REPTILE |

Personnel includes: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Doyle Bramhall II (guitar, dobro); Andy Fairweather Low (guitar); Billy Preston (harmonica, piano, organ); Joe Sample (piano, electric piano, organ); Tim Carmon (piano, organ, synthesizer); Paul Carrack (keyboards); Nathan East, Pino Paladino (bass); Steve Gadd (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Paul Waller (programming); The Impressions (background vocals).
Includes liner notes by Eric Clapton.
"Reptile" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Doyle Bramhall II, Andy Fairweather Low (guitar); Billy Preston (harmonica, piano); Joe Sample (piano, electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer organ); Tim Carmon (piano, synthesizer); Paul Carrack (Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); Steve Gadd (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Paul Waller (drum programming); Sam Gooden, The Impressions, Fred Cash (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Mick Guzauski.
Liner Note Author: Eric Clapton.
Photographer: Jack English.
During the recording of the follow-up to his Grammy-winning collaboration with B.B. King, Eric Clapton's uncle passed away. This loss, coupled with Clapton's struggle to get on a creative track, led to REPTILE, a reflective album driven by a number of impressive stylistic turns. Starting with the gorgeous, samba-inspired instrumental title track, ("reptile" is apparently a term of endearment from Clapton's childhood), the man formerly known as God puts his personal stamp on a number of covers while contributing a handful of stellar originals.
Among the artists getting the Slowhand treatment are old standby J.J. Cale (a chugging "Travelin' Light"), James Taylor (a simmering "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight"), and Big Joe Turner (the loping "Got You on My Mind"). Special guests the Impressions lend a gospel-flavored sheen to a slow-burning version of Ray Charles' "Come Back Baby," while adding a Jordanaires-like presence to a country-flavored take on Stevie Wonder's "I Ain't Gonna Stand for It." Clapton's self-penned cuts are also impressive, ranging from the low-key Brazilian-flavored "Believe in Life," to the poignant acoustic instrumental closer "Son & Sylvia," dedicated to the guitarist's late uncle and his wife.

• Released: 2001-03-13
• Genre: Rock
• Format: CD