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Money and Cigarettes

Eric Clapton - Money and Cigarettes Audio CD

A fair review of the Eric Clapton "Money and Cigarettes" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Eric Clapton reviews here, or go back to the Eric Clapton tabs.

Band: Eric Clapton
Title: Money and Cigarettes
Rating:

Release Date: 2000-09-19
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Everybody Ought to Make a Change 2: Shape You're In 3: Ain't Going Down 4: I've Got a Rock 'N' Roll Heart 5: Man Overboard 6: Pretty Girl 7: Man in Love 8: Crosscut Saw 9: Slow Down Linda 10: Crazy Country Hop

Eric and his sidemen
Short Story; Five great songs and no major turds. . easily Eric's strongest outing of the 1980s. Very well remastered, too!

Long Story; The chorus of Crazy Country Hop features they lyrics "Ooh-weee, oh-oh. . . Oooh la, la, let's rock and roll". A brief discussion broke out among Eric and his sidemen about whether these profoundly fruity lyrics compromised their manhood. They were interrupted by the phone outside the control room. Eric answers and then turns to his band, "Hey guys, my smokin' hot supermodel wife Pattie Boyd is callng from the $1. 50/minute car-phone in my Lamborghini Countach. She's in the McDonald's drive-thru and wants to know what you guys want on your Big Macs. " Needless to say, it was then decided by unanimous vote that the Oooh la-la lyrics were not a problem for men in their situation.

Don't even think about bothering me with a rant about how profoundly inaccurate my story is.

A solid latter-day effort from one of EC's transitional periods.
He had traveled a long way since the so-called "power trio" extended jams of the Cream era, and had little to prove in that regard. By this point in Eric's career, his legacy as one of rock 'n' roll's all time great guitarists was secure and in tact. So, he ventured off in search of a more pastoral approach to his music. Between 1975-80 he exploited the growth of the country cross-over phenomenon in popular music by donning a checkered vest and playing songs like "Tulsa Time". This was an astute move seeing that neither punk nor disco was a viable option for him at the time. However, the country troubadour schtick did eventually wear thin, at a time when popular music was transitioning away from guitar-based music in favor of drum machines, synthesizers, and guys with too much mousse in their hair. Eric took the high road into adult contemporary music, choosing to play rather light and relaxed pop songs typically built around a simple blues or country guitar riff (see "Everybody Oughta Make A Change", which has a feel to it reminiscent of the "Barney Miller" TV theme). He would continue to refine this formula with mixed results until 1989's "Journeyman" release, which was clearly the apex of this period (although "Behind the Sun" and "August" each had their moments). Additionally, he began to approach his singing as something more than an afterthought, as is evidenced on songs such as "Pretty Girl".
This record finds Clapton seemingly in a peaceful, mature state of mind (although, after reading his biography it appears that his drinking continued unabated). So, for a relaxed (albeit not particularly engaging) listen, try this one out in the car. It sounds good in surround sound, and might prevent road-rage.

Footnote: The highlight of this disc is probably the lively cut "The Shape Your In" which features a little guitar duel between Clapton and his amigo Albert Lee (a B-list star in his own right). The title of the disc "Money and Cigarettes", which was probably nothing more than a description of what Eric had in his pocket at the time (heck, why not just call the album "Lint"?), appears to be an indicator of EC's attitude about the project.

Low period for God.
Clapton seems to be going through the motions. Most of these songs just sound like they've thrown together some last minute weak major to minor chord progressions. Apart from the Sleepy John Estes track "Everybody ought to change" there's nothing inspirational. Eric's version of "Crosscut Saw" is adequate but he repeats just one predictable Albert King phrase throughout. My goodness, even Albert, who was always accused of using three licks, was more adventurous than someone who was bestowed with the title "GOD". "Slow Down Linda" and "Man In Love" sound more like Chas 'n" Dave songs and Eric was still influenced by that duo.
Skip this one and move on to another earlier Clapton album or better still listen to him with "Cream". .

Money & Cigarettes a worthy disc.
The year was 1983 and comercialism was still going strong. Ok folks here it goes. Most groups put out music every year. In the seventies you had to wait a life time{so it seems} I've got a rock n roll heart bellowed from radio stations. It sold the album. Its amazing when I look back and bought records on one single. Sometimes it was a good album and other times it was like getting dental work done without novacane. This album is laid back but enjoyable. Its not Slowhand but its not reptile either. Eric might of been relaxing on a tropical island somewhere but money was flowing in just from that song alone. The song man overboard is a little cheezey but doesn't kill the album. Crazy Country Hop is always a treat thanks to the nutty lyrics and music by J. Otis. The good thing about today as I mentioned earlier was that you can sample music so you know what you're in for. I sampled this and bought it. Your call!.

Too laid back for me
It is his first album without Robert Stigwood. What you have here is Claptons' first release on Duck Records, which is a division of Reprise.
The songs on here are rockers, but in my mind dont have the drive like Layla or some other songs he has done. There is alot of Rockabilly guitar with some good guitar licks.
What is absent are the blues songs we have become to know and love. This CD is more the Rock side of Eric Clapton.
This is not one of his better efforts, but not one of his worst either.
The songs on this CD worth mentioning are Everybody Oughta Make A Change, Rock and Roll Heart and the very pretty love ballad Pretty Girl. Pretty girl is one of his better ballads of his career. This CD is primarily for collectors like myself.

You can see a complete list of all Eric Clapton discography, or go back to the Eric Clapton tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.