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*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE JAPANESE-ONLY SHM CD REMASTER FROM 2013 ***
Since his tragic loss in July 2013 renewed interest in J.J. Cale and his wonderfully laid-back songwriting magic has never been higher. And his superb 1972 debut album "Naturally" will be a first port of call for many. Four tracks from it were remastered for the 2CD Anthology "Any Way The Wind Blows" in 1997 - but this 2013 Japanese SHM-CD represents the first time the entire album's been sonically overhauled. However - given the poor quality of the original 1970 and 1971 recordings - even this best ever audio remaster of "Naturally" has its drawbacks.
Released in Japan 26 June 2013 - "Naturally" by J.J. CALE on Universal UICY-75627 (Barcode 4988005771582) is a SHM-CD (Super High Materials) and features Repro US LP artwork (including the colour-coded Track List/Musician breakdown on the rear cover that's missing from the card digipak of "Naturally" in the 2013 "Classic Album Selection" 5CD box set).
1. Call Me The Breeze[Side 1]
2. Call The Doctor
3. Don’t Go To Strangers
4. Woman I Love
5. Magnolia
6. Clyde
7. Crazy Mama [Side 2]
8. Nowhere To Run
9. After Midnight
10. River Runs Deep
11. Bringing It Back
12. Crying Eyes
Tracks 1 to 12 are his debut album “Naturally” – released November 1971 in the USA on Shelter SW-8908 and January 1972 in the UK on A&M Records AMLS 68105
A SHM-CD doesn't require a special CD player to play it on (compatible on all machines) - nor does it need audiophile kit to hear the benefits. It's a new form of the CD format that picks up the nuances of the transfer better (top quality make). I own about 10 of them and they're uniformly superb. Also this 'actually remastered' reissue of his debut album is 13 seconds longer than the previous Eighties non-remaster (32:26 minutes as opposed to 32:13). The booklet is the usual 8-white pages of Japanese liner notes and a stab at the English lyrics - nothing to really get your teeth into. It should also be noted that the old issues of this CD and the one in a card digipak in the 2013 "Classic" box set are NOT REMASTERS.
SOUND:
I wore out original tan label issues (and silver and green label reissues) of "Naturally" on Seventies vinyl trying to find a copy that didn't sound like a wall of hiss coming out of the speakers. I now know why. Although the improvement in sound here is extensive - the original sessions were dogged with excessive hiss on the master tapes - and I'm afraid that's what you largely get on this 2013 reissue - only accentuated more in some cases.
Hiss culprits include "Call The Doctor", the lovely "Magnolia" and "River Runs Deep". But the piano on "After Midnight", the fiddles on "Clyde" and Mac Gayden's slide guitar on "Crazy Mama" - are all wonderfully clear - major improvements. "Woman I Love" and "Bringing It Back" (lyrics above) are the kind of tracks that don't turn up on "Best Of's" that often - and I'm thrilled to say that they both sound stupendous - stunning clarity on the bass and brass. "Call Me The Breeze" (covered to stunning effect by Lynyrd Skynyrd on 1974's "Second Helping") kicks in nicely too after that beat-box rhythm opening. Overall I'd say that those expecting audiophile from this release should probably cry off - but for those who love the man and his music - then this remaster is a must-buy. Even with that hiss - the clarity is the best yet.
J.J. Cale was one of my audio heroes growing up - and his influence on Eric Clapton, Dire Straits and even John Mayer is undeniable. What a loss and what an artist. And damn the Japanese for being so good with these bloody things (I've also reviewed "5" and "Troubadour") because I need all 8 of them now!
My long-suffering bank manager will be pleased...
Albums in the June 2013
J.J. CALE
Japan-Only Universal SHM-CD Mini LP Repro Reissue Series are:
1. Naturally (1972 - his debut) on Universal UICY-75627 (Barcode 4988005771582)
2. Really (1973) on Universal UICY-75628 (Barcode 4988005771599)
3. Okie (1974) on Universal UICY-75629 (Barcode 4988005771605)
4. Troubadour (1976) on Universal UICY-75630 (Barcode 4988005771612)
5. "5" (1979) on Universal UICY-75631 (Barcode 4988005771629)
6. Shades (1981) on Universal UICY-75632 (Barcode 4988005771636)
7. Grasshopper (1982) on Universal UICY-75633 (Barcode 4988005771643)
8. No. 8 (1983) on Universal UICY-75634 (Barcode 4988005771650)
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