CHILLIN’ WITH J.J.

What is Americana? According to the Americana Music Association, it is "contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw." All clear? Good.

First appearing on radio as a dedicated format in 1984, it has grown in scope and popularity over the past three decades and was featured in last week’s Discrepancy Records review of Raise The Roof, the excellent record by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss released in late 2021. But the form existed before it had a radio format or a dedicated Grammy Award, being injected with fresh life by The Band, and others, in the late 1960s. And in the 1970s, a  singer/guitarist from Oklahoma was jerked out of obscurity when Eric Clapton recorded his little known song, "After midnight". Ladies and Gentlemen, say good evening to J.J. Cale.

Reclusive and averse to fame—and indeed fortune—J.J. Cale produced fourteen studio albums and was highly regarded throughout the music world. Artists who acknowledge his influence include Eric Clapton (of course; EC had several hits with Cale songs), Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), Neil Young and Waylon Jennings. After Cale’s death from a heart attack in 2013, Clapton organised a tribute album called The Breeze: An Appreciation Of JJ Cale.

But what of J.J. Cale’s own albums? There is no better place to start than Music On Vinyl’s 2015 re-issue of Collected, a forty-nine song, 3 LP set of the man’s best work. Covering every album from 1971’s Naturally to 2014’s To Tulsa And Back, this set is a delightful stroll along the highways and byways of Cale’s unique groove, even including some tasty non-album tracks lifted from a 1997 anthology.

No less than seven J.J. Cale studio albums contribute either four or five songs to the Collected set, meaning this really is a deep survey of the laconic Cale’s pared-back songwriting. Of course fans will lament the omission of this or that favourite, but albums like this aren’t meant for the dedicated long-haul admirer, but instead for those who are seeking a colourful and detailed map. Perhaps you wondered where Mark Knopfler got his easy-going vocal mannerisms or why Eric Clapton was such a huge fan. Or maybe you heard Cale’s "After midnight" on Gold FM radio and thought, "That’s very cool".

From the slow burn of "Crazy Mama" and "Mona" to the rolling chug of "Call me the breeze" or "Lies", there is so much to enjoy here that you will doubtless spend many pleasant hours in J.J.’s company.  All those Americana influences await discovery around the next bend. Bluegrass? "If you’re ever in Oklahoma". Roots-rock? "I’ll make love to you anytime". Blues? "Thirteen days". Cajun? "Crying". Calypso? "Grasshopper". And so it goes; a herb garden of influences blended together by the singer’s languid drawl.

Take a seat in that old rocking chair on J.J. Cale’s front porch, and relax.

Rock… rock… rock… and roll.

© Bruce Jenkins 2022