Eric Clapton - Back Home

Guitar hero Eric Clapton is back in fine form with the album Back Home, his first release in five years to feature new material. This solid set also features covers of songs by the Spinners, Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright and the late Beatle George Harrison.

The smoky-voiced singer obviously knows that if you have to do someone else's material, go for the best. But perhaps surprisingly, it's the new Clapton material that impresses the most. His original songs on Back Home, which range from bluesy rants to quiet acoustic renderings, are both intensely personal and universally appealing.

Though Clapton may be an aging artist from the "classic rock" generation, he is also a father to two obviously energetic young children. The blues rift that thunders throughout the opening track "So Tired" is so old school that could have been sung by Mississippi dock workers unloading paddle steamers 100 years ago. But the lyrics here are actually about Clapton trying to keep up with his kids.

It's an affectionate piece, though you can hear the almost here the strain in his voice as he sings about getting "up before dawn". He's not so exhausted though that he doesn't have time to stop and appreciate his young family. "Run Home to Me", another Clapton original, is arguably the strongest and most heartfelt track on Back Home.

The guitar virtuoso gets the most out of his instrument here as he trades his normally powerful sound for something softer as he croons about spending quiet days at lonely beaches with his family.

Eric Clapton has never been shy about taking a cover song and giving it his own twist without desecrating the spirit of the original. This is especially true on his take on George Harrison's "Love Comes To Everyone." Clapton and Harrison have a long history together as friends then romantic rivals (Clapton's signature song Layla was a plea to Harrison's then wife Pattie Boyd) and friends again.

While Harrison may have had a more delicate touch on this one, Clapton is able to bring out the rough edges without sacrificing the hopeful spirit of the song.

No one has even been able to accuse Clapton of not having soul. He gets down to the nitty gritty of the Wright/Wonder tune "I'm Going Left" and takes it all the way through the roof with the gospel cry of "Lead me to what is right".

The multiple Grammy winner takes it down a knotch for his simmering version of the Spinners "Love Don't Love Nobody". Clapton blends his gruff voice perfectly with his pleading guitar licks as he begs "just lead me home, baby". Slow moody love songs might not have always been a Clapton staple, but works them like the old pro that he is.

Back Home represents the best of Eric Clapton. He's perfectly melded his talent for covers along with his own stunning new material and somehow, they work perfectly together on this album. Clapton may be kicking back and relaxing on Back Home but it suits him well!