Record Reviews

JOHN MAYALL ~ LIVE IN FRANCE 1967-73 REPERTOIRE 1459 (Barcode: 4009910145920) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion Recorded: 1967 - 1973 Released: 2023 This is an archival album by the greatest British Blues Artists of all time, the iconic ninety years old Blues legend John MayallFind albums by this artist. The material originates from the French TV archives and presents twenty-two tracks captured during the five most productive years of Mayall’s early career, both on two CDs and a DVD. The list of participants reads like the Who’s Who of the Blues and Jazz-Blues Fusion history of the Golden Decade: guitarists Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist, Jon MarkFind albums by this artist, Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist and Freddie RobinsonFind albums by this artist, bassists Steve ThompsonFind albums by this artist, Alex DmochowskiFind albums by this artist, Larry TaylorFind albums by this artist and Victor GaskinFind albums by this artist, drummers Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist, Colin AllenFind albums by this artist and Paul LagosFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist and Red HollowayFind albums by this artist, violinist Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Blue MitchellFind albums by this artist and others. During those years Mayall’s groups changed constantly, and with the lineup changes also the stylistic direction changed accordingly, moving from classic Blues towards more open, Jazz influenced acoustic Blues and later Brass-Rock Blues. Mayall was constantly searching for new avenues to explore the Blues realm, gradually moving away from the classic traditional Blues songs towards original material. This compendium of previously unavailable material is of course an incredible historic document of great value. Although the sonic quality is far from perfect at times, but combined with the video footage brings backs fond memories of a time period, when originality and uncompromised creativity was above all. Mayall’s magnificent contribution to music deserves this kind of documentation and Repertoire Records are certainly one of the best activists in that area. Overall, this is a magnificent addition to Mayall’s recorded history and an absolute must for his many faithful followers. One can only hope for many such archival releases to follow suit. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!

Updated: 30/12/2023Posted: 30/12/2023

2CD+DVD 3 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MAYALL ~ ROLLING WITH THE BLUES - LIVE INDIGO 004 (Barcode: 5036436131228) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1982 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of an archival release by the Godfather of British Blues vocalist / guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter / bandleader John MayallFind albums by this artist presenting live recordings captured between 1972 and 1982 by several different lineups of his groups. The 2CD album was initially released in 2003 and also included a DVD with an interview by Mayall, which is omitted on this release. All the music, except for two tracks, which are Jazz / Blues standards, was composed by Mayall. CD1 presents twelve tracks recorded in Germany in 1972 and 1973, which feature the sextet version of Mayall’s group with trumpeter Blue MitchellFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Clifford SolomonFind albums by this artist or Red HollowayFind albums by this artist, guitarist Freddie RobinsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Victor GaskinFind albums by this artist and drummer Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist, which document the period when his groups featured brass instruments, as documented on the live “Jazz Blues FusionFind albums with this title” and “Moving OnFind albums with this title” albums and the “Ten Years Are GoneFind albums with this title” studio album recorded at that time. CD2 presents four tracks recorded in the US in 1980, which feature the quintet version of his group with saxophonist Red Holloway, guitarist James Quill SmithFind albums by this artist, bassist Kevin McCormickFind albums by this artist and drummer Soko RichardsonFind albums by this artist. These are followed by six tracks recorded in the US in 1982, which feature the classic quartet version of the BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist, with guitarist Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist, bassists John McVieFind albums by this artist or Steve ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin AllenFind albums by this artist, as documented later on the “Return Of The BluesbreakersFind albums with this title” album. The album is a great document of Mayall’s dexterity and diversity, with his music and the lineups of his groups constantly changing, but never leaving the Blues path. Overall, this is a wonderful glimpse at the continuous life story of one of the greatest musicians to walk the earth, who now, for over six decades, still keeps making great music and laughing at the time passing by. A must to all Mayall many fans, followers and collectors of his recordings.

Updated: 05/11/2021Posted: 05/11/2021

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MAYALL ~ TEN YEARS ARE GONE LEMON 115 (Barcode: 5013929771529) ~ UK ~ Blues Recorded: 1973 Released: 2009 As the title suggests, this great album commemorates the 10th anniversary of John MayallFind albums by this artist´s career as a recording / performing artist; and what a decade it was. A series of brilliant albums, a stream of super-talented musicians which passed through his BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist´ ranks and the creation of renewed interest as well as tremendous development of the Blues, which Mayall accomplished - all these happened in just one decade. By the early 1970s Mayall left the UK and moved to California, where he lives up to this day. His bands comprised now mostly of US musicians, but for this album Mayall invited his old friend and musical companion, drummer Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist, to take part in the recording. The other players include guitarist Freddie RobinsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Victor GaskinFind albums by this artist and violinist Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist as well as two brass players: saxophonist Red HollowayFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Blue MitchellFind albums by this artist, adding the improvisational Jazzy feel that Mayall always preferred. The first of the two CDs is a studio recording with a set of new songs written for the occasion, while the second is a live concert recorded in NY, where the musicians get to stretch out and show their chops, as usual in such situations. Mayall´s fans will be surely delighted to get a copy of this one, considering that it was never previously released on CD and unavailable for so many years!

Updated: 05/11/2021Posted:

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

JOE ZAWINUL ~ THE RISE & FALL OF THE THIRD STREAM / MONEY IN THE POCKET RHINO 71675 (Barcode: 081227167523) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 - 1967 Released: 1994 Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist arrived in the US in 1958, after being one of the first European musicians to win a scholarship to Berklee, but he left the school almost immediately and became active on the US jazz scene as pianist, arranger and composer. He played with Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist, Slide HamptonFind albums by this artist and Dinah WashingtonFind albums by this artist before landing on the piano chair with Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist’s quintet, where he stayed for 9 years (1961-1969). Towards the end of his Adderley days Zawinul played for almost 2 years (1969-1970) with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, participating in the seminal recordings Miles made at that period. In 1970 Zawinul formed the legendary Weather ReportFind albums by this artist, which would revolutionize the jazz and fusion genres and continue (in a slightly different direction) the pioneering breakthroughs made by Davis. Over the years Zawinul recorded only three albums as a leader (on AtlanticFind albums on this label and VortexFind albums on this label), two of which are included here (The eponymous album from 1969 was really the starting point for Weather Report). Money In The PocketFind albums with this title, recorded in 1965, finds him in a setting similar to his Adderley’s quintet gig both musically and personally. He uses the quintet’s bass player (Sam JonesFind albums by this artist) and drummer (Louis HayesFind albums by this artist) and adds three excellent horn players: Blue MitchellFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist (tenor sax) and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist (baritone sax). The sextet plays a great set of bebop material, including mostly original material by Zawinul, Jones and Henderson and two standards. Zawinul’s elegant and soulful piano playing sets a firm basis for the music’s graceful flow. The Rise & Fall Of The Third StreamFind albums with this title, recorded in 1967, is a completely different album and a most ambitious and pioneering jazz venture for the time. It involves a meeting between the American jazz tradition and the European classical tradition, but as the title suggests it was meant to be a new kind of synthesis to the one attempted earlier in the US by Gunther SchullerFind albums by this artist and named “The Third Stream”, which seemed to be forced and artificial rather than natural. A meeting between Zawinul and American classical composer William FisherFind albums by this artist led to the two of them working together in an attempt to create a natural synthesis of the two musical worlds. The project involved a jazz ensemble and a string quartet, playing music composed and arranged by Fisher. The jazz ensemble includes Zawinul on acoustic and electric piano, Jimmy OwensFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Richard DavisFind albums by this artist on bass, Roy McCurdyFind albums by this artist and Freddie WaitsFind albums by this artist on drums, Warren SmithFind albums by this artist on percussion and Fisher on tenor sax. The result is a stunning piece of music, a completely new and previously attempted kind of musical vista. In retrospect one can of course hear the seeds of what Zawinul will be doing just a couple of years later with Davis and then Weather Report. Although sadly overlooked and rarely mentioned, this is a seminal album in every respect and surely ahead of its time in every respect. For the intelligent jazz lover, interested in the forces that forged the jazz revolution of the late 1960s this is an absolute must!

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend