Eric Clapton Contributes to Robbie Robertson’s Latest CD.

(New York, NY)

Robbie Robertson has been an important part of popular music and roots-driven rock for over forty-five years. As a member of The Hawks he briefly became Bob Dylan’s guitarist and backed the folk icon on his infamous 1966 “electric” tour. As the primary songwriter for The Band, he gave a musical voice to one of rock’s most highly regarded and influential groups. As a producer, Robbie Robertson has worked with the likes of Tom Petty, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris and Roy Orbison as well as worked on many noteworthy film scores and soundtracks. His solo career began in 1987 with a self-titled album, but his latest effort, HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT, is his first solo album in 13 years.

According to Robertson, creatively, work began on HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT several years ago with a series of loose songwriting sessions with Eric Clapton. Tour commitments and other projects indefinitely postponed work on the collaboration…that is, until Robbie Robertson somewhat recently accidentally stumbled on to the rough recordings of those sessions. Pleasantly surprised by what he heard, he called Clapton and a musical collaboration between two of rocks most respected guitarists was back on its feet.

In addition to lending his pen to three songs, Clapton lent his vocals and guitar to 7 of its 12 tracks. Other musical contributions to the album came from Steve Winwood, Robert Randolph, Trent Reznor and Tom Morello; and despite all of the creative assistance (especially from Clapton) HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT manages to remain very much a Robbie Robertson record.

Most of the track list plays like a deeply personal (and compelling) series of confessions about the dreams of youth, a life of excess and lessons learned. Like with his past solo efforts, Robertson’s vocal ability is limited, but his voice and delivery work here in the role of the seasoned narrator. It is an approach that is not unlike that of Leonard Cohen or Tom Waits. He reflects on past loves, his crazier days in New York City and his departure from The Band. He even sings about the art of the guitarist, the camaraderie amongst players and he lyrically pays tribute to some of the instrument’s greatest wielders.

Thanks to the producing talents of Robertson and Marius de Vies (the album’s co-producer) as well as contributions from artists like Trent Reznor and Tom Morello, HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT is a very modern sounding album…especially for an artist as “mature” as Robertson. With the aid of current technology and audible effects, it has a “big” and layered overall sound that makes it stand out when compared to the current works of his contemporaries.

Stylistically it is fairly mellow (on the whole). It is more of a meditative work than a rock or blues album. Clapton’s influence definitely rears its head on a handful of occasions, but not as often as many listeners may expect. For a creative collaboration between two of rocks most revered “axemen,” HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT surprisingly (and somewhat refreshingly) spends very little time showcasing the instrument. With the exception of a few sparing moments, Robertson does not waste much time “cutting heads” with his guests. Instead, like during his days with The Band, he seems more focused on melody, harmony and lyrical expression.

Ultimately, HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT is an enjoyable and interesting work that seems to get better with each listen, but unfortunately it is not an album that is for everyone. Many listeners will undoubtedly be turned off by its general vibe and by the sheer fact that it does not fulfill whatever expectations they may have for a Robertson/Clapton team-up. These guys are not who they were in the 1960s. They are actually in their 60s (age-wise) and this collaboration has grown out of who they are now…and it should be expected to be just that.

HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT will disappoint some listeners, but those listeners that do connect with it, will likely do so strongly and find it to be interesting, insightful, moving and rewarding.

If you enjoyed this article you may also enjoy our 2010 review for CLAPTON.

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