Slowhand
Released 25 November 1977
Recorded May 1977
Studio Olympic Studios, London
Genre Rock
Length 39:06
Label RSO
Producer Glyn Johns
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.
lapton 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 rock song “Cocaine” was censored and removed from the Argentinian edition of the album in late 1977. The military government of the time claimed that the song Clapton recorded was harmful to young people and inviting them to get high. The ban was finally lifted in 1984. Clapton later said that it is useless to intentionally write an anti-drug song like “Cocaine” and hope that people grasp the meaning. After several years, Clapton began including the phrase ‘that dirty cocaine’ in live performances to highlight the anti-drug message of the song. In addition, Clapton donated much of their funds to Crossroads Centre, a center that helps drug addicts kick their habit and rehabilitate themselves.
Deluxe Edition
In November 2012, a remastered two-compact-disc 35th anniversary deluxe edition of Slowhand was released. The first disc consists of the remastered album, with additional bonus tracks and studio jam sessions. The second disc features a previously unreleased live concert, recorded in April 1977 at the Hammersmith Odeon; although the concert is of the same era as the Slowhand sessions, it was performed prior to the album’s recording and release, and so does not include any of the album’s tracks.
Track listings
Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. “Cocaine” J.J. Cale 3:38
2. “Wonderful Tonight” Eric Clapton 3:44
3. “Lay Down Sally” Eric Clapton · George Terry · Marcy Levy 3:56
4. “Next Time You See Her” Eric Clapton 4:01
5. “We’re All the Way” Don Williams 2:32
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. “The Core” Eric Clapton · Marcy Levy 8:45
2. “May You Never” John Martyn 3:01
3. “Mean Old Frisco” Arthur Crudup 4:42
4. “Peaches and Diesel” Eric Clapton · Albhy Galuten 4:46
Total length: 39:06
2012 Deluxe edition
Disc one
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. “Cocaine” J.J. Cale 3:38
2. “Wonderful Tonight” Eric Clapton 3:44
3. “Lay Down Sally” Eric Clapton · George Terry · Marcy Levy 3:56
4. “Next Time You See Her” Eric Clapton 4:01
5. “We’re All the Way” Don Williams 2:32
6. “The Core” Eric Clapton · Marcy Levy 8:45
7. “May You Never” John Martyn 3:01
8. “Mean Old Frisco” Arthur Crudup 4:42
9. “Peaches and Diesel” Eric Clapton · Albhy Galuten 4:46
10. “Looking at the Rain” Gordon Lightfoot 3:41
11. “Alberta” Traditional 2:43
12. “Greyhound Bus” Eric Clapton 2:58
13. “Stars, Strays and Ashtrays” Eric Clapton 4:38
Disc two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. “Tell the Truth” Eric Clapton · Bobby Whitlock 9:00
2. “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” Bob Dylan 5:17
3. “Steady Rollin’ Man” Robert Johnson 6:54
4. “Can’t Find My Way Home” Steve Winwood 6:05
5. “Further on Up the Road” Joe Vease · Don Robey 6:33
6. “Stormy Monday” T-Bone Walker 12:39
7. “Badge” Eric Clapton · George Harrison 8:01
8. “I Shot the Sheriff” Bob Marley 14:02
9. “Layla” Eric Clapton · Jim Gordon 6:11
Personnel
Eric Clapton – lead vocals, guitar
Jamie Oldaker – drums, percussion
Carl Radle – bass guitar
Dick Sims – keyboards
George Terry – guitar
Mel Collins – saxophone
Yvonne Elliman – harmony and backing vocals
Marcy Levy – harmony and backing vocals, duet on “The Core”
Technical
Glyn Johns – producer, engineer
El & Nell Ink. (David Stewart, Nello) – art direction and design
Jonathan Dent – artwork
Andy Seymow – inner sleeve photo
Watal Asanuma – outer sleeve photo
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