On This Day in 1994: Eric Clapton Hit No. 1 on the U.S. Chart With His Unplugged Follow-Up, Winning a Grammy and Scoring an Album of the Year Nod
via hutchinson2khi9320# / YouTube
From Unplugged to From the Cradle
On October 1, 1994, Eric Clapton’s album From the Cradle entered the U.S. album chart at #1. It served as his follow-up to the hugely successful acoustic record Unplugged from 1992, which had won Album of the Year. From the Cradle was a return to the roots of blues, featuring cover versions of classic songs.
While critics were divided on how Clapton handled the vocals, the album’s musical integrity stood out. From the Cradle eventually won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album and earned a nomination for Album of the Year.
View this post on Instagram
Recording and Style
Clapton recorded From the Cradle mostly live in the studio, with minimal overdubs. The album represents his only full blues record—though he had long been associated with the genre, he had not before devoted a full studio set to pure blues covers.
The track list includes renditions of songs by legends such as Muddy Waters, Freddie King, and Elmore James, among others. Clapton surrounded himself with skilled musicians to support the vintage sound.
Reception and Legacy
Critical reaction to From the Cradle ranged from praise for its fidelity to classic blues, to criticism of Clapton’s vocal delivery. Some reviewers felt his singing lacked the depth of the original blues artists, while others appreciated the commitment to style and tone. Despite mixed reviews, the album resonated with fans and blues purists alike.
The Grammy win confirmed its place in Clapton’s catalog. It also showed that even decades into his career, he could still explore new—or in this case, old—territory.
From the Cradle entered as a bold statement: a chart-topping blues record from a mainstream rock artist. Its success helped bridge the gap between rock and traditional blues audiences.
