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A Ode to a Man of Great Talent

One of the legendary musicians whose extensive career spanned more than four decades during which he originated many popular songs that were later made famous by other popularly known performers sadly passed away last July. It beckons to pay tribute to such a talented singer, songwrier and guitar player whose approach to life was genuinely individual to a style of nonchalant, western folk rock. The man’s appearance most often consisted of a pair of black cowboy boots, faded jeans, a scruffy beard and weathered skin to cast a look stern complacency. As is true with most road show personas of his kind, a characteristic style of tattered comfort with the musician toting a small suitcase, some instruments and a hearty soul conveys the minor necessities for a virtous life pursuant to music. Such an image epitomizes the easy going spirit of the late JJ Cale.

His acts traveled across the United States playing in small venues, saloons, medium sized theatres and as an occasional honored guest for large sold out concert performances. To have him as a presence on stage alongside groups like Neil Young, the Allman Brothers, or The Band was sure to captivate the crowd as JJ Cale’s reverberant sounds of electric guitar would succinctly harmonize with the others. His style of old school, western folk rock typified the humble attitude that so many others of his day struggled to maintain but often lost out in exchange for pressured record deals and agent demands. His preeminence was that of a carefree, passionate, yet uncompromising musician whose talent for creating celebrated music was an enormous accomplishment.

Those not familiar with JJ Cale, an image of the man may be construed from some of his contemporaries including Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash and others of the authentic breed of musical idols who’ve been big influences on much of today‘s sound. It can be said that the prolific songwriting of JJ Cale, having released 14 studio albums over the years certainly deserves applause with the most popular song in terms of the billboard listing, being ‘Crazy Mama’ from his debut record ‘Naturally’ in 1971.

But the beauty in knowing a bit about JJ Cale is in recognizing several of those often played songs that he originally wrote but were made famous as covers by other musicians such as Eric Clapton. Three of his originals to later claim immense popularity include After Midnight, Cocaine and Call Me the Breeze, the latter of which was made famous by Lynard Skynard. So few people have known that JJ Cale was the man behind such hits rather just simply associating them with the song’s subsequent performers. A piece of much deserved recognition was paid to him in 2007 when he was awarded a Grammy along with Eric Clapton for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Additionally, of significant importance to me, has been the influence that Cale has had upon my favorite band, Widespread Panic, who have for years released their own version of tunes such as Travelin’ Light and Ride Me High. Thus my initial discovery of the impact that Cale had on many of the rock and roll acts over the years began upon delving more into the background behind many of the hundreds of Widespread Panic songs that have received frequent playtime in my stereo for years. Then soon did I discover the appeal of that smooth electric guitar sound and sonorously pitched voice of the original song writer for several of these reinvented classics.

I once had the opportunity to see a live performance of his during a brief vacation to visit my older brother in San Francisco. The night of my arrival coincided with a concert that JJ was having at a small, intimate bar called the Sweetwater which is located just north of the Bay in a neighborhood called Marin.

Being an early college student at the time, provided for an impressionable experience upon the nature of my surroundings. Being picked up at the airport and feeling the excitement of being in a new location with a highly anticipated agenda for attending the concert that night before making a trip to the mountains the next day left me feeling energized. The pre-concert activities included settling in to a small little apartment in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood which is a bit like a relapse into the sixties counter culture era mixed with the newness of affluent lifestyles afforded by the moneyed Silicon Valley professionals. Convening with several of my older brothers group of San Franciscan friends provided the light hearted occasion to get a local feel for the virtue of being an early thirties something with such a neat town to reside in.

After a tasty meal and several drinks, we made our way to the concert. It was a small venue with capacity of no more than about a hundred. Nonetheless, the Sweetwater is a place where many great musicians have stopped in to play often without prior announcement just as a token gesture for those lucky enough to be there. The night of our concert, JJ Cale played a memorable show. He occupied the small stage with just barely enough room for a second guitar player to sit next to him for a collaboration of several songs.

So now in catching ear of those several, often played radio songs like After Midnight, Cocaine, or Call Me the Breeze, keep in mind their origination. A great video clip that compelled me to offer this personal commentary of JJ Cale was recently posted on the NY Times website. You can view it by clicking the YouTube link here. Enjoy!

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