Eric Clapton brings in close friends Mark Knopfler, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty and John Mayer to play tribute to the late guitarist and songwriter JJ Cale who died in 2013 at the age of 74. The tracks here are very symbolic of the Oklahoma native and not many of the 16 tracks really take a new reinvention down the line. The set also has former Cale bandmate Don White, who gives a helping hand to contribute renditions honoring the late musician.

Clapton kicks off the album with the smooth R&B boogie that was Cale’s signature on Call Me The Breeze. Clapton’s blend of Cale’s spoken introduction in the song is remarkable. Clapton tries his best to replicate Cale’s original arrangements alongwith John Mayer do on Lies, where their vocals are virtually indistinguishable from the original. Willie Nelson’s age has caught up with him and you can make out the uneasiness in his voice when you tune into the track Starbound where he is joined by Derek Trucks who adds his own take on the song. Songbird another great piece with Willie Nelson, comes out well when it is played with the great Clapton. Moving ahead you then have Clapton and John Mayer add a traditional blues touch to Don’t Wait, while loyal Cale band member Don White takes the lead in the country touched I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me) offering a new twist to the track. He handles Sensitive Kind too with a great set of vocals while Rock and roll Records has a jam with Eric Clapton and Tom Petty, with both musicians giving off some great guitar riffs. Lastly Train to Nowhere with Clapton, Knopfler and White is one of the best pieces here. It is one of the songs that would make you want to people to listen to Cale’s originals, the whole effort will have been worthwhile.

On the whole, the effect that The Breeze creates is sombre and enlightening. All five artists give their soul to the music and try to reinterpret the magic that was JJ Cale. Fans of Cale would surely want to tune in and find out more about what the msuciians have done to the album and rightly so it would be worth it. From the man who gave us masterpieces like Cocaine, After Midnight and Layla, expect some golden moments on your stereo.

The inlay has some great moments from the archives with all musicians. A collectors item for sure and the music everlasting.

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira