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Listen Now As Eric Clapton and Robbie Robertson Team Up On “How To Become Clairvoyant”

1 Apr 11

Robbie Robertson, legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of The Band, released his fifth solo album, How To Become Clairvoyant, in his native Canada this week. It’s out in the US on 5 April and the UK and EU on 12 April. It’s loaded with guest musicians, including Eric Clapton, who performs on 7 of the album’s 12 tracks. Rolling Stone gave it four-stars and Goldmine raved, “this soulful record is Robertson’s best yet.” 

Coming 13 years after his last solo album, other album guests include Steve Winwood, Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Street Sweeper Social Club), Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails, How To Destroy Angels), Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and Robert Randolph. Renowned session drummer Jim Keltner took part in the recording sessions, as did Shar White and Michelle John, backing vocalists in Eric Clapton’s touring band since 2004. Pino Palladino (bass) and Ian Thomas (drums), who toured with Clapton in 2008, make up the rhythm section on the bulk of the tracks. Robertson co-produced the album with Marius de Vries, his long-time collaborator.

In the current issue of Rolling Stone (14 April 2011), Robertson discusses his collaboration and friendship with Clapton and more in a feature interview. For the first-time in over a decade, he’ll also make two high-profile U.S. TV appearances to promote the album. Robertson will perform the album’s first single, “He Don’t Live Here No More,” on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS-TV) on 5 April and will be on The View (ABC-TV) on 6 April. NPR – National Public Radio – is currently streaming the album in its entirety. You can listen to individual songs here or the full album here until 4 April.

429 Records will be issuing several different editions of the album. The Japanese edition of How To Become Clairvoyant will have a bonus demo version of “Won’t Be Back” with Eric Clapton. There will also be a deluxe double disc package featuring demos of “The Right Mistake” (Demo Version); “He Don’t Live Here No More” (Demo Version); “Fear Of Falling” (Demo Version); “This Is Where I Get Off” (Demo Version); “Madame X” (Demo Version) and “Houdini” (Demo Version). The last track is an outtake and all also feature Clapton. In the US, the deluxe edition will be available exclusively at Best Buy for a month beginning 5 April. A two-disc, gatefold edition of How To Become Clairvoyant on 180-gram vinyl and a limited edition collector’s set with 10 bonus tracks, a DVD with three multi-track mixes, a 70-page, full-color book with album artwork, lithographs and additional art will also be available.

As a member of The Band, Robertson has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. He is also a member of the Candian Songwriters Hall Of Fame. 

HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT – ROBBIE ROBERTSON
Produced by Marius de Vries and Robbie Robertson
01. Straight Down The Line
02. When The Night Was Young
03. He Don’t Live Here No More – featuring Eric Clapton
04. The Right Mistake – featuring Eric Clapton
05. This Is Where I Get Off – featuring Eric Clapton
06. Fear of Falling – featuring Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood
07. She’s Not Mine – featuring Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood
08. Madame X – featuring Eric Clapton
09. Axman
10. Won’t Be Back – featuring Eric Clapton
11. How To Become Clairvoyant
12. Tango For Django

RECORDING DETAILS FOR TRACKS FEATURING ERIC CLAPTON

He Don’t Live Here No More 5:46
(Robbie Robertson)
Robbie Robertson – Vocal, Gut String Guitar – Solo, Keyboard
Eric Clapton – Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmony Vocal
Rocco Deluca, Daryl Johnson, Taylor Goldsmith – Backing Vocals
Marius DeVries – Keyboard
Pino Palladino – Bass
Ian Thomas – Drums

This track was released to radio the week of 7 March 2011

The Right Mistake 4:30
(Robbie Robertson)
Robbie Robertson – Vocal, Guitar / Solo, Keyboard
Eric Clapton – Guitar / Solo
Steve Winwood – Organ
Angela McCluskey – Vocal
Angelyna Boyd, Michelle John, Sharon White – Backing Vocals
Bill Dillon – Guitorgan, Guitar
Marius deVries – Keyboard
Pino Palladino – Bass
Ian Thomas – Drums

This Is Where I Get Off 5:09
(Robbie Robertson)
Robbie Robertson – Vocal, Guitar / Solo, Keyboard
Eric Clapton – Guitar / Solo
Rocco Deluca, Angelyna Boyd, Daryl Johnson, Michelle John, Sharon White – Backing Vocals
Marius DeVries – Piano
Pino Palladino – Bass
Ian Thomas – Drums

Fear Of Falling 5:18
(Eric Clapton and Robbie Robertson)
Robbie Robertson – Vocal, Electric Guitar / Solo
Eric Clapton – Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar / Solo
Steve Winwood – Organ
Taylor Goldsmith, Michelle John, Sharon White – Backing Vocals
Pino Palladino – Bass
Ian Thomas – Drums

She’s Not Mine 4:28
(Robbie Robertson)
Robbie Robertson – Vocal, Guitar / Solo
Eric Clapton – Guitar / Solo, HarmonyVocal
Steve Winwood – Organ
Marius de Vries – Keyboard and Backing Vocal
Rocco Deluca – Dobro
Taylor Goldsmith, Rocco Deluca – Backing Vocals
Pino Palladino – Bass
Ian Thomas – Drums
Jim Keltner – Drums

Madame X 4:46
(Eric Clapton)
Robbie Robertson – Electric Guitar, Keyboard
Eric Clapton – Gut String Guitar
Trent Reznor – Additional Textures
Pino Palladino – Bass
Ian Thomas – Drums

Won’t Be Back 4:10
(Eric Clapton and Robbie Robertson)
Robbie Robertson – Vocal, Electric Guitar / Solo, Keyboard
Eric Clapton – Gut String Guitar, HarmonyVocal
Marius de Vries – Keyboard
Eldad Guetta – Horns
Pino Palladino – Bass
Ian Thomas – Drums