After Midnight (J. J. Cale song)

Last updated
"After Midnight"
Single by J.J. Cale
from the album Naturally
B-side "Slow Motion" (1966)
"Crying Eyes" (1972)
ReleasedNovember 1966
1972 (re-recording)
Length2:37
2:54 (re-recording)
Label Liberty Records (1966)
Shelter Records (1972)
Songwriter(s) J.J. Cale
Producer(s) Johnny Cale
Official Audio
"After Midnight" on YouTube
"After Midnight"
After Midnight by Eric Clapton UK vinyl single.png
1970 UK vinyl single
Single by Eric Clapton
from the album Eric Clapton
B-side "Easy Now"
ReleasedOctober 1970
RecordedJanuary 1970
Studio Island (London) [1]
Genre Blues rock
Length3:15 (or 2:51)
Label Polydor
Songwriter(s) J. J. Cale
Producer(s) Delaney Bramlett
Eric Clapton singles chronology
"After Midnight"
(1970)		"Blues Power"
(1970)

"After Midnight" is a rock song by J. J. Cale, first released in 1966. Eric Clapton later covered it for his eponymous album, released in 1970. Clapton's rendition became a success, prompting Cale to re-record the song for his own 1971 album Naturally . In 1987, Clapton later re-recorded the song for a Michelob beer commercial and then released the re-recording as a single. "After Midnight" has been considered one of Clapton's signature songs throughout his career. [2] Other artists covered the song in later years.

Contents

Background and releases

Cale recorded the song and then released it in 1966 as a single with its flipside track "Slow Motion". [3] [4] When Eric Clapton was working with Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, Delaney Bramlett introduced Clapton to the music of J.J. Cale. [5] [6] "After Midnight" was the first of several Cale cover songs released by Clapton and appeared on his self-titled debut album. The performers on this version were Clapton on vocals and guitar, Bobby Whitlock on organ and vocals, Jim Gordon on drums, Delaney Bramlett on rhythm guitar, Carl Radle on bass, Leon Russell on piano, Jim Price on trumpet, and Bobby Keys on saxophone. [7] It also appears on Just One Night , a live album recorded in Japan in 1979.

In 1987, Clapton re-recorded the song for a Michelob beer commercial. [8] The 1988 re-recording was released on the anthology box set Crossroads and as a single with different B-side tracks: "I Can't Stand It" for the seven-inch vinyl, "Whatcha Gonna Do" for the twelve-inch vinyl and the CD, and live recording "Sunshine of Your Love" as the CD's one of three tracks. [9] Another live version was released on Live from Madison Square Garden with Steve Winwood on organ.

Clapton said in his 2014 interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune :

The construction of "After Midnight" was great and it had everything[.] The thing that summed up J.J. for me is it had a little country, a little blues, it was rock and there was this guitar part that was baffling. That has always been the fascinating part; I still don’t think we got it right [on my version]. I’ve always been in awe of J.J.’s technique... He was a rhythm guitar player and a great lead guitar player, too. But when he played rhythm, it was very difficult to get it and know what he was doing.

When we [recorded] it, me and Delaney both did [the guitar part] it at [the] same time, and it was a really difficult claw-hammer [picking] thing. I thought: "This is too hard," so we made a meal out of it. What got me is that it appeared to be a very complex track and I was just intrigued, and thought: "I've got to try and get this [right]." Cale was coming from this very soulful white music. It was at Delaney's insistence that I did ['After Midnight'], and that was probably one of the first songs we decided to record. And that began my association with J.J., really. [10]

Cale was unaware of Clapton's recording of the song until it became a radio hit in 1970. He recalled to Mojo magazine that when he heard Clapton's version playing on his radio, "I was dirt poor, not making enough to eat and I wasn’t a young man. I was in my thirties, so I was very happy. It was nice to make some money." [11] Cale's friend and producer Audie Ashworth then encouraged him to capitalize on the song's success by recording a full album, Naturally , released in 1971. Cale issued the re-recorded version as a single the following year with its B-side track, "Crying Eyes." [3] The re-recorded version reached #42 on the Billboard Hot 100. [12]

Cale told The San Diego Union-Tribune in his 1990 interview about Clapton's version:

I thought: 'Well, that won't go anywhere'. [...] A year later, they started playing it on every radio station, including in my hometown. The first time I heard it on my car radio I just drove off to the side of the road. Because I'd never heard anything of my own on the radio before...

All record companies want big-selling records, and my music is a little too raw for commercial success. People are familiar with my songs, especially through Eric Clapton. But I have a hard time drawing a crowd, because I have been a songwriter. I've never sold a lot of records; my music's gotten much more famous than me. [13]

Cale released a live version on the album Live in 2001.

Chart performance

Critical reception

Thom Owens of AllMusic said in his review about Cale's 1972 album Naturally, including Cale's re-recorded version of the song, that "Cale effortlessly capture[s] a lazy, rolling boogie" opposite to the early 1970s mainstream "styles of boogie, blues, and country rock." [26]

Cash Box said of Clapton's version that "driving dance rhythm and Clapton's guitar work unite to create sales force behind the effort." [27] Record World said that Eric Clapton sings 'After Midnight' in a soulful way and lays down some boss riffs." [28]

Album title

There was also a DVD accompanied by two audio CDs (released in 2006) from a concert (featuring former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler) filmed at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, on 21 September 1988, which contains 14 tracks that span Clapton's entire career including classic hits from his stint with Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos, as well as his successful solo work.

Other cover versions

In addition to Clapton, the song has been recorded by various artists, like Chet Atkins, Jerry Garcia Band, Pretty Lights, Phish, Maggie Bell, The Disco Biscuits, Marc Cohn, Danny Elfman, and Mark Gillespie. Sérgio Mendes and his band Brasil '77 covered the song for their 1971 album País Tropical. [29] It was also recorded by the reggae band the Pioneers under the title "Let It All Hang Out" on the album Yeah, from 1971, released by Trojan Records. Both, Furthur and Yonder Mountain String Band, performed the song live at All Good Music Festival in 2010. The modern bluegrass band Seldom Scene recorded the song as the title track of their 1981 album of the same name, and often featured an extended-jam version in their concerts.[ citation needed ] The John Mayer Trio performed a version of the song on Late Night with Seth Meyers on February 27, 2014.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. J. Cale</span> American musician (1938–2013)

John Weldon "J. J." Cale was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though he avoided the limelight, his influence as a musical artist has been acknowledged by figures such as Neil Young, Mark Knopfler, Waylon Jennings, and Eric Clapton, who described him as one of the most important artists in rock history. He is one of the originators of the Tulsa sound, a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country, and jazz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie Bramlett</span> American singer

Bonnie Bramlett is an American singer and occasional actress known for performing with her husband, Delaney Bramlett, as Delaney & Bonnie. She continues to sing as a solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cocaine (song)</span> 1976 song by J.J. Cale

"Cocaine" is a song written and recorded in 1976 by singer-songwriter J. J. Cale. The song was popularized by Eric Clapton after his version was released on the 1977 album Slowhand. J. J. Cale's version of "Cocaine" was a number-one hit in New Zealand for a single week and became the seventh-best-selling single of 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Whitlock</span> American singer, songwriter and musician (born 1948)

Robert Stanley Whitlock is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as a member of the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, with Eric Clapton, in 1970–71. Whitlock's musical career began with Memphis soul acts such as Sam & Dave and Booker T. & the M.G.'s before he joined Delaney & Bonnie and Friends in 1968. His association with Delaney & Bonnie bandmate Clapton led to Whitlock's participation in sessions for George Harrison's 1970 triple album All Things Must Pass, in London, and the formation of Derek and the Dominos that year. On the band's sole studio album, the critically acclaimed Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Whitlock wrote or co-wrote seven of the album's fourteen tracks, including "Tell the Truth", "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?".

<i>Eric Clapton</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is the debut solo studio album by English rock musician Eric Clapton, released in August 1970 by Atco and Polydor Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delaney & Bonnie</span> American husband and wife music duo

Delaney & Bonnie was an American duo of singer-songwriters Delaney Bramlett and Bonnie Bramlett. In 1969 and 1970, they fronted a rock/soul ensemble, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, whose members at different times included Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Leon Russell, Bobby Whitlock, Dave Mason, Steve Howe, Rita Coolidge, and King Curtis.

<i>Naturally</i> (J. J. Cale album) 1971 studio album by J. J. Cale

Naturally is the debut studio album by J. J. Cale released on October 25, 1971.

<i>The Road to Escondido</i> 2006 studio album by J. J. Cale and Eric Clapton

The Road to Escondido is a collaborative studio album by J. J. Cale and Eric Clapton. It was released on 7 November 2006. Contained on this album are the final recordings of keyboardist Billy Preston. The album is jointly dedicated to Preston and Brian Roylance.

"Superstar" is a 1969 song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, that has been a hit for many artists in different genres in the years since. The best-known versions are by the Carpenters in 1971, Luther Vandross in 1983, and Sonic Youth in 1994.

<i>Okie</i> (J. J. Cale album) 1974 studio album by J. J. Cale

Okie is the third studio album by J. J. Cale, released in 1974.

<i>5</i> (J. J. Cale album) 1979 studio album by J. J. Cale

5 is the fifth studio album by J. J. Cale. Released in 1979, it was his first album in three years. When the album was re-issued on CD, "Katy Kool Lady" was replaced by a new song listed as "Out of Style," though it was still listed as the former on the CD. "Out of Style" is also included on the 2007 album Rewind: The Unreleased Recordings under its proper title. There is still no U.S. domestic release of the song "Katy Kool Lady" on CD.

<i>The Cream of Clapton</i> 1995 greatest hits album by Eric Clapton

The Cream of Clapton is an Eric Clapton compilation album released in 1995. Additionally, the European and U.S.-versions have a different track listings. The European version had already been released as The Best of Eric Clapton in 1991, though without the track "I Can't Stand It".

"Call Me the Breeze" is a rock song by J. J. Cale. It first appeared on his 1972 debut album, Naturally, as the opening track. The song consists of a 12-bar blues guitar shuffle and features the early use of a drum machine.

<i>Leon Russell</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Leon Russell

Leon Russell is the debut solo album by the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Leon Russell. It followed his debut with the Midnight String Quartet and a production by Russell and Marc Benno billed as the Asylum Choir.

<i>Eric Clapton at His Best</i> 1972 greatest hits album by Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton at His Best is a two-LP compilation of Eric Clapton's work after he left his earlier band Cream, released in September 1972. It was concurrently released with a two-LP compilation of Cream tracks, Heavy Cream, along with "at His Best" solo retrospectives by Cream's other members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

<i>Backtrackin</i> 1984 compilation album by Eric Clapton

Backtrackin' is a two-disc compilation album by Eric Clapton spanning the years 1966 to 1980. It was released in 1984. The compilation contains all of Clapton's best known songs with Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, and his solo 1970s work through his 1980 live album Just One Night. This compilation album is made in Germany and is only available in the United States as an import. It was originally released by Starblend Records, and has since been reissued by Polydor Records. This 2 CD compilation is currently out of print in some markets while still available in some form in others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delaney Bramlett</span> American musician (1939–2008)

Delaine Alvin "Delaney" Bramlett was an American singer and guitarist. He was best known for his musical partnership with his wife Bonnie Bramlett in the band Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, which included a wide variety of other musicians, many of whom were successful in other contexts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let It Rain (Eric Clapton song)</span> 1972 single by Eric Clapton

"Let It Rain" is a song and single written and released by the British rock musician Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett; it appears on his 1970 debut studio album Eric Clapton. In 1972 it was released as a single as part of the promotion for his compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy Now (song)</span> 1970 single by Eric Clapton

"Easy Now" is a pop rock song, written by the British rock musician Eric Clapton. He wrote and recorded the track for his 1970 studio album Eric Clapton for Polydor Records. The song was also released as the B-side to the singles "After Midnight" in 1970 and "Let It Rain" in 1972. The composition is also featured on the 1972 compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best. The recording was produced by Delaney Bramlett.

<i>Live in San Diego</i> (Eric Clapton album) 2016 live album by Eric Clapton

Live in San Diego is the thirteenth live album by British rock musician Eric Clapton. It was released through Reprise Records as a live album on 30 September 2016 and as a 2-hour live DVD on 10 March 2017.

References

  1. ↑ "The HeliosCentric Helios Console: Constructed in 1996 through an amalgamation of part of the Island Records Basing Street Studio 2 Helios Console (1970-1974) used by artists such as; Led Zeppelin to record their 'Album IV' which includes the timeless hit "Stairway to Heaven", and Bob Marley & the Wailers to record the albums 'Burnin' and 'Catch A Fire'; with the other part being from Alvin Lee's Helios Console from Space Studios (1973–1979); with the final construction installed at HeliosCentric Studios (1996–Present)". Bonhams.com. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  2. ↑ Bowling, David (2013). "I Swear It Was Self-Defense: Surviving the Seventies". Eric Clapton FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Slowhand. Hal Leonard. ISBN   9781617135743 . Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Popoff, Martin (2010). Goldmine Standard Catalog of American Records 1948–1991. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications via F+W. p. 195. ISBN   9781440216213 . Retrieved November 27, 2016– via Google Books. This source names "After Midnight" the A-side track of the 1966 single.
  4. ↑ Clarke, Donald; Cackett, Alan; Balmer, Paul (1998). The Penguin encyclopedia of popular music. p. 199. ISBN   9780140513707 . Retrieved November 27, 2016– via Google Books. This source puts "Slow Motion" before "After Midnight."
  5. ↑ Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton
  6. ↑ Schumacher, Michael (2003) [1995]. "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? (1969–70)". Crossroads: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton (Updated ed.). pp. 135–136. ISBN   9780806524665 . Retrieved November 27, 2016– via Google Books.
  7. ↑ Timepieces - The Best of Eric Clapton (Media notes). Eric Clapton.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Reilly, Dan (2013-07-27). "J.J. Cale, Songwriter of 'After Midnight' and 'Cocaine,' Dead at 74". Spin . Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  9. ↑ Schumacher 2003, p. 369.
  10. ↑ Varga, George (July 25, 2014). "Eric Clapton speaks up for J.J. Cale" . The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ "After Midnight by Eric Clapton Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  12. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "J.J. Cale | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  13. ↑ Varga, George (November 4, 2016). "Eric Clapton/JJ Cale 'Live in San Diego' album revisits rare collaboration" . The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  14. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6. Note: This reference gives Australian albums and singles information. It is used for chart peak positions as early materials were released before ARIA regulated the Australian charts itself (1989).
  15. ↑ "1050 CHUM – CHUM Charts > Clapton, Eric". CHUM Charts. 1050 Chum. Archived from the original on February 22, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Canadian RPM Top Singles". RPM Magazine. 14 (16). Library and Archives Canada. December 5, 1970. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  17. ↑ Tatsaku, Ren (2011). The Oricon Sales Report (in Japanese). Tokyo: Oricon Style – Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Eric Clapton" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Eric Clapton – After Midnight" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Eric Clapton – After Midnight". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Eric Clapton Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Eric Clapton Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  24. ↑ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, December 26, 1970
  25. ↑ "J J Cale Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  26. ↑ Owens, Thom. Review of Naturally by J. J. Cale. All Music Guide to the Blues: The Definitive Guide to the Blues (2003), edited by Vladimir Bogdanov, et al. p. 94.
  27. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 3, 1970. p. 22. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  28. ↑ "Single Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. October 3, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  29. ↑ "Album Reviews". Billboard. October 2, 1971. p. 48. Retrieved November 27, 2016– via Google Books.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.