Anyway the Wind Blows The Anthology

J.J. Cale

Mercury Records 2 CD set

reviewed by Clancy Dunigan

Perhaps J.J.Cale is one of those seasoned artist many or few of us know about. In a world given to excess, Mr. C made a virtue of economy...check out his early titles; Naturally, Really, Okie. His music has been covered by some of the icons...E.Clapton,-”Lay Down Sally”, “Cocaine”, “After Midnight”, Lynard Skynard - “Call Me The Breeze” ...to name only a very few who cover his music.

On this anthology he plays 10 instruments, lead vocals and in a career that ‘he has been busy being unbusy’ The 50 tracks include a fist full or so of country, folk blues tunes, and a whole bunch of damn good listening music, especially if you are on the back porch and not in a hurry. He’s produced Jimmy Rogers [guitar for Mr. Muddy Waters] given very few interviews over his 30 yr. career, avoided the fast lane religiously. The contributors to digitally remastered collection cover a page in tiny print... a few are; Garth Hudson, Jim Keltner, Billy Cox, Steven Bruton, Leon Russell, Gary Gilmore, Richard Thompson, Carl Radle, Russ Kunkel, etc.

The songs are medium to slow paced, as I listened many brought to mind rock n roll bands covering a guy who at the time I had never heard of. No doubt to Mr. C’s delight. The musicianship is concise to the song and nearly minimalist to the song. The following is merely a listing of recognizable highlights; Call Me The Breeze, Crazy Mama, After Midnight, Cocaine, Magnolia, Hey Baby, Ride Me High. There are also 6 previously unreleased songs.

If you want to sample the slow lane, treat yourself to a long, slow listen to one of the unheralded wordsmith masters. J.J.Cale on “Anyway the Wind Blows” is certainly an artist in his element, that is “laid back” - as a frame of mind applied to an tempo. Music your ears will appreciate. Enjoy your listenings.