Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard

461 Ocean Boulevard is the second studio album released by British blues rock musician Eric Clapton, originally released in July 1974 via RSO Records.

Prior to the release of 461 Ocean Boulevard, Clapton had laid low for the better part of three years while struggling with substance abuse. Rather than reemerging as the famed blues purist, or even the psychedelic warrior of old, Clapton’s new work trafficked in mellow.

Indeed, beyond the urgently paced opening cut, a re-working of the traditional “Motherless Children”, the ensuing laid-back fare ranged from the hymn-like “Give Me Strength”, to the easy-grooving “Willie And The Hand Jive”, to a slippery slide across Elmore James’ “I Can’t Hold Out”, and an acoustic “Please Be With Me”, before moving out with the renewed vigor of “Mainline Florida”.

Sprinkled among these were three key tracks in “Get Ready” (a cowrite and duet with Yvonne Elliman), Clapton’s own, earnestly hopeful “Let it Grow” (an emotional reflection of his recent rebirth from the shadows of heroin addiction), and, most striking of all, a relatively straight cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff” that went to No. 1, pulling the rest of the album right along with it.

Throughout the sessions, Clapton was aided and abetted by bassist Carl Radle (ex the Dominos), drummer Jamie Oldaker, keyboardist Dick Sims, guitarist George Terry, and, perhaps most crucial of all, the dean of record producers, Tom Dowd, who had worked with the guitarist since his Dominos and Cream days, and contributed much to shoring up the guitarist’s confidence.

Together, these players helped Clapton fulfill most of the tall expectations harbored by his previous groups, once his incomparable talents and this inspired song set were finally captured in the grooves of 461 Ocean Boulevard.

The album title refers to the address where Clapton lived while recording the album. The street address of the house was changed after the album's release due to fans flocking to the property. The house has long since been rebuilt and the street address restored.

This LP was reissued in August 2004 on black vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, pressed in Europe via Polydor Records.