Journeyman is the eleventh solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Heralded as a return to form for Clapton, who had struggled with alcohol addiction and recently found sobriety, the album has a 1980s electronic sound, but it also includes blues songs like "Before You Accuse Me", "Running on Faith", and "Hard Times." "Bad Love" was released as a single, reaching the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart in the United States, and being awarded a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1990. "Pretending" had also reached the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart the previous year, remaining at the top for five weeks ("Bad Love" had only stayed for three weeks).
| Journeyman | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 6 November 1989[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1989 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | Rock, blues rock | |||
| Length | 56:59 | |||
| Label | Duck / Reprise | |||
| Producer | Russ Titelman | |||
| Eric Clapton chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Journeyman | ||||
The album reached number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and 16 on the US Billboard 200 chart, and it went on to become double platinum in the US. Clapton has said Journeyman is one of his favourite albums.[6]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| Chicago Tribune |  [8] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B−[9] |
| Classic Rock | [10] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [11] |
| The Great Rock Discography | 7/10[12] |
| Los Angeles Times | [13] |
| MusicHound | 3/5[14] |
| Rolling Stone | [15] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [16] |
Reviewing in December 1989 for The Village Voice, Robert Christgau gave the album a B-minus and wrote of Clapton, "What did you expect him to call it – Hack? Layla and 461 Ocean Boulevard were clearly flukes: he has no record-making knack. So he farms out the songs, sings them competently enough, and marks them with his guitar. Which sounds kind of like Mark Knopfler's."[17] In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the album for its "convincing" vocals and "consistently strong" songwriting.[18]
Track listing
edit- Side one
- "Pretending" (Jerry Lynn Williams) – 4:48
- "Anything for Your Love" (Jerry Lynn Williams) – 4:16
- "Bad Love" (Eric Clapton, Mick Jones) – 5:11
- "Running on Faith" (Jerry Lynn Williams) – 5:27
- "Hard Times" (Ray Charles) – 3:00
- "Hound Dog" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – 2:26
- Side two
- "No Alibis" (Jerry Lynn Williams) – 5:32
- "Run So Far" (George Harrison) – 4:06
- "Old Love" (Eric Clapton, Robert Cray) – 6:25
- "Breaking Point" (Marty Grebb, Jerry Lynn Williams) – 5:37
- "Lead Me On" (Cecil Womack, Linda Womack) – 5:52
- "Before You Accuse Me" (Ellas McDaniel) – 3:55
Outtakes
edit- "Forever" Unissued
- "Don't Turn Your Back" Unissued
- "Something About You" Unissued
Personnel
editMusicians
editTrack numbers refer to CD and digital releases of the album.
- Eric Clapton – lead vocals, guitar
- Jeff Bova – synth horns (1), synth organ (1), synthesizer programming (2, 10), drum programming (10), sequenced bass (10), sequenced organ (10)
- Alan Clark – synth horns (1), Hammond organ (1, 4), sequenced bass (1), keyboards (3), synthesizers (8), synth strings (9)
- Greg Phillinganes – acoustic piano (1, 4, 5), keyboards (2, 7, 10), backing vocals (4, 7), synthesizers (8)
- Richard Tee – acoustic piano (2, 6, 7, 9, 12), Fender Rhodes (11)
- Robbie Kondor – keyboards (2), vocoder (2), bass harmonica (2), drum programming (2), synthesizers (6, 12), synthesizer programming (7, 8), synth piano (9)
- Rob Mounsey – synthesizers (8)
- Robbie Kilgore – synthesizers (11)
- Jerry Lynn Williams – guitar (1), backing and harmony vocals (1)
- Robert Cray – guitar (2, 6, 9, 12), guitar solo (9, 12)
- Phil Palmer – guitar (3)
- John Tropea – rhythm guitar (5)
- George Harrison – guitar (8), harmony vocals (8)
- Cecil Womack – acoustic guitar (11), backing vocals (11)
- Nathan East – bass (1, 2, 4–7, 9–12), backing vocals (1, 4, 7)
- Pino Palladino – bass (3)
- Darryl Jones – bass (8)
- Jimmy Bralower – drum programming (1, 7, 8)
- Jim Keltner – drums (2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12), percussion (6), programming (8, 10) tambourine (9)
- Phil Collins – drums (3), backing and harmony vocals (3)
- Steve Ferrone – drums (4, 5, 11), hi-hat (10)
- Carol Steele – congas (1), tambourine (4), percussion (7, 10, 11)
- Gary Burton – vibraphone (9)
- Hank Crawford – alto saxophone (5)
- David Sanborn – alto saxophone (10)
- Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone (5)
- David "Fathead" Newman – tenor saxophone (5)
- Jon Faddis – trumpet (5)
- Lew Soloff – trumpet (5)
- Arif Mardin – horn arrangements (5), string arrangements (11)
- Chaka Khan – backing vocals (1, 7)
- Katie Kissoon – backing vocals (3)
- Tessa Niles – backing vocals (3)
- Lani Groves – backing vocals (4, 7)
- Rev. Timothy Wright Washington Temple Concert Choir – choir (4)
- Roger Forrester and Friends – dog barking (6)
- Daryl Hall – harmony vocals (7)
- Tawatha Agee – backing vocals (10)
- Vaneese Thomas – backing vocals (10)
- Linda Womack – backing vocals (11)
Production
edit- Produced by Russ Titelman
- Engineered by Steve "Barney" Chase, Dave O'Donnell, Jack Joseph Puig and Dave Wittman.
- Assistant Engineers – Richard Arnold, Paul Angelli, Mike Knowles and U.E. Natasi.
- Additional engineering by Larry Alexander, Ben Fowler, Michael O'Reilly and Steve Rinkoff.
- Recorded at The Power Station (NYC), Skyline Studios (NYC) and The Town House (London).
- Mixing – Rob Eaton (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8); Gary Wright and Russ Titelman (tracks 3, 6, 7, 9–12); Steve Chase (track 5).
- Recording and Mix Assistant – Ben Fowler
- Mixed at The Power Station and The Town House.
- Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC.
- Production Coordination – Jill Dell'Abate
- Production Assistant – Alexandra Saraspe Conomos
- Design – Bill Smith Studio
- Original Design Concept – Eric Clapton
- Photography – Terry O'Neill
- Management, 'Road' Photography – Roger Forrester
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina (CAPIF)[42] | Gold | 30,000^ |
| Australia (ARIA)[43] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[44] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| France (SNEP)[45] | Gold | 100,000* |
| Japan (RIAJ)[46] | Gold | 100,000^ |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[47] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] | Gold | 7,500^ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[49] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| Sweden (GLF)[50] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[51] | Gold | 25,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[52] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[53] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "BPI Certification". Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "Eric Clapton singles".
- ^ "Eric Clapton singles".
- ^ "Eric Clapton singles".
- ^ "Eric Clapton singles".
- ^ Clapton: The Autobiography : Eric Clapton : ISBN 978-0-385-51851-2
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Journeyman - Eric Clapton". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Kot, Greg (16 November 1989). "Eric Clapton isn`t". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1990). "Eric Clapton". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved 14 July 2024 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Fielder, Hugh (18 June 2014). "Eric Clapton: Journeyman". Classic Rock. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Clapton, Eric". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958 – via Google Books.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2004). "Eric Clapton". The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Canongate Books. p. 289-291. ISBN 1-84195-615-5.
- ^ Willman, Chris (12 December 1989). "No Great Strides on 'Journeyman'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). "Eric Clapton". MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. p. 238. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
- ^ Considine, J. D. (30 November 1989). "Eric Clapton: Journeyman". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Considine, J. D. (2004). "Eric Clapton". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 165-167. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (26 December 1989). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 9 June 2020 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Journeyman - Eric Clapton | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 29 January 2022
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Journeyman". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Eric Clapton – Journeyman" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6667". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "DR Top Album 20 // 1989 // Uge 47". Hitlisten (in Danish). Danskehitlister.dk. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Eric Clapton – Journeyman" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. American Radio History. 3 March 1990. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Eric Clapton". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 48.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Eric Clapton – Journeyman" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 20 June 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Eric Clapton".
- ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Eric Clapton – Journeyman". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Eric Clapton – Journeyman". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Eric Clapton – Journeyman". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Eric Clapton – Journeyman". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Eric Clapton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Alben 1990 Österreich" (in German). chartsurfer.de. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9145". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "European Top 100 Albums – 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. American Radio History. 22 December 1990. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 1990" (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Alben 1990 Norwegen" (in German). chartsurfer.de. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Alben 1990 Schweiz" (in German). chartsurfer.de. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums - Year End 1990". billboard.com. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Discos de Oro y Platino". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "The ARIA Chart Week-Ending 24th May 1992" (PDF). Archived from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Canadian album certifications – Eric Clapton – Journeyman". Music Canada. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "French album certifications – Eric Clapton – Journeyman" (in French). InfoDisc. Select ERIC CLAPTON and click OK.
- ^ "Japanese album certifications – エリック・クラプトン – ジャーニーマン" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 6 March 2020. Select 1993年3月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Eric Clapton – Journeyman" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 6 March 2020. Enter Journeyman in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- ^ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Maurienne House. ISBN 9781877443008.
- ^ Sólo Éxitos 1959–2002 Año A Año: Certificados 1979–1990 (in Spanish). Iberautor Promociones Culturales. 2005. ISBN 8480486392. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Journeyman')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
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- ^ "American album certifications – Eric Clapton – Journeyman". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ Journeyman - Eric Clapton | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 29 January 2022