Cherry Red RecordsEric Clapton will appear on the upcoming album by the pioneering U.K. space-rock band Hawkwind, Road to Utopia, which will be released on September 14.
Clapton, who is an old friend of Hawkwind frontman Dave Brock, lends his guitar talents to an updated version of the group’s 1972 song “The Watcher.”
Road to Utopia, Hawkwind’s 31st studio album, features reworked renditions of a variety of the group’s well-known tunes with added orchestral accompaniment by veteran British singer, songwriter, producer and conductor Mike Batt.
“Dave was delightfully free-spirited and generous to me,” says Batt, “using a small ensemble of additional musicians and giving me a pretty free hand with the arrangements.”
Adds Brock, “Reinventing these familiar songs has been an interesting experience…We hope you like them.”
Clapton’s friendship with Brock dates back to 1962, when the two musicians would perform blues tunes as a duo in pubs, clubs and coffeehouses in Surrey, U.K. “The Watcher” was actually written by late Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who was Hawkwind’s bassist from 1971 to 1975.
Eric becomes the second member of Cream to appear on a Hawkwind record — drummer Ginger Baker was a member of the band in 1980 and ’81.
According to WheresEric.com, “The Watcher” and a song called “Quark, Strangeness and Charm” will be issued together as a two-track digital single in August, prior to Road to Utopia‘s release.
The album will be available on CD, as a vinyl LP and digitally.
Here’s Road to Utopia track list:
“Quark, Strangeness and Charm”
“The Watcher” — featuring Eric Clapton
“We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago”
“Flying Doctor”
“Psychic Power”
“Hymn to the Sun”
“The Age of the Micro Man”
“Intro the Night”
“Down Through the Night”
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