Rock and roll records (J,J, Cale) (LP 2332 - 2335)

J.J. Cale  Okie (Vinyl, Shelter Records, 1974) ****  

Pete Carr  Multiple Flash (Vinyl, Big Tree Records, 1978) *** 

Eric Clapton  Money And Cigarettes (Vinyl, Duck Records, 1983) ***   

Christopher Cross  Another Page (Vinyl, Warner Bros Records, 1983) ***  

Genre: Pop rock

Places I remember: World Record club (Okie), catch up of the Cs.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Baby Says No (Christopher Cross)

Gear costume: The Shape You're In (Eric Clapton);

Active compensatory factors: First up we have three guitarists featured in this final catch up of albums I missed in the A, B, C and Ds. Interesting that all three have stylised guitars featured on their covers.

I bought my original copy of Okie way way back in 1974 from a mail order record club. I loved that cover!

The word was strong on J. J. Cale at the time and this was one laid back confident dude. I loved the record but he didn't hook me and reel me in with it. I didn't collect anything else by him. Which is weird. But some artists I go apeshit over and have to buy everything they've done, and others...

Like Cale, Pete Carr is another relatively unsung guitarist. Multiple Flash is a largely instrumental rock album that floats by because he's so damn good! He does sing (really well as it happens) on his excellent version of Knockin' On Heaven's Door.

Seemingly he can play it all, but without flash, so, hence the unsung bit (in both ways).

Eric Clapton is not unsung, but this album has probably flown under the radar in his vast catalogue. For me, it's a bit like Reptile - a slow grower, and well worth re-discovering.

Ry Cooder, Duck Dunn and Albert Lee are along for the ride. 

Christopher Cross also has some heavyweight help on his second album. Most notably, and successfully, on Baby, Says No with Carl Wilson providing vocal support.

That one song elevates the record onto the next level on its own. Carl Wilson. A genius, sadly taken from us far too young.

The rest of the album is good but not great. That debut casts a huge shadow. 

Where do they all belong? Back up to date now and heading back to Mark 3 Deep Purple.