Genre: blues-rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Shades
Company: MCA/Shelter
Catalog: MCA 5158
Year: 1980
Country/State: Oklahoma
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4342
Price: $10.00
Cost: $66.00
Although I own a significant part of his recording catalog, I'll readily admit that J.J. Cale is somewhat of an acquired taste to my ears. There are a couple of times a year when I'll feel the need to slap one of his albums on the turntable (dating myself here), but it isn't something I do on a weekly basis.
I'll also be honest and admit that the all-star cast was one of the reasons I bought 1980's "Shades". Cale's studio sets have a tendency to be a little bit on the subdued side, but with this much star power behind him, I figured this set had to have a little more umph than his normal release. Well, the good news is that this is a wonderful effort. While Cale's blues fans may not have been thrilled by the album's surprisingly diverse attack ('Deep Dark Dungeon' and 'Pack My Jack' are among the few straight ahead blues numbers), to my ears the new found diversity is quite attractive. On tracks such as the optimistic and upbeat opener ''Carry On', 'If You Leave Her' and the blazing 'Mama Don't' Cale's seldom sounded as outgoing and enthusiastic (I'm using the terms loosely). Elsewhere (complete with tasteful synthesizer), the breezy 'Wish I Had Not Said That' stands as one of his prettiest melodies. Nice, nice, very nice ...
"Shades" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Carry On (J.J. Cale) - 2:18
2.) Deep Dark Dungeon (J.J. Cale) - 2:09
3.) Wish I Had Not Said That (J.J. Cale) - 5:22
4.) Pack My Jack (instrumental) (J.J. Cale) - 5:12
5.) If You Leave Her (J.J. Cale) - 4:21
(side
2)
1.) Mama Don't (J.J. Cale) - 3:48
2.) Runaround (J.J. Cale) - 2:41
3.) What Do You Expect (J.J. Cale) - 3:21
4.) Love Has Been Gone (J.J. Cale) - 2:12
5.) Cloudy Day (instrumental) (J.J. Cale) - 5:24