Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale - The Road to Escondido
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Free Music Notes for The Road to Escondido
Free Music Review: Whew ...
Hit: 5 Stars
What can be said? There are no suitable adjectives. Blows away even how good I anticipated it would be. Cale like I've never heard him. Clapton found his way "home". I've been an ardent Cale fan since the 70s, Clapton's a decade earlier. THE Master accompanied by The Master: Cale - the master songwriter, the master of style, atmosphere & feel; Clapton - the master musician, the master of presentation, polish & production. In their individual ways, both masters of presence - distinct routes to a common end. Hearing this album, you realize how closely their music has parallelled all along. Usually, greatness together yeilds strained competition. This collaboration is effortless and natural, allowing them to compliment each other to new heights yeilding a whole far more accomplished than even the sum of the halves could ever hope to achieve. True musical soulmates finally together. The partnership so "right" you wonder if they haven't played together for years in other lives? This release causes me to hope that it is just a taste of many more to follow ...
Free Music Review: Low Key Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
I believe this will go down in history as one of Clapton's better albums. I am very stingy with the 5th star, but this CD clearly earned it.
The vocals are so low key and under-stated that it takes a few re-plays to appreciate all the great guitar licks that are going on. But there is plenty of great guitar to listen to, plus a few guest appearances by guitar gods Derek Trucks and Albert Lee etc.
My one complaint is the meager liner notes, which don't list which guest artist is playing on each song. Billy Preston is in there somewhere.
The song writing talent of JJ Cale really shines through, and probably explains why this collection of songs works so well.The first 5 cuts are particularly noteworthy.Then, John Mayer contributes nicely with "Hard To Thrill" . "3 Little Girls" and "Last Will and Testament" also impressed me. For amateur guitarists, this is a great album to play along to and learn a few tricks
Free Music Review: Great collaboration
Hit: 5 Stars
Saw Clapton interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning on 11/08. Clapton told the interviewer that, as much as he regrets to admit, he just can't do some of those things he used to be able to do on the guitar. More and more, Clapton is truly becoming "Slowhand." For the past several of his albums, that really bothered me. He seemed not only to be slowing down (hey, the man's in his sixties) but he also seemed to be writing songs just to fill up space. But, here, on this CD with his friend J. J. Cale as his musical mentor, Clapton's guitar work is stellar. Here, the "Slowhand" appelation is certainly appropriate, but there's a feeling here that Clapton has also found a new interest in his own playing. The songs are mostly Cale's and they're great stuff, but what's nice is how fresh and energized and interested Clapton sounds. By the way, have you seen the DVD of Clapton's Crossroad's Guitar Festival; it'll blow you away.Free Music Review: The Road to Escondido
Hit: 5 Stars
'The Road To Escondido' is the brilliant collaboration between JJ Cale and Eric Clapton, and like his previous album with BB King, this is a match made in heaven. The playing is smooth, relaxed and yet full of the flair that makes them both so highly respected. I found particular tracks, such as 'Hard To Thrill' and 'Don't Cry Sister' stood out first listen, and 'Who Am I Telling You?' has a wonderfully laid back feel to it, that soothes me ever time I hear it. 'Ride The River' is a superb album closer and leaves you smiling at the end of a Cd's worth of top music. This album gets better with repeated listening and after EC's slightly lack lustre 'Back Home' album, this is a welcome tour de force. The playing is sharp, the songwriting is spot on and the blend between JJ and EC is pretty unbeatable. A great album and well worth a listen.
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Free Music Review: Great fit of musical styles
Hit: 5 Stars
This is ECs best work since his collaboration with BB King. However, if you think this will be hard blues offering, then look to the pairing with BB or somewhere else. ECs guitar solos don't exactly rip but they groove well with the music. Way better than his recent efforts. The guest guitarists are very good, especially the solos by Derek Trucks - his sound oozes and moans. I typically don't like overproduced records and disagree with the reviewer who thought this too slick. I never found Cale's albums to have the raw edge the reviewer was hoping for and think it unrealistic to be found here. I have been a JJ Cale fan to some degree owning a couple of his albums and find the talented musicians on this record really enhance his tunes. I rate this album 5 stars not because it is one of ECs top few efforts but in comparison to the new music that has been available in the past ew years.