merely random instead of eclectic. But it doesn't account for such unusual and pointless touches as cuts simply fading out halfway before he's done performing them.

Cale has taken to sounding like a country Dr. John. He imparts a bayou feeling to every type of material, offering only slight variations in vocal approach — even when handling such disparate material as the straight blues "The Old Man and Me" and the straight country gospel "Precious Memories."

This generally boring and lifeless album ends with three good performances: the aforementioned "Precious Memories," a good (but too short) instrumental, "Okie," and a driving Leon Russell-style "I Got the Same Old Blues." J.J. Cale isn't ready to provide the kind of direction in rock and country of which he once seemed capable. (RS 165)

JON LANDAU