Co-produced by guitarist and long-time collaborator Doyle Bramhall II, ‘Clapton’ features an all star cast of musical collaborations started with the legendary JJ Cale, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Willie Weeks, and keyboardist Walt Richmond - and the sessions later added guests including Steve Winwood, Wynton Marsalis, Sheryl Crow, Allen Toussaint, and Derek Trucks. Clapton created a collection that touches on everything from century-old traditional brass bands to little-known country blues to brand-new originals. The result is both relaxed and revelatory, and unlike anything the guitarist has done in his legendary career. ‘This album wasn't what it was intended to be at all,’ says Eric Clapton. ‘It's actually better than it was meant to be because, in a way, I just let it happen. It's an eclectic collection of songs that weren't really on the map - and I like it so much because if it's a surprise to the fans, that's only because it's a surprise to me, as well.’
Clapton is the eighteenth solo studio album by English rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Eric Clapton. It was released on 27 September 2010 in the United Kingdom and the following day in the United States.
The album was Clapton's first studio album in four years following his duet with J.J. Cale in The Road to Escondido (2006), and is made up of a mix of new material and cover songs. Clapton has played tracks off this album such as "Rocking Chair" and "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful" live on tour.[citation needed] Clapton has said, "This album wasn’t what it was intended to be at all. It's actually better than it was meant to be because, in a way, I just let it happen."
Eric Clapton – vocals, guitar, mandolin (12) Doyle Bramhall II – guitar (1, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15), vocal arrangement (4), hi-hat (7), guitar solo (8, 12), percussion (8), vocals (10) Derek Trucks – slide guitar (2), guitar (3) J. J. Cale – guitar (3, 8), vocals (3, 8, 9) Greg Leisz – pedal steel guitar (3) Walt Richmond – Hammond organ (1), acoustic piano (2, 4–15), Wurlitzer electric piano (3), keyboards (14) James Poyser – Hammond organ (3, 8) Allen Toussaint – acoustic piano (6, 11) Steve Riley – accordion (8) Paul Carrack – Hammond organ (9) Sereca Henderson – organ (10) Willie Weeks – bass guitar (1, 4, 8, 9, 10, 13), double bass (2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 15) Chris Severan – double bass (6, 11) Jim Keltner – drums (1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13), percussion (1, 8, 12, 13) Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums (2, 14) Jeremy Stacey – drums (3, 10) Justin Stanley – drums (3), additional percussion (8), horn arrangements (10) Herman Labeaux – drums (6, 11) Cayetano "Tanio" Hingle – bass drum (6, 11), cymbal (6, 11), clarinet (8) Jason Moeller – drums (15) David Guy – horn arrangements (3) Neal Sugarman – tenor saxophone (3) Leon Michaels – trumpet (3) Thomas Brenneck – horns (3) Kim Wilson – harmonica (4, 7, 15) Wynton Marsalis – trumpet (5, 6, 11) Troy Andrews – trombone (6, 11), trumpet (6, 11), bass drum (8) Matt Pyreem – tuba (6, 11) Michael White – clarinet (6, 11) Clarenee Slaughter – baritone saxophone (8) Bruce Brackman – sousaphone (8) Edward Lee – tenor saxophone (8) Tim Callagan – trombone (8), trumpet (8) Dan Ostreicher – horns (8) Sherrell Chenier Mouton – washboard (8) Tim Izo Orindgreff – saxophone (9, 10) Elizabeth Lea – trombone (9, 10) Printz Board – trumpet (9, 10) Nick Ingman – string arrangements (1–9, 11–14), conductor Patrick Warren – string arrangements (10) The London Session Orchestra – strings (3, 5, 9, 10, 14) Perry Montague-Mason – concertmaster Nikka Costa – backing vocals (2, 10, 13) Terry Evans – backing vocals (4, 8) Willie Green Jr. – backing vocals (4, 8) Arnold McCuller – backing vocals (4, 8) Lynn Mabry – backing vocals (10, 13) Debra Parsons – backing vocals (10, 13) Sheryl Crow – vocals (10) Arnold K?ymkiw – vocals (15)
Producers – Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II, Justin Stanley (Track #10). Engineer and Mixed by Justin Stanley Recorded at Ocean Way Recording (Hollywood, CA) and Piety Street Recording (New Orleans, LA). Mastering – Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering (Hollywood, CA). Photography – Doyle Bramhall II (recording studio), Nigel Carroll (recording studio), Terry O'Neill (front and back), Gregory Malphurs (guitars). Design – Stephen Walker Production Coordinator – Debbie Johnson
