''Backless'' is the sixth solo studio album by

Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...

, released in November 1978. Produced by

Glyn Johns Glyn Thomas Johns (born 15 February 1942) is an English recording engineer and record producer. He has worked with many of the most famous rock recording acts from both the UK and abroad, such as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Who, ...

, and released by RSO Records, ''Backless'' reached no. 8 on the pop charts. While the single " Promises" only reached no. 37 on the UK Singles Chart, it was a much bigger success in the US, reaching no. 9 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The follow-up single, " Watch Out for Lucy", was the

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph record, vinyl records and Compact cassette, cassettes, and the terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side of a Single (music), single usually ...

of "Promises", but reached no. 40 on the ''Billboard'' 100 on its own merit. It was Clapton's last studio album to feature his longtime bassist Carl Radle, who died in 1980.

Critical reception

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Newspapers in Canada, Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in Western Canada, western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of more than 6 million in 2024, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on week ...

'' noted that "there is none of the old spectacular playing—the emphasis is definitely on mellow funkiness—but the duet he plays on 'Roll It' with singer Marci Levy has some eloquent licks all the same."

Track listing

#"Walk Out In The Rain" (

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

, Helena Springs) – 4:16 #" Watch Out for Lucy" (Eric Clapton) – 3:26 #" I'll Make Love to You Anytime" (

J. J. Cale John Weldon "J. J." Cale (December 5, 1938 – July 26, 2013) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though he avoided the limelight, his influence as a musical artist has been acknowledged by figures such as Neil Young, Mark Knopf ...

) – 3:23 #"Roll It" (Clapton, Marcy Levy) – 3:42 #"Tell Me That You Love Me" (Clapton) – 3:31 #"If I Don't Be There By Morning" (Dylan, Springs) – 4:38 #" Early in the Morning" (Traditional, arranged by Clapton) – 5:25 (LP)/7:58 (CD) #" Promises" ( Richard Feldman, Roger Linn) – 3:04 #"Golden Ring" (Clapton) – 3:32 #" Tulsa Time" ( Danny Flowers) – 3:28

Singles

* 1978 – " Promises" (#37 UK Singles Chart; #9 US ''Billboard'' Hot 100) * 1978 – " Watch Out for Lucy" (#40 US ''Billboard'' Hot 100)

Personnel

– guitars, lead vocals * Dick Sims – organ, piano * George Terry – guitars * Carl Radle – bass, backing vocals * Jamie Oldaker – drums, percussion, backing vocals * Marcy Levy – backing vocals, lead vocals on "Roll It" * Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle – backing vocals on "Golden Ring"

Production

* Producer and engineer – Glyn Johns * Assistant engineer –

Jon Astley Jon Astley (born 1951) is a British record producer and mastering engineer. He is best known for his co-production work with Glyn Johns on the Who's eighth studio album ''Who Are You'' (1978), and later remastering supervision for all of the grou ...

* Art direction and design – David Stewart and Nello * Photography – Nello * Additional photography – Rob Fraboni, Andy Seymour and Laura K. Sims.

Charts

Certifications

References

{{Authority control Eric Clapton albums 1978 albums RSO Records albums Albums produced by Glyn Johns Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios