I am torn here. In the review I posted for the last Mark Knopfler CD, I defended the lower prominence of lead guitar, based on the fact that this is 20-something years later than "Sultans of Swing", and an artist grows, as they should.

I tried to apply this same standard to this Clapton album, but it just doesn't work for me. Knopfler might have cut back on the guitar gymnastics, but the tone and subject matter of the songs remain that same Knopfler that made me buy all of those albums. A happy Clapton is not Clapton. I'm glad his life is going well, but this also might prove that art comes from suffering.

I am not a casual fan. I have every Clapton release (some on old vinyl), and tracked every vintage of his career. I can throw an old disc on that I have heard a thousand times, and experience it like new every time. I'm afraid "Back Home" will soon be relegated to the back of my CD shelf next to the dusty Pilgrim and Reptile discs. Thanks for the decades of great music Eric, but it looks like the days of buying every new album sight unseen has reached the end.

I wanted to like this disc, I really did. 3 stars because this is technically a fine recording. The two missing stars are for the missing desire for me to listen to this disc after the first couple of tries.

3 stars for the album and 4 1/2 for the DVD side high resolution audio. Not one of Eric's best efforts, but a very comforting album mostly dedicated to the songwriters he admires most over the years and to his family. If you're a Clapton fan (and have learned not to expect too much), you'll enjoy it. I bought the DualDisc version and am very impressed with the audio quality on the DVD side which for once is in real DVD-Audio (both 2 channel & 5.1 surround) using 24 bit sampled at 48khz. This is so welcome since most DVD sides on DualDiscs only provide Dolby Digital sound which is way too compressed.

One of the great things about Clapton has always been his willingness to share his personal life with his fans through his music. When he was battling a heroine addiction, he recorded 461 Ocean Boulevard that included `Mainline Florida.' When his son was tragically killed, he shared `Tears in Heaven' on the soundtrack to the movie Rush and `The Circus Left Town' on Pilgrim. Clapton's tune may have changed on Back Home, but his proclivity to offer a perspective into his own world has not.

In the liner notes, Clapton includes in his dedication, "Most of all, I want to thank my wife and children for providing for me, with love and care, the home I have always yearned for, and will always hurry back to." So, if there had been any doubt, Back Home is the next chapter in Clapton's musical autobiography. In this installment, Clapton finds the love and family that he believes has eluded him until now, and, the listener need look no further than the first cut, `So Tired' for confirmation. Not only does Clapton croon lines like, "The baby's already feeding, the other one is teething" and "I just can't wait until the sun's gone down, and all the kids have gone to bed," but he also includes "baby sounds," laughing, gurgling, and so forth on the track. In `Run Home To Me' Clapton laments the good times are good but far too infrequent:

I walked down to the water with my love and my baby.

Watched the waves breaking in and enjoying the view.

And I heard myself saying, "We should do this more often."

Watch the little ones playing on that bright stony shore,

And I wish deep down in my heart we could stay here forever.

And, these sweet simple moments never come back no more.

Clapton penned six of the 12 songs on Back Home, and other songwriters like Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Doyle Bramlett II, and Vince Gill also contributed and provided some variety to the CD. Still, many of Clapton's songs have familiar chords and at least parts of some melodies. There are a number of examples of some musical recycling. `Say What You Will' and `Revolution' are written the Reggae rhythm reminiscent of `I Shot The Sheriff.' Parts of the melody for `Run Home To Me' are similar to `You Were There' from Pilgrim. Other aspects of that familiar musical style, however, like the Hammond organ and the guitar solo on `One Day' remind the listener that Clapton is still Clapton.

In spite of what can be considered mostly unremarkable, adult contemporary songs, it is evident that Clapton is very comfortable in his own musician's skin. He does not push to make a song something that it's not. Although vocally Clapton has a warm, comfortable style, he is limited in his range and he realizes that fact. His guitar virtuosity is not overdone; rather it nicely complements the other musicians, who are as usual, exceptional. Recognizable names like bassist Nathan East, who has recorded with E.C. for about 20 years beginning with the LP August, Grammy winner Billy Preston, Doyle Bramlett II, Andy Fairweather Low, and percussionist Steve Gadd complete the foundation of Clapton's band. Other contributors include Chris Stainton, Steve Winwood, Stephen Marley, Vince Gill, and The Kick Horns.

While Clapton did not really break any new musical ground with Back Home, it is certainly better than 99.9% of the music (if it can be called that) being produced today. After all, it IS Clapton. There are not any hits, but there really does not need to be. This chapter of Clapton's life in music is well produced and enjoyable for any Clapton aficionado or anyone who wants to hear a living musical treasure. And, the listener and Clapton fan will ask the same question as Clapton himself asks on the title cut, "What next?"

It will be interesting to find out.

Clapton has evolved and is writing good songs that reflect maturity both musically and personally. I have seen Clapton live and it is this newer material in which he shines and plays the most passionately.This album is mostly soul/blues songs mixed with a few acoustic numbers.All are well written and Clapton's guitar comes through distinctly and soulfully.The best songs with classic Clapton guitar solos are One DAy and Run Home to Me.For me I like to hear lyrically soulful songs reflecting something real like longing and family and then have Clapton apply his guitar expertise bringing these songs to an emotional head.For those longing for the old Clapton--it was and is great material--but the man has evolved--

It is a must have. If you are trying to decide on which version to buy as a gift, get the more expensive dual-disc version. Your fan gift recipient will thank you! Any Clapton fan will tell you that he sounds different on various albums and with different groups, so yeah he sounds different on this album. He is evolving like all great music legends do through their career. My husband is a huge fan and loves to collect Clapton music and videos. He had the original version, but then saw the dual-disc version and immediately wanted it. The collectible guitar picks are a nifty touch for fans and the DVD is an excellent quality production that fans will appreciate, both for the interview and for the performances. If you like these types of extras you will be very happy with the DVD. As for the music, many people have said it is not his best and not typical Clapton. I don't agree. With a repertoire like Clapton's it would be impossible to pick a "Best" anyway. I admit the change in style from one song to the next is unusual at first, but the songs grow on you. I look at it like this. If you like Eric's music as a whole, then you will like this CD. I know fans who were not really turned on when he ventured into different styles like doing the "Me and Mr. Johnson" album. Then again, true fans would know that some of the stuff that is considered to be among the best of Clapton - like the Cream music - is not necessarily the music that Clapton himself preferred. So, while that music may be the "best" for a fan, it is not the "best" fit for Clapton - and that is according to Clapton himself. Cream broke up because Clapton wanted to do music that fit his style better. He has enough clout to be able to do that in more recent years, and he is following his own path. Fans who truly appreciate his musical interests and influences as well as his music will appreciate these albums more. I think any fan who truly enjoys Clapton's music collection as a whole will appreciate the diversity of this album's mix and the fact that this is music that Clapton is really interested in personally. This is a glimpse into the true artist through various windows.