Eric Clapton – Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions

Eric Clapton returns with a remarkable new release, The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions!

On the 17 songs, Clapton and his long-time bandmates Nathan East (bass and vocals), Steve Gadd (drums) and Chris Stainton (keyboards) perform acoustic interpretations of Clapton standards and a selection of other numbers that include blues, country and rare originals.

Led by Clapton's legendary, long-time, Grammy-winning producer Russ Titleman (James Taylor, George Harrison, Brian Wilson, Randy Newman, Rickie Lee Jones) and recorded live at Cowdray House in West Sussex, England, Clapton and co. revive timeless classics such as “After Midnight”, “Layla”, “Bell Bottom Blues”, “Tears in Heaven”, “Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out” and “Key to the Highway”.

In addition to some of the most popular pieces from Eric's extensive repertoire, Clapton and his crew also offer their own versions of songs that have profoundly influenced his career and those of his contemporaries, including the Fleetwood Mac tracks "Black Magic Woman" and "Man of the World" from the Peter Green era.

The project was launched after Eric Clapton's concerts at the Royal Albert Hall planned for May 2021 had to be canceled due to the ongoing disruption caused by the pandemic. Looking for a viable alternative and hoping to keep his options open, he retreated to the English countryside with his band and staged a concert with only those involved in attendance while he kept the cameras rolling . (Clapton's wife Melia, the only outside observer, inspired the sessions' title).

The largely acoustic set was intended to be like an Eric Clapton Unplugged II, but not quite, as three songs are played with electric guitars. The result is much more than just a string of the greatest hits. Rather, it is one of the most intimate and authentic performances of Clapton's entire career, an offering that provides a real insight into the makeup of his indelible catalogue.

After his time with the Yardbirds in 1963, Clapton embarked on a career as a professional musician that has spanned numerous bands, a plethora of albums, countless sold-out concerts worldwide, an impressive array of awards, unwavering critical acclaim and his consistent display of legendary guitar work.