Customer Reviews

J.J. Cale - To Tulsa And Back: On Tour With JJ Cale

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Just wanted to address one point that I wondered about prior to getting this dvd. Which was is there any concert footage. Well the answer is yes and no. During the very well done main documentary of JJ Cale you have segments of him playing solo and also with the band mixed in - though for the most part not whole songs. However the dvd does include a bonus section which has approx 30 mins of solo and band concert footage. Some of these songs you see part of in the main documentary. This bonus footage is a nice inclusion to what is a very good profile of one of our best singer songwriters.

Cale is famous for shunningthe spotlight so thats what makes this DVD Documentary such a pure joy. You really get to know all about the man who wrote some of Claptons biggest songs (Cocaine, After Midnight) thru watching him play live, talk and return home to Tulsa where is all began. Lots a great extras as well thru discussions with friends and family. This is a must buy for anyone interested in what its like to be an artist on the road and how it all works as well.

This is a beautifully constructed documentary on J. J. Cale, a man with exposure to many but a man who hardly anybody knows much about. This guy could have invented the term "laid back." As the story progresses, you learn why Mr. Cale had that signature sound unlike any other - he basically invented it in the recording studio... which in one case was a trailer he lived in for a number of years. No one is quite sure as to exactly how he does it and he's not telling... but he sure is playing!

Guitar is an instrument that gets its rich sound from how the player approaches it - the sound is in the player's hands for the most part. Strings, pickups, amps - all affect the sound but the texture of the notes comes from the musician. We get to see that here in detail. Simple songs well written and well played and then throw in some way cool guitar sounds to boot.

The sound is clean and tight, and the video quality is excellent as well. I first viewed my copy on a higher quality 37" diagonal plasma screen and it was gorgeous - colors were rich and saturated and the overall sound was clear and very well defined.

If you liked the songs "Cocaine", "Call Me the Breeze" and "Crazy Mama", you'll come to treasure this DVD.

I am surprised that more folks haven't reviewed this DVD. There are no frills or fancy effects -- true to JJ's style, this is a simple documentary that reveals the essence of Cale and his music. Tons of great photographs and interviews walks us through Cale's childhood, how he became famous and most importantly an insight into Cale.

I have tremendous respect for how generously Eric Clapton praised Cale and mentioned that Cale is his is "favorite person" in the world.

A must have for Cale fans. For others, this is your chance to discover his music.

In our current world of sub standard musicians and ostentation, here is a TRUE AMERICAN MUSIC LEGEND.

Up-close, candid, thorough, sympathetic without being flattering, substantial and insightful, down-to-earth, beautifully shot and cleverly edited, this music documentary does JJ justice -- it's the best I've seen in its genre.

The portrayal of JJ is unaffected and bristling with honesty and humor at every turn. Half way through, one cannot help but be swept by the laconic charm of the man, the band's one-day-at-a-time philosophy, and the perpetually perplexed interviewees (Clapton is effusive about the beguiling simplicity of JJ's ways and work). And then there's the music: stripped down, on stage, at home, in the studio, acoustic, electric, on street corners -- you name it. JJ was sixty five years old during the shooting and he's still looking for the next song! The man is driven; the music won't let go of him. How lucky can one guy get?

The production itself is first rate. The photography is expertly done, the sound is crisp, the sequencing avoids the obvious, and the overall effect is both intelligent and genuinely moving.

There you go. It seems I can't say enough good things about this dvd. Oh well.

To Tulsa and Back is a well made documentary of an awesome artist. You will hear great music, see great photography, and experience history. You will see why Eric Clapton loves J.J. Cale.

This is an excellent documentary, performance, tour, and concert dvd of J.J.Cale. J.J.Cale is an American music legend, who has remained out of the spotlight, but has influenced many more popular musical legends including: Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and Lynyrd Skynyrd to name a few. As this dvd reveals, J.J.Cale is a "cool dude" who writes cool songs. His band is real "cool" also. You get a good documentary of his life, his music, his band, and some great performance and concert footage. The dvd contains interviews and commentaries by J.J.Cale, his band members, his sister, and friends including Eric Clapton. The total running time is approximately 170 minutes. It is very interesting and not boring at all.

He has written hits like "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" both recorded by Eric Clapton, and the classic "They Call Me the Breeze" recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and "Same old Blues" recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd

The dvd is divided into 10 chapters. It contains bonus material as follows: 1. New Tracks. 2. Acostic Performances. 3. Concerts. 4. Interviews. 5. Credits.

J.J. Cale is about 65 years old at the time of this dvd. J.J. Cale is from Tulsa, Oklahoma. This dvd contains concert footage of J.J. and his band performing at the legendary "Cains Ballroom" in downtown Tulsa. This was built in 1924 when Tulsa was a "boom Oil town". This venue is notorius for being the place where Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys spent alot of their time performing.

There is footage of J.J. and his band performing some of his "cool songs", like "Mama don't allow no guitar playing around here". The dvd starts with this song as his band enters the stage one by one. "Mama don't allow no girl guitar players around here, then his good-looking girl guitar player enters stage playing guitar, "No bass guitar playing allowed" then his bass guitar player enters. "No piano player allowed, then the piano player enters, then drums, and etc. It's a "cool" introduction. His band consists of him and 5 other members.

There is also excellent footage of him and his band performaning with Eric Clapton at one of Eric Clapton's Guitar festivals in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. There is more concert footage of him and his band performing at various venues including some in Colorado. Also, at times he has guest musicians perform with his band, including a "Cajun" Fiddle player from Louisiana.

You get performances of "After Midnight", "Cocaine", "Gasoline", "Bus Rider", "Lowdown" (Lowdown dirty shame), "Mamma don't allow no guitar playing around here", "They call me the Breeze", "Crazy Mamma" and others.
The performances are great.

The dvd shows life on the road,in the tour bus, and checking in and out of hotels. J.J.even carries his own luggage. He doesn't act like a star. He even lives in moble home parks. He seems to be a rather simple man.
The documentary portion covers that he moved form Tulsa to Los Angeles in the 60's, he enjoyed being a "hippie". He was drafted and went into the Air Force, where he learned technology which he used to become a recording engineer.

If you like watching a documentary biography of a "cool" American music legend, and watching J.J. and his "cool" band perform some "cool" songs, you'll enjoy this one. In that context, I highly recommend it.

Up close & well put together DVD.
John's (JJ's) insights and personal
accounts where very well documented.
A must see ... The music is Great..

JJ Cale is one of the best singer/songwriters of our time.Cale has a cult following because he is the "famous artist that avoided fame".I think this DVD is the best ever made, honest, and very true to himself JJ is the man!

Interesting to watch a previously secluded artist at close quarter. JJ Cale was always a mystery and an anti-hero and lots of us didn't even know what he looked like in real life. Not any more, as this DVD takes us inside inside his bus, backstage and up close having conversations about his musical beginings, his childhood etc. A good view for any JJ Cale fan.