Clapton

<i>Clapton</i> has a little bit of everything, jumping between blues, pop and soft rock, delivering each with a wise and gentle touch. "Hard Times Blues" sees Clapton, once again, faithfully reviving an old classic—mixing it up by adding some mandolin under his tastefully gruff vocals. "How Deep Is the Ocean", meanwhile, climaxes not with a guitar solo, but with the melancholy trumpet playing of Wynton Marsalis (backed by a lush string section for good measure).