Record Reviews

JOHN MAYALL ~ BLUES FROM LAUREL CANYON (EXPANDED EDITION) DECCA 840839 (Barcode: 602498408391) ~ UK ~ Blues Recorded: 1968 Released: 2007 9th album by John MayallFind albums by this artist, and his most personal and intimate statement to date. Following the decision to disband the Bare WiresFind albums with this title version of the BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist Mayall immediately formed a new quartet, retaining only Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist from the previous group and adding two exceptional young musicians: Steve ThompsonFind albums by this artist on bass and Colin AllenFind albums by this artist on drums. The material for the new album was written during Mayall’s vacation in California, where he stayed in the Laurel Canyon near LA, a favorite living area of many US musicians. During his stay Mayall met and socialized with fellow musicians, such as members of the blues band Canned HeatFind albums by this artist and Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist and his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist, and even dedicated two of the songs on the album to them. The entire album was designed as a one continuous flow of music, with one song smoothly leading into another without any breaks. The magic atmosphere is completely unique and the complex and subtle musical themes make it one of the most remarkable albums recorded in the 1960s. In many respects this album was an end of a phase in Mayall’s long musical road. It was the last album on DeccaFind albums on this label (he would sign with PolydorFind albums on this label next), the last purely UK based album (he would play with many US musicians later on and eventually move to live in the US), the last of the pure blues albums (the next phase would be much more jazz influenced). In retrospect the John Mayall Decca recordings are one of the greatest documents of the 1960s UK music scene and an everlasting, timeless source of musical inspiration. Essential!

Updated: 24/10/2021Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MAYALL ~ EUROPEAN UNION (LIVE IN THE UK & GERMANY) LONDON CALLING 5067 (Barcode: 5053792506712) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1970 Released: 2020 This an archival album by the Godfather of British Blues vocalist / guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter / bandleader John MayallFind albums by this artist presenting three early iconic lineups of his BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live and broadcasted on the radio / TV. The first six tracks originate from 1966 and were performed by perhaps the most recognizable Bluesbreakers lineup featuring guitarist Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, bassist John McVieFind albums by this artist and drummer Hughie FlintFind albums by this artist. The next five tracks originate from 1969 and were performed by the Bluesbreakers featuring guitarist Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin AllenFind albums by this artist. The last track originates from 1970 and was performed by the revolutionary drumless lineup (not called Bluesbreakers), which recorded the “The Turning PointFind albums with this title” album, and two guests, with guitarists Jon MarkFind albums by this artist and Duster BennettFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist and bassists Steve Thompson and Alex DmochowskiFind albums by this artist. Although the sound quality of these recordings is problematic, especially the 1966 tracks, the quality of the music is excellent and Mayall’s bands at the time were the undeniable pinnacle of the British Blues Rock explosion. For Mayall’s completists, who don’t have this material in their collection, this is of course a must!

Updated: 24/10/2021Posted: 24/10/2021

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

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