Plenty of folks knew about Cale back in the 70s. Dude was LIT. Musicians supported him and covered his tunes. He just didn't allow the industry to turn him into radio fodder. Plus - the commentary didn't even bother to mention 'Bringing it Back from Mexico' which Kansas covered in an absolutely flaming version on their debut album.
Thats so true. Many good guitarist spoke about his influence on them and how great he was. Jsut another quick note: In Germany JJ Cale was quiet famous. He sold many records here, maybe even more then in the US.
Saw him when he opened for George Carlin at the San Rafael Civic Center in 1972. Just him and five of his friends sitting in a semicircle. They played Naturally from beginning to end in the same order as the album and then left. One of the best half hours of music I have ever seen.
JJ Cale is a very good example of boogie rock and blues rock. I do wish people spoke about him in the same way they spoke about Jerry Garcia or even early Fleetwood Mac, because JJ Cale was a great guitarist, and he certainly should be in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
... he didn't become, because he was already one - naturally ... What a great man - a real troubadour ! ... My love to all J.J fans, all over the world - i got this feeling that we all know each other and we are true friends ! ... From Athens Greece - Mike ...
I truly appreciate this video. I have always thought the exact same way - that J.J. Cale was never a sell-out! and yet all the superstars emulated him.
True artist from head to toe. A lot of people owe this man a lot of thanks. Your great singer's/songwriter's/musician's are what made them great and they stood their ground and Mr. Cale was one of them...
@@Digmen1 Quit bashing Neil, what he actually said was ...of all the guitarists hes heard, JJ Cale and Jimmie Hendrix were the best ., He also said that JJCale was a huge influence on him. Neil Young over rated and uninteresting ? Give your head a shake lol
I discovered JJ when I was 15. I remember exactly the day. I was in Brighton (UK), in a park. A guy had a big stereo cassette player (very common in the eighties) and he was laying in the grass listening to it. The tape was "Troubadour" and I was blown away by that music. I walked by and asked him who was the artist. The rest is history, I'm 52 now, and still listening to him. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to see him live. With Clapton, the one who influenced me the most. ❤️
Cale truly represented (& the only one, presumably to) how 'laid back' & 'being reticent' can be uber-cool. He was everything a Rock n Roller wasn't supposed to be. And yet, he was everything the biggest influences in Rock aspired to be. To me, Cale really represented my kinda cool!
He was a true authentic musician songwriter and friend to many . I met him when I played Cains Ballroom in Tulsa and again at armadillo world headquarters in Austin Texas . Soft spoken shy and real !!!
I knew J.J. Cale I called him J.J. snail. He saw what Fame could do. And he knew what kept an artist alive. They say You're Not Dead until the last person stops talking about you. If you'll notice most all of his songs are in the rough. They're not tweet. He wrote them so other musicians would hear them and want to complete them. He will be one of the most copied artists in history. He just wanted to write them put them out there and write more. I even met his old lady and talked with her at the Golden Bear. Christine Lakeland quite the artist herself.
He is simple, humble musician with great lyrics. He is super star because Guitar God Clapton has a great regards for him. His songs like after midnight, Tulsa time, Cocaine are played by Clapton. Cale does not bite the guitar and show false showman ship. When EC says he is good there is no question and for us he is a superstar.
JJ left everything undone in the demo mode. He realized that others would come along and pick up where he left off and they would play his music till the end of the world. This way he will never be forgotten.
'They don't make em like him anymore'. That about sums it up. JJ was a hero, but just about the most modest hero there could be. In addition to the blues, folk, country and rock, there's even some jazz in the canon. He was the musician's musician.
I worked in a Record music store between 1976. - and 1978 and became a JJ Cale fan during this time I still am a vinyl audiophile...! And I’ve been a JJ Cale fan for many many years....! He will always be one of my guitar heroes being a player myself....🎵🎶🙏❤️❤️🙏🎶🎵
"Discovered" JJ Cale whilst surfing uncrowded waves in Southern Morocco in late 1974. I now live VERY remotely in the Australian Outback and listen to him every couple of weeks. This gives me pleasure, great pleasure. (Thank you Mr Cale) Always wondered why he was not "famous." Thanks for the insight.
The story is true, but there is more to it than that. Cale was never interested in being famous in the first place. He just wanted to play his music, not the attention.
had a similar experience with that album cover as a teenager -- my dad loved that jj cale.... i came to prefer these versions of songs over their covers. his sound was so smooth.
seriously you got to know jj through other artists first and then discover the 'original'. I guess one reason why he's not as much of a 'superstar' for he didn't choose to amplify it loud like other artists did and kept it minimal. Thats the beauty of his art as an innovator of Cajun blues, swamp rock and the Tulsa sound etc. A fabulous song writer in the first place besides being a guitar maestro.
J.J Cale may not be a superstar in the eyes of public. But he's a superstar to many of our superstars. A musician's musician. I'm a John Mayer fan, so I was introduced to J.J through Mayer's music. First from his cover of "Call Me The Breeze" in his album Paradise Valley, but at the time I still wasn't aware it was a cover, so still didn't know who Cale was. Nevertheless, the seed was planted. As I went deeper into the John Mayer rabbit hole, came across his involvement in Clapton's J.J. Cale tribute album. Discovered and looked up who Cale is, came across his music and recognized a familiar tune, the aforementioned "Call Me the Breeze". Now I'm a fan of Cale.
Waow. Says who ??? JJ Cale is a superstar and an Icon for people who taste music and know what real of music is. Lyrics , rhythm, all instruments and unique voice......He is well known around the world especially in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. A real star is the one who can infiltrate your soul and JJ was that star that we may not see somebody alike in the years, decencies and centuries to come. May GOD bless his soul.
I'm a huge John Cale fan. Been so since early seventies. Hadn't heard the American Bandstand story. Not surprised one iota. Even though JJ is gone his music will live forever. RIP buddy.
JJ, in my opinion, was more of a recording artist than a concert artist. I believe that is how he saw himself, as well. He made a horde of money off of the covers Eric Clapton made of his songs and that made him more than happy because it let him do what he wanted to do. Write songs and record them the way he wanted to, because he was also a recording engineer at heart. And absolutely YES! The Dire Straits first album is almost a carbon copy of JJ's "Naturally." Play one right after the other and see if you don't notice the similarities.
JJ’s doesn’t strike me as more of a recording artist .. watch his face when performing “ Mama don’t” as each musician plays his / her part. He’s quietly conducting his orchestra and so very proud of each musician in it. What a master!
I played bass in a dozen different bands in Tulsa years ago. I played bass with the piano player, Rocky Frisco who passed away recently and Jimmy Karstein, the drummer who played and toured with J.J Cale. They are all salt of the earth great guys and phenomenal musicians. Bill Rafensberger, the bass player passed away along with J.J. and Rocky. God bless their soles, may they RIP. Yes J.J. Cale was very special. He was a true musician who could care less about fame and fortune.
I have always preferred JJ’s over the other’s versions … he lived to play music HIS WAY … NO STRESS way … lived hand to mouth … just imagine if all our lives were that simple … being so creative!
One day decades ago, I won the record, Crazy Mama, in a raffle in Hamburg, Germany. After playing it one time, I was hooked. I have been an avid fan of his to this day.
When I was in the U.S.A. ....in1984 .......no one there knew him where as in Europe he was very well known ....especially among the musicians and more underground. Crowd .......personally I. Place him high up as one of the Greatest Troubadours Ever .....👍❤️
Well, he actually was a superstar. A superstar of a writer to artists that covered his songs or (tried to) copy his very original style. Hope he realized $$$ from royalties and glad he didn't fall for the corporate shuffle (What a lie). I feel so lucky to have seen him headlining a triple bill in NYC with Duke Robillard and The West Coast Blues Band.
J.J. Cale was in a band with my wife’s grandpa (Leo Feathers) and Leon Russell called ‘The Starlighters’. Leo Feathers went on to play with stars such as Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, John Anderson, Waylon Jennings, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, Ronnie Dunn and many more huge names in music. He even spent some time in the studio with Carl Perkins. Leo and J.J. were both the epitome of a musician. One of the big reasons Leo stopped playin in Nashville, is cause everybody was after money and didn’t actually care about the music. Leo never chased the spotlight. He just wanted to play music. Leon Russell recruited him to start a band at around the age 15 and then Leo was hired by Jerry Lee Lewis at about the of 17.
I have a lot of ? not answered never understood It. Cult great first heard him maybe 69 -72 Always thought he was great and he was great. Really opened me up to new great tradition of regional music and more to the idea of fusion of traditional blues jazz Cajun style and a straight rhythm bump. As always fantastic guitar playing and arranging. He is my personal Idol of sorts.
Mr. J. J. Cale had Talent, Heart and Soul, his music was real and so was he. These qualities are no longer a requirement to be a star in the music business. Today one needs only a photogenic face, the right demographic and strong financial backing, to become a star. Back in the day one had to develop a track record of dues paid by playing live for years, and by making good records. Question, unlike analog recordings, what do digital downloads and most of todays so called stars have in common? Answer, they both sound like crap, but they are easy to package. It is just like homemade hamburgers compared to fast food, the first one is made with love, the other is shoved out of a hole in the wall. We are now a microwave society of entitlement minded, selfish, childish, idiots, with no class, and no taste in food or music, we just want everything fast, like success and lunch, so we can keep on texting, to try to prove to each other how hip. trendy and cool we are, while in reality we are lazy, ignorant, empty soulless shells, with no culture or knowledge of history, or sense of purpose or of self, who by our actions and words, convey the attitude that we are owed something, just because we are breathing. When music became a business and video killed the radio star, quantity overshadowed quality. To paraphrase an old commercial on another subject, I'm not a great singer or musician but I play one on TV. America is circling the drain, because we have already been flushed, now that's a real download. If you are lucky enough to find the door, please wash your hands with soap and turn the fan on and the light off on your way out. Peace
Yep, I always say that, pop music is like the McDonalds of music; a music like product, it kind of sounds like music, it can even feel like music, but there's no nutritional value to it.
I'm not sure if a JJ Cale video is the place for a bitter rant on the state of modern society, yet here we are. Anyway, as long as popular music has been, ahem, popular, there has been banal & superficial music readily consumed by the public. The reason why we look back on decades past and say, "Oh, music was better, then." is because none of the crappy music from those times makes it into the present day awareness. It's the musical equivalent of looking at someone's photos on Facebook and thinking they have a much better life than you - a sort of 'highlight reel effect'. In actuality, 99 percent of recording acts have been one-hit (if that) wonders, most recorded music has been disposable, and even more has been forgettable.
JJ was a human being. If he would have been interested in being a "superstar," he would have been. Instead, as he sang it, "I make rock and roll records, I sell 'em for a dime." He didn't want that superstar life. At one point he lived in the middle of the desert in a trailer just to get away from the Tinseltown bs. No, he wasn't a superstar. He was a Super Star. Thank you, J J. And Thank You for the Music - it sounds just as fresh and new and real as the first time I heard it 50 years ago! J J Lives!!!!
After Midnight was put out as a 45 demo originally, it had the faster pace. Clapton covered the demo version, hence the quicker tempo. JJ switched it up for the album. True story. Naturally is just outta sight, Okie is not far behind, my favorites.
I think he was the best sound and chord finder,anyway people is also die who think he wasnt popular:) he was a superstar for me . usa giving error sometimes like mr. sugarman rodrigez .
Saw this truly great musician and his band near on 50 years ago when vhe toured here in Melbourne Australia! Eric Clapton a "Johnny come lately!" Knew 50 years ago just how good a musician JJ Cale really was! Thanks for all the great music for over half a century RIP J J!! "
There are many ironies involved with JJ Cale. For example, his celebrated 'laid-back' guitar playing style: (this he was a celebrated pioneer of), and was so often was featured on his records & live recordings. However if you hear his studio (with video) recordings (availagle on TH-cam.com) with Leon Russel, it is readily apparent that he could 'shred' scales, riffs and anything else with as much as much acumen as any rock, jazz, 'metal' or blues guitar player that ever was---its just that he SELLECTED out of that, the killer riffs that SAID the most, that MEANT the most for the music that he was playing. Most of this he did (famously among musicians) on a cheap. pawnshop Harmony acoustic guitar that set him back a staggering $30.00.. He had removed the back from this guitar, and installed tone shaping pedal electronics (without their clamshells) that were controlled by knobs on the face of the guitar. Many guitarists offered him thousands to possess this instrument and (of course) he was never a seller. A talented musician would know that the could have left Page, Beck, and any other 'shredder' in the dust. But for all those that would pay tribute to him in time, most were simply in a state of terminal jealously when it came to him, because in the end THEY simply could not compete. The audiophilles, the musicians, the connoisseurs of music: whether of studio or performance, knew and knew this very, very well--his greatness. He DOES rest in peace and in permanent glory. Amen.
I found him when I was a Napster jerk, downloading over a landline a song a night for a month, because I was amazed this guy was ripping everyone off! LOL That was 2000 and he's been a favorite ever since, Downtown LA and 13 Days are my two favorites. Widespread Panic's Traveling Light was what triggered the original download.. nice work, thanks!
After the release of his first album, some industry type told him “You gotta make another album.” JJ was like “What’s wrong with the one we put out?” I love (LOVE)! him.
That never happened. Danny was expanding on the real story. Cale wasn't there and his band wasn't there. The whole conversation was on the phone. Cale said, "I'm a musician, not an actor."
+O Ermitão Pessimista It does change the story, but of course as you probably mean to point out, not the fact that JJ said no and stuck to music rather than fame. Sadly, neither him nor Rocky are here anymore, and they probably wouldn't care much for this conversation. Such a loss.
I just watched a concert, j.j. cale n Eric Clapton, playing in San Francisco CA.... it was filmed in 2016, and didn't pass on in 2013, like it said at end of video, truth be known, it's a far truth from having true respect for the feller, true American musician, happy and humble too share his music, like a book writer letting acts such as skynard and Clapton, too represent him, happy enough with the royalties as we know, God Bless.... my mistake on him passing n 2013, just heard Eric Clapton talking about it, when he was talking about, they call me the breeze.......
Cale's music and personality were a little on the laid-back side for pop stardom. He was probably as well-known as Warren Zevon, Gram Parsons, Leonard Cohen, George Thorogood, Steve Winwood, or Jimmy Buffett. Just guessing.
DucksDeLucks Steve winwood was a massive star,traffic ,then especially blind faith with Clapton and ginger baker who were about as big as u can get coming from cream
It was as much as Christine could do to get him to go on the road at all, or do any sort of promotion of himself and his records. He didn't want to do all that stuff. He wanted to write and record and let the records sell themselves.
Plenty of folks knew about Cale back in the 70s. Dude was LIT. Musicians supported him and covered his tunes. He just didn't allow the industry to turn him into radio fodder.
Plus - the commentary didn't even bother to mention 'Bringing it Back from Mexico' which Kansas covered in an absolutely flaming version on their debut album.
Amen!
He was a superstar, to other superstars.
Thats so true. Many good guitarist spoke about his influence on them and how great he was. Jsut another quick note: In Germany JJ Cale was quiet famous. He sold many records here, maybe even more then in the US.
It was beautiful to see the look on Eric Clapton’s face when he played together with his idol on Crossroads 2004.
Well said
J.J. Cale was a true master and a giant many stood on. He just never cared about being a pop icon himself. Thanks for spreading the word.
+dracumelenios well said man. a giant many stood on.
Saw him when he opened for George Carlin at the San Rafael Civic Center in 1972. Just him and five of his friends sitting in a semicircle. They played Naturally from beginning to end in the same order as the album and then left. One of the best half hours of music I have ever seen.
that sounds like a dream !
You are blessed
JJ Cale is a very good example of boogie rock and blues rock. I do wish people spoke about him in the same way they spoke about Jerry Garcia or even early Fleetwood Mac, because JJ Cale was a great guitarist, and he certainly should be in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
Why didn't he become a superstar ? He didn't want to. Simple as that.
EXACTLY!!
Balance is beautiful.
The most laid-back musician by now
I love his aura , his no-fuss way of performing speaks volumes. RIP JJ ❤️
... he didn't become, because he was already one - naturally ... What a great man - a real troubadour ! ... My love to all J.J fans, all over the world - i got this feeling that we all know each other and we are true friends ! ... From Athens Greece - Mike ...
J. J. Cale - true rocker, true man.
This is the best tribute JJ Cale got imo. Greetings guys.
I love his attitude against lip sync. He was one true artist.
I truly appreciate this video. I have always thought the exact same way - that J.J. Cale was never a sell-out! and yet all the superstars emulated him.
True artist from head to toe. A lot of people owe this man a lot of thanks. Your great singer's/songwriter's/musician's are what made them great and they stood their ground and Mr. Cale was one of them...
Neil Young said the only two guitarists he found interesting were Jimi Hendrix and J.J. Cale.
And Bert Jansch
DucksDeLucks well if he didn’t find Clapton “interesting “ it shows either his ignorance, poor taste or jealousy.
I never found Neil Young interesting very over-rated
@@Digmen1 Quit bashing Neil, what he actually said was ...of all the guitarists hes heard, JJ Cale and Jimmie Hendrix were the best ., He also said that JJCale was a huge influence on him. Neil Young over rated and uninteresting ? Give your head a shake lol
I discovered JJ when I was 15. I remember exactly the day. I was in Brighton (UK), in a park. A guy had a big stereo cassette player (very common in the eighties) and he was laying in the grass listening to it. The tape was "Troubadour" and I was blown away by that music. I walked by and asked him who was the artist. The rest is history, I'm 52 now, and still listening to him. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to see him live. With Clapton, the one who influenced me the most. ❤️
Six years now since J.J.'s passing, just like one second, he's still with me, almost every day.
Cale truly represented (& the only one, presumably to) how 'laid back' & 'being reticent' can be uber-cool. He was everything a Rock n Roller wasn't supposed to be. And yet, he was everything the biggest influences in Rock aspired to be. To me, Cale really represented my kinda cool!
He was a true authentic musician songwriter and friend to many . I met him when I played Cains Ballroom in Tulsa and again at armadillo world headquarters in Austin Texas . Soft spoken shy and real !!!
I thought he was a superstar; certainly was in my opinion, and many musicians
I knew J.J. Cale I called him J.J. snail. He saw what Fame could do. And he knew what kept an artist alive. They say You're Not Dead until the last person stops talking about you. If you'll notice most all of his songs are in the rough. They're not tweet. He wrote them so other musicians would hear them and want to complete them. He will be one of the most copied artists in history. He just wanted to write them put them out there and write more. I even met his old lady and talked with her at the Golden Bear. Christine Lakeland quite the artist herself.
Wow. He is a big deal to me. I saw him live in the early 1970's and was a fan back then. Still a fan today.
He is simple, humble musician with great lyrics. He is super star because Guitar God Clapton has a great regards for him. His songs like after midnight, Tulsa time, Cocaine are played by Clapton. Cale does not bite the guitar and show false showman ship. When EC says he is good there is no question and for us he is a superstar.
JJ left everything undone in the demo mode. He realized that others would come along and pick up where he left off and they would play his music till the end of the world. This way he will never be forgotten.
'They don't make em like him anymore'. That about sums it up. JJ was a hero, but just about the most modest hero there could be. In addition to the blues, folk, country and rock, there's even some jazz in the canon. He was the musician's musician.
Reluctant heroes are the only ones you can trust.
I love the animation for this piece. I’m a big JJ Cale fan and this piece is pretty awesome. Thank you so much.
I worked in a Record music store between 1976. - and 1978 and became a JJ Cale fan during this time I still am a vinyl audiophile...!
And I’ve been a JJ Cale fan for many many years....! He will always be one of my guitar heroes being a player myself....🎵🎶🙏❤️❤️🙏🎶🎵
Thanks so much for making that guys. Restored my faith in humanity. Bless you all x
"Discovered" JJ Cale whilst surfing uncrowded waves in Southern Morocco in late 1974. I now live VERY remotely in the Australian Outback and listen to him every couple of weeks. This gives me pleasure, great pleasure. (Thank you Mr Cale) Always wondered why he was not "famous." Thanks for the insight.
he was really a superstar but a musician superstar and not a business superstar, RIP
Absolutely
I have heard that he was not really not interested in being a "superstar".
to paraphrase an old saying about john cale or maybe it was graham parker... he literally strangled his career at the neck. ornery dudes.
The story is true, but there is more to it than that. Cale was never interested in being famous in the first place. He just wanted to play his music, not the attention.
He was a cool cat. One of the best performers ever, for sure.
had a similar experience with that album cover as a teenager -- my dad loved that jj cale.... i came to prefer these versions of songs over their covers. his sound was so smooth.
seriously you got to know jj through other artists first and then discover the 'original'. I guess one reason why he's not as much of a 'superstar' for he didn't choose to amplify it loud like other artists did and kept it minimal. Thats the beauty of his art as an innovator of Cajun blues, swamp rock and the Tulsa sound etc. A fabulous song writer in the first place besides being a guitar maestro.
J.J Cale may not be a superstar in the eyes of public. But he's a superstar to many of our superstars. A musician's musician. I'm a John Mayer fan, so I was introduced to J.J through Mayer's music. First from his cover of "Call Me The Breeze" in his album Paradise Valley, but at the time I still wasn't aware it was a cover, so still didn't know who Cale was. Nevertheless, the seed was planted. As I went deeper into the John Mayer rabbit hole, came across his involvement in Clapton's J.J. Cale tribute album. Discovered and looked up who Cale is, came across his music and recognized a familiar tune, the aforementioned "Call Me the Breeze". Now I'm a fan of Cale.
Good to see kids getting in to JJ....May well be in another 20 years they'll understand why..Artists create...period.
I am 76. Just. Found. Him😃love his. Music.
he was shy and humble that is why he is loved long after his death and his fame increases with time
The first song I heard of him was "right down here" back in the early 70s and ever since I Loved his music to this day. I love J J Cale.
Waow. Says who ??? JJ Cale is a superstar and an Icon for people who taste music and know what real of music is. Lyrics , rhythm, all instruments and unique voice......He is well known around the world especially in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. A real star is the one who can infiltrate your soul and JJ was that star that we may not see somebody alike in the years, decencies and centuries to come. May GOD bless his soul.
I loved his music...still play a number of his songs...bought Naturally as an eight track, cassette, record, and later as a CD...
My Hero!
Same, he’s actually my hero. Both musically and as a guy.
I'm a huge John Cale fan. Been so since early seventies. Hadn't heard the American Bandstand story. Not surprised one iota. Even though JJ is gone his music will live forever. RIP buddy.
JJ, in my opinion, was more of a recording artist than a concert artist. I believe that is how he saw himself, as well.
He made a horde of money off of the covers Eric Clapton made of his songs and that made him more than happy because it let him do what he wanted to do. Write songs and record them the way he wanted to, because he was also a recording engineer at heart.
And absolutely YES! The Dire Straits first album is almost a carbon copy of JJ's "Naturally." Play one right after the other and see if you don't notice the similarities.
JJ’s doesn’t strike me as more of a recording artist .. watch his face when performing “ Mama don’t” as each musician plays his / her part. He’s quietly conducting his orchestra and so very proud of each musician in it. What a master!
@@christinef2062 I just don't find JJ's live performances all that enjoyable. But his recordings! Now there is something to listen to! 👍💖🎶🎸🎸🎸
Bro, he was the backbone of the backbones of other bands who got great in their lifetime. He infused music in them.
That album "Naturally" is one classic song after another.
Always loved his version of the songs, I have played many of his songs over the years from the 70s on.
Me too.
R.I.P ! J.J. Cale! The man and his beautiful music! Wow!
I played bass in a dozen different bands in Tulsa years ago. I played bass with the piano player, Rocky Frisco who passed away recently and Jimmy Karstein, the drummer who played and toured with J.J Cale. They are all salt of the earth great guys and phenomenal musicians. Bill Rafensberger, the bass player passed away along with J.J. and Rocky. God bless their soles, may they RIP.
Yes J.J. Cale was very special. He was a true musician who could care less about fame and fortune.
was fortunate enough to have met JJ, Rocky, Christine and Bill. They were all cool nice folks.
Fortune? He received loyalties didn't he...?
SENSITIVE KIND The most beautiful love song
If you watch To Tulsa and Back JJ never went to the AB studios,watch him in his own words describe what happened,it was a phone call.
I have always preferred JJ’s over the other’s versions … he lived to play music HIS WAY … NO STRESS way … lived hand to mouth … just imagine if all our lives were that simple … being so creative!
One day decades ago, I won the record, Crazy Mama, in a raffle in Hamburg, Germany. After playing it one time, I was hooked. I have been an avid fan of his to this day.
When I was in the U.S.A. ....in1984 .......no one there knew him where as in Europe he was very well known ....especially among the musicians and more underground. Crowd .......personally I. Place him high up as one of the Greatest Troubadours Ever .....👍❤️
JJ - a Star's Star.
Always happy in his skin -
Well done mini-doc
Great tribute Op-Doc....love the artwork/animation! JJ defined cool.
He always was and always will be a superstar.
Well, he actually was a superstar. A superstar of a writer to artists that covered his songs or (tried to) copy his very original style. Hope he realized $$$ from royalties and glad he didn't fall for the corporate shuffle (What a lie). I feel so lucky to have seen him headlining a triple bill in NYC with Duke Robillard and The West Coast Blues Band.
Just found this video. Loved it. Excited to dig deeper and learn more about this awesome dude.
J.J. Cale was in a band with my wife’s grandpa (Leo Feathers) and Leon Russell called ‘The Starlighters’. Leo Feathers went on to play with stars such as Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, John Anderson, Waylon Jennings, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, Ronnie Dunn and many more huge names in music. He even spent some time in the studio with Carl Perkins. Leo and J.J. were both the epitome of a musician. One of the big reasons Leo stopped playin in Nashville, is cause everybody was after money and didn’t actually care about the music. Leo never chased the spotlight. He just wanted to play music. Leon Russell recruited him to start a band at around the age 15 and then Leo was hired by Jerry Lee Lewis at about the of 17.
I have a lot of ? not answered never understood It. Cult great first heard him maybe 69 -72 Always thought he was great and he was great. Really opened me up to new great tradition of regional music and more to the idea of fusion of traditional blues jazz Cajun style and a straight rhythm bump. As always fantastic guitar playing and arranging. He is my personal Idol of sorts.
Maybe not a superstar but a legend to all that knew him.
Magnolia is haunting
His music will always have a special place in my heart! ❤ Crazy Mama where you been so long......
Mr. J. J. Cale had Talent, Heart and Soul, his music was real and so was he. These qualities are no longer a requirement to be a star in the music business. Today one needs only a photogenic face, the right demographic and strong financial backing, to become a star. Back in the day one had to develop a track record of dues paid by playing live for years, and by making good records. Question, unlike analog recordings, what do digital downloads and most of todays so called stars have in common? Answer, they both sound like crap, but they are easy to package. It is just like homemade hamburgers compared to fast food, the first one is made with love, the other is shoved out of a hole in the wall. We are now a microwave society of entitlement minded, selfish, childish, idiots, with no class, and no taste in food or music, we just want everything fast, like success and lunch, so we can keep on texting, to try to prove to each other how hip. trendy and cool we are, while in reality we are lazy, ignorant, empty soulless shells, with no culture or knowledge of history, or sense of purpose or of self, who by our actions and words, convey the attitude that we are owed something, just because we are breathing. When music became a business and video killed the radio star, quantity overshadowed quality. To paraphrase an old commercial on another subject, I'm not a great singer or musician but I play one on TV. America is circling the drain, because we have already been flushed, now that's a real download. If you are lucky enough to find the door, please wash your hands with soap and turn the fan on and the light off on your way out. Peace
Yep, I always say that, pop music is like the McDonalds of music; a music like product, it kind of sounds like music, it can even feel like music, but there's no nutritional value to it.
Jason Downs Really good point! I like your statement there!
yep me too agree with your word pop music no nutritional value
True and we'll said.
I'm not sure if a JJ Cale video is the place for a bitter rant on the state of modern society, yet here we are.
Anyway, as long as popular music has been, ahem, popular, there has been banal & superficial music readily consumed by the public. The reason why we look back on decades past and say, "Oh, music was better, then." is because none of the crappy music from those times makes it into the present day awareness. It's the musical equivalent of looking at someone's photos on Facebook and thinking they have a much better life than you - a sort of 'highlight reel effect'. In actuality, 99 percent of recording acts have been one-hit (if that) wonders, most recorded music has been disposable, and even more has been forgettable.
JJ was a human being. If he would have been interested in being a "superstar," he would have been. Instead, as he sang it, "I make rock and roll records, I sell 'em for a dime." He didn't want that superstar life. At one point he lived in the middle of the desert in a trailer just to get away from the Tinseltown bs. No, he wasn't a superstar. He was a Super Star. Thank you, J J. And Thank You for the Music - it sounds just as fresh and new and real as the first time I heard it 50 years ago! J J Lives!!!!
Good on JJ. Best music of my lifetime
Thanks and God bless you JJ Cale.
Because his music is from his heart in depth
He's superstar for me and for many others I think :) Rest in peace....
love him! one of a kind!
I've heard this clip many manny times but I always love enjoying listening to this story again
JJ Cale is the epitome of tasteful playing. He chose what to play and what not to play. There’s no filler. It sounds “real”.
Wow, thanks for the intro- going to check J.J.Cale out now...he's before my time, and being in Asia doesn't help...
After Midnight was put out as a 45 demo originally, it had the faster pace. Clapton covered the demo version, hence the quicker tempo. JJ switched it up for the album. True story. Naturally is just outta sight, Okie is not far behind, my favorites.
I think he was the best sound and chord finder,anyway people is also die who think he wasnt popular:) he was a superstar for me . usa giving error sometimes like mr. sugarman rodrigez .
They dont make them like him anymore. Exactly. You said it all.
Saw this truly great musician and his band near on 50 years ago when vhe toured here in Melbourne Australia! Eric
Clapton a "Johnny come lately!" Knew 50 years ago just how good a musician JJ Cale really was! Thanks for all the great music for over half a century RIP J J!! "
He is hero of our hearts
Love your music, JJ Cale
Absolutely true. Thanks for the video. 👍
There are many ironies involved with JJ Cale. For example, his celebrated 'laid-back' guitar playing style: (this he was a celebrated pioneer of), and was so often was featured on his records & live recordings. However if you hear his studio (with video) recordings (availagle on TH-cam.com) with Leon Russel, it is readily apparent that he could 'shred' scales, riffs and anything else with as much as much acumen as any rock, jazz, 'metal' or blues guitar player that ever was---its just that he SELLECTED out of that, the killer riffs that SAID the most, that MEANT the most for the music that he was playing. Most of this he did (famously among musicians) on a cheap. pawnshop Harmony acoustic guitar that set him back a staggering $30.00.. He had removed the back from this guitar, and installed tone shaping pedal electronics (without their clamshells) that were controlled by knobs on the face of the guitar. Many guitarists offered him thousands to possess this instrument and (of course) he was never a seller. A talented musician would know that the could have left Page, Beck, and any other 'shredder' in the dust. But for all those that would pay tribute to him in time, most were simply in a state of terminal jealously when it came to him, because in the end THEY simply could not compete. The audiophilles, the musicians, the connoisseurs of music: whether of studio or performance, knew and knew this very, very well--his greatness. He DOES rest in peace and in permanent glory. Amen.
Just found him about a year ago and he’s been on repeat since
"That weird, cool fusion between Rock and Country and Blues and Folk"... Spot on!
Salute to one of the greatest musician who lived and died in the shadows
JJ a Giant Man what talent he had
Don't blame him on that. Love that album Naturally. Like the live stuff I seen to with Leon Russell to.
I found him when I was a Napster jerk, downloading over a landline a song a night for a month, because I was amazed this guy was ripping everyone off! LOL That was 2000 and he's been a favorite ever since, Downtown LA and 13 Days are my two favorites. Widespread Panic's Traveling Light was what triggered the original download.. nice work, thanks!
After the release of his first album, some industry type told him “You gotta make another album.” JJ was like “What’s wrong with the one we put out?”
I love (LOVE)! him.
Pretty sure that was Willis Alan Ramsey. People are still waiting for his second album.
Right to the point. Bravo.
'Naturally' brilliant album, 'Troubadour' and many more are excellent. Fine guitarist.
I bet your folks used to listen to that album over and over and over again..... I was fortunate enough to be gifted some really cool LPS tambien....
That never happened. Danny was expanding on the real story. Cale wasn't there and his band wasn't there. The whole conversation was on the phone. Cale said, "I'm a musician, not an actor."
it does not change the story
+O Ermitão Pessimista
It does change the story, but of course as you probably mean to point out, not the fact that JJ said no and stuck to music rather than fame. Sadly, neither him nor Rocky are here anymore, and they probably wouldn't care much for this conversation. Such a loss.
Stephane you know how Hollywood is they always have to add a lil something something to make it more interesting.
You party pooper!!! That’s ok tho
He may have messed up on that one, maybe his band could of used the money,they could of got better paying gigs
I just watched a concert, j.j. cale n Eric Clapton, playing in San Francisco CA.... it was filmed in 2016, and didn't pass on in 2013, like it said at end of video, truth be known, it's a far truth from having true respect for the feller, true American musician, happy and humble too share his music, like a book writer letting acts such as skynard and Clapton, too represent him, happy enough with the royalties as we know, God Bless.... my mistake on him passing n 2013, just heard Eric Clapton talking about it, when he was talking about, they call me the breeze.......
Cale's music and personality were a little on the laid-back side for pop stardom. He was probably as well-known as Warren Zevon, Gram Parsons, Leonard Cohen, George Thorogood, Steve Winwood, or Jimmy Buffett. Just guessing.
DucksDeLucks Steve winwood was a massive star,traffic ,then especially blind faith with Clapton and ginger baker who were about as big as u can get coming from cream
Throw in Lowell George.
J.J. being terrified of flying certainly didn't help either
Listen to him tell .
Genuine love for music, still miss him
It was as much as Christine could do to get him to go on the road at all, or do any sort of promotion of himself and his records. He didn't want to do all that stuff. He wanted to write and record and let the records sell themselves.
Because he didn’t want to.. we need more JJ Cales in this world.
So what's the song starting at around 1:17? I sounds like "Oh my my' but a different version. Would love to hear it!
he was the idol of the superstars, a musician's musician.
What's the name of the music that plays at the final of the video?
He never wanted to. It’s really that simple.
He’s even more Tom Waites than Tom Waites.
I will love forever J.J. Cale
I saw him and his Band live 3 times. "Ella Guru's" Knoxville, "Bijou Theatre" Knoxville and "Be Here Now" in Asheville
One of my favs. Period.
That's awesome. He was happy enough just playing the music