About Behind the Sun by Eric Clapton Album
Behind the Sun is a 1985 album by the English guitarist Eric Clapton. He named the album like this because of a line in Albert King's "Louisiana Blues". It is also his first collaborative project with Phil Collins. Often referred to as Clapton’s “Comeback album”, it was received very well in both the UK and the US. After nearly a decade of Clapton’s guitar taking a backseat to his singing/songwriting, this album was looked upon for some of his best guitar playing since the Cream era in the 1960s. The single “Forever Man” features Eric playing a scorching guitar solo at full force. The video for “Forever Man” became an MTV favorite, featuring an accident where one of the cameras falls off the dolly. The album is also dressed up with synthesizers played by Peter Robinson & Chris Stainton, as well as Clapton's Roland guitar synthesizers on the 9th track, "Never Make You Cry". Booker T. & the MG’s bassist, Donald Duck Dunn also played on the sessions. In his autobiography, Clapton remembers the 1984 session pleasantly: “The whole thing is going so great, I hope it never stops.” However, his troubled marriage with Pattie Boyd became the subject matter for most of his original material: “She’s Waiting”, “Same Old Blues” and “Just Like a Prisoner”, all containing screaming guitar solos by Clapton. It was during this period that Pattie left him “and it was eventually decided that we should have a trial separation.” Clapton assuaged his pain by writing the song “Behind the Sun” featuring only his guitar & vocals and Phil Collins’ synthesizer, which became the ending title song to the album. This was also Slowhand’s first collaboration with songwriter Jerry Lynn Williams. In response to Van Morrison being dropped from Warner Bros. Records, Eric wanted the album to have more hit single material: “They sent me three songs by a Texas songwriter – “Forever Man”, “Something’s Happening” and “See What Love can Do” – and they were good.” The sessions featured Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and drummer Jeff Porcaro, as well as Clapton's long-time collaborators, bassist Nathan East and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes. The Behind The Sun tour was also featured at the first Live Aid concert in 1985 where “She’s Waiting” was performed along with “White Room” and “Layla.” “Same Old Blues” was resurrected for the After Midnight tour and the Montserrat charity show in 1988 and 1997, with Mark Knopfler on rhythm guitar; Clapton re-performed “She's Waiting” in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
