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No Reason to Cry

by Eric Clapton

Released: August 27, 1976

Rock, blues

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Why This Album Matters

The central hook was verified through two distinct archival/first-hand lines of evidence. Eric Clapton’s autobiography recounts Dylan living in a tent in the Shangri-La garden, appearing briefly during the sessions, offering “Sign Language,” and recording the song three different ways. The Columbia Records booklet for Bob Dylan’s The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 independently describes Dylan living in a tent at the bottom of the garden and entering the studio to see what was happening. The causal detail about Clapton adapting to Dylan’s changing performances is directly supported by Clapton’s contemporary 1976 interview with Sounds, in which he said Dylan could not restrict himself to one version and that he therefore decided to become equally loose. Album/session credits and the official Bob Dylan site corroborate Dylan’s composition, vocals and duet with Clapton.

The Album

Rick Danko co-wrote and shared vocals with Clapton on "All Our Past Times." The album also includes a duet with Bob Dylan on the otherwise unreleased song "Sign Language." Dylan, who was living in a tent on the studio grounds at the time, offered Clapton his new song "Seven Days," which Clapton declined; Ron Wood later recorded it for his album Gimme Some Neck. "No Reason to Cry" is Eric Clapton's fourth solo studio album, released on August 27, 1976, by RSO Records. Marcy Levy provides vocals on "Innocent Times" and shares vocals with Clapton on "Hungry." The 1990 re-release of the album includes a bonus track, "Last Night," featuring vocals by Richard Manuel.

Inside the Recording

Recorded in Malibu and Los Angeles from December 1975 to May 1976, the album achieved silver certification in the UK. No Reason to Cry was recorded at The Band's Shangri-la Studios in March 1976 and features contributions from all five members of The Band.

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Essential Tracks

Sign Language

All Our Past Times

Innocent Times

Marcy Levy provides vocals on "Innocent Times" and shares vocals with Clapton on "Hungry." The 1990 re-release of the album includes a bonus track, "Last Night," featuring vocals by Richard Manuel.

Hungry

Marcy Levy provides vocals on "Innocent Times" and shares vocals with Clapton on "Hungry." The 1990 re-release of the album includes a bonus track, "Last Night," featuring vocals by Richard Manuel.

Last Night

Marcy Levy provides vocals on "Innocent Times" and shares vocals with Clapton on "Hungry." The 1990 re-release of the album includes a bonus track, "Last Night," featuring vocals by Richard Manuel.

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The Complete Album Story

"No Reason to Cry" is Eric Clapton's fourth solo studio album, released on August 27, 1976, by RSO Records. Recorded in Malibu and Los Angeles from December 1975 to May 1976, the album achieved silver certification in the UK.

No Reason to Cry was recorded at The Band's Shangri-la Studios in March 1976 and features contributions from all five members of The Band. Rick Danko co-wrote and shared vocals with Clapton on "All Our Past Times." The album also includes a duet with Bob Dylan on the otherwise unreleased song "Sign Language." Dylan, who was living in a tent on the studio grounds at the time, offered Clapton his new song "Seven Days," which Clapton declined; Ron Wood later recorded it for his album Gimme Some Neck. Marcy Levy provides vocals on "Innocent Times" and shares vocals with Clapton on "Hungry." The 1990 re-release of the album includes a bonus track, "Last Night," featuring vocals by Richard Manuel.