To commemorate Eric Clapton’s comprehensive new collaborative album, Crave is giving away a copy of the Eric Clapton & Friends – The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cal) Deluxe Edition CD Box Set.
Eric Clapton has compiled an all-star collection of tracks in tribute to the legendary JJ Cale, who Clapton credits as one of the single most important figures in rock history. Cale’s influence on Clapton was profound, and a year after his passing, Clapton gathered a group of like-minded friends and musicians for Eric Clapton & Friends: The Breeze, An Appreciation of JJ Cale. Released in July (order here), the record boasts performances by a highly impressive group of artists including Clapton, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Derek Trucks and Don White.
The album features 16 beloved JJ Cale songs and is named for the 1972 single “Call Me The Breeze. Crave is celebrating the release by hooking up one lucky winner with the full CD box set collection!
“I would like people to tap into what JJ Cale did – that’s the point,” Clapton explains. “I’m just the messenger; I’ve always felt that that’s my job. I try to interpret things so that the public at large, or at least the people who listen to what I do, will become intrigued about where I got it from.”
After years admiring JJ Cale’s work and covering several of his songs such as “After Midnight” and “Cocaine,” Clapton finally collaborated with Cale for the first time in his career on the 2006 original album Road to Escondido. At the time, Clapton said “This is the realization of what may have been my last ambition, to work with the man whose music has inspired me for as long as I can remember.”
Already an accomplished guitarist with bands such as the Yardbirds, Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton ventured to a solo career with the release of his 1970 self-titled Eric Clapton album. Mutual friend Delaney Bramlett had given Clapton a copy of Cale’s song “After Midnight.” Clapton decided to cover the song and it was the first single from the album. The song became a chart-topping success. Clapton was quick to offer praise for Cale’s work while promoting the album. Cale had been told of the cover but said that he didn’t pay much attention until the song came on the radio in Tulsa.
Years later, in April 1976, Cale was performing at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in support of his Troubadour album release. Clapton sat in on the performance and later during that trip surprised Cale in the studio with a version of “Cocaine” that would appear on his 1977 Slowhand release, again becoming a chart-topping success.
While you’re at it, check out Clapton’s video for “Call Me The Breeze” below:
For additional information and to keep up with Eric Clapton, head to his official site.
And of course, be sure to read our official sweepstakes rules!
