J J Cale- how did I miss this guy??

Posted by: Jonathan Gorse on 10 August 2014

On someone's recommendation over on the what DVD have you just watched section I bought the J J Cale DVD 'to Tulsa and back' and what an endearing portrait of an outstanding artist it is.  I just can't understand how I managed to miss the guy over the past 25 years - he is superb. 

 

I have just acquired a greatest hits compilation on CD and am keen to explore more.  I was wondering though - there's a superb track that plays on the Tulsa DVD menu all the time - does anyone know which song that is so I can buy the album?  Is it on the 'To Tulsa and back' CD?  If it is then that's an essential purchase for me.

 

Grateful for any pointers...

 

Jonathan

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by FangfossFlyer

 

 

 

Jonathan,

 

If you have just discovered JJ Cale then you should listen to these

 

Naturally and Really

 

Richard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by Sloop John B

 

You can' tally go wrong with any JJ Cale album. 

 

I recently  fleshed out my Cale back catalogue with Roll on from 2009 and it's deliciously as good as any of his. The absolute antithesis of Bowie ( also a fave) he never changed style form day 1. 

 

Can't help with the song on the DVD I'm afraid. 

 

 

SJB

 

 

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by sjbabbey

This one is worth seeking out too.

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by Bart
Originally Posted by sjbabbey:

This one is worth seeking out too.

Absolutely.  One of my favorite albums, ever.  I used to use it back in the 80's to audition cassette decks.

 

And check this out -- a wonderful tribute. I got mine from HDTracks.

 

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by sjbabbey

Thanks for that, Bart.

 

Will definitely check it out.

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by Tony2011

Definitely Naturally and Troubadour and also consider this one:

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by BigH47

JJ Cale almost a genre on his own. Pick any album they are all good.

Posted on: 10 August 2014 by Tony2011
Originally Posted by BigH47:

JJ Cale almost a genre on his own. Pick any album they are all good.


That's true!

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by Hmack

Would definitely agree with this. I have been a huge fan of JJ Cale for at least 35 years. Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler are probably 2 of his most famous fans.

 

My own personal favourites are:

 

 

and

 

 

I'll also add this one since it has not been mentioned by anyone else:

 

 

But as more than one person has already stated. JJ Cale didn't 'do' bad albums - it's just that the earlier stuff is probably just a bit better.

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by m0omo0
Originally Posted by BigH47:

JJ Cale almost a genre on his own. Pick any album they are all good.

Agreed H. There has been lows, though. Not a big fan of Grasshopper, for instance. But in every album, there's at least a couple of songs that I love. And a lesser Cale album still deserves a listen IMO.

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by m0omo0
Originally Posted by Hmack:

[...] it's just that the earlier stuff is probably just a bit better.

Don't know, Tulsa and Roll On are among the best IMO. I wish I wrote Former Me or Fonda-Lina.

 

Not heard 5 yet, but I love Okie too.

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by DrMark

I felt the same way when I "discovered" him - he is excellent, and under appreciated by many...but not in the music world!

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by FangfossFlyer
...and this is a great 3 LP set across JJ's career:
 
 
Playing it now
 
Richard
Posted on: 11 August 2014 by Goon525

And if you're enjoying JJ Cale, chances are you'll enjoy early Dire Straits, the eponymous first album, and 'Communique'.

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by Tony2011
Originally Posted by Goon525:

And if you're enjoying JJ Cale, chances are you'll enjoy early Dire Straits, the eponymous first album, and 'Communique'.

Really? What planet are you on, mate? 

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by Hmack

Originally posted by Goon525

 

"And if you're enjoying JJ Cale, chances are you'll enjoy early Dire Straits, the eponymous first album, and 'Communique'".

 
and by Tony2011
 
"Really? What planet are you on, mate? "
 
 
Actually, not so strange.
 
When the first Dire Straits album came out, I immediately noticed a similarity, which was backed up when Mark Knopfler in early interviews cited JJ Cale as one of his main influences.
 
I don't listen to them much nowadays, but the first couple of Dire Straits albums were a breath of fresh air when they came along with Gerry Rafferty's biggest selling album ('City to City') which came out at roughly the same time.
 
By the way, if you like Gerry Rafferty, try to find one of his earlier albums - 'Can I have my money back'. Great music.
 
Anyway, why the antagonism towards Mark Knopfler? An excellent guitarist and all round nice guy.
Posted on: 11 August 2014 by Hmack

Not sure what's happened to my post, but this is what I meant to say.

 

When the first Dire STraits album came out I immediately noticed a JJ Cale influence, bucked up by a Mark Knopfler interview a short time later citing JJ Cale as one of his biggest influences.

 

The first album came out at roughly the same time as another album which could also be described as a breath of fresh air - Gerry Rafferty's 'City to City'. If you are a fan of Rafferty try searching out his much earlier 'Can I have my money back' album - wonderful stuff!

 

Anyway, why the antagonism towards Mark Knopfler? An excellent guitarist and all round good guy.

I've forgiven him for 'Money for nothing'. The first album in particular was great!

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by Zipperheadbanjo

The Eric Clapton / JJ Cale album "Road to Escondido" is phenomenal start to finish.

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by Iver van de Zand
 
+1 ... Superb
 
Originally Posted by Tony2011:
Originally Posted by BigH47:

JJ Cale almost a genre on his own. Pick any album they are all good.


That's true!

 

Posted on: 11 August 2014 by BigH47
Originally Posted by Wat:

I enjoy J.J.Cale, but not Dire Straits: i knew i was very odd. 

 

 

Odd doesn't begin to cover it! 

Posted on: 13 August 2014 by mudwolf

Keep it to JJ, he just did his thing, not the limelight type with wild hair and trying to outdo anyone else.

That's about as good as americana gets, a man and a guitar.

 

I have 5 of his albums and I'll have to pull them out to go over them again.

Posted on: 13 August 2014 by Iconoclast

Contrary to many other ''man and his guitar'' Americana artists J.J. Cale's style is smooth and mellow without ever being dull and depressing.

 

Good lyrics that aren't too introspective, subtle but effective guitar picking, good rhythm, material that has aged well and top notch recording quality thanks mainly to Cale himself.

 

Possibly the only artist who's discography I could listen to back to back without wanting to skip a tune.

Posted on: 14 August 2014 by Jonathan Gorse

Thanks for the great recommendations - looks like I have plenty to be getting on with!  I do also like Dire Straits and in fact I think their first album is my favourite.  I still need to track down that track on the DVD - think I might see if I can Shazam it!

 

I'm tempted to get the Crossroads tribute DVD too - what little I have seen on youtube etc looks great.

 

It's clear Cale is one of the greats and I'm loving everything I have heard so far which is very rare in an artist. 

 

Having just taken up guitar I stumbled across the following guitar documentary which features Mark Knopfler and his guitars very extensively - I personally found it fascinating:

 

Jonathan