Eric Clapton

album reviews

Eric Clapton had a fierce testimonial to the blues with From the Cradle, but One More Car, One More Rider arrives nearly a decade later, and the difference is stunning. Though he goes through the motions of playing the blues -- a cutting version of the perennial "Key to the Highway," "Hoochie Coochie Man," "Goin' Down Slow," among others here -- the heart of this album is closer to the NPR instrumental jam of "Reptile" than blues. This is mannered, "classy" playing, and the song selection favors either warhorses or recent hits. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide