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REVIEWSCD REVIEW by Richard JosephERIC CLAPTONClapton (Reprise)Up to now I’ve tended to review lesser-knownbands – on their way up instead of having beenthere for more than 40 years – but I couldn’tignore the new solo album from this giant of the worldblues and rock scene. And a weird mix it is – bluesbasedmaterial of the sort we might associate Claptonwith, such as Hard Times and Travellin’ Alone, alongwith Autumn Leaves and How Deep is the Ocean. ECplays Irving Berlin! Can you dig it?I can. I’ve been a fan of Clapton since the early days,and he was a major factor in my lifelong obsession withthe guitar. But one of the aspects of Eric I feel has beenoverlooked is his very appealing and soulful singing voice,which is well featured and showcased in this album.We kick off with the terrific L’il Son Jackson songTravellin’ Alone – real Clapton hard blues stuff, withsome great guitar from Eric and his co-producer DoyleBramhall. Rockin’ Chair is up next, a slow jazzy shufflefrom the New Orleans-end of the blues tracks, and thenthere’s J J Cale’s River Runs Deep from 1971, whichClapton performs with Cale himself.Next there’s a fairly straight version of Irving Berlin’sHow Deep is the Ocean followed by Fats Waller’s MyVery Good Friend the Milkman, accompanied by sometraditional New Orleans-style brass, and piano solos bythe great Walter Richmond and Alan Toussaint.Only so much space for this review, so suffice it to saythat the stand-out track (by some distance) is DiamondsMade From Rain – one of the few pieces of new materialon the album. This is a wonderful ballad with a lushorchestral backing and two genuinely moving guitarsolos from Clapton (this will be the first single from thealbum).During one of his pre-release interviews Clapton says ofthe strange mix of material on this album: ‘If it’s a surpriseto the fans, its because its a surprise to me’. In a year whena lot of major artist releases have been so disappointing,this is a shining beacon of musicality and artistry.Richard Joseph is a solepractitioner based in NorthLondon and honorary secretaryand past-chairman of the LSCA.He is an experienced guitarist,who has played with manybands over the last 40 years. Hewas the featured lead guitariston Frazer Kennedy’s trackYesterday’s Gone, which went toNo 1 on the Tourdates UnsignedArtist Chart in September 2008.He is also lead guitar for 60srevival band The Retros.RESTAURANT REVIEW by Lesley BoltonRSJ33 Coin Street, London SE1 9NR 020 7928 4554www.rsj.uk.comIt wasn’t my first visit to RSJ – a gem of a restauranttucked away within easy walking distance of WaterlooStation and a stone’s throw from the ITV building andall the South Bank. It was chosen for a business lunch inSeptember, convenient for me for the station, and formy guest, Bill Dodwell, tax policy director at Deloitte.You find a friendly welcome at the side entrance tothis restaurant and are guided upstairs to the small butcosy first-floor eating area. The service is attentive andthe atmosphere relaxed.The restaurant has been in The Good Food Guidesince 1981 and is among the guide’s longest-servingestablishments. But the prices are reasonable. I chosefrom the a la carte menu, kicking off with a beetroottatin, goat’s cheese cream, lemon and raspberryvinaigrette (£7.50). My guest chose from the fixed-pricemenu (two courses £16.95; three courses £18.95). Hepicked the terrine of free-range duck confit, orangeand chilli chutney and toast, followed by roasthaddock, English tomato, green bean and cumin salad,cockle, lemon and shallot dressing. My main coursewas the dish of the day: perfectly cooked sea bass withshrimps and artichoke.The choice is impressive, ranging from salmon, divercaughtscallop risotto (as main or starter) and sautéedking prawns, squid and clams, to roast English lamb.Unlike many menus, frankly I could have pickedanything from this one.We passed on the dessert, but plumb crumble tartwith cinnamon ice cream, geranium scented pannacotta, fresh mango, and blackberry meringues, amongother delicious items, were on the menu – all at £5.75.This is the place to go if you love Loire wines. It hasbecome famous for its selection and boasts more than250 on its award-winning list. Again though, these arenot overpriced: a glass of 2009 Saumur Blanc can behad for £3.95. And bottles begin at £16.95.In 1996 the restaurant set up the RSJ Wine Companyto import and sell direct wines that people hadenjoyed during their meal.Eating at RSJ is a culinary delight.REVIEW A RESTAURANT FORLONDON ACCOUNTANTWould you like to review arestaurant you have visitedrecently on business? Please sendyour review (max 300 words) tolesley.bolton@wolterskluwer.co.uk.Please include a daytimetelephone numberlondonaccountant november/december 201029