Nice compilation with six unpublished tidbits

Especially JJ Cales newest studio album "To Tulsa And Back" was released after eight-year break - the thirteenth in over thirty years. Naturally die-hard fans have all plates. New fans might want to first get an overview of his music. For both groups, the compilation "Anyway The Wind Blows" is interesting.

For the new fans anyway. The austere sound of the musician from Oklahoma, somewhere between blues, rock and country is awesome. Even his oldest recordings sound fresh and not at all dusty. With "Cocaine", "After Midnight," "Call Me The Breeze", "Sensitive Kind" etc. has influenced JJ colleagues like Eric Clapton, Lynnyrd Skynnyrd, Santana and the Dire Straits. But old fans should throw covetous glances in this Anthology, because:

Six previously unreleased songs are on it. "Midnight In Memphis" is a lively feel-good instrumental with boogie-woogie piano and saxophone. "Woke Up This Morning," a gently swinging blues is, almost in a whisper sung by JJ, what he likes to do every now and then. The five and a half minutes long instrumental "Durango" constitutes for me the highlight of the album. Rhythm, keyboard percussion and especially the very reminiscent of "Do It Again" by Steely Dan. Loaded voltage rushes that piece of it. Elongated, tapping singing sounds put the listener into an enchanted ghost town of the Wild West, in the behind every corner of the house may lurk mortal danger. With "Things Is not Simple" and the live recording "Wish I Had Me A Dollar" JJ delivers two harmless-nice song. "Santa Cruz" finally grooves thanks to some deposits of musicians much more complex and mature.

These six titles - all good and worth listening to - make a purchase of the album for many years friends of JJ's laid-back sound virtually inevitable. Stay 44 more songs, the new fans provide a fairly comprehensive picture of JJ Cales work. A total of 50 tracks on two CDs are a real argument. In individual cases may be discussed, if not some piece by another (such as "I'm A Gypsy Man" from "Troubador") could be replaced. Better, however, to do it, just to enjoy the wonderful music. Conclusion: My warmest recommendation.