Eric Clapton: Slowhand

Eric Clapton's Slowhand: MOFI's Disappointing Audiophile Attempt

Eric Clapton's fifth studio album, "Slowhand" (1977)—named after the guitarist's famous nickname—stands as one of his most commercially successful works. Peaking at number two on the Billboard Albums chart, the record produced several enduring hit singles including "Cocaine," "Wonderful Tonight," and "Lay Down Sally." Its cultural significance is further cemented by Rolling Stone magazine ranking it at number 325 on their prestigious "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.

The MOFI Reissue: Great Expectations, Modest Delivery
Just three years after the album's initial release, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MOFI) reissued "Slowhand" as part of their Original Master Recording series. This early reissue boasted impressive credentials—half-speed mastering, access to the original master tapes, and pressing by the Victor Company in Japan. All the ingredients for an audiophile masterpiece seemed to be in place.

Unfortunately, the reality falls short of these lofty expectations. While the MOFI pressing does deliver admirably quiet vinyl—an improvement over earlier pressings—the overall sonic experience fails to reach true audiophile heights. For a release marketed specifically to discerning listeners, this represents a significant disappointment.

The Early MOFI Inconsistency
This release exemplifies a broader pattern with Mobile Fidelity's output during this particular era. Their catalog from this period was notoriously inconsistent—some releases were genuinely impressive, offering remarkable detail, spaciousness, and instrument separation. Others, like this "Slowhand" reissue, simply failed to distinguish themselves in any meaningful way from standard pressings.

The hallmarks of a truly exceptional audiophile pressing—that sense of being transported into the recording studio, of hearing new details and dimensionality previously obscured—are conspicuously absent here. Despite the quieter vinyl surface, the sonic presentation remains flat and uninspiring compared to what serious listeners expect from a premium reissue.

The Vinyl Verdict: Save Your Money
For Clapton fans seeking an audiophile-quality pressing of "Slowhand," the search continues. This MOFI release is "audiophile" in name only—a victim of the company's occasionally overstated marketing claims during this period of their history.

Rather than investing in this underwhelming reissue at collector prices, you'd be better served by either a recent standard reissue or, if you prefer vintage pressings, tracking down a nice 1977 Santa Maria pressing. Either option will deliver comparable sound quality at roughly one-third the price of the MOFI version.
Until a truly worthy audiophile remaster emerges (and hopefully one will eventually), Clapton's "Slowhand" remains a classic album still awaiting the definitive vinyl treatment it deserves. 
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