The Road to Escondido

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 souffl? 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

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 clich?d. --Jerry McCulley

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.

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