J.J. Cale
Jan Douwe Kroeske Presents: 2 Meter Sessions # 461 – J.J. Cale
2 Meter Sessies
Alright, so 2 Meter Sessies (or 2 Meter Sessions) is a Dutch radio and TV show that, beginning in 1987, is an antecedent of MTV Unplugged. Did you know that? I didn’t. Not until I heard this – one of a series of new archival releases.
The notoriously reclusive – and ultra laidback – J.J. Cale here presents a range of tunes from his then-new Travel-Log album and a few old favourites (After Midnight, Ride Me High).
His acoustic guitar playing is wonderful (Tijiuana), the percussionists are brilliant in support (Travelin’ Light) and those lazy bluesy, jazzy shades that he could offer a tune sound particularly great in this low-key, stripped back setting (Hold On).
There’s not a lot of banter – of course. But Cale sounds warm and charming when he does speak and the version of After Midnight is glorious, this wee EP-length recording (7 songs, 23 minutes) is worth it just for that if nothing else.
It’s been nice getting to hear a few new/old J.J. Cale things recently – I still miss him.
There’s more from the 2 Meter Sessions to check out but this is certainly a good place to start.
Devil In Disguise takes you right to that mythical back porch where Cale’s wife described the best version of the man, strumming there… a beer in reach…