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The Road to Escondido | 
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| Artists: J.j. Cale, Eric Clapton
Label: Reprise / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $7.71
You Save: $11.27 (59%)
New (50) Used (28) Collectible (1) from $5.50
Rating:  146 reviews
Sales Rank: 2893
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 44418
UPC: 093624441823
EAN: 0093624441823
ASIN: B000I5X81A
Release Date: November 7, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Danger | | • | Heads In Georgia | | • | Missing Person | | • | When This War Is Over | | • | Sporting Life Blues | | • | Dead End Road | | • | It's Easy | | • | Hard To Thrill | | • | Anyway The Wind Blows | | • | Three Little Girls | | • | Don't Cry Sister | | • | Last Will And Testament | | • | Who Am I Telling You? | | • | Ride The River |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
J.J. Cale penned two of Eric Clapton's career-defining solo hits, "Cocaine" and "After Midnight." And since Clapton has often fashioned his persona in a WWJD manner (what would J.J. do?), this collaboration is long overdue. But despite the rather slick production and long list of guest backing musicians (including four bassists, four drummers, five other guitarists, and three percussionists), The Road to Escondido is still dominated more by Cale than Clapton. The relatively reticent Okie wrote 11 of the 14 tracks, and it's his low-key souffle of blues, jazz, and country that shapes and directs the disc's tone, with Clapton along for the ride. The opening "Danger" sets the dusky mood as the duo rides a typical Cale swamp groove that gives way to a tightly wound Slowhand solo. They trade lead vocals on a lovely version of the after-hours jazz blues classic "Sporting Life Blues," and the ubiquitous John Mayer makes an impressive appearance on the subtle blues of "Hard to Thrill."Clapton hasn't sounded this relaxed or involved in his own material for years. The traditionally laid-back, if not quite snoozy, Cale responds with a comparatively energized performance, likely due to the high-profile company. When the two harmonize on the mid-tempo foot tapper "Anyway the Wind Blows," the result is so natural and spontaneous it's a shame these two didn't join forces earlier. On paper, it appears that Cale has the most to gain from partnering with an established superstar, but the fact is this collaboration yields Eric Clapton's most engaging and contagious roots-rock release in a long time. --Hal Horowitz
From Amazon.ca
They say you can't go home again, but don't tell Eric Clapton. Quick on the heels of his vaunted Cream reunion/boomer wet dream, the English guitar legend teamed with influential Tulsa country-blues fixture J.J. Cale, writer of early Clapton solo hits "Cocaine" and "After Midnight," and a slate of then 'n' now all-stars (including some of the final performances by keyboard great Billy Preston) to reinvent the guitarist's laid-back '70s groove for a new era. The result is one of the most grounded and satisfying Clapton releases in many a year, a true musical collaboration with the guitarist's own longtime hero that coaxes their muses down familiar, if still refreshing, musical avenues.The album's billing seems more than merely alphabetical: Cale pens 11 of the tunes, with Clapton contributing the gentle acoustic folk-pop of "Three Little Girls" and John Mayer offering up the slinky, jaded blues "Hard to Thrill," where fellow fret god Albert Lee adds his touch to Clapton's countrified revival. But it's the interplay between Cale and Clapton that carries the day throughout, from the signature sound of "Danger" and single "Ride the River" and the Deadhead-friendly vibes of the shuffling "Missing Person" and "When the War Is Over" to their deliciously languorous cover of "Sporting Life Blues." Clapton's playing is as lyrical as ever, yet channeled into a savory heartland mindset that's anything but cliched. --Jerry McCulley
Amazon.com
After years of admiring each other's musical masterworks, guitar great J.J. Cale and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer/Grammy-winner Eric Clapton have teamed up to create an original album together called The Road to Escondido. The resulting hybrid sound defies labels, and instead finds influence across the spectrum of blues, rock, country, and fold. The songs are warm and rich with deep-flowing rhythms while using an economy of words to express much. Eric Clapton Merchandise
Album Description
Japanese pressing of 2006 album. 14 tracks. Reprise.
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| Customer Reviews:
 J.J. Cale is special January 6, 2009
History Buff (United States)
Having spent a great amount of time listening to Mr. Cale's work I believe there's a certain timeless quality to it - its never obstrusive yet always engaging and ultimately, great fun. I felt some of that on the material on this record. For that alone, I recommend giving this disc a chance even if Clapton's tightness sometimes gets in the way.
I strongly recommend Cale's solo work for its pureness and authenticity. The word "joy" only begins to describe the experience.
More of an aquired taste July 27, 2008
V. Messner (PA, United States)
This cd is in the laid-back style of JJ Cale. At first, it seemed almost too uneventfull, but with repeated listenings, I've come to appreciate its subtlety more and more.
If you happen to be preparing for an MMA fight, this isn't likely to be your choice for training music. If, on the other hand, you want to get into a mellow mood and smell the flowers for a while, Road to Escondido will take you there in a flash.
I hope there will be a follow-up from these two terrific musicians.
JJ Cale/ Eric Clapton July 10, 2008
S. Stosich
I grew up in Escondido, California and saw JJ Cale in concert, I think in Carlsbad sometime in the '70's. Loved this cd (even tho' a couple of the songs sounded an awful lot like older tunes).
Do it again! May 3, 2008
Damian P. Gadal (Santa Barbara, CA USA)
It's not often that the first time I listen to a recording I love it instantly, but that's what happened when I heard The Road to Escondido. There really isn't anything not to like about this recording. The songs, music, and the way that Clapton and J.J. Cale harmonize is just amazing. My only hope is that they do this again and release another recording together.
 I believe that their ride to Escondido is in an old Cadillac traveling at 20mph in the fast lane with their blinker on January 23, 2008
George Dionne (WWW.ROCK-IS-LIFE.COM)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
After years of honoring each other's work, most notably Clapton covering Cale's "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," the two blues guitar greats team up to create a fresh album together. The result is true to both legends' blues roots, but unfortunately lacks any energy or punch to make any of the songs interesting. I don't know if it's because they're getting on in years or they forgot how to kick it up a notch, but somehow I believe that their ride to Escondido is in an old Cadillac traveling at 20mph in the fast lane with their blinker on.
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