From the Cradle Songs Ranked
From the Cradle is the twelfth solo studio album by Eric Clapton released on 13 September 1994 by Warner Bros. Records.[1] A blues cover album and Clapton’s follow-up to his successful 1992 live album, Unplugged, it is his only UK number-one album to date. Although he had long been associated with the blues, From the Cradle was Clapton’s first attempt at an all-blues album. He would subsequently record Riding with the King with B.B. King; a tribute to Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson; and a collaboration with J. J. Cale, The Road to Escondido. From the Cradle has prompted a wide range of critical response. The title actually comes from the last line of a four-line poem written by Clapton in his own handwriting (which he never set to music), printed on the second page of the CD booklet: “All along this path I tread / My heart betrays my weary head / with nothing but my love to save / from the cradle to the grave.” Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic feels that the album is almost perfect and that the only thing bad about the album is Clapton’s singing, which merely imitates the original recordings and sometimes can’t pull it off. Here are all of From the Cradle songs ranked.
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10. Five Long Years
“When “Five Long Years” comes on I am always knocked out about how Eric steps up to the mic and does a totally awesome vocal after just playing his heart out.In GW he said this was one track that took multiple takes to get the keeper and I’m not surprised.People might pick on the vocals but I think they’re fine.”
9. Reconsider Baby
“Eric Clapton has seen and done it all over the years whether it’s rock, pop or blues few do it better. When you consider all of the material EC has released over his career and the hundreds of discs and compilations that contain his material, one might argue that this CD is not Clapton’s best. “
8. How Long Blues
“The best cut on the entire album, a beautiful “How Long Blues”, worthy of the great Leroy Carr himself. Top-notch piano playing and an acoustic slide dobro playing exquisite fills.”
See more: Eric Clapton Albums Ranked
7. Blues Leave Me Alone
“Well played blues rock with way more blues then rock. This is where Mr. Clapton is right now and he is very good at it. Blues played by a gunslinging blues guitar player.”
6. It Hurts Me Too
“This artist not only kept my interest alive but inspired me to LEARN about the culture of this type of music as well as enjoy it. I saw Mr. Clapton in concert tonight for the first time, and if you think this man does not know how to include SOUL, RYTHM, or BLUES into his music, you have never seen him live.”
5. Standin’ Round Crying
“The Muddy Waters classic “Standing around Crying” is frighteningly close to Muddy’s 1952 recording as well. Jerry Portnoy’s harmonica playing on this track sounds IDENTICAL to Little Walter’s playing on Muddy’s version!! “
See more: Eric Clapton Songs Ranked
4. Groaning the Blues
“Eric just cuts loose.. especially the last track “Groaning the Blues”- he just lets you have it! Eric’s guitar groans and moans and gives you some of the most raw emotion ever heard from him. The album IS the reason why Clapton is such a stellar guitarist.”
3. I’m Tore Down
“On this disc of blues standards, he has a great, tight backup band, and the sound quality is superb. His guitar work is very very good — but all the musicians here are very good. And he gives himself to the songs with feeling and energy — “I’m Tore Down” is one I didn’t know, and it’s soulfully done here.”
2. Hoochie Coochie Man
“The Chicago blues cuts are especially memorable and enthusiastic: every idiot has done “Hoochie Coochie Man”, but Clapton’s no idiot, and he really adds a lot of flavor to it”
1. Someday After a While
“Clapton has recorded several classic solo albums over the years, but if he has recorded one that leaves a bigger impression than From the Cradle I haven’t heard it yet. This has to be the best album Eric Clapton has done in the past two decades or more, and it proves without a doubt that he is a better blues musician than anything else. THIS is the kind of music Eric Clapton should focus on more often. I think many people would agree.”