5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally, Slowhand comes to hi-resolution format. I have heard multiple CD versions from the original to the Gold Disc to the remastered, but this new SACD version just blows the rest away.

Slowhand has always been my favourite Clapton album over the years. Classic Clapton originals like Lay Down Sally and Wonderful Tonight define his style and songwriting capabilities and singing. His voice has an aching and tender reach on the ballads, and yet bluesy growl on the fast tracks.

From 461 and Slowhand, Clapton began to rely less on his guitar prowess on albums, but move towards stronger songwriting and singing to establish his albums, and Slowhand is the best example of it. And yet, his taste for covers cannot be faulted either.

Dusting off JJ Cale's Cocaine and William's We're With YOu All the Way shows how he can choose the right material to augment his own songs, until they blend into a seamless piece of excellent work.

Ending the album with an instrumental ballad that recalls the piano coda to Layla, Slowhand remains his best and most focused work over the years. And throw in a great guitar jam in the epic Core, you get a Clapton masterwork that is as timeless now as it was commercially and critically successful during its original release almost 30 years ago.

Listening to the 5.1 mix by the original producer, Glyn Johns did a superb work. Although some has commented the mix sounds muddy, its actually not and its true to its original sound. Its natural and spatial mix and creative surround mixing by Johns gives this classic a new dimension that was not there before.

The electric solos now sound more alive and kicking and even the tender fender licks that kick off Wonderful Tonight sounds so much there and enveloping. Its the drums that has a tendency to sound muddled underneath and the strong bass levels that gives the muddy impression. BUt '70s recordings tend to be presented in such fashion and listening it over again, the surround mix is just perfect and natural. Compared to the bright but not as creative surround mix of 461, this is far superior in the end.

A compulsory purchase and listening for every Clapton fan.

After waiting through the bizarre back order situation that accompanied the release of "Slowhand," when the SACD did finally arrive it was worth it.

I do not have the original CD or vinyl version of the album, so I cannot make a comparison to the sound quality between the two, but I can say that the surround mix done by Glyn Johns (also the producer of the original) is outstanding and very creative.

The best example comes from 'The Core,' where the surround channels contain the back beat, creating a cool point/counterpoint between the front and rears that really adds to the listening experience.

Other highlights are the atmospheric keyboards in 'Wonderful Tonight' and others. Just an overall great effort.

This is without a doubt Eric Claptons best album. After a couple of mediocre lps, Theres one in every crowd, E C was here, and No reason to cry where Eric was going in a more ambitious direction with special guests in his band and bigger productions (which is not always a good thing), Clapton decided to go back to a simpler low key approach. And it worked. Keeping his vocals to a minimum and letting his guitar do more of the talking, he came up with a beautifully solid and laid back sound, similar to his 461 Ocean Boulevard album which was his other classic. The classic Cocaine, Lay Down Sally, and The Core to name a few, this is a real feel good lp. Sometimes simpler is better. I'm sorry to report however that the SACD version of the album did disapoint me. The new surround mix was done by the original producer Glyn Johns, and you would think that since he handled the original recording, that he would really go all out on the remixing into surround on this LP. Unfortunately no. Don't get me wrong, this is a decent sounding mix. Clean and spacious but it could have been more dynamic. It sounds a little flat. Also a little muddy. However, it is definitely worth repeated listenings and still is a very enjoyable album. I still recommend it.

After his major comeback in 1974 with 461 Ocean Boulevard, Eric Clapton shied away from the mainstream with his next two releases. There's One In Every Crowd & No Reason To Cry. With Slowhand, he returned to the sounds that made 461 a hit. On his first solo album, he had a major triumph with J.J. Cale's "After Midnight". He returns to the Cale catalog for another triumph, the searing "Cocaine". The song has a propulsive riff and a ringing guitar solo. On the flip side of that is "Wonderful Tonight" which is built around his waiting for his wife to get ready for a party. The song is among the prettiest things he's ever done and it his easy picking of the guitar shows that subtle playing is just as powerful as in your face power chords. "Lay Down Sally" has a country flavor and was a big hit becoming his second top ten single and peaking at number three. The best song on the album is the lengthy "The Core". The song has some marvelous vocal interplay between Mr. Clapton and Marcy Levy and some stellar guitar work. Slowhand was a return to the top ten for Mr. Clapton reaching number three in early 1978.

Clapton's Slowhand is a great album - this release is a Hybrid SACD disc, encoded in both Surround and Stereo formats.

The surround format is 5.1 encoded. The recording sounds bigger with more air, however this was not as appealing to me. In my opinion, music suddenly lost dynamics, and instead sounded like I had engaged the "Arena" or "Church" DSP modes of the surround receiver. This has never been appealing to me, and I dont believe that I understand the value of encoding such albums in 5.1 mixes.

The stereo SACD mix sounds great though: better resolution and better imaging throughout the disc.

Should you purchase the disc? Well - there have been great SACDs released so far. SACD are a dying breed and I am buying as many as I can lay my hands on.
However this does not classify as an essential purchase in my opinion.

I used to have a tape copy of "Slowhand," and I always enjoyed it, but when I found out that it was available on a hybrid SACD, I jumped at the chance.
Why anyone would even bother with the standard vanilla stereo only CD version of this great album is beyond me, when you can get the best of both worlds with this one, which gives 5.1 surround on your home SACD player, plus plays on an ordinary car CD player.
Great sound, a definite improvement over my old cassette, and the songs really crackle, especially "The Core" and one for the ladies called "We're All The Way."
Amazon had this SACD in my hands in less than a week, which I have come to expect from their high standard of service.

Was somewhat reluctant to buy this because the Clapton stuff of this period isn't exactly audiophile material. But I do love some of the songs so when it popped up on sale I took a chance. On my setup (2 channel SACD only so no surround mix) this sounds excellent- about as good a sound as I think is possible with the material. It is very smooth and some might see that as a lack of bite and impact. To me it is what the music calls for. It went into my player and stayed there for about two weeks which is always the sign of great music and great sound.

Excellent SACD, at the same level as Roxy Music's "Avalon",Pink Floyd's "DSOTM", Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms".
Grrrrrrrreat bass depth (LFE), space and definition. The bass in this one is the best i've heard on SACD, the sound of the guitar is superb (as if Eric Clapton was playing with an amp next to you).

It's a shame SACD never took off.

Anyone having a PS3 with SACD capabilities and with love of music in general should have at last all the discs i've mentioned in this review (IMHO of course).

By the way, i bought my first SACD just by curiosity to try my PS3 capabilities (2 years ago), now i am the proud owner of 50 titles in SACD and 10 in DVD-Audio, also bought an Oppo DVD player (980) because i don't wanna wear out my PS3.

Support SACD please (and enjoy the finest in sound quality)¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

This Album and his hit from the 90's "Journeyman", showcase this blue guitarist at his all time finest. Many big hits on this song including Cocaine, Lay Down Sally, and Wonderful Tonight. Just about all his radio hits from the '70's are here save Layla & I Shot The Sheriff.
However, my personal favorite is Track 6: "The Core". Clapton's mastery of the guitar, musical composition, and vocals really shine in this almost 9 min long beauty. The interlude extended solo sounds like something you'd hear live - not on an album cut. Enjoy!

When you approach this album you must already be an avid Clapton fan who wants to further explore his music. With the exception of Cocaine here we get emotion over power. There are definite examples of superior musicianship but Clapton evolves his music for purer style. Less fireworks here. If you want to see what the greatest guitarist ever does when he matures then you gotta check this out.

Honestly, even without the sonic craziness Clapton still floored me here. The opening track rocks, even got my rap music friends to know the name of Clapton. The rest definitely would not have jived with people who can't appreciate anything that isn't drumrolls, guitar solos, and all fireworks.