Eric Clapton Releases “The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale)”, Featuring Nathan East
Most rock fans know JJ Cale’s music because his songs became hits for other people — “Call Me the Breeze” for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and “After Midnight” and “Cocaine” for Eric Clapton.
Clapton has said that Cale, who died in 2013, is one of rock history’s most important figures, and from the group he has gathered for The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale), his assessment rings true.
Vocals on the album, credited to Eric Clapton and Friends, are handled by not only Clapton, but also Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer and Willie Nelson. The low end is held down by Clapton’s longtime bassist, Nathan East, who is a star musician in his own right.
A slew of guitarists also appear on the record, including Clapton, Knopfler, Mayer, Nelson, Derek Trucks, Albert Lee, David Lindley and Doyle Bramhall II.
The purpose of the album dedicated to the multifaceted musician is simple, according to Clapton. “I would like people to tap into what JJ Cale did – that’s the point. I’m just the messenger; I’ve always felt that that’s my job. I try to interpret things so that the public at large, or at least the people who listen to what I do, will become intrigued about where I got it from.”
Clapton’s deep admiration for Cale is touchingly revealed in the video for “Call Me the Breeze,” from album:
The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale) is available on CD, vinyl, and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).
The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale) Track List:
- Call Me the Breeze
- Rock and Roll Records
- Someday
- Lies
- Sensitive Kind
- Cajun Moon
- Magnolia
- I Got the Same Old Blues
- Songbird
- Since You Said Goodbye
- I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)
- The Old Man and Me
- Train to Nowhere
- Starbound
- Don’t Wait
- Crying Eyes
