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无毛视频檚 无毛视频淎fter Midnight无毛视频� and 无毛视频淐ocaine无毛视频� became two of Clapton无毛视频檚 signature songs, while Lynyrd Skynyrd found success with 无毛视频淐all Me the Breeze无毛视频� from 1974无毛视频檚 无毛视频淪econd Helping.无毛视频� Credited as one of the originators of the Tulsa Sound, Cale无毛视频檚 distinctive style is lovingly captured by Clapton on a 16-song set of blues, country, rockabilly and Americana.
无毛视频淪omeday无毛视频� features Knopfler on guitar and vocals as his performance demonstrates Cale无毛视频檚 influence on the sound of Dire Straits on albums such as the band无毛视频檚 self-titled debut and 1980无毛视频檚 无毛视频淢aking Movies.无毛视频� Petty adds his own unique style to spirited versions of 无毛视频淚 Got the Same Old Blues,无毛视频� 无毛视频淩ock and Roll Records无毛视频� and 无毛视频淭he Old Man and Me.无毛视频� Mayer masterfully navigates the delicate emotion of the country-tinged 无毛视频淢agnolia无毛视频� and the fiery groove of 无毛视频淟ies.无毛视频�
无毛视频淪ongbird无毛视频� and 无毛视频淪tarbound无毛视频� are peppered with touches of country and blues as Nelson无毛视频檚 rootsy and well-worn voice softly embraces Cale无毛视频檚 simple and heartfelt lyrics. While Clapton无毛视频檚 versions of 无毛视频淐all Me the Breeze,无毛视频� 无毛视频淐ajun Moon无毛视频� and 无毛视频淪ince You Said Goodbye无毛视频� are undeniably spot-on, 无毛视频淪ensitive Kind无毛视频� 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 无毛视频-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.