Slowhand takes it easy

Eric Clapton’s new solo album comes after years of tributes, collaborations and compilations. And while the majority of the songs on “Clapton” are still covers, they manage to sound both fresh and sepia-toned vintage at the same time.

Here, Clapton showcases all his influences, from the brassy New Orleans Fats Waller tune “When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful” to a Texas-style cover of James Pryor’s “Judgement Day.”

Unfortunately, Clapton turns on the pop — never his power genre — for “How Deep is the Ocean” and “Diamonds Made from Rain,” the former straying into easy listening territory and the latter going strangely R&B.

However, he makes up for it in “Can’t Hold Out Much Longer” and “Run Back to Your Side,” both of which are bright spots of classic Clapton rock blues.

The lyrics throughout allude to age and nostalgia, and the composition of the album reflects that Slowhand might indeed be slowing it down. Luckily, he keeps it interesting by throwing us a solid riff now and then, making “Clapton” worth at least an honest listen.