Eric Clapton releases new Christmas album: 50 years on, the singer still manages to surprise his fans

By Shashwat Kumar

Perhaps, October 12 was an important date for a few music lovers who’ve lived through one of art’s greatest periods, starting in the early 60s. Or perhaps not.

Last month, Eric Clapton released his long-awaited solo album. Many of his fans didn’t quite know how to react. Being one of the most expressive living singers, Clapton has led a life full of ups and downs. Wishing the world a ‘Happy Xmas’ is probably not something one would recognise him for. After the bluesy ‘I Still Do’ in 2016, in which Clapton paid tribute to a contemporary legend, Gary Moore, and covered ‘Still Got The Blues,’ this new album is definitely surprising. Almost funny. One just couldn’t believe there’s a track called Jingle Bells on this album!


“Are his good days past him?” I almost caught myself asking. But then, listening to the entire collection, it felt that the album was the most natural thing Clapton could have done. It has 14 tracks, a few Christmas standards like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Away In A Manger.’ The third track presents itself as the only original, titled ‘For Love On Christmas Day.’ And there is a surprising tribute to DJ Avicii on the lone electronic track ‘Jingle Bells.’ Clapton has previously re-voiced the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and late Beatles member George Harrison in performances. Paying tribute to Avicii tells us a lot about how Clapton sees today’s artists.

The Slowhand has always held a mirror between his life and music. And he’s done it ever so proudly. It seems like there’s always a story behind his songs. How he writes the last line of a chorus differently the second time over and gives the song direction, as if the story has moved on.

It’s beautifully executed on the track ‘My Father’s Eyes’ and adds to itself each time. There’s a certain amount of flow of emotion that Clapton achieves in his music, which is hard to attain. He simply talks about his experiences and it’s like taking a tour of his life and feeling everything he felt. He speaks of everything through a first-person perspective and that’s probably the only thing expected from a real artist. He’s never been shy to rephrase certain phrases, which gives even covered songs a whole new vibe.

In 2007, Clapton played in San Diego and one of the songs that stood out for his fans was Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing. There were many interesting things he did that made the piece sound like an original. From manipulating a few riffs to changing the overall structure of the song, it was a masterpiece top to bottom. He skips the word ‘Moonbeams’ at the end of the first verse. You see it’s a minute change, but overall these variations tend to add up and present themselves as a completely different sound. Hendrix is regarded as one of the most pivotal guitar players of all time, making his instrument seem like an extension of his own self. And it’s no surprise that his version of ‘Little Wing’ is highly respected. To think that artists like SRV, Sting, Santana, Jeff Beck (the list goes on) have played renditions of this song, it’s obvious that there is no ‘best’ version but there’s certainly a lot of scope for inspection. None of these artists could go out of the song, feel it from their own perspective and come back into it. And that is where I think Clapton excelled in this performance. He not only sang the entire song twice but sandwiched it between three explosive solos, which is typically how he’d play one of his own songs.


A lot of musicians could have played really complex music that fits into the song structure, but the question is does it really complement the song? Clapton could have gone much faster, added some of his signature licks, but he knew how far to go with it. Gifted with a voice of a true blues singer, he is able to vary the texture of his voice to the feel of the song. He could be going hard at it like he did in ‘I Shot The Sheriff’ and be singing ‘Circus Left Town’ with the most soothing feelings, as if it’s the easiest thing he could do. He is a true showman in this aspect, whether it is an original or a cover – he not only knows where he can pour his skill out but also where simplicity is required.

Seeing him perform, there is one thing that stands out that not many would notice. One could be a very skilled singer but if he’s not in sync with the band, it’s going to sound like everyone’s doing their own thing. When you pay attention closely, Clapton actually listens to what his band is playing, looking at them from time to time, making sure he can convey to them exactly how he is gonna play the next few bars. This is a far more valued skill than most musicians give it credit for.

Coming back to the album, I’m sure a lot of people would be critical of the fact that there is only one original on it. But do take a moment to realise that the man has been in the industry for over 50 years, seen more than most of us could take, maybe he does just want to wish everyone a ‘Happy Xmas’ and that’s all there is to it!



(A millennial who is pursuing his music)