Shelter Records Biography, 1976

J.J. Cale is an enigmatic character, a performer whose life-style, interests, and music seem to be born out of another time. He has constantly shunned publicity, grants few interviews and any time devoted to talking about himself is short-lived. In many ways this could be construed as an affected or purposely manufactured promotion program -- no publicity becomes more PR. However, Cale's consistency concerning his lack of publicity refutes such speculation. He has, as far as anyone knows, never been too concerned with the traditional trappings of rock stardom. His music is rooted in the pre-rock and roll years. Even though Cale has played with many rock and roll groups and with numerous rock stars. Before he got in r and r, in the late 50's with J.J. Cale and the Valentines, he was playing the blues-blues that were influenced by Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and later B.B. King and Albert King.

After the Valentines, Cale spent some more time on the road with some Grand Ole Opry stars. A versatile performer, J.J. was adaptable to that pure country and western sound. But Cale's subtle blues rhythms and hypnotic voice eventually needed a chance to surface, so J.J. spent some mid-sixties time in the Sunset Blvd. clubs with Tulsa buddies Leon Russell, Carl Radle, and Marc Benno. Later these displaced Okies became the backbone of Delany and Bonnie's band. For J.J., Los Angeles meant some solid studio experience and during this time he wrote and recorded "After Midnight" around 1965; some five years later Eric Clapton turned the trick with it -- all the way to the top of the charts.

Hollywood wasn't conducive to the Cale lifestyle. 1965 found the man back in Tulsa playing the bars, building a studio in his house, recording his own music and songs. All this with the help of his favorite guitar, an instrument that has probably gotten as much newspaper space as J.J. -- an old Harmony, accoustic model, with an assortment of pickups from various other guitars in the Cale collection.

In 1967 J.J. came to Nashville to work with Audie Ashworth. Once settled into a comfortable situation, cale began rerecording with some of his Tulsa friends and some fine Tennessee musicians. Carl Radle, who was in Nashville with Eric Clapton for a Johnny Cash television show, came to one of the sessions to play bass. After listening to several playbacks, Carl called Leon Russell to tell him about the album. Radle took a tape copy to Leon and Denny Cordell, resulting in the contract with Shelter. Ashworth was good for Cale and vice versa; their new relationship spawned J.J.'s first album Naturally which included the smash hit "Crazy Mama." It was appartently also good for Shelter Records, as their successful relationship with Cale continues to this day.

J.J.'s second album released in 1972 was Really -- highlighted by the hit single "Lies," followed by his third album, Okie. The Okie album offers further insight into the temperament, style, and methods of J.J. Cale. It was recorded under the casual conditions that Cale obviously finds the most desirable for his type of music.

J.J.'s new album is called Troubadour. Although very much in the classic Cale mold, it does offer a slight departure on a few tunes. It's definitely J.J.'s most energetic effort to date and present among the twelve tracks are some Caribbean rhythm influences. Most notable cuts are "Gypsy Man," "Cherry," "Hey Baby," and "Let Me Do It To You." In the first few months of 1976 J.J. toured Australia and Europe. He plays only about fifty dates a year -- thus the road still holds its allure, without strining the relationship between the man and his music. His off-road time is spent enjoying his hobbies: fishing, motorcycle riding, writing songs and experimenting in his studio.

J.J. Cale's music tells you as much about the man as he'd probably like anybody to know. It's charmingly friendly yet disarmingly honest. He doesn't waste words, music, or your time. His new album is as consistent as his previous ones. As always, he has put many months, much effort, and plenty of himself into it. Troubadour -- it's just the right time for another J.J. Cale album.