart; No. 9 US Billboard Hot 100)
• 1978 – "Watch Out for Lucy" (No. 40 US Billboard Hot 100)

Personnel

• Eric Clapton – guitars, lead vocals
• Dick Sims – organ, piano
• George Terry – guitars
• Carl Radle – bass, backing vocals
• Jamie Oldaker – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Marcy Levy – backing vocals, lead vocals on "Roll It"
• Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle – backing vocals on "Golden Ring"

Production

• Producer and engineer – Glyn Johns
• Assistant engineer – Jon Astley
• Art direction and design – David Stewart and Nello
• Photography – Nello
• Additional photography – Rob Fraboni, Andy Seymour and Laura K. Sims.

Charts

References

1. ^ "Olympic Studios Records - Archive". Olympicstudiosrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
2. ^ "Backless Eric Clapton". The Globe and Mail. 15 Nov 1978. p. F9.
3. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated ed. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
4. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Eric Clapton". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 48.
5. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.