[Slowhand] New album discussion

[Shanahan .]

Hi all ( meaning more than 4),
 
Just arrived home from a round trip to visit my Mum, and Pilgrim was cranked up to 11 for most of drive.  Yes only half a CD trip there and the same back.
 
The last great Clapton album in my opinion was Pilgrim.  Drum machine-shrum machine...so what?  
 
The songs are great, songwriting is great, his vocals and guitar are great and even that ant-christ Simon Climie's production is great.
 
I can think of a lot of his albums where there was a real drummer but not much more.
 
I doubt we'll ever get another 'great' Clapton album as it's a big call to deliver when everything is peachy keen.  
 
He has the wife and the girls now, a modest touring regime, a bit of fly fishing, a few guest spots and one offs.
 
Highlights for me since Pilgrim have been the Cream reuinion and the Steve Winwood gigs.  Funny that,  both take in 4 great years 1966 - 1969.  I was 14 to 17 then.  Maybe that's more about me than him.
 
But I digress.  For me, I think rather than have 'Son of Layla', 'Return of the Mighty Beano' or 'From The Cradle II', a REAL studio collaboration would be a possibility.
 
When the Cream reunion had settled Jack had intimated that a studio album was a maybe.  
 
Well I know that Cream is finished but I really did like the idea of Eric working with musos of equal talent (and songwriting ability as well).  
 
And having followed both Jack and Ginger's careers since Cream the chance for something very good and different in the studio would have been a very exciting prospect.
 
Not Eric condescending to put his name on an album and it mainly being 'an EC production' if you know what I mean.
 
Equal input, not "is it okay if I do this Eric?" type deal.
 
Anyway...blah blah blah
 
Cheers
 
Tone