Eric Clapton - Money and Cigarettes

Money and Cigarettes marked several important turning points in Eric Clapton's recording career: his debut release on his own Duck imprint; the first album he made after giving up drinking; and marked his working with new players (with the exception of second guitarist Albert Lee) including Stax Records veteran bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn and Muscle Shoals drummer Roger Hawkins, also bringing in guest guitarist Ry Cooder. His new songs reflected on his changed condition, with "Ain't Going Down," a thinly veiled musical rewrite of the JimiHendrix arrangement of "All Along the Watchtower," serving as a statement of purpose that declared, "I've still got something left to say." Other notable hits include "The Shape You're In" the acoustic ballad "Pretty Girl" and covers of Sleepy John Estes' "Everybody Oughta Make a Change" (significantly placed as the album's leadoff track), Albert King's "Crosscut Saw," and Johnny Otis' "Crazy Country Hop."

Reviews
"Overall, the sound and pressing quality are impressive; all records play through without much noise and without crackling. The center holes are also all cleanly punched, something that's no longer a given these days. The record company also refrained from another current bad practice: cutting dynamics and treble during LP cutting." (Good Times, October/November 2018)

Tracklist
A1    Everybody Oughta Make A Change    
A2    The Shape You're In    
A3    Ain't Going Down    
A4    I've Got A Rock N Roll Heart    
A5    Man Overboard    

B1    Pretty Girl    
B2    Man In Love    
B3    Crosscut Saw    
B4    Slow Down Linda    
B5    Crazy Country Hop