"From the Cradle" is the twelfth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released on 12 September 1994 by Warner Bros. Records. It is a blues cover album and serves as the follow-up to his successful 1992 live album, Unplugged. This album marks Clapton's first full exploration of the blues genre, and it became his only UK number-one album to date.
Although Clapton had long been associated with the blues, From the Cradle was his first attempt at an album entirely dedicated to the genre. The album features classic blues tracks from legends such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf, and Clapton brings his signature guitar style to these timeless songs. This album would also set the stage for future blues-centric projects, including Riding with the King (a collaboration with B.B. King), Me and Mr. Johnson (a tribute to Robert Johnson), and The Road to Escondido (a collaboration with J.J. Cale).
The title From the Cradle is derived from the last line of a four-line poem written by Clapton. The poem, which he never set to music, is printed in his own handwriting on the second page of the CD booklet: "All along this path I tread / My heart betrays my weary head / with nothing but my love to save / from the cradle to the grave." The phrase reflects the depth of Clapton’s connection to the blues and his lifelong journey in music, with the "cradle to the grave" imagery evoking themes of life, struggle, and passion.
From the Cradle received positive reviews from both critics and fans. It showcased Clapton's ability to honor the blues tradition while making it his own, and the album's commercial success helped reaffirm his position as one of the leading figures in rock and blues music.
