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461 Ocean Boulevard 1974
Album · by Eric Clapton ↗ View artist

461 Ocean Boulevard

When Eric Clapton returned to the studio to record 461 Ocean Boulevard, he did so after a difficult period, marked by his struggle with addiction. This album, released in mid-1974, became his second solo work and marked a turning point. The recording took place at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, during April and May of that year. For this project, Clapton surrounded himself with musicians such as Carl Radle, Dick Sims, and Jamie Oldaker, who had already collaborated with him. The production was handled by Tom Dowd, and the overall sound moved between blues rock and touches of funk, with more melodic moments. The album's title refers to the address of the house in Golden Beach, Florida, where Clapton resided while working on the songs.

Year
1974
Songs
10
Duration
39 min 31 seg
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About the album

461 Ocean Boulevard, according to DoReSol

One of the most notable moments of 461 Ocean Boulevard is undoubtedly the cover of "I Shot the Sheriff". Originally by Bob Marley, Clapton's rendition became a major hit. The story goes that it was George Terry who suggested he record it, and although Clapton initially hesitated out of respect for the original, he eventually agreed, and the song became a very popular single. Another standout track is "Let It Grow", written by Clapton himself, although its melodic similarity to Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" has been noted. The album also includes covers of songs that already resonated with Clapton, such as "Willie and the Hand Jive" and "I Can’t Hold Out".

This work not only signified Clapton's return to active music but was also a commercial success, reaching the top spots on international charts and selling millions of copies. In 2004, a special two-disc edition was released that included live recordings from the Hammersmith Odeon and studio jam sessions, offering a deeper look into this important album.