Eric Clapton & Friends: The Breeze - An Appreciation Of JJ Cale

One of the greatest artists in populare music history is J J Cale, who so sadly left us a year or so back. A gentle man who gave us a legacy of laid back blues/couhtry/ America brilliance. Eric Clapton has always been a huge admirer to his music, and became a big friend, performing together and producing an award winning album together. Before that of gourse Eric had worldwide hits with Cale songs like 'After Midnight' and 'Cocaine' ( a song he did on most live performances through the years).So who would be a better person to put an album like this one together, play on every track plus invite some well known friends along.These include Mark Knopfler, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, John Mayer (who did a version of 'Call Me The Breeze' on his most recent solo album, good version too, but on this release he takes on 'Magnolia' playing with EC it has all the hallmarks of the original. The album is an appreciation of Cale's music, his legacy, so there are no dramatic reworkings of the songs, just superbly played and performed covers, sixteen choice ones, mainly from Cale's earlier albums. Don White who played with J J is involved as is Cale's wife Christine Lakeland, not only with her husbands band but some fine solo albums, she joins Clapton on one song and plays guitar on another.This whole project is a labour of love to one great artist, a man who's music deserves to be heard, because once you hear it your hooked on his laid back, his songs never ramble on, and the tracks here are no longer than the original recordings, would have been nice to get some longer Clapton solos in but no this is about J J Cale, to get his name out there.The one thing you have to say the songs done by each artist fits like a glove, Mark Knopfler's version of 'Someday' could have easily been one of his own songs, 'Rock n Roll Records' a duet by Tom Petty and EC is an ideal merge of two great modern musiciand, as is Willie Nelson's 'Starbound' ,again this could be out of the Willie songbook, his style and delivery make this a special track on an album chock full of great songs by equally great performers throughout. It's a first hearing Eric and Tom Petty together, as is the Eg duet with bWillie Nelson and with John Mayer. The booklet has lots of photos of J J Cale plus others in the recoding studio of this wonderful set. I hope this wins awards, gets the music of Cale out there, because this is a set that is just totaslly enjoyable, and youget Clapton' take on 'Call Me The Breeze' totally in the J J style and it fits his voice like a glove, he's been performing thgis song live in recent shows so it's nice he's put his version out, tasty !So to sum up do yourself a favour go and get this, get a drink and let this wonderful music wash all over you..unmissable for all seasons, will mis you J J but thanks for so much great music !

Every time you think Eric's been coasting for a year or two he pops up with yet another gem. If he really is retiring after this (and I certainly hope not), then he's going out on a real high-point with this beautiful tribute to his friend and mentor. The decision to do it as faithfully to the originals was the right one and the spirit of J.J. is captured so perfectly that it's like he's in the room with them. The wonderful title track kick-starts the whole thing, and I think it's the best version of Call Me The Breeze that's ever been recorded. Eric's singing and touch-perfect guitar is just so right; and throughout the album it's him that keeps the motor purring beautifully; in front of, and behind this stellar cast of talent. It's absolutely fitting that Mark Knopfler had to be on this too; so influenced as he was by J.J. It would have been nice to hear more of Mark's singing and exquisite playing but the quality is so high that it's not even needed. The song selection is a great cross-section of J.J.'s catalogue, and everyone acquits themselves with taste and modesty; with no grandstanding, no showing-off and no stealing the limelight. J.J.Cale is the star here, which is as it should be. There are many highlights; besides the title track I love Willie Nelson's haunting cover of Starbound, with Derek Trucks shimmering guitar flickering around it; and I think John Mayer pours his heart into Magnolia. I doubt there'll be any better releases this year, and Eric can put this one up on his mantlepiece as among the very finest of his career.

An outstanding tribute to a legend of electric guitar not often appreciated for the great musician he was. There are plenty of other more erudite reviews here on Amazon so I will keep this short and sweet.I am pleased that Eric did not add "Cocaine" or "After Midnight" to the track list as these numbers have been well covered by his own band - although one glaring omission might be "City Girls" which is a typically laid-back Cale number just as accessible as "Call Me the Breeze". The latter is my favourite Cale song and I was pleased to hear the quirky introduction and drum machine reproduced faithfully on this album. We all know that Lynyrd Skynyrd covered this number although to to be honest my favourite version is by Bernie Marsden. However, I digress...Play this in your car and you will slip into steady cruise mode, perhaps listening for and recognising the particular unique signatures of the Clapton and Knopfler guitar techniques. This will save you fuel and I expect you will recoup its cost in a few weeks!I have to report that the first CD I received had a glaring manufacturing flaw which was clearly visible on the playing surface. It would not play past track 10. The replacement service from Amazon was outstanding and the new CD plays just fine.

JJ Cale is one of my favourite singer/songwriters he wrote some great songs too.It is nice to see Eric and friends have remembered JJ Cale with their own versions of his songs, there are a couple of covers which I am not overkeen on but generally their versions are easy to listen and enjoyable too.The recording itself is very goood.As an alternative this disc is well worth buying and reminds you just how good a songwirter JJ was!