Customer Reviews

Special Edition

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love J.J. Cale, which makes it all the more difficult to rate this compilation only two stars. Of course the songs are great - as one would expect from a collection of Cale tunes. The problem is with the production. This sounds like a bad home compilation tape I might have made on my cheap tape recorder twenty years ago. There was no effort made to remaster the material for CD, and worse, no effort to even out the levels between songs. The tracks are from different sources (of course), but they SOUND like it. I literally find it unlistenable, and I am no audiophile.

What a shame - such a fine collection of songs deserves better than this slapdash and shoddy treatment.

There aren't too many CDs you can listen to all the way through without a bad patch. For me, this is one of those golden records. Cale is awesome, and I recommend it to anyone. From easy listeners to rock and rollers to country kickers, all will enjoy this one.

I just happened to find this CD (German release) in a thrift shop the other day. Knowing who Cale is but never having
listened to any of his own recordings, I was eager to grab it. First off, I have to agree with one of the previous reviewers who commented on the really poor sound quality. I was listening to the disc in my car and it really did sound like a poor homemade audio cassette of an LP! That said, the tracks are really strong. One thing that really jumped out at me is how heavily influenced by Cale that Mark Knopfler must be, particularly with regard to lead guitar style.
I'd recommend seeking out a better-sourced album than this collection, but musically it's well worth seeking out.

I love is so much I purchased the The Road to Escondido with Eric Clapton.

J.J.Cale always delivers. This CD is not an exeption. It so overcool and relaxable that is some times grips you and hurt your soul. The first track is Cocaine. Forget the Eric Clapton version. This one is the real thing. It`s simple and has style, and the coolness shimering all over. Track 2 is the more up beat Don`t wait, with a very rythmic beat from the percussion instrument`s and a great harmonica which complete the soundpicture. Track 3 Magnolia is one of the weak tracks on this CD. It`s ok, in a way, but very,veeeeery slow, and will get you sleepy to listen to. But soon enough you wake up to the more fast "bluesrocker" Track 4 Devil in disguise. A real treat this one. Track 5 Sensitive Kind, are moody, oh yes very sensitive. It has that feeling, all over it.
Track 6 Carry On, is an uptempo song, but doesn`t delivers in all the department`s sorry to say. Track 7 After Midnight, is classical J.J.Cale, and the coolnees shimmering warm and bright all over. Track 8 Money Talks is not there up in the big league. It`s overlong, and has a very repeative theme that goes over and over again. A little depressive sometimes.
Track 9 Call me the Breeze is a good rocker and roller, and will quick up your`e mood. Track 10 Lies is also in that department. Simple and hit the mark were it should.
Track 11 City Girls is a happy,happy, song from J.J.Cale, that make`s you happy with a smile on your`e face.
Track 12 Cajun Moon, is down there in the country of the "overcoolness". Track 13 Don``t cry sister is a little boring track, and forgetable. Track 14 Crazy Mama is in the same department, sorry to say. But overall this is above average from a smart an overcool artist who knows his roots. The man they call J.J.Cale.