Written and first recorded by J.J. Cale (1972).
Also recorded by Mason Proffit (1972).
Hit album version by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974).
From the wiki: “‘Call Me the Breeze’ was written by J.J. Cale and first appeared on his 1972 debut album, Naturally, as the opening track. Like many Cale songs, it has been covered numerous times by an assortment of musicians.
“Ironically, many of the more contemporary cover versions of ‘Call Me the Breeze’ available have been performed as tributes to … Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Southern Rock band from Florida that scored an Album Oriented Radio hit with ‘Call Me the Breeze’ in 1974.
“The pioneering country-rock group Mason Proffit was the first to cover Cale’s song, in 1972. Their recording was included on the album Rockfish Crossing as part the medley ‘George’s Jam/Call Me the Breeze’, recorded live at The Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, California.”
Mason Proffit, “George’s Jam/Call Me the Breeze” (1972):
Lynrd Skynyrd, “Call Me the Breeze” (1974):
J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton, “Call Me the Breeze” live performance at the Crossroads Guitar Festival (2007):