Episode 189: The J.J. Cale Discography
I'm equal parts excited to share this episode and sad that the project has come to a close, but before I get all emotional, know that the Apple Music playlist that serves as a companion to this episode can be found here. If that isn't your platform and you want me to create one for you for yours, D.M. me on Instagram or drop a comment on the YouTube post; happy to do it.
It's Episode 189 then and this is my first crack at a discography-series installment all by my lonesome.
I was explaining this to my son earlier in the week, and he was not only curious but felt bad for me having to do one alone. And then he was stunned when I told him how much longer it takes to record and produce an episode without a guest as well as how much shorter the final product is.
Anyway...I started poking around at the J.J. Cale catalog a few months ago, and I've finally made it through all 15 albums three times. And I really can't tell you what a delight it's been.
Now the challenge will be to avoid my favorites (the playlist), and really step away from his work for a little bit so that it'll be somewhat fresh and enjoyable when I feel like revisiting.
There is so much to appreciate within Cale's rich collection. Crafty lyrics, stellar musicianship from all involved, groove, funk, blues, dexterity, love, lust, companionship, and so on. This exploration has made me a fan for life, and I hope that by sharing it I've piqued the interest of someone else, too.
Cale's albums:
Naturally (1971)
Really (1972)
Okie (1974)
Troubadour (1976)
5 (1979)
Shades (1981)
Grasshopper (1982)
#8 (1983)
Travel-Log (1989)
Number 10 (1992)
Closer to You (1994)
Guitar Man (1996)
To Tulsa and Back (2004)
Roll On (2009)
Stay Around (2019)
Snippets of favorites from each appear chronologically in this episode; full versions on the aforementioned playlist.
Talk to each other when you're out there doing human things in the world. It can make a difference.
copyright disclaimer: The intro and outro clips from this episode are not my property. They come from a Portugal. The Man tune called, "Thunderdome [W.T.A.]," from the 2023 release, Chris Black Changed My Life, c/o Atlantic Recording Corporation.