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Slowhand

Eric Clapton's Blues

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Slowhand

By: Philip Norman
Narrated by: Peter Coates
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About this listen

'The masterful biographer Philip Norman has unearthed countless fascinating details' DAILY MAIL

For half a century Eric Clapton has been acknowledged to be rock music's greatest virtuoso, the unrivalled master of its indispensable tool, the solid-body electric guitar. His career has spanned the history of rock, and often shaped it via the seminal bands with whom he's played: the Yardbirds, John Mavall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominoes. Winner of eighteen Grammys, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame's only three-time inductee, he is an enduring influence on every other star soloist who ever wielded a pick.

Now his full story - including those bits that were left out from Clapton's memoir - is told by rock music's foremost biographer, with Clapton's consent and access to family members and close friends. In Slowhand: Eric Clapton's Blues, Philip Norman returns to the heroic age of British rock and follows Clapton through his distinctive and scandalous childhood, early life of reckless rock 'n' roll excess, and twisting and turning struggle with addiction in the 60s and 70s.

Readers will learn about his relationship with Pattie Boyd - wife of Clapton's own best friend George Harrison - the tragic death of his son, which inspired one of his most famous songs, 'Tears in Heaven', and even the backstories of his most famed, and named, guitars. Packed with new information and critical insights, Slowhand reveals the complex character behind the legend.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Philip Norman (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group Limited
Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Guitar
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Critic reviews

Slowhand reads like a textbook account of all the pathologies of the rock-star life: promiscuity, infidelity, heroin addiction, alcoholism (Victoria Segal)
It has taken a biographer as perceptive and clear-sighted as Philip Norman to do Clapton justice ... Despite everything, you end up liking Clapton, and feeling as if you know and understand him. It is proof that Norman's biography has done its work (Will Hodgkinson)
As usual, the masterful biographer Philip Norman has unearthed countless fascinating details (Mark Mason)

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Fantastic

Compelling moving and highly enjoyable.. well read.
Highly recommend. If you love rock and blues this is for you. If you love the rock industry this is for you.. if you love Clapton Get it

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The Clapton luck - fascinating!

Philip Norman is a genius at bringing to life the intricacies of what a life in the spotlight can bring - I felt personally it was a little slow to get going but once past the first few chapters it’s hard to stop listening even if you’re not a huge Clapton fan.

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A gritty analysis of Eric’s life

I have read many books/biographies/the autobiography on Eric Clapton, however this is by far the best. It goes much deeper than the others and is gritty in its analysis of the man, and unlike many of the other books it doesn’t have Eric on a pedestal. The piece covering the death of Conor is harrowing and this book spares little details on many of the well known parts to Eric’s life. I thoroughly recommend this book.

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At least he managed to sort himself out in the end.

I always worshiped EC and was surprised to learn what a bad person he was for so long. Glad I listened through to the end.
Sorry Peter Coates but the narration was truly awful, at times you could have been reading a shopping list for all the passion you put into it.

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More about the man than the music

Philip Norman approaches his subjects with honesty and integrity; he writes with conviction and I enjoyed his work on Jagger and McCartney.

Slowhand certainly gets into the psyche of Clayton. Childhood circumstances and influences shaped the man. The untimely death of his son was a transforming event and this book exposes a man of two halves.

I’ve spent a lifetime enjoying much of his music, from his early Mayall and Yardbird days through to his solo
Stuff. Always preferred the music to the man and this bio spares no punches in detailing his numerous idiosyncrasies and demands. He’s not entirely likeable but is definitely conflicted. Generous and loyal to a fault, on his terms, but also a chameleon like individual who has adored so many persona. A follower, not a leader.

This is a revealing account of a complex individual whose latter life is very different to his first decades. Enjoyed it and would have liked more detail about the music .

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