Caught On Camera: JJ Cale Unites With Eric Clapton For Amazing “After Midnight” Duet

Crossroads Guitar Festival, 2004

In 2004, student met teacher when Eric Clapton joined forces with the late JJ Cale at the Crossroads Guitar Festival for an all-star performance that included their duet of “After Midnight”. Written in 1966 and featured on his 1972 album Naturally, Cale’s “After Midnight” received a new lease on life when Clapton covered it for his 1970 self-entitled debut album, Eric Clapton. Where JJ Cale took a more laid back boogie route with “After Midnight” as per his guitar playing style, Clapton’s 1970 cover was significantly faster and more of a dance driven version – but when these two styles came together at Crossroads, it was absolutely amazing. JJ’s laid back approach came in handy for the song’s verses and set a pace that was perfect for soloing, giving both guitarists a chance to shine but it was Eric’s slightly quicker pace that made for sort of an extended jam that kept the audience on its feet.

Fun Fact: Cale is one of the most covered artists in popular music history.

It’s the mark of a good musician when they make their influences known – it’s the mark of a great musician when they’re able to share a stage and even combine styles, especially with a song like “After Midnight” – a song that did wonders for the careers of both Eric and JJ Cale. Cale passed away in 2013 at the age of 74, but thankfully, he didn’t pass without the world knowing what a fantastic musician he was – Eric definitely helped make sure of that!

+ After Midnight lyrics +

After midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang out
After midnight, we’re gonna chug-a-lug and shout
We’re gonna cause talk and suspicion
Give an exhibition
Find out what it is all about
After midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang out
After midnight, gonna shake your tambourine
After midnight, it’s gonna be peaches and cream
We’re gonna cause talk and suspicion
Give an exhibition
Find out what it is all about
After midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang out
After midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang out