J.J. Cale (1938-2013) was the Oklahoma-raised architect of the laid-back Tulsa sound, whose songs Cocaine and After Midnight became major hits for Eric Clapton. Naturally (1972) and Troubadour (1976) are the essentials — understated vocals, economical guitar, endless groove. Explore J.J. Cale vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Jean-Jacques Cale was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on December 5, 1938 and raised in Tulsa. He launched his career in the late 1950s and early 1960s alongside Leon Russell and other figures in what became known as the Tulsa sound. After moving to Los Angeles in 1964 and working as a session musician, he returned to Oklahoma and recorded the foundational solo material that became Naturally (1972, Shelter Records) and his subsequent catalog. His relaxed, understated guitar approach and songwriting became influential on Eric Clapton (who covered Cale's songs After Midnight in 1970 and Cocaine in 1977) and many other artists. He won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2008 for The Road to Escondido (his 2006 Clapton collaboration). He died of a heart attack on July 26, 2013 at age 74.
J.J. Cale's sound combines Tulsa sound, blues rock, country rock, swamp blues, and laid-back rock with his distinctive understated, almost-whispered vocal delivery and economical, melodic guitar work. His foundational influence on Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), and countless other guitarists is widely documented.
Original Shelter Records pressings of the early J.J. Cale catalog are widely collected. Multiple anniversary editions, audiophile reissues, and the comprehensive Capitol/Shelter reissue programs have been released.
Listeners new to J.J. Cale typically start with Naturally (1972) or Troubadour (1976).
