Most folks probably know J.J. Cale best by the covers recorded of his songs, from Eric Clapton’s versions of Cale’s “Cocaine” and “After Midnight” to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Call Me the Breeze.” That’s a shame, because Cale is one of hell of a guitarist and songwriter and musician in his own right. I’d even hazard to say I like his versions of his own songs better than Clapton’s.

This greatest hits collection is a worthy chronicle of Cale’s 10 years’ worth of records for Polygram. Spanning the decade from ’72 to ’82, this single CD includes Cale’s originals of the songs above as well as his smoking originals “Midnight in Memphis,” “Lies,” and more – a total of 20 cuts.