Clapton Readies "Reptile" : Rolling Stone

Eric Clapton's next studio album will be titled Reptile, and is due to arrive in record stores on March 13th. The album was recorded in Los Angeles last summer with Clapton and producer Simon Climie. Clapton and Climie co-produced Slowhand's last solo album, 1998's Pilgrim, as well as their bizarre 1997 ambient collaboration, T.D.F..

According to a label spokesperson, Reptile will include a number of original tunes penned by Clapton and one co-written with Texas bluesman Doyle Bramhall II. Also on board for the recording are the world-famous Impressions (sans the late Curtis Mayfield), who are rumored to sing on most of the album's tracks, as well as Joe Sample and Beatles sideman Billy Preston.

The guest-heavy album follows a year in which Slowhand offered up his services to blues legend B.B. King for their successful collaboration, Riding with the King. The album proved to be a commercial hit in addition to landing two Grammy nominations as well as a nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album at the upcoming 22nd annual Handy Blues Awards.

Clapton will embark on a European tour in support of Reptile, kicking off at London's Royal Albert Hall on February 3rd, and winding up at the Moscow Convention Center on April 10th.

JAAN UHELSZKI
(January 19, 2001)