JJ Cale, one of the truly distinctive songwriters and a true original of the American Southwest, has created a large catalog of rootsy, laidback, and laconic songs that have been covered by the likes of Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Band, Bob Dylan, and Santana. His last major label release with Eric Clapton, Road to Escondido, won a Grammy Award in 2008.

This compilation features many of Cale's most famous songs from early in his career in the 1970s, such as 'Cocaine,' Crazy Mama,' 'Money Talks,' and Cajun Moon.'

This 14-track instrumental compilation recasts many of JJ's greatest songs across a wide range of roots music styles, from the contemporary electric blues of Swamp Cabbage and the Nashville country sounds of Dixie Tabernacle to the arena-sized, early Led Zeppelin-styled hard rock of Rufus Huff and the acoustic bluegrass of Tim & Roddy Smith's Groove Gang.

Other 'celebrity' contributors to this tribute include vocalists JJ Grey (Mofro), Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie, Jeff Beck), bassist Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones), keyboardist Mike Finnegan (Jimi Hendrix, Taj Mahal), and drummer Charley Dreyton (Herbie Hancock, Iggy Pop).

'How cool, a tribute to Cale and he isn't even dead yet ... In the wake of his Grammy win with Clapton, ZOHO Roots got the label's gang fired up to pay tribute to the southern treasure and it seems like very little coaxing was needed to get people on board and to give their all. Since a Cale album is a once in a blue moon thing, this sort of greatest hits from august vets and sure-footed newcomers is a dandy thing. Suppose this is your first taste of Cale and you wouldn't be able to handle his laconic style on his own records. This is a fine place to jump in, only 40 years too late. Check it out.' -- Midwest Record

TRACK LISTING:
1. Crazy Mama
2. Cocaine
3. Don't Cry Sister
4. Cajun Moon
5. Same Old Blues
6. Don't Cry Sister
7. Any Way the Wind Blows
8. Lies
9. Don't Wait
10. Money Talks
11. Louisiana Women
12. Travelin' Light
13. Ride Me High
14. Down To Memphis - Larry Goad/Doug Phelps

Additional Details

Label: Zoho Roots

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 50 mins

Release Date: 05/05/14

UPC: 880956100821