There are those records you can slip to someone like a secret handshake, knowing with complete confidence there’s no way they won’t make the love connection.
Great reflection on one of my musical heroes. I was 15 I think when I read the Guitar Player magazine where he was on the cover. At that point in my life, I had not heard his rendition of his own tunes but knew the Clapton & other covers. After reading that article, I bought Naturally (on Shelter records) it was everything I had read about and more, and for the last 51 years it has been by my side. I have happily spread the JJ Cale gospel to friends and family over those 5 plus decades. Thankfully, my soon to be wife and I got to see him play - once - at a club in Cambridge, Mass. near Brighton where we were living at the time. As a writer and player myself, his style, that Tulsa shuffle and hollowed out scooped guitar sound part country part jazz part rock 'n roll, is a constant inspiration. Thanks for your reflection on a great artist.
That album was very much a secret password. Back in college, the girl I liked was staying with a friend in Chevy Chase. Big house, fancy neighborhood. They were housesitting, not supposed to have guests. But then the other girl’s boyfriend moved in. Not wanting to be left out, I drove there from Michigan in my ’62 Valiant. Turned out I was one boyfriend too many. The vibe was definitely stilted. But I hung out long enough to put Naturally on the turntable. Then it was all, Hey, who brought the J.J. Cale, and I was in. Stayed all summer.
When fall came, my girlfriend and I got in the Valiant and drove to Oregon, stopping in Bend to adopt a dog, as people will. J.J. was still playing in our heads. We named the dog Maggy after Magnolia. She was a great dog, the best we ever had.
(PS: Why was a Michigan kid like me into J.J. Cale? Because of Bob Seger’s killer version of Bringing It Back from Mexico. Online now, a rarity then. Thirty days has September, man!)
Thanks for mentioning the lovely "Magnolia," which our friend Lucinda and her band draw out to twelve or thirteen glorious minutes on Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone: yeah!!
I never saw JJ. But Naturally has always knocked me out in its simplicity ? got turned onto that in the early 80's and still love it today. Thanks for reminding me Chuck.
Friggin love this post from the top of my outstretched fingertips to the soles of my feet! Gonna listen to JJ tomorrow. Have a great time on the eighth leg of this tour.
There's always food, friendly fire and a place to sit your bottom down at our house if you need a break over on this side of the pond. And ofcourse J.J. on vinyl.
Really good reading, thank you! The original slow hand. I still prefer Troubadour, but Naturally is no slouch. Widespread Panic covers him better than Clapton, check out their version of “Ride Me High.”
Top record. And I have been reminded of it recently because I have been discovering the delights of Bobby Charles and his albums remind me so much of JJ Cale, and Naturally in particular. Last Train to Memphis is a cracking album and he was a classic songwriter. Hugely enjoyable!
easy money
Thanks for this. JJ is one my favorite guitar players and Naturally is a desert island record for me.
JJ’s Naturally has been my North Star since the 70’s. In my top 5 desert island records, for sure.
My partner has her Dad’s original copy of this record. And when she was little she thought the wah guitar was the raccoon on the cover singing.
Great reflection on one of my musical heroes. I was 15 I think when I read the Guitar Player magazine where he was on the cover. At that point in my life, I had not heard his rendition of his own tunes but knew the Clapton & other covers. After reading that article, I bought Naturally (on Shelter records) it was everything I had read about and more, and for the last 51 years it has been by my side. I have happily spread the JJ Cale gospel to friends and family over those 5 plus decades. Thankfully, my soon to be wife and I got to see him play - once - at a club in Cambridge, Mass. near Brighton where we were living at the time. As a writer and player myself, his style, that Tulsa shuffle and hollowed out scooped guitar sound part country part jazz part rock 'n roll, is a constant inspiration. Thanks for your reflection on a great artist.
Crazy Mama was my favorite way back when, but I’ve migrated to Crying Eyes. For me, it’s the space between the notes.
Meant to ask you after the show in Groningen recently: How did you enjoy the show by James McMurtry at Take Root Festival?
it's always a treat to hear James.
That album was very much a secret password. Back in college, the girl I liked was staying with a friend in Chevy Chase. Big house, fancy neighborhood. They were housesitting, not supposed to have guests. But then the other girl’s boyfriend moved in. Not wanting to be left out, I drove there from Michigan in my ’62 Valiant. Turned out I was one boyfriend too many. The vibe was definitely stilted. But I hung out long enough to put Naturally on the turntable. Then it was all, Hey, who brought the J.J. Cale, and I was in. Stayed all summer.
When fall came, my girlfriend and I got in the Valiant and drove to Oregon, stopping in Bend to adopt a dog, as people will. J.J. was still playing in our heads. We named the dog Maggy after Magnolia. She was a great dog, the best we ever had.
(PS: Why was a Michigan kid like me into J.J. Cale? Because of Bob Seger’s killer version of Bringing It Back from Mexico. Online now, a rarity then. Thirty days has September, man!)
Oh, this is fantastic. The way records can help us tap back into a time and place.
Thanks for mentioning the lovely "Magnolia," which our friend Lucinda and her band draw out to twelve or thirteen glorious minutes on Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone: yeah!!
Oh yes, and with Greg Leisz musing along on guitar... greatness
Lovely writing. Feeling the whoosh, like hearing it though I’ve never heard it before. Gonna give it a listen, thanks Chuck.
I never saw JJ. But Naturally has always knocked me out in its simplicity ? got turned onto that in the early 80's and still love it today. Thanks for reminding me Chuck.
Friggin love this post from the top of my outstretched fingertips to the soles of my feet! Gonna listen to JJ tomorrow. Have a great time on the eighth leg of this tour.
IS it the eighth leg? I was asking the guys on the flight over. How many of these flights have we got left in us? Well, they're young!
There's always food, friendly fire and a place to sit your bottom down at our house if you need a break over on this side of the pond. And ofcourse J.J. on vinyl.
Count me in
Really good reading, thank you! The original slow hand. I still prefer Troubadour, but Naturally is no slouch. Widespread Panic covers him better than Clapton, check out their version of “Ride Me High.”
That’s a record I loved when I was 15 and love even more now that I’m … well you know.
I do know, Reno. Keep knocking and rocking old friend
Top record. And I have been reminded of it recently because I have been discovering the delights of Bobby Charles and his albums remind me so much of JJ Cale, and Naturally in particular. Last Train to Memphis is a cracking album and he was a classic songwriter. Hugely enjoyable!
Wish Bobby Charles was around to see his music endure.
Great record but great cover art too.