J.J. Cale passed away at age 74 on July 26th. The generally reclusive artist is best known for writing songs that became hits for Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings and others. His four decades of connections to Eric Clapton, though, were certainly his deepest and most successful.
Cale penned two of Clapton’s earliest solo hits, “After Midnight” from Clapton’s 1970 solo debut and the iconic “Cocaine” from Clapton’s second solo album “Slowhand”.
In 2006 Cale and Clapton recorded the Grammy winning album “The Road to Escondido”, which featured Cale’s songwriting and a Who’s Who of collaborators. This album is real gem, and “Danger” is the opening track.
Cale’s latest contribution to the long-term partnership was the tune “Angel” that appears on Clapton’s 2013 album “Old Sock”.
Music New to You from the Past and Present 
Memorable hooks, no bullshit lyrics, the patented shuffle. “They Call Me the Breeze” was published in 1972! The original is the one I’ll remember. R.I.P.