Clapton and Cale come together

By Hannah Hayes

Published Nov. 10, 2006

Eric Clapton is no lightweight. The widely revered guitarist has won 18 Grammy Awards and created countless hits from "Layla" to "My Father's Eyes." But even a triple Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee can have an idol.

Slowhand's muse, J.J. Cale, has written some of Clapton's greatest hits such as "Cocaine" and "After Midnight," and he served as a model for the sound Clapton has tried to achieve during his 40-year career. So when Cale invited Clapton on stage for his entire set at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Clapton went for it.

After Clapton asked Cale to produce an album for him, Cale agreed, starting the development of The Road to Escondido and marking their first full-length musical commitment. Instead, the album became a co-produced effort showcasing the dark sultry sound of both musicians, but their age is starting to show.

The Road to Escondido has been nurtured by musicians like guitar greats Taj Mahal on harmonica to the "Fifth Beatle" Billy Preston and his keyboard expertise. John Mayer, who spends most of his time crooning to college coeds, wrote "Hard to Thrill" for the album and even lends his talents.

Besides a few more orchestrated songs, The Road might sound like your dad and his drinking buddies from high school sitting outside the garage jamming on the acoustic guitar. Even inside the CD jacket sleeve, there are no high profile photographs of Cale and Clapton — just snapshots of the two in jeans and sneakers. The fact that it could be dad and Uncle Jim on the back cover contributes to how not intimidating the album is. Clapton and Cale's depth goes to their sound, not their lyrics or their image.

"Danger" and "Heads in Georgia" are classic Clapton, bluesy and easy-going, with organ chords in the background that suggest a little more. But Cale dominates the album, writing 11 of the 14 songs. Cale's "take your time" approach to music making generates a feeling of effortlessness.

Their cover of "Sporting Life Blues" insinuates Cale is done letting it all hang out after midnight and Clapton is done pleading on his knees. Both have reached new parts in their lives and their careers as musicians. Maybe they don't have to try so hard, but it doesn't mean they don't care any less. It's the effortlessness of this album that draws you to it. It's not the intellectual engagement most music lovers go for, but it's certainly worthwhile.

Whether you use The Road to Escondido as an introduction to great guitarists and their music or as the final piece in your shrine to Clapton, this album could be the road to further Cale and Clapton collaborations or a jammin' dead end.