Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale - The Road to Escondido
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Free Music Notes for The Road to Escondido
Free Music Review: JJ CALE RULES THIS SHOW
Hit: 5 Stars
What few people seem to fail to recognize is how great of a singer/songwriter J.J. Cale is. The fact that most people know him as the guy who wrote Eric Claptons Cocaine and After Midnight goes to show that a lot of people have never really dug into the vast catalouge of songs that J.J. has recorded himself. I like J.J. Cale better then I like Eric Clapton, so lets begin here...
This is a J.J. Cale album more than it is an Eric Clapton album. Cale wrote eleven of the fourteen tracks, and even though Clapton plays a pretty solid guitar, and sings harmony alongside, its basically JJ's show. Which is cool if you ask me. Clapton is no doubt, an admirer of JJ Cale. If you listen to his 1978 recording of Cocaine, and then listen to the Cale original, you may notice that they sound almost exactly the same. The only major difference between the two was the artist name on the front of the record. Claptons version became a huge hit. The mellow sounds of the songs on this record flow very nicely, and its good to think that perhaps this artist is going to get a little more recognition than usual, now that E.C has stamped his name on the bill.
Thing is, this is a long overdue collaboration, and listening to it, it is obvious why. Everyone mentions how this is Claptons best album in years, and it is true. But for JJ Cale, it is about the same quality as all of his other records... for instance his album To Tulsa and Back, which came out about two years ago, was equally as good. JJ Cale writes songs that are smooth and easy, but not soft. I dig. Read some other reviews and they will all say this album is good, because it is. I also don't want to sound like I'm trying to discredit Clapton for what he brings to the album. I just wanted to say that if you dig this one, you should maybe check out a few more JJ Cale albums, before you go looking for something similar from Eric Clapton.
Free Music Review: are you experienced?
Hit: 5 Stars
It makes sense that rock gods can get boring after 60. The hunger to make your mark isn't there anymore. The other side of that equation is these old guys have lived their way inside their music. They always have something to say that's worth hearing, they just need the right conditions to get 'em to say it.
JJ inviting Clapton to record was a great idea. Eric has been working through his JJ obsession for many years, so how do they work together?
Beautifully. Both shine brighter on this album than they have in their solo work for quite some time. Clapton shows the emotional depth that only he can express on guitar and vocals on "Hard to Thrill" and "Who Am I Telling You". These are both superb, standout songs. JJ is all over the place, but he generously gives the album's crowning moments to Clapton and other guests.
If that's Derek Trucks' solo on "Who Am I Telling You", it is a thing of beauty. Wow. And Albert Lee casually rips through a country solo that will leave you grinning like a 5 year old. Clapton and JJ play in and out of each other on every tune, mimicing each other's stylistic signatures until it's hard to tell who is playing. Anyone who loves guitar will have hours of fun figuring out who plays what lick.
Whoever said the songs were dull is just wrong. Just abvout every song here is a laid back gem, esbecially "Who Am I Telling You", one of the most beautiful love songs JJ has ever written. Clapton's "Three Litle Girls" is also charming. This is a class album, so give it up for JJ and Eric, Albert, Derek, Billy, Taj, etc. Get 'em while you can folks, we won't see their like again.
Free Music Review: Classic collaboration and a reflection on EC's maturity as an artist
Hit: 5 Stars
Apart from ECs "AUGUST" period, I've been a major fan of Clapton's work and have always respected and enjoyed JJ Cale. This collaboration is long overdue. other reviewers have commented on most of the specifics. I'll only add appreciation for the contribution of Derek Trucks (his slide work really stands out on the cuts he appears on). Great stuff!! I should also mention the bittersweet feeling at listening to Billy Preston on one of his last recordings (God bless, Billy). Clapton is in the enviable position of a survivor and has the smarts to properly deliver work at the level of the masters he learned from. First the "from the Cradle" package, then Riding with the King (B.B.) followed by the Robert Johnson recordings (wouldn't it have been wonderful if Johnson had been alive to make the album with him)? Now comes his duet with JJ Cale. Combined with last year's Cream reunion, it appears slowhand, after all his tragic life experiences, has learned not to take life for granted and do those things which are important while you are alive. This album is a testament to his maturity as a man and artist. JJ Cale is all over the album and it may lean musically mostly in his direction, but as a "life statement" it is about Clapton and his realization of the importance of making every living moment count. Great one Eric and JJ!!!Free Music Review: This CD is an excellent musical collaboration
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a very enjoyable CD. Eric Clapton and JJ Cale compliment each other so well vocally and on the guitar. They harmonize so well on the track Danger. Eric's guitar playing is so slick throughout the entire disc. Sporting Life Blues is another highlight on this disc. It has a classic slow tempo blues sound. Dead End Road is a fun upbeat song that really gets me moving. I love the energetic piano and fiddle playing on this song very much. It's Easy is a track about the art of living the simple life. I love the lyrics to this song. Heads in Georgia has a slow sensual sounding quality to it. It is interesting song about how a person's mind and body can be in two separate places. Missing Person is a light fun sounding track about a woman who disappears without saying a word. This song is one of my favorites. Three Little Girls is a sweet song. I love the harmonica playing on this track. Don't Cry Sister is another standout track in which Clapton and Cale harmonize so well together. The Road to Escondido is one of the best musical collaborations of 2006.Free Music Review: Masters in action
Hit: 5 Stars
Cale and Clapton are masters of a tradition: blues. In particular of the blues which evolved in the 60's (from its original roots in Chicago and the South, then esentially a black community phenomenon). Cale is in top form, reminding me of his classic Naturally, one of the best albums ever, period. Clapton seems to have been inspired by the zen style of Cale and also contributes with top-notch performance. The songs are memorable, from beginning to end, my favourites being Heads in Georgia, Hard to Thrill and Three Little Girls, this last a great Clapton contribution.
Mostly it is a Cale record, with its laid-back mood and instrumentation. But Clapton is present everywhere, without high-pitched guitar solos, as could be feared. Slowhand probably sensed this was a momentous event, and the result is a true gift to music lovers everywhere. Highly recommended, I have been listening to Road to Escondido over and over, which, after 40 years buying records (my first was the recently released Beatles' Revolver when I was 10), says something about it.