Q.
Do the album titles mean anything?
A. Here are a few of Clapton's albums that have interesting
stories behind their titles:
DISRAELI GEARS
Originally, the album was going to be titled Cream. The
new title came up when the band was playing a word game and
making up phrases like "Elefant Gerald" for Ella
Fitzgerald. One of the roadies changed "derauilleur
gears" (which are used on racing bicycles) to Disraeli
Gears. "Disraeli" is also a reference to Benjamin
Disraeli, who was Prime Minister of England during Queen
Victoria’s reign.
461 OCEAN
BOULEVARD
The address of the house in Miami Beach, Florida where
the band lived during the recording of the album.
THERE'S ONE IN
EVERY CROWD
A contraction of the working title, The Best Guitarist In The
World – There’s One In Every Crowd. Clapton has
commented: "[There’s One In Every Crowd was
going to be called] The Best Guitarist In The World –
There’s One In Every Crowd. They didn’t approve of
that one either. I was the only one who thought it would be a
good idea. In fact, I’m not sure whether I could have lived
with it. Most people would have taken it the wrong way. They
would have thought I was being serious. But I am! I am the best
fucking guitarist in the world!! (Laughs) I keep on telling
myself!" [From Conversations With Eric Clapton, 1976]
NO REASON TO CRY
A misquote from "Innocent Times", a song written by
Marcy Levy. The song goes, "No reason to laugh, more reason
to cry."
BACKLESS
An obscure reference to Bob Dylan. Clapton commented that Dylan
is very aware of everything that happens while he is on stage,
almost as if he has eyes in the back of his head. Additionally,
Dylan would turn and face the band if he thought things were not
going well. So, even though the band was behind Dylan, it felt as
if he was always facing them.
ANOTHER TICKET
A tongue-in-cheek jibe at a friend who was always asking for
"another ticket" to Clapton’s concerts.
MONEY &
CIGARETTES
A reminder for Clapton to take the two most important items when
leaving the house.
BEHIND THE SUN
A quote from "Louisiana Blues" by Muddy Waters. The
line goes, "I’m going to New Orleans, baby, behind the
sun." Clapton also used the phrase in his song, "Behind
The Sun" which appears on the album.
AUGUST
The working title of this album was One More Car, One More
Driver. However, Clapton retitled it August to
celebrate the birth of his son, Conor, in August 1986. The album
was actually released in November.
24 NIGHTS
A reference to the record-breaking number of nights that Clapton
performed at the Royal Albert Hall in February and March 1991.
Note that the album also includes performances from the 1990
18-night run.
FROM THE CRADLE
A line from a poem that Clapton wrote which goes, "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." Clapton
has commented: "And it was one of those things, you wake up
in the middle of the night and run downstairs to write it down. I
didn’t know what it meant. And I thought, well, I would
abbreviate it, the front From The Cradle, the title. What
it means, I think, is that this music I’m making here has
been my motivation. It’s the thing I’ve turned to, the
thing that has given me inspiration and relief, in all of the
trials and tribulations of my life. I’ve always had this
incredibly secure place to go…with that, with the blues. And
this is the first testament to that, that I’ve ever made
really, on my own. And it’s quite scary but in the same
time, you know, it’s about time too. It’s long
overdue."
PILGRIM
The title of this 1998 album is a follow-up to 1989’s Journeyman
album. Pilgrim was Clapton’s first album of all-new
studio material since Journeyman. Clapton has commented:
"Well, it’s kind of – I suppose –
there’s a track on the album called "Pilgrim"
which came first. And when I came to title the album I used that
track as a key point to go from, because I thought it was a good
way of actually following the thread from Journeyman which
was the same kind of meaning, really. Just looking at my life as
a musician and a lot of other respects. It is autobiographical.
And I see myself as kind of being like a lone guy on a
quest." [From Larry King Live / CNN, February 1998]
Q.
Who creates the artwork for Clapton's albums?
A. Over the
years, Clapton has used many different artists, photographers,
and graphic designers to create the packaging for his albums.
Here are the albums with the most interesting artwork:
DISRAELI GEARS
Martin Sharp created the psychedelic artwork. Sharp, an
Australian pop artist, moved to London in the late 1960s. In
addition to creating album covers, he is also well known for his
contributions to Oz magazine and concert posters for such
luminaries as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Donovan. For at time,
Clapton and artist Phillipe Mora shared Sharp’s Chelsea
studio with him. He is still active as an artist. The collage
created by Sharp on the album’s back cover includes photos
of Cream shot in the Kings Road, London and at Ben Nevis in
Scotland.
WHEELS OF FIRE
Martin Sharp created the cover art for this album as well. Sharp
received the New York Art Director’s prize for Best Album
Design / 1969 for it. He also wrote the lyrics for "Tales Of
Brave Ulysses" which appears on this album.
BLIND FAITH
Clapton’s friend, Bob Ciderman, did the painting that
appears on the cover. When the album was initially released, the
artwork was withdrawn in several countries (including the US) due
to its controversial subject matter of a nude young girl holding
a phallic-looking silver airplane / spaceship. The object is
supposed to symbolize both sexuality and futuristic approach to
music and life.
LAYLA AND OTHER
ASSORTED LOVE SONGS
The liner notes say, "Cover painting by Frandsen-DeSchonberg
with thanks to his son, Emile, for the abuse of his house."
461 OCEAN
BOULEVARD
For the address, 461 Ocean Blvd. in Miami, Florida. All of the
photos were taken at the house where the band lived during the
recording sessions.
THERE’S ONE
IN EVERY CROWD
The interior of the gatefold sleeve contains a sketch by Clapton.
BEHIND THE SUN
Larry Vigon executed the paintings on the front and back covers.
Vigon also did the cover art for the Counting Crows album, August
and Everything After. A photograph of Clapton by his wife,
Pattie, is on the interior of the CD booklet.
CROSSROADS
Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones did the portrait of Clapton.
24 NIGHTS
Peter Blake did the cover art and sketches that appear on the
interior of the booklet. Blake is most famous for executing the
cover of The Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club
Band. He is still working as an artist.
FROM THE CRADLE
Clapton took the cover photo. It shows the light coming in under
his front gate at his London home. Clapton also hand-lettered the
album title and the quote on the inside front cover.
PILGRIM
Clapton conceived the packaging, but the Japanese manga and anime
artist, Yushiyuki Sadamoto, did the artwork. Sadamoto is probably
most famous for Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Q.
Which albums contain photos of Clapton's pets?
A. Although
Clapton likes cats, he hasn't gotten around to including photos
of them in his albums just yet. (For cat lovers, there is a photo
of Clapton with one of his cats in the Christie’s Guitar
Auction Catalog). However, a few of his dogs have appeared in
album artwork over the years.
All of the files comprising the EC FAQ are ©
2001
by Steve
Horowitz.
© 2001 by Steve Horowitz
Revised: September 03, 2001
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