Written by Rich Rogers
THE BREEZE: Eric Clapton and Friends
The term “legend” gets tossed around so much this days that almost meaningless, especially in the entertainment world. Despite its overuse, legend is the word for the late J.J. Cale, songwriter and blues guitarist extraordinaire. In the world of rock ‘n’ roll, the name J.J. Cale is one to conjure with. To the uninitiated, J.J. Cale is best known for writing Eric Clapton’s hits “After Midnight” and “Cocaine” or Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Call Me the Breeze.” Clapton has said that Cale was one of the single most influential men in rock. Looking at the list of performers who covered his music, that’s an accurate statement. The list includes Santana, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Deep Purple, Jerry Garcia, The Band, John Mayer, George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers, Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and of course, Eric Clapton. And that’s just scratching the surface.
J.J. Cale helped to create the Tulsa blues sound, a more laid back but still powerful style of the blues. But it almost didn’t happen. He’d been knocking around the business for several years and hadn’t had any real success. He finally moved back to Tulsa and got a job playing with old friends when Clapton recorded “After Midnight” in 1970, and that opened the door for him.
Over the years, Cale recorded 15 albums, including a collaboration with Clapton.
In the wake of J.J. Cale’s passing a year and a half ago, Clapton assembled some friends to record “The Breeze,” a tribute album to one of rock’s unsung heroes.
Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Don White are listed as guests on the cover, but that only tells half the story.
The accompanying book and liner notes list the musicians on the album, and well, what can I say? The creme de la creme turned out for this one. Other guitarists who play on this album but aren’t given vocal credits include Albert Lee, Doyle Bramhall II and Reggie Young, among the other luminaries.
Clapton took a minimalist approach to “The Breeze,” but that doesn’t lessen the power of the music.
“Call Me the Breeze” is a still a jaunty roll down the highway, even without the horns and honky-tonk piano. “Rock-n-roll Records” with Tom Petty and Clapton sharing the vocals is a sly, loving look at the life and struggles of musicians. Mark Knopfler’s guitar and laid back vocals make “Someday” a delight. “I’ll be There” with Clapton and Don White sharing vocals is a great country two-step. And not to be lost is Willie Nelson’s take on the ballad “Songbird.” “Lie” with Clapton and John Mayer both doing vocals and guitar work is a sinuous treat. “Train to Nowhere” is a trip down the tracks to who knows where but is an enjoyable journey. The only problem track is Willie Nelson’s take on “Starbound’ but only because it’s too short. It’s literally magical, and by the time it’s done, it has taken your breath away and left you wishing for more.
“The Breeze” is a wonderful tribute to one of the most influential men in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, and if you’re a fan of great music, this album is a must have.
