In March 1998, Pilgrim, a collection of mostly original tracks that represent Clapton's pilgrimage of expression through struggle and sacrifice. From the tragic death of his son, Conor, in Circus and My Father's Eyes, to lost love and a tribute to his manager and friend, Roger Forrester, in You Were There, Clapton adopts a different approach to expression that he has been accustomed to in past blues and acoustic projects. Clapton also performs Bob Dylan's Born In Time and St. Louis Jimmy's blues classic, Going Down Slow. While Pilgrim represents a departure for Clapton, the power of Pilgrim rests in a lyrical and emotional expression and strong vocals through tracks like Sick and Tired and She's Gone. Orchestral accompaniment on River of Tears, Pilgrim and One Chance reflect the varying degrees of Clapton's talent and add a new perspective on his vast abilities.
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Sick and Tired |
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Inside of Me |
For Clapton, Pilgrim represents a voice of reason and a peace that recognizes a lifetime of pain. With the moonlight shining brightly on the water, Clapton with closed eyes lets the music tell the stories as the pain eases. Clapton is at peace with himself and the stories told are ours to embrace and with that, the world is truly changed…
"Then the jagged edge appears, through the distant clouds of tears. I'm like a bridge that was washed away; my foundations were made of clay. As my soul slides down to die, how could I lose him? What did I try? Bit by bit, I've realized that he was here with me; I looked into my father's eyes."
- My Father's Eyes
"Standing in the shadows, with my heart right in my hand, removed from other people, who could never understand, I was a pilgrim for your love. Now where have I been all these years, and how come I just couldn't see? Like a blind man walking 'round in darkness, I was a pilgrim for your love.
- Pilgrim