Travel-Log

J.J. Cale

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 5, 1990)
• Original Release Date: February 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B0000004W1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #126,716 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD
Cale's ninth album is in keeping stylistically with all the previous ones: low-boil blues-based rock. The easygoing Tulsa native counterpoints his phlegmatic vocals with his stimulating guitar picking in some of his most homespun, charming songs ever. Bassist Tim Drummond and drummer Jim Keltner conjure the fetching grooves. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best albums of J J Cale, July 28, 1998

By A Customer

J J Cale has produced many albums over the years, some of which have had many good songs. Among my favourites are Okie and Troubadour, for the number of good songs on each. However Cale excelled himself in Travel-Log. The good songs just keep coming. There is a diversity of atmosphere between the songs also, making the title Travel-Log rather appropriate: Shanghaid has an oriental feel, while Tijuana talks of Mexicans wishing to cross the border into the USA. In this song Cale showcases his abilities on a Spanish-style guitar. But probably the highlight of the album is the exceptional number of blues- influenced songs. The End of the Line is creative, as well as humorous, in a typically wry sort of way. Humdinger has a raucous guitar riff, and River Boat Song calls to mind a riverside scene: "River Goddamn, bring my baby home." Altogether a consistently good album, which far outshines Number 10 and Closer to You.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars up there with his 70's stuff, February 18, 2000

By	Matty N (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Initially I dismissed this album, as I'm skeptical about JJ's newer material. But while this release fails to capture the earthy, analog grit of classics like Naturally and Troubador it is still well worth owning.

Tunes like No Time and Lean On Me are vintage JJ. He also does a nice job of mixing genres on Lady Luck and Tijuana. End Of The Line, however, really makes the album - as Cale gets back to the raw precision that seems to have eluded his blues in recent decades...

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mid-period sophistication, April 5, 2004

By	Lance Kozlowski "Lance" (Guadalajara, Mexico) - See all my reviews

In '94, this was my first exposure to JJ Cale, and I played it hundreds of times. I have since purchased quite a few of his earlier CDs. Though all his work seems fairly even and similar, I think this album has the greatest variety, the most sophisticated mixing of the ensemble players, and the most original and clever lyrics. The production mix is wonderfully layered and complex, yet somehow maintains the feel that it could have been recorded in a smoke filled garage. It has all the traditional sounds but steps outside of the reliance on blues and traditional themes.