Eric Clapton: Pilgrim

WHITE GUYS from the '60s R&B generation don't get the same latitude as black "originals" to spend their last 20 or 30 years nestling back on the laurels won in their youth. Essentially, they're rock, no excuses; the day they stop doing something new is the day they just grew old. So, following the traditional showcases Unplugged (1992) and From The Cradle (1994), it's easy to imagine a queue forming to brandish the pension book at Clapton after Pilgrim. This is a generally quiet album; slow, reflective. No big apassionato solos. His producer and, on six songs, co-writer is Simon Climie, probably best known for his association with Sir Cliff Richard (although he has dallied with Pulp too). A quick look and a half-listen from critic, or even loyal fan, might well suggest this album is smoothed over middle-of-the-road.