Artist: J.J. CALE
Album: SHADES (CD)

Release date: 1980
Media type: CD

From 1981, this was J.J. Cale's sixth album (following the succinctly titled NUMBER 5, and returning to his tradition of single-word album titles). Though Cale didn't use one constant band throughout the album, it's got a remarkably unified feeling. This is in part due to the great musicians on hand (pianist Bill Payne, drummers Jim Keltner and Russ Kunkel, and guitarist James Burton among others), but primarily to Cale himself. His songs and his overal approach to music are all-encompassing; the seductive and laid-back grooves his rhythm sections empower are written into the very fabric of the songs. "Carry On," "Pack My Jack"--these are songs of simple, sturdy strengths, succinctly written and concisely rendered. There are never any stray notes or decorative filigrees. Friendly and inviting, SHADES sounds good in any season and at any time of day (and may be some of the best hangover cure music around).

All songs by J.J. Cale except "Mama Don't" (arranged by J.J. Cale).

TRACKLIST:

1. Carry On
2. Deep Dark Dungeon
3. Wish I Had Not Said That
4. Pack My Jack
5. If You Leave Her
6. Mama Don't
7. Runaround
8. What Do You Expect
9. Love Has Been Gone
10. Cloudy Day

LINE-UP:

J.J. Cale (guitar, vocals, piano); Bill Boatman, Reggie Young, James Burton, Gordon Shryock, Johnny Christopher, Tommy Tedesco (guitar); Tommy Cogbill (guitar, bass); Christine Lakeland (guitar, organ, Moog, keyboards, percussion, vocals); Dennis Solee (saxophone); Bobby Emmons (organ, piano); David Briggs, Glen D. Hardin, Larry Bell, Bill Payne, Leon Russell (piano); Nick Rather, Emory Gordy, Michael Rhodes, Carol Kaye (bass); Russ Kunkel, Hal Blaine, Jimmy Karstein, Karl Himmel, Kenneth Buttrey, Jim Keltner, Hayward Bishop, Gary Allen (drums)