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Album Review: Eric Clapton - I Still Do

As has been the case forever, man, Eric Clapton is at his best when playin’ and singin’ the blues.

The truism holds on Slowhand’s 23rd solo studio album, I Still Do, where remakes of Leroy Carr’s “Alabama Woman Blues,” Robert Johnson’s “Stones in My Passway” and Skip James’ “Cypress Grove” are far superior to the backless attempts at pop that are “Can’t Let You Do It” and the bossa-nova infused “Catch the Blues.”

These aren’t the same old blues from Clapton. His guitar playing is mostly reserved and totally understated. On this release, guitar shares the musical spotlight with accordion and other keyboard instruments that figure prominently, although producer Glyn Johns made sure to feature enough fiery fretwork to leave no doubt that E.C. was here.

At 71, Clapton has lost a bit of the richness in his voice. But he remains immediately identifiable and capable of sounding positively bereft with a high wail or a low moan when the song calls for such emotion.

Bluesmen aren’t the only focus of Clapton’s attention. He turns in a jazzy, unplugged rendition of Perry Como’s “Little Man, You’ve Had a Busy Day" - a hopeful yin to “Tears in Heaven”’s tragic yang. His re-reading of Bob Dylan’s “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine” is a terrific attempt at creating a long-lost Band recording and reinforces Clapton’s rep as a master interpreter.

I Still Do wraps with a melancholy version of the august “I’ll be Seeing You,” which sounds more like a farewell than a promise to hit the road for 24 nights in support of the album.

As potential swan songs go, I Still Do is a good one, with the biggest knock being that the 12-track collection is overlong by three or four numbers that detract from a potentially excellent release. I Still Do isn’t the cream of Clapton’s crop, but blind faith isn’t required to hear the beauty in it either.

Grade card: Eric Clapton - I Still Do - B