Eric Clapton has unveiled plans to release a new studio album called Meanwhile. The 14-track collection features six brand-new songs and eight singles he issued during the last three years or so.
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Meanwhile will get its initial release via digital formats and streaming on October 4. Physical vinyl and CD versions are due out on January 24, 2025.
Among the previously released songs appearing on the album are three politically charged tunes Clapton recorded in collaboration with his friend Van Morrison—“Pompous Fool,” “The Rebels,” and “Stand and Deliver.”
Meanwhile also includes Clapton’s cover of the classic ballad “Moon River” that features late guitar legend Jeff Beck. That track originally was released in May 2023 as a tribute to Beck, who passed away in January of that year.
Another previously released tune featured on the upcoming album is Clapton’s cover of the country ballad “Always on My Mind,” a collaboration with veteran country/bluegrass singer Bradley Walker. Eric released the song in September 2023 as a 90th birthday tribute to Willie Nelson, who had a chart-topping country hit with the tune in 1982.
Coinciding with the album announcement, Clapton has released the new song “One Woman” as an advance digital single. The upbeat, reggae-flavored song was co-written by Clapton, his longtime studio collaborator Simon Climie, and hit-making lyricist John Bettis. Bettis, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on 2011, is best known for collaborating on many classic tunes by The Carpenters. He’s also co-written hits for Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Pointer Sisters, and many others.
Meanwhile, which can be pre-ordered now, is Clapton’s first new studio album since his 2018 holiday collection Happy Xmas.
Clapton’s 2024 Tour Plans
Clapton will launch a brief series of South American tour dates on September 20 in Buenos Aires that runs through a September 28-29 stand in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He’ll follow those shows with an October 3 concert in Mexico City and three headlining performances in California—October 8 in San Diego, October 10 in Palm Desert, and October 12 in Los Angeles.
Gary Clark Jr. will open for Clapton at all of his shows in South America and in Mexico City. Jimmie Vaughan will support Eric at his three California performances.
In addition, Clapton is among the many stars who will take part in the Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson tribute concert on October 17 in Inglewood, California.
Meanwhile Track List:
- “Pompous Fool”
- “Heart of a Child”
- “Moon River” (with Jeff Beck)
- “Sam Hall”*
- “Smile”*
- “Always on My Mind” (with Bradley Walker)
- “One Woman”*
- “The Rebels” (with Van Morrison)
- “The Call”*
- “How Could We Know” (with Judith Hill, Simon Climie, and Daniel Santiago)
- “This Has Gotta Stop” (with Van Morrison)
- “Stand and Deliver” (with Van Morrison)
- “You’ve Changed”*
- “Misfortune”*
* = new song.
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