On February 24th, a couple of months after his 70th birthday, JJ Cale will release Roll On — his first solo album in five years. In classic Cale fashion, he recorded most of the disc by himself — playing drum machines, piano and guitar at his home studio near the San Diego suburb of Escondido, California. "I haven't gotten out and played much in the last few years," says a laconic Cale. "I'm thinking about doing a little bit of that. But at my age, it's about the...

If JJ Cale is influencing a new generation (see M. Ward's country blues rock and Jenny Lewis' name-checks) maybe it's because, at 70, he's a model for indie-rock longevity. On his 16th record, the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter-producer sticks to his low-key DIY guns, notwithstanding cameos from pal Eric Clapton and others. The songs are top-shelf: Most ride Cale's signature shuffle groove and...