CD REVIEWS

POP/ROCKJ.J. Cale - Closer to You (Virgin): J.J. Cale is an. American original who has never quite gotten the attention he deserves, despite having written such classics as ``After Midnight'' and ``After the Breeze.'' Eric Clapton and Lynard Skynard had the hits with these songs, but Cale sang them first. Cale is a wonderful performer, singing his hypnotic, country-blues shuffles with a laconic drawl. This, his 11th album, is even more laid-back than usual, but his tart wit and playful musicality abound.