Eric Clapton will release The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions in multiple formats on November 12. Available for pre-order now on CD, DVD, Blu-ray, digital video and audio, it captures a unique live performance by Clapton and his stellar band filmed during lockdown earlier this year.
The Mercury Studios release features Clapton on top form with his longtime bandmates Nathan East (bass and vocals), Steve Gadd (drums), and Chris Stainton (keyboards). They perform acoustic versions of staples from Eric’s catalog and other numbers in blues and country styles.
The chiefly acoustic performance was produced by Clapton’s frequent collaborator, Grammy-winning producer Russ Titelman (James Taylor, George Harrison, Brian Wilson, Randy Newman, Rickie Lee Jones). It was recorded live at Cowdray House in West Sussex, England, and includes new renditions of “After Midnight,” “Layla,” “Bell Bottom Blues,” “Tears in Heaven,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out,” “Key to the Highway” and many others. The set also features two tributes to the late Peter Green in the Fleetwood Mac tracks “Black Magic Woman” and “Man of the World.”
The project came about after the enforced cancellation of Clapton’s concerts scheduled for May this year at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Cowdray House was agreed on as a suitable location for a strictly-controlled lockdown performance. The only non-participant to view the proceedings was Eric’s wife Melia, watching on from the balcony to inspire the title of the recording.
Originally envisaged as a sort of sequel to Clapton’s hugely successful Unplugged album of 1992, which Titelman produced, as he did 1991’s 24 Nights live set and 1994’s From The Cradle), The Lady In The Balcony went on to include three songs with electric guitars. The results form one of the most intimate performances of Clapton’s entire career.
The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, CD, DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD, 4K UHD+Blu-ray, 180-gram 2LP, limited edition 2LP pressed on 180-gram yellow vinyl, and a Deluxe Edition containing the DVD, Blu-ray & CD packaged in a 40 page 12” x 12” hardback photo book, digital video & digital audio.
Pre-order The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions, which is released on November 12.
The full tracklist is:
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
Golden Ring
Black Magic Woman
Man of the World
Kerry
After Midnight
Bell Bottom Blues
Key to the Highway
River of Tears
Rock Me Baby
Believe in Life
Going Down Slow
Layla
Tears in Heaven
Long Distance Call
Bad Boy
Got My Mojo Working