The Hawk

Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: Entertainment

Escondido is Clapton's homage to Cale.

I usually take my Clapton the same as way I take my coffee. Give it to me with Cream, or not at all.

That said, Clapton's newest album (a collaboration with JJ Cale) is not without its charm. The Road to Escondido is a one-hour compilation of blues, bluegrass, and folk tracks that are not necessarily hits, but each enjoyable in their unique style and message.

To call Escondido an Eric Clapton album may be a bit of a stretch, however. Two of Clapton's biggest hits are his covers of Cale's "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," so it is no surprise that Clapton decided to record with him. Although Cale was originally called on to produce the album, the two decided to record it together instead.

Cale is the composer of 11 of Escondido's 14 tracks, with Clapton writing one song solo and another with John Mayer. The remaining non-Cale track is by Brownie McGhee, another folk singer.

There are no real thrills or guaranteed hits on this album, but from top to bottom, it is a collection of enjoyable songs. There is the seemingly obligatory anti-war track, "When This War is Over." In this ironically upbeat tune, they sing "When this war is over/ It will be a better day/ But it won't bring back/ Those poor boys in their grave." Cale also bemoans the lack of a plan, and sings "When it happens on the street, They call it a crime." This message coincides with the album's Election Day release.

This same sense of irony carries over on "It's Easy," another Cale track. The blues track points out how easy it is to get through life these days. He suggests that if you don't have friends, you can buy a dog; if a woman is depressed, she can buy a new dress; and if you die while in credit card debt, your purchases are all free. These observations are refreshingly honest and humorous when they come from a wealthy rock star singing the blues. It is a far cry from the blues of John Lee Hooker, for instance, but the message is appropriate

A similar view of the disenchanted rocker is expressed in "Hard to Thrill," the Clapton and Mayer collaboration. In it, they express that nothing thrills them anymore, because they have seen it all before. The candidness of the song expresses the boredom that must accompany a man like Clapton who, after 40 years of touring, must have very little in the way of excitement on the road today.

"Three Little Girls," the only Clapton composed track is a sweet -albeit forgettable- lullaby and ode to his daughters. It is the most upbeat of all the tracks, and a definite highlight of the album. "Who Am I Telling You?" is a track with a gospel organ background, and another song that takes the album beyond its blues roots.

All told, The Road to Escondido is a welcome addition to the collection of any fan of Clapton, Cale, or the twelve bar blues in general. It has no outstanding hits on it, but is easy to listen to all the way through without skipping tracks. JJ Cale's songwriting is the real star, and once again, elevating Clapton above his pop limitations.

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