Eric Clapton “Meanwhile”: In the “Meanwhile” listen to something else

It’s hard to sell albums these days. Unless you’re Taylor Swift, Beyoncé or whoever is the hot new thing, it’s hardly worth recording the ten to twelve songs it takes to make an album. That’s why you see so many music artists go many years before releasing a new album.

Eric Clapton is no different. It’s been six years since the legendary guitarist put out an album—and even then it was a Christmas album. That changed last weekend when he dropped “Meanwhile.” For now, you can find it wherever you listen to digital music with the full release of vinyl and cd set for early next year.

I found it on YouTube, where I could listen for free—a good decision!! The basics of the record are six new tunes and eight songs previously released as singles. The new songs, although they haven’t been recorded by Clapton before, have been performed by him.

There are lows and a big high on point on this recording.

The lows are the anti-lockdown, anti/vax tunes that he recorded with Van Morrison during the high point of the Covid pandemic. It wasn’t good music then and it’s not now. They were offensive then, they’re still offensive now. That’s three tunes you don’t need to spend any time listening to.

The other low is the lack of any interesting guitar playing from Clapton. Whether or not you like his songs or his singing, you can always count on him cutting loose with some strong guitar. If he doesn’t even do that, then what’s the point?

But there is one great guitar moment on this album. It’s on the song “Moon River”, which features the playing of the late Jeff Beck. While Clapton handled the vocals, Beck showed off his chops on lead guitar. Beck’s brilliance saved the song. Too bad he wasn’t on some of the other songs.

One good song doesn’t make a good album. If you have any interest in hearing it, go to YouTube like I did. Listen to Beck and call it a day. You’ll save time and money that you could never get back. Then go listen to Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, or early solo Clapton albums. You’ll be happy that you did.