“I didn’t want to be famous. I’ve been around some very famous people, but they’re uncomfortable as soon as they leave the house. Now a lot of people thrive on that -- ‘Look at me, look at me, look at me’ -- but I’m not like that.”
Cale is known for his aversion to stardom, extensive touring and succumbing to the pressure of recording with any regularity. He has happily remained an obscure cult artist for most of his career.
Rewind is a collection of 14 previously unreleased songs, recorded between 1973 and 1983, that didn’t fit particular recording projects at the time and were stored by Cale’s music publisher and producer, Audie Ashworth. On the release of this collection, Cale reminisces, “It’s kinda like someone showing you a bunch of old photographs from 35 years ago.”
Those unfamiliar with Cale’s style need look no further than the easy, laidback rhythms of traditional blues. Cale always managed to make his songs feel like he was just an old friend who’d dropped by with his guitar and decided to play some tunes to help you unwind. This collection has that easy, Sunday morning feel, a style drawing on blues, rockabilly, country and jazz commonly referred to as the ‘Tulsa sound’. Cale’s meandering guitar solos and shuffle rhythms are simple, but not simplistic; just a reflection of his laidback ethos.
Artists including Clapton, Neil Young, Mark Knopfler and Bryan Ferry have cited Cale as an influence on their musical direction. His songs have been covered by Clapton, Johnny Cash, Deep Purple, Dr Hook, Ferry, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana, Tom Petty and Bill Wyman.
If you enjoy gentle, easygoing music with a bit of a Tulsa vibe, put on your slippers and have a shuffle along the floorboards to this album. It might even take you on an historical journey to the roots of how music used to be played in blues houses down in the swamp. So pour yourself a whiskey and let the vibe wash over you. Sometimes, the simple things are the best.
This review was written for The Dwarf.
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