Sometimes, you throw on a record and it just works, ya know? Whatever the mood, whatever your day has been like, you go to your collection in need of that one record that’s gonna make it right… and you just nail it.
This one is that record. Every damn time.
I can’t even begin to tell you how great this is. I may have raved before about J.J. Cale in these pages before, especially his record Troubadour. He has a sound, a thing that he does, and no matter where you are or what’s happening, it brings you back. It grounds you, lets you know everything can be OK.
Oh yeah, and that guy Clapton. You might have heard of him. He’s OK with a guitar now and then, I reckon.
Honestly, this is sunny California and sweet rhythms and blues all rolled into 14 tracks of glorious.
And look at just a short list of folks involved, in one way or another… Derek Trucks, John Mayer, Albert Lee, Doyle Bramhall II, Nathan East, Pino Palladino, Steve Jordan, Billy Preston, Taj Mahal, and many others…
I know. The damn thing won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2008, too.
In Sum:
If you have this, you’ll know what I mean. If you don’t have this, you’re probably wondering how the hell you missed it. Or perhaps you’re regretting passing it over as some Clapton side project not worth your time. Or if, after all that, you still don’t care, well, it’ll be here for you when you come around, when you’re ready for it.
Get this in your life. Trust me.
I’m in the minority here, but I found this one a tad dull. Flawlessly played and suchlike, but it lacked any real heart. That’s just my opinion, of course.
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I get that… but are you a Clapton fan? I seem to recall you saying something about not digging his stuff anyway?
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No, I wouldn’t call myself a fan. I like Cream and much of Derek and the Dominos, but I tend to think he’s never released an out and out classic as a solo artist. I have one album (461 461 Ocean Boulevard, which I wrote about a while back) that is probably the best I’ve heard, but is by no means a great album.
Generally, I don’t think he’s as great as some would suggest.
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He certainly has released some clunkers. I think it’s in him, and it sometimes shines through. One 80s album I can love top to bottom is Journeyman, if you’re ever feeling like giving him another try.
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I’ll make a note, but I don’t think it’s likely. Cream, Derek and 461 Ocean Boulevard is all the Clapton I need, I reckon.
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Not even his bluesy stuff, like From The Cradle? Or that Robert Johnson tribute record he did?
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Not even. I do actually have that Johnson tribute. Or had. I got shot of it. I just found it dull. He’s nowhere near the player some say, either. Once upon a time? Maybe. Maybe.
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Fair enough! \m/ 😉 \m/
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I know not this album, but I say hogwash to 1537! I am not a fan of most “contemporary” blues, but this sounds like I should check er ooot.
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Give ‘er!
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Love JJ, hate Clapton … so I’ve swerved this one, but I do hear good things about it, a lot.
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Hate and Clapton should never be in the same sentence.
Your penance is to dowse yourself in Cream and play Dominos with Derek.
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He’s so horribly boring!
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Are you trying to grind my Disraeli Gears?
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Nope and I don’t want you to shoot any sheriffs either.
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What about deputies?
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They’re fair game from March 31st to June 30th.
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Marking my calendar…
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It sounds like JJ more than Eric, if that helps?
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A little.
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It’s a start!
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Those records that deliver, regardless of the listening context, are keepers!
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This one’s a keeper for sure. Hard to believe all the goodness on this one disc.
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Don’t even remember this one coming out!
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Probably didn’t make the metal charts, honestly… but really, this one’s a gem!
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I would pick those hitchhikers up.
Maybe make a few requests for them to play.
Plus I would drive real slow to make the music last longer.
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No Gas, Grass or Ass? 😉
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They offered me a white powder of some kind, but I daid I don’t like, I don’t like, I don’t like….
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Haha I see what you did there…
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I totally get what you are saying about the JJ Cale “Sound”. I don’t own this record. I can’t say I’ve ever even heard any of it. But, if it has that “Sound”, I’m in!
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If you’re a fan, I definitely recommend getting this one, post-haste!
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