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The Road to Escondido | 
| Artists: J.j. Cale, Eric Clapton
Label: Reprise / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy Used: $4.80
You Save: $14.18 (75%)
New (41) Used (25) from $4.80
Rating:  151 reviews
Sales Rank: 2598
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 44418
UPC: 093624441823
EAN: 0093624441823
ASIN: B000I5X81A
Release Date: November 7, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Danger | | • | Heads In Georgia | | • | Missing Person | | • | When This War Is Over | | • | Sporting Life Blues | | • | Dead End Road | | • | It's Easy | | • | Hard To Thrill | | • | Anyway The Wind Blows | | • | Three Little Girls | | • | Don't Cry Sister | | • | Last Will And Testament | | • | Who Am I Telling You? | | • | Ride The River |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
J.J. Cale penned two of Eric Clapton's career-defining solo hits, "Cocaine" and "After Midnight." And since Clapton has often fashioned his persona in a WWJD manner (what would J.J. do?), this collaboration is long overdue. But despite the rather slick production and long list of guest backing musicians (including four bassists, four drummers, five other guitarists, and three percussionists), The Road to Escondido is still dominated more by Cale than Clapton. The relatively reticent Okie wrote 11 of the 14 tracks, and it's his low-key souffle of blues, jazz, and country that shapes and directs the disc's tone, with Clapton along for the ride. The opening "Danger" sets the dusky mood as the duo rides a typical Cale swamp groove that gives way to a tightly wound Slowhand solo. They trade lead vocals on a lovely version of the after-hours jazz blues classic "Sporting Life Blues," and the ubiquitous John Mayer makes an impressive appearance on the subtle blues of "Hard to Thrill."Clapton hasn't sounded this relaxed or involved in his own material for years. The traditionally laid-back, if not quite snoozy, Cale responds with a comparatively energized performance, likely due to the high-profile company. When the two harmonize on the mid-tempo foot tapper "Anyway the Wind Blows," the result is so natural and spontaneous it's a shame these two didn't join forces earlier. On paper, it appears that Cale has the most to gain from partnering with an established superstar, but the fact is this collaboration yields Eric Clapton's most engaging and contagious roots-rock release in a long time. --Hal Horowitz
From Amazon.ca
They say you can't go home again, but don't tell Eric Clapton. Quick on the heels of his vaunted Cream reunion/boomer wet dream, the English guitar legend teamed with influential Tulsa country-blues fixture J.J. Cale, writer of early Clapton solo hits "Cocaine" and "After Midnight," and a slate of then 'n' now all-stars (including some of the final performances by keyboard great Billy Preston) to reinvent the guitarist's laid-back '70s groove for a new era. The result is one of the most grounded and satisfying Clapton releases in many a year, a true musical collaboration with the guitarist's own longtime hero that coaxes their muses down familiar, if still refreshing, musical avenues.The album's billing seems more than merely alphabetical: Cale pens 11 of the tunes, with Clapton contributing the gentle acoustic folk-pop of "Three Little Girls" and John Mayer offering up the slinky, jaded blues "Hard to Thrill," where fellow fret god Albert Lee adds his touch to Clapton's countrified revival. But it's the interplay between Cale and Clapton that carries the day throughout, from the signature sound of "Danger" and single "Ride the River" and the Deadhead-friendly vibes of the shuffling "Missing Person" and "When the War Is Over" to their deliciously languorous cover of "Sporting Life Blues." Clapton's playing is as lyrical as ever, yet channeled into a savory heartland mindset that's anything but cliched. --Jerry McCulley
Amazon.com
After years of admiring each other's musical masterworks, guitar great J.J. Cale and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer/Grammy-winner Eric Clapton have teamed up to create an original album together called The Road to Escondido. The resulting hybrid sound defies labels, and instead finds influence across the spectrum of blues, rock, country, and fold. The songs are warm and rich with deep-flowing rhythms while using an economy of words to express much. Eric Clapton Merchandise
Album Description
Japanese pressing of 2006 album. 14 tracks. Reprise.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 146 more reviews...
An Expectedly Delightful Collaboration November 11, 2006
MidWest Phil (Northfield, Illinois United States)
65 out of 70 found this review helpful
JJ Cale and Eric Clapton are an intriguing team - as JJ wrote and recorded a couple of songs that later became huge commercial succeses for Eric Clapton (After Midnight and Cocaine). Actually, comparing the JJ Cale vs the Eric Clapton versions of these two songs shows the similarities of the versions - not their differences - to be particularly striking. Eric primarily brought his celebrity to these tunes - which helped some great music get exposed to a broader market.
Not surprisingly, at first listen TrtEscondido sounds a lot like a number of JJ Cale albums - many of the tracks showing JJ's characteristic laid-back shuffle, with a comfortable bluesy feel through-out. A closer listen though underscores some subtle collaborative synergy not apparent in Eric's covers of JJ's earlier work. Much of the unique feel of this collaboration is found in the contrasting vocal work of these two artists.
I was amazed by how similar, yet complimentary, the vocal stylings are of JJ and Eric. A real treat on this collection is the track "Missing Person" where they trade off the verses and join at the chorus for a fabulous duet - voices that sound like they were meant to sing together. And yes - of course the instrumental break doesn't disappoint - as these two masters creatively tag team rifs dissipating into some inspired keyboard work before the final chorus.
This probably isn't the best album in the catalog of either of these artists. It is, however, a very tasty collaboration of two extremely talented musicians who clearly respect and appreciate each other's delightfully complimentary talents.
 The Road To Escondido Is Filled With An Elusive Joy. December 10, 2006
prisrob (New EnglandUSA)
43 out of 45 found this review helpful
"In Spanish and Portuguese, escondido means a hidden place. That's the straight definition. But the word often also implies somewhere dark as well as hidden - a sinister locale with the emphasis on sin. This is a post-jazz honky tonk (or roadhouse or juke-joint, etc.). This is the "place" of The Road to Escondido. The bands in most honky tonks were straightforward - usually a drummer, bass player, one or two guitars, and a singer. Point is, most honky tonk music is direct and raw. J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton guitar fans should love Escondido." Tom Watson
Much has been written about the friendship of J.J.Cale and Eric Clapton. This CD clenches it, they are the best of the best. Eric has recorded several of J.J. Cales's songs and made his mark in the record world with "Cocaine". This CD is a synergistic work that shows that neither has the upper hand. The artistry of both has made the guitar playing of both as perfect as before, and it often blends into one whole. J.J. Cale has written eleven out of the fourteen songs. This is a collection of songs dedicated to Billy Preston whose last recordings are present. Guitars can be heard with such skill and love, Doyle Bramhall II, Derek Trucks, John Mayer, Albert Lee and the acoustic piano of Billy Preston will amaze you,
'Danger' rhythm and great guitar and sung solo by Eric Clapton- written by Cale
'Heads In Georgia'-slow, bluesy, soul- 'that lonesome ole highway , seems to be our way go down'.
'Missing Persons'- sprightly bounce of a serious side- 'That woman used to be mine, but she is a Missing Person'.
'When This War Is Over'-country honky-tonk and shuffle- great examples of how two musicians can catch the mood of each other and sing serious words.
"It will be a better day".
'Sporting Life Blues'-classy jazz and blues composition-:This night life, this old sporting life is killing me".
'Dead End Road'-sprightly two-steppin' song-"Feel like I'm runnin' a dead end road, and which way am I to go?"
'It's Easy'-my favorite of all of the songs, but some say it is the "requisite sleaze" Bouncy rhythm-"It's so easy' to get through these times, so easy your love and mine"
'Hard to Thrill' finger snappin, sultry, slow blues-co-written by Eric Clapton and John Mayer, with John's unique guitar playing.
'Anyway the Wind blows'-rhythm of this toe-tappin song. "If you don't get loose, if you don't groove. Well, your motor won't make it and your motor won't move. Easy come, easy go. Any way the wind blows"
'Three Little Girls'-finger-pickin, delicate composition "I get all my love from my three little girls".
'Don't Cry Sister'-reggae twist on the blues. "Don't cry sister cry, till be alright in the morning. Don't cry sister cry, everything be just fine
Don't cry sister cry, till be alright, I tell you no lie. Don't cry sister cry, don't do it, don't do it."
'Last Will and Testament'-late night at the bar, "I'm gonna over sixty, won't be long til I'm nothin' but a ghost, and it is my intent to leave all of my people out of my Last Will and Testament".
'Who Am I Telling You'-slow, bluesy, "It don't take any fool to love you, and you stand out in any crowd. You done got yourself together".
'Ride the River'- the closer is full of interesting images and a spirit of adventure. The two souls of blues are one.
"The Road To Escondido has become a real embodiment of Cale's and Clapton's friendship and due to the commonness of the artists' views at music the record is characterised with remarkable harmonies and peace. The same elusive joy for its creators make it easy for each to understand the other and both are doing what they like best of all. Encouraging each other on every track, the musicians have found a common key adding some features to their playing which have never been heard before. From the very beginning till the end album The Road To Escondido is a homogeneous flow of amazingly warm songs, offering a lot of feelings by means of little words. " MusicMP3RU
All the tracks on this CD are meaningful and full of spirit, blues, jazz and that elusive joy, all of us, and my best friend and I are looking for. It is full of the history of blues and these two men, J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton. This CD lives up to their collective souls.
Highly Recommended. 9/10/06
JJ CALE RULES THIS SHOW December 8, 2006
wally gator (USA)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
What few people seem to fail to recognize is how great of a singer/songwriter J.J. Cale is. The fact that most people know him as the guy who wrote Eric Claptons Cocaine and After Midnight goes to show that a lot of people have never really dug into the vast catalouge of songs that J.J. has recorded himself. I like J.J. Cale better then I like Eric Clapton, so lets begin here...
This is a J.J. Cale album more than it is an Eric Clapton album. Cale wrote eleven of the fourteen tracks, and even though Clapton plays a pretty solid guitar, and sings harmony alongside, its basically JJ's show. Which is cool if you ask me. Clapton is no doubt, an admirer of JJ Cale. If you listen to his 1978 recording of Cocaine, and then listen to the Cale original, you may notice that they sound almost exactly the same. The only major difference between the two was the artist name on the front of the record. Claptons version became a huge hit. The mellow sounds of the songs on this record flow very nicely, and its good to think that perhaps this artist is going to get a little more recognition than usual, now that E.C has stamped his name on the bill.
Thing is, this is a long overdue collaboration, and listening to it, it is obvious why. Everyone mentions how this is Claptons best album in years, and it is true. But for JJ Cale, it is about the same quality as all of his other records... for instance his album To Tulsa and Back, which came out about two years ago, was equally as good. JJ Cale writes songs that are smooth and easy, but not soft. I dig. Read some other reviews and they will all say this album is good, because it is. I also don't want to sound like I'm trying to discredit Clapton for what he brings to the album. I just wanted to say that if you dig this one, you should maybe check out a few more JJ Cale albums, before you go looking for something similar from Eric Clapton.
Whew ... November 11, 2006
Nicholas E. Arpaia (Durham, CT USA)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
What can be said? There are no suitable adjectives. Blows away even how good I anticipated it would be. Cale like I've never heard him. Clapton found his way "home". I've been an ardent Cale fan since the 70s, Clapton's a decade earlier. THE Master accompanied by The Master: Cale - the master songwriter, the master of style, atmosphere & feel; Clapton - the master musician, the master of presentation, polish & production. In their individual ways, both masters of presence - distinct routes to a common end. Hearing this album, you realize how closely their music has parallelled all along. Usually, greatness together yeilds strained competition. This collaboration is effortless and natural, allowing them to compliment each other to new heights yeilding a whole far more accomplished than even the sum of the halves could ever hope to achieve. True musical soulmates finally together. The partnership so "right" you wonder if they haven't played together for years in other lives? This release causes me to hope that it is just a taste of many more to follow ...
Best Played and Engineered Clapton CD November 14, 2006
Mel B. McClure (Broomfield, Colorado United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I have been listening to this cd all week. It is so well engineered and recorded that it should be used as a test cd. I saw Mr. Clapton on CBS Sunday Morning Show and he and Mr. Cale looked like they really enjoyed themselves making it. Mr. Cale's songwriting is excellent, what a wonder he is. One very pleasant surprise was the late Billy Preston playing organ and piano, the recording and engineering brings out the punch in Mr. Preston's playing. Mr. Clapton has written a very touching song about his daughters that is a must and his guitar playing is lyrical as well. I don't think I have ever heard him play as well.
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