S.O.D. "In Our Time" by J. J. Cale

4/13/2021: If you have never heard of this musical artist, there is good reason. John Weldon Cale, though very successful, avoided the spotlight. Upon graduating from high school in 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cale was well-versed on guitar, and built a recording studio in his parents’ home. Soon after this he was drafted, and joined the Air Force. Luckily, he got into a technical program, as he did not wish to carry a gun. This training helped him develop many of the key sounds that you hear on his albums today.

He became friends with Eric Clapton after Clapton recorded a version of “After Midnight,” originally written and recorded by Cale. His first knowledge of this came in 1970 when the song became a hit on the radio. At this time in his life, Cale, in his early 30s wasn’t doing so well, barely making enough money to eat. Clapton helped him change that. They collaborated on some musical projects, and Clapton cites Cale as not only an influence, but one of the most important artists in the history of rock.

Cale was an influence for many other musicians including Neil Young and Mark Knopfler. Cale also wrote and recorded “Cocaine” which became a #1 hit in New Zealand. He left us in 2013 at the age of 74. A few tribute albums were recorded, including “The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale” in 2014. Some of the contributing members are Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Cale’s wife, Christine Lakeland, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler and Derek Trucks. Cale played guitar, bass, piano, flute, and drums, and is one of the originators of the genre Tulsa Sound.