Customer Reviews

Rewind: The Unreleased Recordings

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This collection of JJ Cale spans over a period of twenty years, but as Cale's style and sounds have not changed very much over the years, the album comes out as a pretty consistent collection. Most tracks are easily as good as many of the songs that were originally released on his regular albums. On the other hand a lot of them do sound like alternate versions of well-known Cale songs.

A good handful of them do stand out on their own. First track that really stirred my attension was Cale's version of Clapton's "Golden Ring". As I never was a big fan of Clapton's I did not know the song beforehand; but Cale's version is really very strong.

Two songs were written by Cale's musical partner for many years, Christine Lakeland. They're both good, though the first "Seven Day Woman" does sound a little like it was abandoned at an unfinished stage.

"Ooh La La" which co-written with Cale, has a great horn arrangement and is definitely one of the stand-outs.

Other favourites are the melodic closing track "It's Good to Be in Austin" and the country waltz "My Baby and Me" - though quite reminiscent of "Rose in the Garden" from "Closer to You".

The album is sure to please any fan of Cale, and though it probably would not be the logical album to start a Cale presention, I don't think it would scare any potential new fans away.

JJ Cale is my all time favorite artist, so to find a treasure like this is almost unreal. What a great find! I do hope there is more of his music hidden elsewhere. Keep looking guys!

On a side note: the DVD recorded in 1979 has a few bonus tracks on it indicating there should be enough material to be able to make a second DVD of these sessions as well. Keep it coming JJ - we love it!

J.J.Cale's fans will not be disappointed. J.J.Cale did not write most of those songs, but they really sound like his typical work. Do not expect to hear new "Sensitive kind", ... no big hits here, but there are hidden gems: Golden Ring and Out of Style. [ By the way, ... J.J will be 70 next year ! ]

If you are between 20 and 70 years of age AND like music with a pulse- a strong back-beat- or blues, then you HAVE to listen to JJ Cale. Give him a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised! I used to play a lot of Jimmy Buffett for his laid-back qualities and strong story telling talents. Then I discovered Cale.
No, he doesn't have the story telling ability of Buffett, but his talents are amazing. His music is mellow rock, not for the Hip Hoppers out there, but more for the folks that want less stress in their lives. Cale is the one who wrote "After Midnight"- and sold it to Eric Clapton. That's what got him noticed for the first time. This was followed by "They Call Me the Breeze"- covered by Leonyrd Skynyrd. Then "Cocaine"- (an anti-drug song) covered by Clapton. Many of his tunes are timeless, covered by more modern bands looking for better writing.There's a rumor that Cale was offered the (multi) million dollar tour contract after he wrote "After Midnight" but turned it down, saying "Why tour, if they already know my songs?" Gotta admire someone with no greed in him. Rare in the music biz!
Both of my children, now grown, listen to a lot of Cale, as his music just fits with folks that want mellow blues or rock, but simply aren't "ready" for music that doesn't rock their soul, or make their feet move. "Naturally"- one of Cale's earliest albums, is still on my Top 10 albums of all time. Give it a try. You'll see why. Warning: Cale's music is quite addictive. You'll want ALL his albums, as I have.
If you're not listening to JJ Cale- get a pulse!

Very nice stuff...captures cale's every strength of musical composition, delivery and feel...not to be missed by any Cale fan...can listen to it several times and still feels new...

REWIND is the pinnacle of J.J. Cale... I enjoy it as much as Okie...
In fact they are kindred spirits and belong together..
I would pick this up right away before it is out of print like the rest of his earlier albums. If you can find any of his 70s output on cd you better grab it while you can....
This guy needs to be treated with respect and a slew of rarities and live releases need to be released to the public...
After 5 Cale releases in 8 years, it's been a great decade!
Never would I have thought there would be so many JJ Cale albums in such a short span ever again... Keep rollin' on, brother!

Highly Recommended !!

"An artist, a song, a group of musicians, a producer and a studio." That's a secondary title on REWIND's CD cover notes. He is definitely a collaborator with a minimalist approach. I've listened to and appreciated Cale's music for so many years I'm almost afraid to purchase his newest albums for fear he'll let me down. No. In the CD's notes he comments: 'Generally, I never did other people's songs because I can't really sing too good, so I just stuck to my own little bluesy thing. I like other people's songs, and it's not that I don't like my own songs, it's just that I've become predictable to myself." . . . and thank goodness. If you are a fan of MISTER Cale, this easy collection is good reading, cleaning, and listening music; if you are not yet, it just might make you one.

This is a pretty cool disc for the most part. It has that casual, laid back J.J. Cale vibe to it and he even does a couple of covers! It isn't in the realm of his best work, but this isn't "Hey, we never released that one. Let's put it with some other castoffs and make some easy money" type stuff either. Basically it's made up of songs that just didn't fit with the ones on the record being made at the time.

Sort of an amalgam of Album Mutts.

"Rewind" is a good title. Be sure and sample the tunes here on Amazon to get a feel for the disc overall so you're not disappointed when you compare it to Mr. Cale's other work. Some of it is flat different... but that don't mean it ain't good.

Good stuff! Cale fans will love it and be grateful. Recorded between 1973 and 1983. "Bluebird" is a real gem, but at just eighty-three seconds left me in shock, gasping for more. Too skimpy on the music at thirty-seven minutes overall. Environmentally wasteful paper slipcase redundantly replicates jewel case inserts.

Some old Cale at his best,, J J has always put out the best music, and this is no different,, Smooth