Clapton is also finishing a new album, possibly a double. It started last year as a follow-up to his 2006 release with singer-songwriter J.J. Cale, The Road to Escondido, with new Clapton originals, but has evolved into a wildly diverse covers project with songs by, among others, Mose Allison, Irving Berlin and Fats Walker.
“I covered anything I ever longed to do,” Clapton says with delight. When he played some of the tracks for guitarist Ry Cooder, the latter said, “You can’t put this out. People will get whiplash.” Clapton is now thinking of calling the record Whiplash.