The Lives They Lived: JJ Cale

I love the music of JJ Cale. My older brother turned me onto Cale's music when I was a teenager--the music was unlike anything I was listening to at the time. It was so cool and different that I begged my brother not to take back Cale's 'Troubadour' LP when he was returning to school. It's amazing how something, like Cale's music, can be so relaxed and mellow, but so emotive at the same time.

Cale died July of this year, and the NY Times' writer, Drew Christie, has written a lovely piece on how Cale personally affected him, and Cale's impact on other artists. The animated video, which accompanies the article, is cool and has some nice stories about Cale--the American Bandstand story, which I had never heard before, stands out and is funny.

Christie's article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/opinion/natural … ef=opinion

This you tube video of Cale performing Magnolia is evocative of him and his music.

"Whippoorwill's singing
Soft summer breeze
Makes me think of my baby
I left down in New Orleans
I left down in New Orleans

Magnolia, you sweet thing
You're driving me mad
Got to get back to you, babe
You're the best I ever had
You're the best I ever had

You whisper, "Good morning"
So gently in my ear
I'm coming home to you, babe
I'll soon be there
I'll soon be there

Magnolia, you sweet thing
You're driving me mad
Got to get back to you, babe
You're the best I ever had
You're the best I ever had
You're the best I ever had
You're the best I ever had"

Magnolia--JJ Cale