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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
JJ Cale penned two of Eric Clapton's career-defining solo hits, "Cocaine" and "After Midnight." And since Clapton has often fashioned his persona in a WWJD manner (what would JJ do?), this collaboration is long overdue. But despite the rather slick production and long list of guest backing musicians (including four bassists, four drummers, five other guitarists, and three percussionists), The Road to Escondido is still dominated more by Cale than Clapton. The relatively reticent Okie wrote 11 of the 14 tracks, and it's his low-key soufflé of blues, jazz, and country that shapes and directs the disc's tone, with Clapton along for the ride. The opening "Danger" sets the dusky mood as the duo rides a typical Cale swamp groove that gives way to a tightly wound Slowhand solo. They trade lead vocals on a lovely version of the after-hours jazz blues classic "Sporting Life Blues," and the ubiquitous John Mayer makes an impressive appearance on the subtle blues of "Hard to Thrill." Clapton hasn't sounded this relaxed or involved in his own material for years. The traditionally laidback, if not quite snoozy, Cale responds with a comparatively energized performance, likely due to the high-profile company. When the two harmonize on the mid-tempo foot tapper "Anyway the Wind Blows," the result is so natural and spontaneous it's a shame these two didn't join forces earlier. On paper, it appears that Cale has the most to gain from partnering with an established superstar, but the fact is this collaboration yields Eric Clapton's most engaging and contagious roots-rock release in a long time. --Hal Horowitz
Product Description
1-Danger 2-Heads In Georgia 3-Missing Person 4-When This War Is Over 5-Sporting Life Blues 6-Dead End Road 7-It's Easy 8-Hard To Thrill 9-Anyway The Wind Blows 10-Three Little Girls 11-Don't Cry Sister 12-Last Will And Testament 13-Who Am I Telling You? 14-Ride The River (2006/REPRISE) 14 tracks (57:12) first time collaboration from two guitar greats with 12 page photo booklet. Entspannter Mix aus Blues, Country Roots und flotten Pop Nummern für lange Autofahrten !
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a fan of both these two gents, this long-overdue collaboration has certainly been worth the wait. When I first heard about this release I wondered if it could possibly live up to the expectations - the answer is a resounding yes!
As 11 of the 14 tracks have been penned by JJCale there is no doubting his overall influence on the album, but the inclusion of Clapton adds a vital spark and I reckon it is one of the best albums either have done for some time. Certainly far superior to Clapton's own release earlier this year and with the inclusion of the likes of Billy Preston, Doyle Bramhall, Albert Lee and many more the album has a generous warmth which draws you in almost without you realising.
The Crossroads Dvd showed how well Cale & Clapton work together and overall this album is a definite must for any fan of either of these two artists - it would be nice if the session(s) were available on Dvd?
In a word - great!
As 11 of the 14 tracks have been penned by JJCale there is no doubting his overall influence on the album, but the inclusion of Clapton adds a vital spark and I reckon it is one of the best albums either have done for some time. Certainly far superior to Clapton's own release earlier this year and with the inclusion of the likes of Billy Preston, Doyle Bramhall, Albert Lee and many more the album has a generous warmth which draws you in almost without you realising.
The Crossroads Dvd showed how well Cale & Clapton work together and overall this album is a definite must for any fan of either of these two artists - it would be nice if the session(s) were available on Dvd?
In a word - great!
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I heard the first track 'Danger' I began to wonder if I'd made a mistake with this CD, but the following track was good and 'Missing person' was even better (complete with a Derek Trucks slide solo.) I'm not a huge J.J. Cale fan but the interplay between him and Eric is really good, with both swapping vocals and guitar fills- Clapton sounds more grounded and Cale doesn't sound quite as laid back as normal, thanks partly to Eric's (and Derek's) guitar solos. There is also a nice version of the old Brownie McGee song 'Sportin' life blues'.
Although there are no big surprises here - they do pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a Cale/Clapton colaboration - what is surprising is the variety of different sounds, each track has a slightly different guitar sound or band line-up - harp on '3 little girls', fiddle on 'Dead end road'. The band sounds great throughout, (like many of Clapton's recent albums this is very much an ensemble project there are are no long guitar solos) and both men sound as though they are really enjoying themselves.
When I reached the end I immediately went back to listen to the start again ('Danger' souded better second time round) and I think this CD is going to stay in the player for quite a few weeks. For me this joint CD is much better than both their recent solo efforts and was a lot better than I expected.
Although there are no big surprises here - they do pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a Cale/Clapton colaboration - what is surprising is the variety of different sounds, each track has a slightly different guitar sound or band line-up - harp on '3 little girls', fiddle on 'Dead end road'. The band sounds great throughout, (like many of Clapton's recent albums this is very much an ensemble project there are are no long guitar solos) and both men sound as though they are really enjoying themselves.
When I reached the end I immediately went back to listen to the start again ('Danger' souded better second time round) and I think this CD is going to stay in the player for quite a few weeks. For me this joint CD is much better than both their recent solo efforts and was a lot better than I expected.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A few years ago, Clapton was quoted saying that he was the "closest thing an English man could come to be J.J. Cale." Whether this is accurate or wishful thinking, it speaks volumes about Eric Clapton's admiration for his friend and fellow guitar slinger.
Having scored mega-hits with Cale's "Cocaine" and "After Midnight," Clapton has, again, something to thank J.J. for. The former "god" of classic Rock has not, in my opinion, put out a truly exciting album in many years but, though this is not a masterpiece, playing with Cale has done him a world of good.
The overall feel here is 100% Cale, laid back grooves and restrained Blues that, before you know it'll seep slowly into your DNA and make you sway and shuffle hopelessly. Cale capacity to say very much with very few notes is legendary and this album is further proof of it. Clapton, on his part, seems to play freed from pressures to turn out another classic and he sounds more convincing and dead-on than he has in at least a decade or two.
There are several songs that either guitar player could be proud to include in their canon. Whether you think of the sensuos "Hard To Thrill"--probably the best track here--or Cale's trademark cadences in "Danger," or the sweet "Three Little Girls," "Heads In Georgia" or "Last Will And Testament," if you like these guys you are in for a treat. No surprises nor unexpected turns, nothing "escondido"--"hidden" in Spanish--either, actually. Just the album you'd guess these two would make if they ever got together, and that's a very good thing.
All in all, this is a wonderful set of songs, played with passion but without the slightest bit of tension or need for showing off. It is an album made by two great musicians who, like any two friends, can relax in each other's presence and do what they do best: make some memorable music.
Having scored mega-hits with Cale's "Cocaine" and "After Midnight," Clapton has, again, something to thank J.J. for. The former "god" of classic Rock has not, in my opinion, put out a truly exciting album in many years but, though this is not a masterpiece, playing with Cale has done him a world of good.
The overall feel here is 100% Cale, laid back grooves and restrained Blues that, before you know it'll seep slowly into your DNA and make you sway and shuffle hopelessly. Cale capacity to say very much with very few notes is legendary and this album is further proof of it. Clapton, on his part, seems to play freed from pressures to turn out another classic and he sounds more convincing and dead-on than he has in at least a decade or two.
There are several songs that either guitar player could be proud to include in their canon. Whether you think of the sensuos "Hard To Thrill"--probably the best track here--or Cale's trademark cadences in "Danger," or the sweet "Three Little Girls," "Heads In Georgia" or "Last Will And Testament," if you like these guys you are in for a treat. No surprises nor unexpected turns, nothing "escondido"--"hidden" in Spanish--either, actually. Just the album you'd guess these two would make if they ever got together, and that's a very good thing.
All in all, this is a wonderful set of songs, played with passion but without the slightest bit of tension or need for showing off. It is an album made by two great musicians who, like any two friends, can relax in each other's presence and do what they do best: make some memorable music.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
worth getting for Hard to Thrill alone
worth getting for Hard to Thrill alone which is a wonderful world weary take on the older man, like Eugene Onegin. Though I could live without Three Little Girls.
Published 1 month ago by Hugh Thomson
The Road To Escondido: Eric Clapton and JJ Cale - Clapton and Cale...
It seems to be a general principle that as they reach middle age, artists who once seemed to rule the universe and could do no wrong start to put out alternatingly good and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Victor
My Favourite Clapton Album
This is my favourite Clapton album. It didn't happen overnight. In fact I stopped listening to it and bought J.J. Cale albums instead. When I had learned to appreciate J.J. Read more
Published 13 months ago by C. I. Lund
Escondido
great disc to chill out to, again Clapton proves he can work with anyone and keep his class sounds the same
Published 15 months ago by James F. G. Soper
Which came first the chicken or the egg?
I have been a fan of Eric Clapton for many years and knew of the JJ Cale songs that he had covered. Recently discovered JJ Cale and was blown away, I think he came before Clapton... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2010 by S. Terry
not as good as I expected
Found this album very boring and uninspiring have only played it a couple of times - disappointing.
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by Christine tipping
The road to Escondido
The best just the best you will not regret buying this one if you like Cale or Clapton *****
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by R. H. Flowers
100 % proof
No messing around from these guys. J J Cale is like old quality wine - getting better and better. Clapton is a master of getting JJ's songs sound just great.
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Per Johan Weel
What a disappointment
I've been a great fan of J.J. for some 25 years and possess some 15 of his albums. Also I am a great appreciator of Clapton as a guitarist but not necessarily his albums. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2009 by Peter White
Cale and Clapton
I really looked forward to receiving Cale and Clapton's cd. Quite frankly I was disappointed with this cd. Maybe I expected too much from this ace guitarist. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2008 by A. Reeve
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