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J.J. Cale
Roll On
(Rounder)
First Appeared in The Music Box, April 2009, Volume 16, #4
Written by Douglas Heselgrave
Tue April 21, 2009, 01:30 AM CDT
J.J. Cale has had a long, successful career as both a recording artist and a
songwriter. Over the past 40 years, musicians ranging from Eric Clapton to
Lynyrd Skynyrd to Beck have interpreted his songs. In fact, it certainly
wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suggest that their versions are more popular than
Cale’s original performances.
Still, at the age of 70, Cale has nothing to prove to anyone. So, his recent
decision not only to embark upon a limited tour but also to record his new album
Roll On obviously arose from his love of performing, rather than his need
for money. On stage in Vancouver on April 10, he joked, "I am happy to be here.
While I’m at it, I’d like to thank Eric Clapton for paying my rent for the last
30 — no, 40 years."
Cale also made note of how he has had all of the advantages of fame without
any of its drawbacks. He confessed that he rarely is recognized in public, which
allows him to eat at any Denny’s in the world without anyone interrupting his
lunch.
Indeed, it probably is true that even his biggest fans have little insight
into Cale’s motivations both as a person and an artist. He has often hidden
behind his southern persona, where he has been able to downplay his own
accomplishments as well as his influence on other musicians. Yet, over the past
several decades, he has slowly but surely released a catalogue of work that is
defined by his care and attention to detail. As laid back as he may appear on
the surface, a single trek through any of his albums is bound to reveal an
artist who is deeply involved and meticulous, one who releases a collection of
songs only when he feels it is ready. Regardless, while Roll On may be
the 15th outing of his career, Cale remains best-known for one
endeavor: his 1970 debut Naturally. Based on the fact that he chose to
perform almost half of the material from Naturally during his show in
Vancouver, it’s clear that these songs still resonate with him as much as they
do with his followers.
Like many septuagenarian performers, Cale has been forced to acknowledge the
passage of time as well as the effects of aging by doing more with less.
Unfortunately for him, this approach isn’t entirely successful. Because Cale has
always been a minimalist, there isn’t much left in any of his songs to strip
away. The fluidity and grace that once defined his style of guitar playing have
suffered, and the abbreviated solos that were low-key when he was in his prime
have now been reduced to suggestive brush strokes rather than expressive
statements.
There was a time when Cale could say more with a few notes than Clapton could
communicate in a whole song. In Vancouver, however, it was sometimes painful to
hear the approximations of his former brilliance that he offered to the
assembled crowd. He began every song with root chords and strumming before
working up to a solo or melodic exploration. Yet, his once fluid fingers seemed
cramped, and one could feel that his hands weren’t able to communicate the
sentiments that his mind and heart wanted to express. Similarly, he sang in a
hushed whisper that merely suggested the character of his previously limited,
yet emotive voice. Still, Cale seemed relaxed and in good spirits throughout the
performance, and he genuinely appeared to enjoy sharing his music.
In contrast to the concert, Roll On is an assured and engaging
artistic statement by a musician who still sounds at home in the recording
studio. Not surprisingly, it is a casual, relaxed affair that features Cale
playing almost every instrument himself. Whether he is tinkling his way through
a primitive melody on his keyboard or swinging on the drums, Cale’s unique
musical personality shines through every track on the set. Light, breezy, and
imbued with more jazz accents than ever, Roll On is a delightful
collection of 12 tunes, all of which are potentially as memorable as his classic
cuts, such as After Midnight, Crazy Mama, or Call Me the Breeze.
Some of the highlights include Who Knew and Where the Sun Don’t Shine,
while the title track boasts a slinky guitar duel between Cale and Clapton that
perfectly outlines the difference between how both men approach their
instruments.
Nobody knows better than Cale that the likelihood of his recording an album
that will replace Naturally in the hearts of his fans is next to nil.
Yet, his career trajectory and life choices demonstrate that this is not the
point of his endeavors. Cale has always seemed to be content with making music
on his own terms, and the subdued textures of Roll On testify to his
continued individuality as well as his unique talent.  ½
Of Further Interest...
Waylon Jennings - Nashville Rebel (DVD)
Mark Knopfler - Kill to Get Crimson
Tony Joe White - Deep Cuts
Roll On is available from
Amazon. To order, Click Here!
For Canadian orders, please
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For UK orders, please
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Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2009 The Music Box
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