Eric Clapton | JOURNEYMAN | CD

Personnel includes: Eric Clapton, Jerry Williams (vocals, guitar); George Harrison (guitar, background vocals); Robert Cray (guitar); Robbie Kondor (harmonica, keyboards, vocoder, synthesizer, programming); Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Jon Faddis, Lou Solof (trumpet); Richard Tee (piano, Fender Rhodes); Greg Phillinganes (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Alan Clark (Hammond organ, synthesizer, keyboards, programming); Gary Burton (vibraphone); Nathan East (bass, background vocals); Daryl Jones (bass); Phil Collins (drums, background vocals) Carol Steele (congas, tambourine, percussion); Chaka Khan (background vocals).
Recorded at The Town House, London, England and Power Station, Skyline Studios, New York, New York.
Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Cecil Womack (vocals, acoustic guitar); Linda Womack (vocals); Jerry Williams, Jr. (guitar, background vocals); Phil Palmer, Robert Cray, George Harrison (guitar); Robbie Kondor (harmonica, keyboards, synthesizer, vocoder, drum programming); David Sanborn, Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Jon Faddis (trumpet, horns); Lou Solof (trumpet); Richard Tee (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Greg Phillinganes (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Alan Clark (keyboards, synthesizer, string synthesizer); Jeff Bova (synthesizer, programming, drum programming); Rob Mounsey, Robbie Kilgore (synthesizer); Gary Burton (vibraphone); Steve Ferrone (drums, hi-hat); Jim Keltner (drums, tambourine, percussion, drum programming); Phil Collins (drums, background vocals); Carol Steele (congas, tambourine, percussion); Jimmy Bralower (drum programming); Lani Groves, Nathan East, Tawatha Agee, Tessa Niles, Vaneese Thomas, Chaka Khan (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Steve "Barney" Cahse; Gary Wright; Rob Eaton; Russ Titelman.
Recording information: Power Station Studios, New York, NY; Skyline Studios, New York, NY; Town House, London, England.
Photographers: Roger Forrester; Terry O'Neil.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Darryl Jones; David "Fathead" Newman ; David Sanborn; Eric Clapton; Greg Phillinganes; Hank Crawford; Jeff Bova; Jerry Williams, Jr. ; Jim Keltner; Jimmy Bralower; Alan Clark; Nathan East; Phil Collins; Phil Palmer; Pino Palladino; Richard Tee; Rob Mounsey; Robert Cray; Tawatha Agee; George Harrison; Robbie Kondor; Steve Ferrone; Cecil Womack; Chaka Khan.
Arranger: Arif Mardin.
As the '80s drew to a close, Clapton's lifestyle included fraternizing with models and wearing designer suits to go with stylish haircuts. Amid all this jet-setting, Clapton released JOURNEYMAN, an album that found his songwriting involvement limited to cuts co-written with Foreigner's Mick Jones ("Bad Love") and Robert Cray ("Old Love"). Respected producer Russ Titelman twisted knobs as a number of famous guests contributed to the creative process. Old friend George Harrison contributed guitar, harmonies and a song ("Run So Far") while Clapton's band from AUGUST (Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East, Phil Collins) are also present.
Although the slick production of most of Clapton's '80s work is evident, his passion is far from lacking. "Running On Faith" finds Slowhand looking deep inside himself as a gospel choir chimes away in the background. On Ray Charles' "Hard Times" Clapton reminds listeners that heartache is around the corner. The sweet nothings whispered in "Lead Me On" are made that much sweeter by the harmonies of Cecil and Linda Womack. E.C. also manages to have a ball with a shuffling "Hound Dog" and a rollicking take on Bo Diddley's "Before You Accuse Me."

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop
• Released: 10/23/1989