Slowhand | ||||
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Studio album by Eric Clapton | ||||
Released | 25 November 1977 | |||
Recorded | May 1977 | |||
Studio | Olympic Studios | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 39:06 | |||
Label | RSO | |||
Producer | Glyn Johns | |||
Eric Clapton chronology | ||||
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Singles from Slowhand | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Retrospective reviews | |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Chicago Tribune | |
Christgau's Record Guide | C+ |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
The Great Rock Discography | 7/10 |
MusicHound | 3.5/5 |
Q | |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide |
Slowhand is a 1977 album by Eric Clapton. Released on 25 November by RSO Records, and titled after Clapton's nickname, it is one of his commercially and critically most successful studio albums. Slowhand produced the two hit singles "Lay Down Sally" and "Wonderful Tonight", reached various international music charts and was honored with numerous awards and recording certifications. In 2012, a deluxe edition was released to celebrate the album's 35th anniversary.
Clapton wanted to work with record producer Glyn Johns, because he thought Johns produced great work with famous groups like The Rolling Stones and Eagles and understood how to work with both British and American musicians. While in the studio with Johns, Clapton noted that the A-list producer was very disciplined and disliked jamming, because it would kill important recording time. Although Clapton and his band were either drunk or stoned nearly all the time when recording, Johns liked Clapton's work and brought out the best in every musician, according to Clapton.
The album was titled after Clapton's nickname, which was given to him by Giorgio Gomelsky. In his 2007 autobiography, Clapton recalled that the name "Slowhand" seemed to be hanging on to his real name, because it seemed to be well received by both his American friends and fans who think of the Wild West when hearing the nickname. The album's artwork was done by Clapton himself with the help of Pattie Boyd and Dave Stewart, credited as "El & Nell Ink". Besides choosing various photos for the inner side of the gramophone record packaging are two pictures, Clapton notes, which have deeper importance to him: one picture, in which he kisses Boyd and another photograph showing a demolished Ferrari 365 GT4 BB, which Clapton bought after seeing George Harrison turning up with the same model at his Hurtwood Edge Estate. The car, which had been involved with Clapton in a car accident after the British recording artist finished touring in Australia, nearly killed him.