SHOULD WE HONOR J.J. CALE?

[LTX]

95. He was a remarkable innovator on the guitar, and a Muscle Shoals blues legend -

A great deal is being said here about his songwriting, but that was secondary to his guitar work. He was an enormous influence on contemporary guitarists from Eric Clapton to Duane Allman to Mark Knopfler to Bonnie Raitt. His slide work and selective emphasis had its roots in the be-bop work of Charlie Christian. If you want to hear a fine example, pick up a copy of the album "Really," and listen to the track "Mojo." It's a blend of blues and Lionel Hampton, and it'll give you chills.

He played a number of modified guitars, the majority of which looked like they'd been cobbled together from a garage sale. When I saw him in Knoxville in 1974, he was playing a Martin that was painted white, had the back cut out, an electric bridge taped in just above the saddle, and about a quarter mile of unruly, uncut string at the tuning heads. It was a sight. But he made that hybrid sing.