The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale

Eric Clapton has put together an album celebrating the lifeof JJ Cale, who sadly passed away a year ago on July 26th 2013. Eric came upwith the idea on the flight to JJ’s funeral, and enlisted friends Tom Petty,Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Albert Lee, Derek Trucks and DonWhite to play on the album.

JJ Cale is credited with creating ‘the Tusla sound’ and hisbody of work includes Clapton’s hits ‘After Midnight’ and ‘Cocaine’. The twocollaborated on The Road to Escondido in2006 and JJ joined Eric on ‘Angel’ for his 2013 album, Old Sock. Eric feels that JJ hasn’t received the recognition hedeserved and hopes that The Breeze will draw global attention to his talent. You can order the album by clicking here.

‘JJ was very self-critical and dismissive about his gifts.He was happy to just be known as a songwriter. But when I tried to play likehim — it's beyond most musicians. We get too heavy-handed. He had a touch thatwas sensitive and subtle.’ – EricClapton

Left: Genesis’ Catherine Roylance designed the album artwork,which features an illustration by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto based on Michael Putland’sphotograph.