Audio CD review:
J.J. Cale - Okie

J.J. Cale - Okie

Band: J.J. Cale Title: Okie Rating: Release Date: 12 March, 1990 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Crying 2: I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me) 3: Starbound 4: Rock And Roll Records 5: The Old Man And Me 6: Everlovin' Woman 7: Cajun Moon 8: I'd Like To Love You Baby 9: Anyway The Wind Blows 10: Precious Memories 11: Okie 12: I Got The Same Old Blues

Customer Reviews Short but good J. I'm familiar with seven of J. Cale's albums so far--the first four, plus "Grasshopper," "#8," and "Travel Log"--and "Okie" is my favorite, just barely edging out his debut album. What I like best about "Okie," aside from the fact that it's full of good tunes, is the casual, laid-back atmosphere. You could say that about all of Cale's early albums, of course, but this one takes that sound just a little farther. One of the songs was actually recorded on Cale's back porch, and two others were recorded in his house. The others were recorded in Tennessee, either at Woodland Studio B or a place called Bradley's Barn. You get the picture. These songs are also bound together by the use of an electric piano that appears throughout, helping to create a really nice groove. A highlight is "Anyway the Wind Blows," which is driven by a great little guitar riff that was later modified slightly by Eric Clapton for "Lay Down Sally. " "Everlovin' Woman," "Cajun Moon," and "I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)" also have really nice grooves. Meanwhile, the slow songs are not quite as memorable, but none of them are duds by any means. As usual, the songs are all short--the entire album clocks in at just under 30 minutes. It's as if Cale thinks he would be showing off if he extended them any longer. And he's got so many good riffs that he's happy to trot out a new one every two or three minutes. If you like your albums longer than this, I have a suggestion: Play it twice in a row. . J.J. Cale's "Okie" is Okey Dokey J. It has the cool sound of J. first effort. There are some great tunes too. I don't think it's exceptional Cale, but worth owning and checking out. . JJem Nothing leaps out at you like that catfish over there. Well, this album rolls along like a river with the patented JJ groove. I can stare at the waves in a river a long time. Maybe they get into my head in places I don't want to go. Same sort of thing goes on with the songs here. . . I've worn out this album. If you like it, you'll love it. If not, maybe, when you feel like kicking back it's a good idea to give it another try. Thanks JJ. . You can see a complete list of all J.J. Cale discography, or go back to the J.J. Cale tabs