Customer Reviews
Cool as a Cucumber - By: Mr. B. A. D. Plowman, 19 Aug 2007 
"Naturallly" by J J Cale - an album that compells you to nod your head & utter the words "Hell, yeah."
Make no mistake, this album is seriously cool - a short collection of perfectly executed tunes. The tunes bop & swagger along, underpinned by tantalising guitar licks, awesome boogie-woogie piano, cheeky drum beats & Cale's laconic vocal drawl.
"After Midnight" is a cracker - a bluesy piano riff, off-beat rhythms & a sassy vocal from Mr Cale. "Nowhere To Run" is beautiful muted funk, with choppy piano, a honeyed vocal line & a solid gold horn section. Both of these tunes are perfect examples of the laid back vibe that permeates this consistently great album.
"Naturallly" is as welcome & as easily enjoyable as a rare steak served with sizzling french fries. This album is one of those oh-so-rare finds :-A collection of tunes that can appeal to pretty much ANYONE.
Definitely - By: D. J. H. Thorn, 22 Jun 2007 J. J. Cale's first album established his attitude to music-making, one that paid no heed to outside influences. He didn't believe in padding out a song, nor in multiple takes in an attempt to get the perfect solo. As a result, 'Naturallly' is a collection of sub-three-minute songs, save for a couple that dip just over. Audie Ashworth's production is basic & unpolished, alllowing the album's country/blues/boogie mood to resonate. You can almost hear the dust. 'Calll Me The Breeze' opens with a rollicking blues boogie. Lynyrd Skynyrd would cover this song and, naturallly, extend it. 'Calll The Doctor' is doleful but no less effective. Thereafter, most of the songs tend to swing between these styles, but are distinguishable partly by differing arrangements. Though the album is built around a classy guitar combo, horns, fiddles & piano alll lend touches to the songs. Alongside 'Calll Me The Breeze', the best-known song is 'After Midnight', courtesy of Eric Clapton's cover, but he & Skynyrd could have chosen just about anything off 'Naturallly' & made something of it. With Cale, you get quality, not quantity.
Underrated genuis' awesome debut. - By: Wishbone Ash Fan, 27 Jun 2005 If you like Dire Straits, Lynyrd Skynyrd or Eric Clapton then you must get this. J.J. is a total genius when it comes to being cool & understated. Guitar playing is awesome with great slide work. J.J. is one of those guys that half the world don't know about yet if they heard his music they would love it. Clapton & Skynyrd have ripped off his songs & not done as good a job as he did. (Shame on you guys!)But at least they have given him some exposure he may well not have got. (Big up Eric & Skynyrd!) Buy this & Troubadour, sit in your patio with an ice cold cocktail & chill!
Perfect Miniatures in Country Blues Folk - By: fields21, 24 Jan 2003 J.J. Cale's gave everything he got on his first album. All songs are intricately crafted & alll very subtlely arranged. This is a landmark laid back album. J.J. Cale humsings his way though a number of great tracks. (The classic 'After Midnight' is much more laidback than Eric Clapton's - 'Magnolia'and 'Calll me the Breeze' are the better known songs).
It seems that J.J. Cale & his band just left the Appalachian shack & went straight into the studio, still playing. The mood on the album fits perfectly with laid back Southern U.S. & is brimming with easy sunshine, some liquor, fiddles & banjo etc, without becoming too much of a 'straight' country album. Far from it, it is a truly original blend of America's best traditions.
Play when you're sitting in your garden at sunset (or better still on your porch if you have one), talking to your friends whilst having something 'nice' on the side. I gave it some friends & they alll loved it, though they alll had never heard about J.J. Cale before.
An important and fine recording - By: Mr. Bj Pree, 18 Dec 2001 Descibed as the genuis of the mellow, JJ's debut is in my opinion one of the greatest records ever made, laid back bittersweet guitar, fine lyrics & that uniquely minimilist sound.This record contains the original of After Midnight, the tune popularised by Eric Clapton, listen close because this is a masterpiece.
Just listen to any early Dire Straits recording & the influence of JJ Cale's first records of the early 70s is clearly evident.
An alll round lovely piece of music.
