https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/mark-knopfler-foreword-j-j-cale-tulsa-sound-box/Mark Knopfler Writes Foreword For J.J. Cale’s ‘Tulsa Sound’ Box
The set features many of the best-loved songs by this unique troubadour, including ‘Cocaine,’ ‘Call Me The Breeze,’ and ‘After Midnight.’
The first eight albums in the career of the ever-influential J.J. Cale are to be presented in a limited edition vinyl boxed set with a foreword by one of his greatest admirers, Mark Knopfler.
Tulsa Sound will be released on October 6 and features many of the best-loved songs by this unique troubadour, including “Cocaine,” “Travelin’ Light,” “Call Me The Breeze,” and “After Midnight.” The eight original LPs will be accompanied by a nine disc, The Early Years, which gathers together his pre-breakthrough singles of the 1960s. The other albums in the set span the years 1971 to 1983, and each is pressed on a different color 180 gram vinyl disc, all remastered at Abbey Road Studios.
The set is accompanied by a 40-page hardback book featuring rare and unseen images, essays, memorabilia, and Knopfler’s foreword. “J.J. Cale kept me falling in love with guitar, kept me wanting to play the instrument,” says the British guitar hero and singer-songwriter. “But most important for me, I think, is the songwriter in him, the deep well of creativity that has given us so many bewitching songs to treasure.”
Other greats to sing Cale’s praises include Eric Clapton, who called him “One of the most important artists in the history of rock, quietly representing the greatest asset his country has ever had…he has been an incredible inspiration to me. His records are really minimal, light, it’s all about finesse. It’s almost like he’s whispering in your ear but you hear everything single word. I don’t know how he does it. It’s such a cunning technique.”
Neil Young observed: “Of all the players I ever heard, it’s gotta be Hendrix and J.J. Cale who are the best electric guitar players,” while Tom Petty added: “One of our favorite songwriters is a man named JJ Cale. He’s a fantastic writer.”
Pre-order the Tulsa Sound boxed set, which is released on October 6.
