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Behind the Sun

Eric Clapton - Behind the Sun Audio CD

A fair review of the Eric Clapton "Behind the Sun" 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: Behind the Sun
Rating:

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

Tracks: 1: She's Waiting 2: See What Love Can Do 3: Same Old Blues 4: Knock on Wood 5: Something's Happening 6: Forever Man 7: It All Depends 8: Tangled in Love 9: Never Make You Cry 10: Just Like a Prisoner 11: Behind the Sun

so good
NOT TRUE. For years I was led to believe this was Eric Clapton's worst album, and that the very first track was the only one worth hearing. Every song is quite enjoyable. Just because it was recorded in the 80's when the recording industry was giving us big drum machines and loud guitars doesn't mean this album is horrible. It's still Eric Clapton. Granted, it's the studio version of Eric Clapton which produced normal-sounding songs that range from ballads to light rockers, but it's still a darn good listen. .

Produced by Phil Collins / Templeton - rebirth of Clapton
He's clean & reinvigorated & for the first time really focused on production & muscianship. (1985) I think this album is a new dawning for Clapton. First of all, Clapton & Collins (by this time) had been friends for almost ten years. They had played togther with John Martyn (1981), Steven Bishop (1981), & on Collins's Face Value (1981). So clapton didn't just recruit collins because he was the most sought-after producer/drummer of the 80s. He recruited him because he deeply respected Phil's ability to produce, motivate musicians, unlock hidden talent, & take them to a higher peak of perfection. Another notable about Collins was he was never a drunk or junky. He was a music man & very professional. 12-16 hour studio days aren't possible if you're all screwed up on dope. Now that Clapton was clean from heroin he could seriously focus on his music & there was noone better to recruit then Collins(known as the busiest man in Rock). Clapton's best attribute is being humble & modest. he has played with so many people because he wants to constantly change & improve. This is why Phil Collins produced & toured with him. ted Templeton (van halen / doobie brothers) also produced 3 of the 11 tracks here (forever man / something's happening / see what love can do). There are alot of musicians on this one including nathan east (bass), greg phillinganes (keyboards), john robinson (brand x & phil collins touring keyboardist), jamie oldaker (drums), jeff porcoro of TOTO (drums), ray cooper (percussion), steve lukather of TOTO (guitar), Donald duck Dunn (bass), marcy levy (long time clapton vocalist/cowriter), & many others. The opening track "She's Waiting" explodes with strong drumming & hard rhythm keyboard tracks indicating that Phil Collins was conducting this train & Clapton was more than happy to let him. Even though Jamie Oldaker was drumming there's no doubt who was fuelling his rhythm patterns (Collins). There is also a great bluesy track called same old blues that is more or less a 1980s blues song that is powerful & compelling. Throughout the album you can hear the strong Phil Collins trademark drum patterns & production. On "Tangled in Love" the sequencer pattern used is so genesis-like that you would think that rutherford & banks (genesis pals) are in the studio as well. Clapton's vocal performances are also the strongest he's ever recorded again indicating that Collins must have pushed him to push himself vocally. The collins/clapton relationship would continue on the road (phil at drums) at LIVE AID, on tour with East & Phillinganes (producing an awesome 1986 Montreaux Festival appearance), & on another album in 1986 called August which would prove to be another huge album. A great producer can bring out amazing potential in a musician & that is what Phil Collins did with Clapton & also Robert Plant. Clapton & Collins continued to work together on other albums including But Seriously & Journeyman. This relationship, I think, created some of the best produced & most mature music of the 1980s & early 1990s. At this time (1985-86) Collins was very busy balancing his own solo work (no jacket required - 1985) & genesis's 1986 invisible touch but he would find breaks during tours & albums to work with clapton again & again indicating that their relationship was very important to them. .

Clapton's Mid-80's Comeback Album
Where did Eric Clapton fit into the scheme of things back in 1985?

The musical climate had changed dramatically from when he had topped the charts in the '70's, and his two new 80's albums ("Money and Cigarettes" and "Another Ticket") made nary a whimper. I remember the buzz surrounding this album back in the mid-80's touting that "Eric Clapton is back!" There were full page ads in the music magazines at the time, mixed between articles on Ratt's new album, and whether or not David Lee Roth would be leaving Van Halen. So to help give him some direction, Clapton enlisted the help of Phil Collins, who could do no wrong at the time on the music charts. So that's why this album is so heavy on the slick 80's production and Phil Collins drum sound. Let's face it, back when this was released, the slick 80's sound wasn't a bad thing!

The painfully obvious thing about this album is that it is indeed a transition album, showing an artist trying to acclimate to a new sound. One half of the album is very pop sounding ("She's Waiting," "Forever Man," "Never Make You Cry"), while the other half is still in '70's mode ("Knock on Wood," "Same Old Blues," "Something's Happening"). It never quite works and seems somewhat awkward at times. Yet when he shines, she shines brightly. "Forever Man" and "She's Waiting" proved to be the biggest hits off the album, showing that Clapton was still relevant in the 80's.

My favorite track is actually one of the sleeper songs on the album, a beautiful little tune called "Never Make You Cry. " It's easy to dismiss as sticky-sweet fluff, but there's just something about it that puts it up there with "Wonderful Tonight. " Not in the same league, but definitely up there. .

a good album and not "purist"!
This album is better than the "weak" and "boring" Backless, slowhand ,Just one night and Ocean Boulevard. However it's not between the best works of Claptom, Behind the Sun is a good album. He has powerful as well as "romantic"songs. In short,a good album!!!!.

One of Claptons Best

At this time he is moving into a new direction. Behind the Sun was Eric Claptons second album on Duck records.
This is his first album with Nathan East and Greg Phillinganes.
Nathan East has been with Eric Clapton ever since.
On this CD you have the hit song Forever Man which also had a video that had alot of playing time on MTV at the time.
Other songs of note are She's Waiting , Same Old Blues, Tangled in Love and a cover of the song Knock on Wood. Just like a Prisoner is haunting and has a killer guitar solo as well.
Phil Collins also works with Clapton on this CD and adds drums as well.
This is a must for any Clapton fan and a great album.
I would recommend this to anyone.

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