Eric Clapton: "Turn Up Down" - (Rejected 1980 album)

 

The late '70s was a difficult time for Eric Clapton, although he had just reconciled, once again, with his wife Patty Boyd, he was drinking heavily and becoming more withdrawn. Also, he was very disappointed in the band, he finally ended the 5 year partnership by firing him, Carl Radle, Dick Sims and Jamie Oldaker, by telegram. It was after the Seattle concert on June 24.

For the next concert at Cranleigh Village Hall in Surrey, on September 7, 1979, Eric formed an all-English band with Albert Lee (guitar), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Dave Markee (bass), and Henry Spinetti (drums). The band went on tour and although they were a tight and technically competent unit, they stuck to the recorded versions of Clapton's songs and offered little in the way of spontaneity and improvisation.

In March 1980, the band went into the Surrey Sound Studios, with Glyn Jones as sound engineer, to record bit.ly/Ec80rA  a first album together with Eric adding talented Procol Harum keyboardist/ songwriter and old friend Gary Brooker to the band lineup in the hopes of beefing up the sound and sparking some creativity. 

The Band: Eric Clapton: Guitar & vocals./ Albert Lee: Guitar & vocals./ Gary Brooker: Guitar & vocals./ Chris Stainton: Keyboards./ Dave Markee: Bass./ Henry Spinetti: Drums.

During the next two months they recorded an album, compiled and produced by engineer Glyn Jones, it was as follows:

Side A: 19:15

01 Instrumental Blues #1. 0:33

02 There Ain´t No Money. 3:57 (+)

03 Game´s Up. 3:12

04 Rita Mae. 3:45

05 Freedom. 3:47

06 Evangelina. 4:00 (+)

Side B: 21:35

07 Home Lovin. 5:07 (*)

08 Hold Me Lord. 3:34

09 Something Special. 2:47 (+)

10 I´d Love To Say I Love. 4:26 (+)

11 Catch Me If You Can. 4:39 (*)

12 Instrumental Blues #2. 0:59 

All songs by Eric Clapton except:

(*) Gary Broker & Eric Clapton.

(+) Albert Lee & Eric Clapton.

With Eric happy to stay in the background the resultant collection of songs was deemed unacceptable by his record company RSO for being too laid back and not commercial enough and was more of a band album than an Eric Clapton effort with Brooker and Lee singing lead vocals on several songs. 

RSO canceled the album and instead prefered to release another live: called “Just One Night” recorded at Budokan Theatre,Tokyo,Japan, from last tour in December 3 & 4 1979.The cancellation of this album prompted Eric Clapton to make the decision to leave RSO and sign by Warner.

Some of the songs from this rejected work were re-recorded again for “Another Ticket”, released in February 17.1981.The last work with RSO - Polydor Records.

Ok.., that´s all. See you soon, you know.., with more and better. Meanwhile take care and don't forget enjoy it.