Music review: Eric Clapton – ‘The Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale’
One year after the passing of J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton rounds up a few special friends to honor the musical legacy of the late Oklahoma guitarist, singer and songwriter.
Artists like Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Derek Trucks and John Mayer show their heartfelt appreciation by delivering an intoxicating mix of Cale-penned songs. While fame largely eluded Cale during his career, he crafted a variety of noteworthy arrangements that were successfully covered by other artists.
Cale鈥檚 鈥淎fter Midnight鈥� and 鈥淐ocaine鈥� became two of Clapton鈥檚 signature songs, while Lynyrd Skynyrd found success with 鈥淐all Me the Breeze鈥� from 1974鈥檚 鈥淪econd Helping.鈥� Credited as one of the originators of the Tulsa Sound, Cale鈥檚 distinctive style is lovingly captured by Clapton on a 16-song set of blues, country, rockabilly and Americana.
鈥淪omeday鈥� features Knopfler on guitar and vocals as his performance demonstrates Cale鈥檚 influence on the sound of Dire Straits on albums such as the band鈥檚 self-titled debut and 1980鈥檚 鈥淢aking Movies.鈥� Petty adds his own unique style to spirited versions of 鈥淚 Got the Same Old Blues,鈥� 鈥淩ock and Roll Records鈥� and 鈥淭he Old Man and Me.鈥� Mayer masterfully navigates the delicate emotion of the country-tinged 鈥淢agnolia鈥� and the fiery groove of 鈥淟ies.鈥�
鈥淪ongbird鈥� and 鈥淪tarbound鈥� are peppered with touches of country and blues as Nelson鈥檚 rootsy and well-worn voice softly embraces Cale鈥檚 simple and heartfelt lyrics. While Clapton鈥檚 versions of 鈥淐all Me the Breeze,鈥� 鈥淐ajun Moon鈥� and 鈥淪ince You Said Goodbye鈥� are undeniably spot-on, 鈥淪ensitive Kind鈥� remains my favorite track on the album. Covered by Santana in 1981, this low-key and moody number is bolstered by a soulful vocal performance from Don White. Each participating artist offers a restrained, honest interpretation of these organic works of pure musical art. While Cale might be gone, his music lives on through the love and respect shown by the artists he influenced and inspired.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.