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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
JJ Cale is in the curious situation of being best known for another artist's work: Eric Clapton's version of his song, "Cocaine". And admirable as the Clapton track may be, it is little more than a tribute to Cale's own unique sound, a sleepy, bluesy shuffle something akin to Ry Cooder on valium. The likes of Dire Straits and Chris Rea made their mark peddling pale imitations of Cale's guitar playing and song writing, and it's well worth your while to hear the real thing. This exhaustive anthology covers a quarter-century in which Cale has done little more than emphasise and refine his marvellously relaxed style. His songs capture the essence of life in the small, dusty towns of the American Southwest--sometimes laid-back, sometimes beaten down and weary, but always unhurried and understated. Titles like "Call Me The Breeze", "Lonesome Train" and "Wish I Had Me A Dollar" give a fair idea of Cale's familiar subjects. But if you've never heard his music, very likely you'll swiftly find it both unique and addictive. --David Bennun
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For any JJ Cale fan (or anyone else for that matter), this double cd should be a must-have. Fifty tracks for a fiver!! It would still be good value at THREE times the price (which is what I paid for it a few years ago!).
But regardless of price, this compilation is a very representative sampling of the great man's work, filled with marvellous music and giving glimpses of various of JJ's influences including Cajun and Latino, and all done in his inimitable style. There's even at least one rare live recording which is not only a very good track, but special because of the man's avoidance of publicity. In fact, if you are not already a fan, the chances are good that this is because he has successfully evaded your notice - indeed, it almost seems as if he has spent his entire career trying to escape his own success! Makes a nice change, in my opinion. Nevertheless, you know what they say about talent!
If you've never heard any of JJ Cale's music, then I really would urge you to give it a go. And, at the price of this double cd, you really wouldn't be making a very big mistake now, would you?!
But regardless of price, this compilation is a very representative sampling of the great man's work, filled with marvellous music and giving glimpses of various of JJ's influences including Cajun and Latino, and all done in his inimitable style. There's even at least one rare live recording which is not only a very good track, but special because of the man's avoidance of publicity. In fact, if you are not already a fan, the chances are good that this is because he has successfully evaded your notice - indeed, it almost seems as if he has spent his entire career trying to escape his own success! Makes a nice change, in my opinion. Nevertheless, you know what they say about talent!
If you've never heard any of JJ Cale's music, then I really would urge you to give it a go. And, at the price of this double cd, you really wouldn't be making a very big mistake now, would you?!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a wonderful album. I have loved JJ Cale since I first came across him in the mid-70s. I still have his first 8 albums on vinyl and was looking for something to play in the car. This is nearly perfect as a compilation album, with almost all my favourites (no River Runs Deep, Gypsy Man or Katy Cool Lady, though) and not a duff track among them. Almost all the greats are there - and they really are great.
You can't possibly go wrong with this double CD. If you already know and like JJ Cale then it's bound to have 50 songs you like (and many which you love), and if you don't you've nothing to lose. An absurdly low price and you'd have to be made of stone not to be seduced by Crazy Mama and After Midnight. It's worth it for these two alone, and there are another 48, many of which are just as good.
Recommended in the strongest possible terms. Risk a few quid - you won't regret it.
You can't possibly go wrong with this double CD. If you already know and like JJ Cale then it's bound to have 50 songs you like (and many which you love), and if you don't you've nothing to lose. An absurdly low price and you'd have to be made of stone not to be seduced by Crazy Mama and After Midnight. It's worth it for these two alone, and there are another 48, many of which are just as good.
Recommended in the strongest possible terms. Risk a few quid - you won't regret it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you like honest music played with feeling and emotion then this isaone for you to consider
JJ Cale is a master of understatement where other players would shred wail and roar he is content to purr, only occasionally shifting gear, but that doesn't mean this is dull, laid back or bland rather the music is open and uncluttered - simple without being simple as it were
No wonder that he is so highly rated by the likes of Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler amongst others
You will know a load of these songs and for the sake of a fiver you will get 50 yes 50 tracks and over 150 minutes of prime JJ Cale tracks - all of which will leave you with several questions amongst them being
1/ Why haven't i listened to this guy before
2/ Which of his albums should I buy next
3/ who else should I tell about this guy
Honestly I've been buying music since I was 15 and its only been this year (and some 34 years later) that I've actually gotten around to buying some JJ Cale
Do yourself a favour and get a hold of this CD - its a stunner and great for your car or your IPOD too
Give it a spin and I'm sure you'll agree with me and the other JJ Cale fans out there
JJ Cale is a master of understatement where other players would shred wail and roar he is content to purr, only occasionally shifting gear, but that doesn't mean this is dull, laid back or bland rather the music is open and uncluttered - simple without being simple as it were
No wonder that he is so highly rated by the likes of Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler amongst others
You will know a load of these songs and for the sake of a fiver you will get 50 yes 50 tracks and over 150 minutes of prime JJ Cale tracks - all of which will leave you with several questions amongst them being
1/ Why haven't i listened to this guy before
2/ Which of his albums should I buy next
3/ who else should I tell about this guy
Honestly I've been buying music since I was 15 and its only been this year (and some 34 years later) that I've actually gotten around to buying some JJ Cale
Do yourself a favour and get a hold of this CD - its a stunner and great for your car or your IPOD too
Give it a spin and I'm sure you'll agree with me and the other JJ Cale fans out there
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
In the right direction
Pure and natural sounds, that's what I felt. I love the songs and the style, perhaps unique. It seems Cale is playing and singing from the deep of his heart, softly and sincerely. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mehaudy S. Roberto
THE ART OF BEING LAID BACK
JJ Cale (not to be confused with John Cale) is a master at his art. Cale has produced an endless stream of strong albums, all in a laid back vein. Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. McCarraher
An all time favourite
Simply can't go wrong! Some artists struggle to reach 50 tracks, JJ Cale's 'best of' has 50 CLASSICS! Enough said.
Published 14 months ago by festohead
Too much of a good thing
The best stuff on this album is great and I would recommend buying it at the price but there are also some duff tracks and too many of the cliched chug along rockers that he can... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. A. Ruff
As compilations go this is one of the best.
With regard to K BOWES you said you were disappointed with this because these are 'the shortened versions' well I can tell you that the tracks from his first LP's were all very... Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. SMTH
Classic JJ Cale
Classic Cale with a good spread of tracks including many of his most famous. Good value (yawn) - but it is. A fine collection.
Published 17 months ago by N. Margerison
anyway the wind blows
Heard an awful lot about this singer/composer and all good! But this was rather a let - down as it seemed to be a lot of shortened versions of songs! Read more
Published 18 months ago by k bowes
Money well spent
If you like JJ Cale then this is money well spent - all the song you would want. I used to have lots of his music on tape (what's that I hear you say!! Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by Clare Bailey
Soft rock at its best
J J Cale enjoyed making his music but he didn't enjoy the limelight, otherwise he could have been a much bigger star. Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by Peter Durward Harris
JJ Cale is cool
This is a great LP, the guys a genius. Eric Claption used cocaine and many other artists have used his songs and I can see why. Read more
Published on 7 April 2009 by Ms. R. Rout
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