J.J. CALE
The Best Of J.J. Cale - The Millennium Collection (Mercury)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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The Millennium Collection series always claim to be "best of," collections, but it's not always true. They're typically the best material in the Universal vaults of a particular artist, and not every artist did their best work for a Universal imprint. J.J. Cale did, though, and if there are any eleven tracks that deserve to be called his best, these have got to be them.

Songs like "After Midnight," "Cocaine," "Crazy Mama" and "Call Me The Breeze" have become integral parts of the vocabulary of American popular roots music, whether through Cale's own versions or famous covers by artists like Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Those who don't know Cale's versions are likely to be both surprised and impressed by the strength of his performances and the elements of the songs they highlight. Those that do know his versions will delight in hearing them again, and this provides a convenient way to do just that.

Track List:

Call Me The Breeze * Crazy Mama * Magnolia * After Midnight * Lies * Cajun Moon * Travelin' Light * Cocaine * I'll Make Love To You Anytime * Sensitive Kind * Carry On

© 2002 - Shaun Dale