This fine collection of
songs, could well have been subtitled
“Thoughts of an English Gentleman on holiday
in America”, as this album is the story
of John Mayall’s 3 week vacation in Los
Angeles, written between the break up
of his ambitious large entourage of the
Blues Breakers which had just recently
released “Bare Wires” (most of whom went
off to form the wonderful Colloseum) and
this solo effort.
One of the most amazing things about this
album is that the whole thing was recorded
in 3 days, between 26th and 28th August
1968 at Decca’s London studios, the band
had been together only 2 weeks, but sound
as if they’ve been playing for year’s,
only Mick Taylor remained from the previous
line – up, making him a veteran by Mayall’s
standards, his previous two guitarist’s
having lasted an album each, (Eric Clapton
for “Blues Breakers” leaving to form Cream
and Peter Green for “Hard Road” leaving
to form Fleetwood Mac). After this album
Colin Allen would move on to rattle the
traps with Scottish Rockers “Stone the
Crow’s, whilst of course the Glimmer twins
would come in to smuggle away Mick Taylor
for the Rolling Stones, leaving Mayall
in his perpetual quest for new and inspiring
musicians.
The songs are laid out in chronological
order from arrival to departure, and the
results of their labours has brought forth
some wonderful fruit. Mick Taylor was
never to better his licks here, the introduction
to “The Bear” (Mayalls take of his exploits
on the town in Los Angeles with American
Bluesters Canned heat) is worth the price
of the album on its own, also the soloing
from both the guitarist and Mayall himself
on the closing jam of “Fly Tomorrow” should
stand as a monument of how to lay bare
your soul for the rest of time. Peter
Green makes a guest appearance on the
atmospheric “First Time Alone”, add Mayall’s
trademark mouth harp and the standard
of musicianship is very high indeed. The
lyrics by the nature of the songs are
very self indulgent, but then you can’t
have everything, and lets face, it you
can only write about what you know.
For those not famililiar with the works
of Mr. Mayall this is a good entry point,
but be prepared for a bumpy side, as his
style changes dramatically over the years.
Out of interest a few other musicians
who at sometime were in John Mayall’s
Blue Breakers reads like a who’s who of
the British Blues boom, including Jack
Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Jon
Hiseman, Aynsley Dunbar, Hughie Flint,
Coco Montoya, and of course to complete
the Cream connection for one gig Ginger
Baker.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
