Journeyman

<i>Journeyman</i> saw Clapton closing out the ‘80s with one of his biggest-sounding albums yet, surrounding his fiery guitar playing with rich, dynamic production reminiscent of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. Opener "Pretending" swirls with horns, piano and gritty vocals, but they all fall away when he goes for a sharp, distorted solo. The drums on "Run So Far"—a collaboration with George Harrison—come loaded with reverb and make a perfect vehicle for the tune's light, twangy melody.