MONEY AND CIGARETTES

Money and Cigarettes marked several important turning points in Eric Clapton's recording career: his debut release on his own Duck imprint; the first album he made after giving up drinking; and marked his working with new players (with the exception of second guitarist Albert Lee)  including Stax Records veteran bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn and Muscle Shoals drummer Roger Hawkins, also bringing in guest guitarist Ry Cooder. His new songs reflected on his changed condition, with "Ain't Going Down," a thinly veiled musical rewrite of the Jimi Hendrix arrangement of "All Along the Watchtower," serving as a statement of purpose that declared, "I've still got something left to say." Other notable hits include "The Shape You're In" the acoustic ballad "Pretty Girl" and covers of Sleepy John Estes' "Everybody Oughta Make a Change" (significantly placed as the album's leadoff track), Albert King's "Crosscut Saw," and Johnny Otis' "Crazy Country Hop."