J.J. Cale
Naturally

When I bought it, I was attracted by the charming cover image of the “gentleman raccoon,” which reminded me of some book from my childhood, and above all I wanted to know more about the author of a track like «After Midnight» which—thanks to Eric Clapton’s cover—had already become a rock-blues classic.

Once I placed the LP on the turntable, I found myself listening to a dozen “finely crafted” tracks that were completely at odds with the dominant sound of those years: it was 1972 and, just to give an example, David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” was ruling the charts. Here, instead, you find songs performed without emphasis, no virtuoso guitar solos, and a songwriter with no desire to “show off.” So, it took me a while—and several listens—to get in tune with JJ Cale’s music, a songwriter focused on substance rather than glamour.

In this context, NATURALLY offers a series of short songs—but built with great attention to the overall rhythm rather than to “spectacular numbers”—in which various genres mix, from the rock ‘n’ roll of «Call Me The Breeze» and «Bring It Back»; to the slow blues of «Call The Doctor» or «Don’t Go To Strangers»; to country («Clyde») and rockabilly («Crazy Mama»); sometimes with a touch of soul («Woman I Love»). Good old Jay Jay is not blessed with a great voice (but, for that matter, neither is Clapton), and his performances are always extremely restrained, in the spirit of an “understatement” that feels more timely now than it did then.

As for the tracks on the album, my favorite is the intense «Magnolia», while even after all these years I still haven’t warmed up to that «After Midnight» which first piqued my interest—instead, here I find it a bit subdued and almost “hastily done” compared to the Clapton version, with an insipid faded-out ending to boot.

To sum up: an album that, while not a masterpiece, is still interesting and a pleasant listen; recommended for the more curious fans of southern rock.