J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton• "
The Road To Escondido"
Reprise, November 7
1. Danger
2. Heads In Georgia
3. Missing Person
4. When This War Is Over
5. Sporting Life Blues
6. Dead End Road
7. It's Easy
8. Hard To Thrill
9. Anyway The Wind Blows
10. Three Little Girls
11. Don't Cry Sister
12. Last Will And Testament
13. Who Am I Telling You?
14. Ride The River
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I5X81A/?tag=imwan-20
from Amazon.com--J.J. Cale penned two of Eric Clapton's career-defining solo hits, "Cocaine" and "After Midnight." And since Clapton has often fashioned his persona in a WWJD manner (what would J.J. do?), this collaboration is long overdue. But despite the rather slick production and long list of guest backing musicians (including four bassists, four drummers, five other guitarists, and three percussionists), The Road to Escondido is still dominated more by Cale than Clapton. The relatively reticent Okie wrote 11 of the 14 tracks, and it's his low-key soufflé of blues, jazz, and country that shapes and directs the disc's tone, with Clapton along for the ride. The opening "Danger" sets the dusky mood as the duo rides a typical Cale swamp groove that gives way to a tightly wound Slowhand solo. They trade lead vocals on a lovely version of the after-hours jazz blues classic "Sporting Life Blues," and the ubiquitous John Mayer makes an impressive appearance on the subtle blues of "Hard to Thrill."
Clapton hasn't sounded this relaxed or involved in his own material for years. The traditionally laid-back, if not quite snoozy, Cale responds with a comparatively energized performance, likely due to the high-profile company. When the two harmonize on the mid-tempo foot tapper "Anyway the Wind Blows," the result is so natural and spontaneous it's a shame these two didn't join forces earlier. On paper, it appears that Cale has the most to gain from partnering with an established superstar, but the fact is this collaboration yields Eric Clapton's most engaging and contagious roots-rock release in a long time.
--Hal Horowitz from the press release--(September 14, 2006) - After years of admiring each others musical masterworks and Clapton covers of Cale songs such as "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," guitar greats J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton have teamed up for the first time to create an original album together, The Road To Escondido. The 14 track CD was produced and recorded by the duo in August 2005 in California. The resulting music defies being labeled into any one category, but instead finds influence across the spectrum of blues, rock, country and folk. A hybrid sound that is unique musically, while still bearing the signature styles of Cale and Clapton recognized by fans around the world. The songs are warm and rich, with deep flowing rhythms, yet use an economy of words to express much.
In a true collaboration, Cale and Clapton jointly produced and recorded the album, each playing and singing on the tracks. Cale wrote 11 of the songs, Clapton wrote “Three Little Girls,” John Mayer wrote “Hard To Thrill” and the duo cover the blues classic “Sporting Life Blues.” J.J. Cale’s touring band accompanies them on the album as well as guest musicians including,
Taj Mahal,
John Mayer,
Derek Trucks,
Doyle Bramhall II,
Albert Lee,
Nathan East,
Willie Weeks and
Steve Jordan. Particularly special is the involvement of
Billy Preston, who donated his classic keyboard talents throughout the album. The album is dedicated to Preston and Clapton’s late friend Brian Roylance.
“Eric and I have known each other for a long time and it was a great experience to finally make a record together – he’s a great musician and it was a pleasure to work so closely on this project with him,” said J.J. Cale.
"This was the realization of what may have been my last ambition, to work with the man who's music has inspired me for as long as I can remember, there are not enough words for me to describe what he represents to me, musically and personally, and anyway I wouldn't want to embarrass him by going overboard, for he is a truly humble man.....I think it's enough to say that we had fun, made a great record, and I for one already want to make another,” said Eric Clapton.
Clapton has often said that he has tried to achieve the J.J. Cale sound and has credited Cale with singular influence over his style as a solo artist.
Mojo Magazine asked Clapton in 2000 which other musician he would most like to be, his response was quick: “I don't model myself on him but I like J.J. Cale, his philosophy, writing skills, musicianship. He's a fine, superior musician, one of the masters of the last three decades of music.”
J.J. Cale is known for being reclusive. He lets his music speak for itself and by his own choice has not become famous in the conventional terms of the word. Instead, preferring to shun the spotlight for a more simple existence based on his musical creations. Ironically, doing just that, and focusing on his music, has turned him into a guitar legend over the past four decades. The depth of his influence can be felt in artists such as Clapton and Mark Knopfler, but the sheer breadth of his appeal is made clear by the diverse group of artists who have covered his songs from Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Allman Brothers to Bryan Ferry, Deep Purple, Santana and more recently jam bands like Widespread Panic.
Cale grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and cites Chet Atkins, Les Paul and Chuck Berry as some of his earliest influences. He is often quoted as saying, “In trying to imitate them, I missed it. And I came up with my own kinda thing.” And so, Cale began playing the local Tulsa club scene in the early 1950’s surrounded by other natives such as David Gates (Bread) and Leon Russell. After moving to Los Angeles in the mid-60’s, he recorded the song “After Midnight.”
Already an accomplished guitarist with bands such as the Yardbirds, Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton ventured to a solo career with the release of his 1970 self-titled
Eric Clapton album. Mutual friend Delaney Bramlett had given Clapton a copy of Cale’s song “After Midnight.” Clapton decided to cover the song and it was the first single from the album. The song became a chart-topping success. Clapton was quick to offer praise for Cale’s work while promoting the album. Cale had been told of the cover but has said that he didn’t pay much attention until the song came on the radio in Tulsa.
Years later, in April 1976, Cale was performing at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in support of his Troubadour album release. Clapton sat in on the performance and later during that trip surprised Cale in the studio with a version of “Cocaine” that would appear on his 1977 Slowhand release. Again becoming a chart-topping success.
In the years to follow, the two would occasionally cross paths, but would largely carry on with their respective musical careers. Until 2004 when Clapton was organizing a Dallas-based guitar festival called Crossroads. The 3-day festival featured the world’s most elite guitarists. Clapton invited Cale to perform at the festival and Cale agreed to attend. In turn, Cale invited Clapton on-stage for the set and Clapton gladly joined, unannounced, for the entire set as a member of Cale’s band. The set was a highlight of the performances from the festival.
Crossroads gave Clapton an opportunity to ask Cale to consider producing an upcoming album for him. If Clapton had been seeking to replicate the trademark Cale sound, having him as producer on an album would surely achieve that unique musical quality. As the two worked on the project, creative ideas took flight and they decided to take the project further formulating a true co-produced album.
The Road To Escondido marks the first full-length album the two have created together.
Cale’s entire 40-plus year career has produced only 13 albums. But most critics agree that each effort is well worth the wait. Lauded by his peers and completely unfazed by musical fads, J.J. Cale is an American icon, a craftsman like no other.
Clapton’s career, also spanning more than 40 years, has resulted in 18 Grammy Awards and the distinct honor of being the only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
TRACK LIST:
1. Danger
2. Heads in Georgia
3. Missing Person
4. When This War Is Over
5. Sporting Life Blues
6. Dead End Road
7. It’s Easy
8. Hard To Thrill
9. Anyway The Wind Blows
10. Three Little Girls
11. Don’t Cry Sister
12. Last Will and Testament
13. Who Am I Telling You
14. Ride The River
MUSICIAN CREDITS:
Vocals and Guitars: J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton
Drums: Jim Karstein, James Cruce, Steve Jordan, Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Bass: Gary Gilmore, Willie Weeks, Nathan East, Pino Palladino
Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer Piano & Rhodes: Billy Preston
Acoustic Piano, Wurlitzer Piano & Rhodes: Walt Richmond
Keyboards: J.J. Cale
Guitars: Doyle Bramhall II, Derek Trucks, John Mayer, Albert Lee
Acoustic Guitar & Background Vocals: Christine Lakeland
Percussion: David Teegarden, James Cruce, Jim Karstein
Harmonica: Taj Mahal
Fiddle: Dennis Caplinger
Horns: Bruce Fowler, Marty Grebb, Steve Madaio, Jerry Peterson
ALBUM CREDITS:
Produced by: Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale
Co-Produced by: Simon Climie
http://www.rosebudus.com/cale/graphic-u ... n&Cale.jpgClapton & Cale at the Crossroads Guitar Festival
