Old Sock is the nineteenth solo studio album by Eric Clapton. It includes the two new compositions "Gotta Get Over" and "Every Little Thing", as well as covers. Several notable musicians were involved in the album, including Steve Winwood, JJ Cale and Paul McCartney.
Background Old Sock includes two new compositions ("Gotta Get Over" and "Every Little Thing"), and covers of some of his favourite songs from childhood to the current day. Several notable musicians were involved in the album, including Steve Winwood, JJ Cale and Paul McCartney. This is Cale's final major recorded contribution before his death in July 2013. It reached No. 11 in the UK Album Chart and No. 7 in the U.S.
Clapton previously considered naming the album 50 Years of Drift in an Open Tuning, a homage to the Derek Taylor book 50 Years Adrift (In An Open Necked Shirt). He was inspired to name the album Old Sock from a conversation with David Bowie. After hearing Bowie's then-new song "Where Are We Now?", Clapton sent a note thanking him "for writing such a beautiful song". Bowie responded, "Thanks for the shoutout, old sock. Really appreciate it." Bowie allowed Clapton to use the phrase for his album title and share the story of their conversation. Following Bowie's death in 2016, Clapton wrote "Sweet dreams old sock" on his Facebook account.
The album cover is a selfie Clapton took with his iPhone while on holiday in Antigua.
Track listing
Personnel
Eric Clapton – lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, dobro, mandolin Doyle Bramhall II – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, backing vocals Greg Leisz – pedal steel guitar, mandolin Taj Mahal – banjo and harmonica on "Further on Down the Road" J. J. Cale – guitar and vocals on "Angel" Tim Carmon – Hammond B3 organ Simon Climie – acoustic piano, percussion Frank Marocco – accordion Walt Richmond – upright piano, keyboards Matt Rollings – keyboards Chris Stainton – clavinet, Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano, Hammond B3 organ Justin Stanley – clavinet, Mellotron, drums Steve Winwood – Hammond B3 organ on "Still Got the Blues" Willie Weeks – bass guitar, upright bass Paul McCartney – upright bass and backing vocals on "All of Me" Matt Chamberlain – drums Steve Gadd – drums Jim Keltner – drums Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums Henry Spinetti – drums Gabe Witcher – fiddle Stephen "Doc" Kupka – baritone saxophone Joseph Sublett – tenor saxophone Nicholas Lane – trombone Sal Cracchiolo – trumpet Nick Ingman – string arrangements and conductor Isobel Griffiths – strings contractor Perry Montague-Mason – strings leader Thomas Bowes – strings leader Sharon White – backing vocals Michelle John – backing vocals Chaka Khan – guest vocals on "Gotta Get Over" Julie Clapton – guest vocals Ella Clapton – guest vocals Sophie Clapton – guest vocals Nikka Costa – guest vocals Wendy Moten – guest vocals Lisa Vaughan – guest vocals
Production Producers – Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Clapton, Simon Climie and Justin Stanley. Recorded by Simon Climie, Alan Douglas, Steve Price and Justin Stanley. Assistant Engineers – Nick Cervonaro, Martin Cooke, Fiona Cruickshank, Joel Evenden, Alex Graupera, Joe Kearns, Paul LaMalfa, Kevin Mills, Harry Rutherford and Kyle Stevens. Mixed by Simon Climie Recorded at Air Lyndhurst Hall and Angel Recording Studios (London, England). Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering (Portland, ME). Production Coordinator and Musician Contactors – Debbie Johnson and Shari Sutcliffe. Cover and Photography by Eric Clapton Design – Catherine Roylance, Noiseland Industries.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts Chart (2013–14)PeakpositionCanadian Albums (Billboard)12German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)5Greek Albums (IFPI)24Slovenian Albums (SLO Top 30)8US Top Album Sales (Billboard)7
Year-end charts Chart (2013)PositionArgentinian Albums (CAPIF)77Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)130Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)170Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)130Danish Albums (Hitlisten)56German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)112Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)196UK Albums (OCC)172US Independent Albums (Billboard)18US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)52
Certifications
References All information from CD booklet (Bushbranch catalogue #2-18015)