Search - J.J. Cale :: Anyway The Wind Blows: The Anthology

A Sensuous Out Of Body Experience!!

James Otterstrom | Big Bear City, CA United States | 01/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A convert since 1970, I have all 12 of J.J. Cale's CDs plus the first compilation, Special Edition, and this anthology. I bought this one for the 6 previously unreleased tracks, the quality of the digitally remastered sound, and the rarity of a photo/biographical glimpse into the life of this modest sorcerer of musical magic, and the money was well spent. Fifty crisp remasters on 2 discs, the inclusion of 'Midnight In Memphis' and 'Durango', two lost instrumental gems from over a quarter of a century ago, and extensive liner notes make this set a requirement for the J.J. aficionado, and ground zero for the uninitiated. Yes J.J. has influenced the likes of Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Santana, and Lynard Skynard, but their renditions of his songs only scratch at the essence of the mans music. If you haven't yet fallen under the spell of J.J. Cale, it's about time, and you now have thirty years of enchanting grooves at your fingertips. You don't so much listen to this music, as slowly, subconsciously, you are pulled into the being of it. For starters, put on Durango. Sit back... relax... close your eyes... let the sensuous textures, carefully revealed intricacies, percolate up through finely woven tapestries of sound, to permeate your atmosphere until all becomes one... free... floating in pleasure... romanced into ecstacy... you have now been seduced by J.J. Cale. Shall we move along to 'Sensitive Kind', or 'Artificial Paradise', or 'Cajun Moon' or..."

The Original Maverick-Americana At Its Best

Lance G. Rigley | Brisbane, Queensland Australia | 08/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been constantly playing this anthology...alternating the discs,chopping and changing,playing the *Naturally* period with *Number 10* and *Closer To You*..kicking back to *Cocaine* and *After Midnight*...religiously reading the enclosed biography,disography and then playing *Okie* with *Troupador*,marvelling at *Durango* and the other previously unreleased tracks,chilling out to *Dont Cry Sister Cry*and then unashamedly foot tapping to*Shanghaid*..enjoying that understated style,that folky Americana...that musical* Grapes Of Wrath*..listening to those smooth bluesy guitar licks..and thinking that this guy is more or less an original a musical hermit that has influenced everyone from Eric Clapton to every person who has every strapped on a guitar to entertain as a busker in a mall or a railway station...and still I return to play the *Really* stretch *Lies*,* Changes*, *If You're Ever In Oklahoma*,and*Midnight In Memphis*...and I have come to write this review,and think what could possibly be said about this anthology,and the excellence of J.J.Cale that hasnt already been said.?? This is simply the most seductive collection of Americana you could hope to own.J.J.Cale drifted across the canvas of popular music for 30 years,defying fads and record company executives..he defied,sometimes to his own detriment,the advice of others..but always remained true to his own path.If you are going to have a handful of truely great recordings in your collection,outside of the original records,this double CD is one of them. It has 50 songs,photographs and a biography booklet that provides a much sort after insight into the man...and a production and a sound that is to die for....a stellar 5 stars..but then again,anyway the winds blows....not a bad track and definately a collection for all occasions.Listening to this equates with arriving home wet and cold and then slipping into that hot bath with your own choice of poison in hand...it just warms the cockles of your heart ..just buy the damm thing!!!!!!"

Distilled Spirit

Johnny Hodges | Clark Fork, ID United States | 05/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I'm a big fan of JJ Cale, I've long bemoaned the poor to mediocre sound on his recordings, and the less than first rate tunes (I hesitate to use the word "filler" with JJ) that populate all but his first couple of albums. What a consumate joy to get to hear all the instruments in the (remastered) mix instead of sonic mush. And the tracks are very well selected to give you most of the best of his work. I do miss "Clyde" and "River Runs Deep" from the first album, but minor carps for a masterpiece. Might be the best record ever made by a white musician. A serious mile melter on the road. Be sure to get the DVD too."