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Eric Clapton And Friends Unite To Honor Jj Cale Legacy In New Release 'The Breeze' Released In The Uk July 28th 2014

Posted on02 May 2014

Eric Clapton And Friends Unite To Honor Jj Cale Legacy In New Release 'The Breeze' Released In The UK  July 28th 2014

Stars Remember Rock Royalty JJ Cale: Social Media Explodes After Songwriter's Death


JJ Cale Eric Clapton Louis Theroux Tom Petty Daryl Hannah

The legendary singer/songwriter JJ Cale passed away in a California hospital on Friday (26 July) after suffering a heart attack at his nearby home, leaving behind a legacy that wont soon be forgotten. The Grammy-winning singer, guitarist and songwriter, who was 74-years-old when he passed away, was responsible for a string of hits that were made famous after being covered by some of the biggest names in rock music, including Tom Petty, Santana and most famously of all; Eric Clapton.


Since his passing last week, tribute have been pouring in from those wishing to pay their respects to the great musician, a man who helped invent the laid back and much-copied Tulsa Sound, a combination of country, blues and rock. Documentarian Louis Theroux shared his favourite Cale track in his online tribute, whilst one of Cale's many collaborators Tom Petty shared a backstage picture of the two from 2009, with the Twitter hashtag #RIPJJCale embedded into the Tweet. Actress Daryl Hannah also gave her respects with the simple statement "RIP JJ Cale... peace xo" uploaded to her Twitter feed over the weekend.

Continue reading: Stars Remember Rock Royalty JJ Cale: Social Media Explodes After Songwriter's Death

Legendary Singer/Songwriter JJ Cale Dies, Aged 74


JJ Cale Eric Clapton John Cale Tom Petty

The legendary artist JJ Cale passed away on Friday 26 July, an announcement made on his official website stated earlier this week. The man behind the Tulsa Sound, which blended blues, rockabilly, and country music to create a much-copied, laid back sound, was responsible for a string of notable rock tracks, many of which were covered by some of rock music's biggest names, including Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Santana and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Born John Weldon Cale in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1938, Cale adopted the moniker JJ Cale to avoid confusion with the Velvet Underground's John Cale, having released music under the name Johnny Cale prior to the New York band's rise to stardom in the late 60's. The statement on his website states that he passed away following a heart attack at his California home, after which he was rushed to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California, where he was pronounced dead. No further information relating to his death has been released yet, nor have any details into any memorial services due to be held for the songwriter.

Continue reading: Legendary Singer/Songwriter JJ Cale Dies, Aged 74

Remarkable Singer-Songwriter JJ Cale Dies, Aged 74


JJ Cale Eric Clapton Lynyrd Skynyrd

JJ Cale, the infamous songwriter and musician responsible for Eric Clapton’s After Midnight and Cocaine, died yesterday (Friday, July 26) at the old age of 74, Reuters reports. Cale, who had a respectable performing career himself, was best known for the songs he wrote for other people. Most notably, he worked with giants like Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings, Randy Crawford, among others.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1938, Cale moved out to Los Angeles to start a career in the music industry in 1964. Early on in his career, in the 1950s and 60s Cale aimed at solo stardom – first as Johnny Cale and later on as JJ Cale. He never managed to achieve mainstream success however, remaining something of a cult favorite throughout his career. For Cale, success came in a rather different form, when Eric Clapton performed his song After Midnight in 1969.

Continue reading: Remarkable Singer-Songwriter JJ Cale Dies, Aged 74

JJ Cale, Roll on Album Review


Review of JJ Cale's album 'Roll On'.

So, for those that don't know who JJ Cale is, please allow me to fill you in. He's an American singer songwriter with staying power to be envied by most. He's been there from the start and is gracefully continuing in the now. Responsible for the legendary 'Tulsa sound' and worthy of being covered by blues legends and exceptional singer songwriters alike , covers include, Eric Clapton 'Cocaine' and 'After Midnight', The Band 'Crazy Mama', Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 'Call Me The Breeze', John Mayall, 'Sensitive Kind', Beck, 'Magnolia' to name but a few. Cale's last release in 2004 'To Tulsa and Back' enabled him to hit the road with his hot rolling guitar and laid back vocals, and true to his hardworking ethic his latest offering 'Roll on' will see him hit the road again.

We start off with 'Who Knew' which is a hot Memphis Soul shuffle with a catchy little lyric and bouncing double bass, reiterating his craft instantly. 'Former Me' harbours delicate piano runs over the steady chord changes, moving the track along as Cale tells us a story. 'Where the sun don't shine' has the feeling of an 80's polished Blues track, oscillating synth parts reminiscent sound wise to George Harrisons 'Cloud Nine' escapades with Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr and Elton John. Thing is, if your like me 'Got My Mind Set On You' was perhaps the only decent track of that album, and that was just a bonus track, so I started to worry that Cale is starting to sound a little dated! Unfortunately 'Where the sun don't shine' and 'Fonda-line' both have that horrible late 80's early 90's production feel to them too and it just doesn't get the pulse racing or emotions stirring like a good blues track should. If you did like the 80's blues offerings from the likes of George Harrison or Eric Clapton then you'll probably like these tracks. Personally I didn't even find myself tapping my foot along! 'Strange Days' has a wonderful fast finger banjo part and the whole vibe of this track is very early Crosby Stills and Nash, minimal vocals but beautifully melodic. 'Cherry Street' is your basic 12 bar in a rampant 2/4 with the layer of nonchalant sliver tongue lyrical licks, but perhaps a little guilty of a sin I cant quite forgive '80's Clapton' for, the sound of the guitar in his solo, is just so synthetic. Where's the chewin' tobbaca, grit and sawdust of the country? There's no warm fuzz or high end sustain. This is a guitar man that's got so good at playing his guitar it's too polished and that's a sin that blues men can fall foul off. Blue's beauty is in the organic and earthiness it can possess. 'Leaving in the Morning' on the other hand is a simply constructed and delicately executed track with beautiful slide guitar and gentle steady finger picking, minimal percussion and heartfelt lyrics. 'Oh Mary' is another standard 12 bar blues with a nicer sounding guitar solo, and big band flow. Cale continues down his slow melodic and steady, trotting blues sound with 'old friend' in fact do I faintly hear the clipperty clop of horses? The album also features Eric Clapton on the title track Roll on, with its screaming guitar solos, gritty rhythm guitar, catchy lyrics and steady riffs, and given Cales form for concise album tracks that miraculously turn into epic jams live, this is surely to be one of those.

Continue reading: JJ Cale, Roll on Album Review

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