[Slowhand] John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers Recordings

[Nicholas Aleshin]

Hmmm, forgot about this one, so I gave it another listen today. Yes,  
it's good, but I would say the studio version on A Hard Road is well- 
thought-out, and here Peter Green  throws a bunch of stuff together.  
Oh, yeah. I wish I could play like this, but I've heard Green play  
better on recordings with both Mayall and Fleetwood Mac. But it's  
good. The recording qulity's not the best, but good enough. Sounds  
like "The Stumble" was recorded by someone from his seat. The other  
recording with Pete Green is a live "Double Trouble," which is good  
too. Funny how I forgot these Pete Green tracks. But Peter Green was a  
stunningly expressive and beautiful guitar player with both Mayall's  
band and Fleetwood Mac, originally a blues band (it was originally  
called Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac).

I'm surprised Lew didn't get this box set ("Essentially John Mayall")  
when it came out. Another Decca release, "Live At The BBC," appeared  
at roughly the same time, with other live Clapton Bluesbreakers  
recordings, also previously available only via bootleg. If I remember  
correctly, I made a fuss over both of these here on the Slowhand  
Digest. But few seem actually interested in Clapton with Mayall, his  
formative and arguably best phase of guitarmanship, along with Cream.  
Most here seem to relish EC's Derek & The Dominos and solo phases, and  
not much more.

How about a shout here in the Slowhand Digest from all those who enjoy  
Clapton's John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers period! Let us know that  
you appreciate "Beano," "Stormy Monday," and that great, throaty,  
searing Les Paul tone (rather than that tinny Beach Boys sound).

				Nick