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

Year: 1982
Media type: CD

GRASSHOPPER was released in 1982 and is J.J. Cale's seventh album. There are 13 Cale originals and one song by Roger Tillison, "One Step Ahead of the Blues." Though Cale sticks to a less-is-more approach, there are subtle shadings of the musical leanings that would creep into his work in the years the followed. While most numbers are constructed upon supple guitar-bass-drums rhythmic beds, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" is built around a piano, and "Dr. Jive" features a vibraphone. J.J. Cale's songs are deceptively constructed--they may sound easy to play, but they're certainly not. The songs' rolling rhythms are especially compelling. J.J. Cale found his sound early on and has not strayed far from it, making one fine album after another; GRASSHOPPER is yet another chapter.

Recorded at Columbia Studios and Crazy Mamas Studio, Nashville, Tennessee; Chip Youngs Log Cabin, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

TRACKLIST:

1. City Girls
2. Devil in Disguise
3. One Step Ahead of the Blues
4. You Keep Me Hangin' On
5. Downtown L. A.
6. Can't Live Here
7. Grasshopper
8. Drifters Wife
9. Don't Wait
10. A Thing Going On
11. Nobody But You
12. Mississippi River
13. Does Your Mama Like to Reggae
14. Dr. Jive

LINE-UP:

J.J. Cale (vocals, guitar, bass); Christine Lakeland (guitar, organ, percussion, background vocals); Ray Edentown, Harold Bradley, John Christopher, Reggie Young, Steve Gibson (guitar); Terry McMillian (harmonica); Dennis Solee (horns); Tony Migliori (piano); David Briggs (electric piano); Bobby Emmons (organ); Mike Lawler (synthesizer); Farrell Morris (vibraphone, congas); Bobby Moore, Charles Dungey, Nick Rather, Tom Cogbill (bass); Karl Himmel, Ken Buttrey, Buddy Harmon (drums); Bill Boatman (drums, tambourine); Robert Greenidge (steel drums); Christine (percussion); Jim Karstein (congas); Marilyn Davis (background vocals)