NEW YORK, June 21 (UPI) -- Rock veteran Eric Clapton says "Back Home," his first album of original material since 2001, completes his journey as an itinerant musician.
The 12-song album, scheduled for release Aug. 30, includes longtime collaborator Simon Climie and guests such as Steve Winwood and John Mayer.
The songs were recorded at the same time as the 2004 "Me & Mr. Johnson" covers of Robert Johnson tunes.
"When we got stuck or if it wasn't moving fast enough we'd stop and do a Robert Johnson song," Clapton told Billboard magazine. "That would clear the air and we'd go back and carry on for the new album. As a result, we ended up with a complete Robert Johnson album first."
"'Back Home' completes that cycle in terms of talking about my whole journey as an itinerant musician and where I find myself now, starting a new family," Clapton said.
