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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Stars on a Log Week 3 (JJ Cale)

Okay so it’s a Tuesday, you have just come back from a tough day of classes and you want to put on something chill. But something is different this time, your work load has just been too stressful, your teachers have just been too harsh, and no ordinary chill will contain your stress this time. You don’t need chill, you need arctic wintery storms that make Santa Clause reach for his Snuggie. Yeah that’s what you need. So what do you put on? This weeks Stars on a log will feature someone who makes penguins seem like volcanoes, Mr. Freeze look like Lava Girl from Shark Boy and Lava Girl, and Dave Mathews seem like a… well a bad musician. Of course I am speaking of the one and only J.J. Cale.
For those of you who don’t know, J.J. Cale is a bluesman who has been crafting and performing songs since he cut his first single in 1958. He has gained widespread influence in the music business as a wonderful songwriter and guitarist. His songs have been imitated (but never surpassed) by legendary acts like Lynard Skynard, Eric Clapton, and Widespread Panic. His albums are known for being laid back casual trips to somewhere south, his voice taking you by the hand and transporting you to a simpler life.
If Eric Clapton deserves his nickname Slowhand, than the only name worthy of Cale is Even Slower Hand. His music is so chill, that doctors sometimes subscribe it to reduce blood pressure. His greatest album, Naturally, which contains hits such as Crazy Mama, Call Me the Breeze and After Midnight, is truly great. It is one of the most relaxing albums to listen to that I have ever come across. Also, the album cover is a raccoon with a little raccoon suit and a top hat. How can you go wrong?
-Steve

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