[Slowhand] John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers Recordings

[Jeff Elliott]

Nick,
	You've struck gold again!  Two thumbs up for "Beano" from me as
well.  This was another classic I copped from my big brother years ago and
when I started replacing my LPs with CDs in the late 80s (I know, I know.
I'm an idiot.  Thankfully I didn't get rid of the entire collection but I am
missing some of those great classics that were, surprise, quite easy to get
the resellers to buy from me.) it was one of the first new CDs I bought.
Unbelievably, it sat on the shelf for most of the 90s while I delved into
the drivel produced back then.  I rediscovered its greatness around the turn
of the century (does that sound ancient or what?) and it is in my regular
play list on my iPod.
	I know there has been discussion in the digest regarding EC's tone
and the fact that today you can get just about any axe/amp combination to
have a particular sound (the true explanation can be found in the hands of
the axe-man in my humble and unofficial opinion), but I find his
Bluesbreaker tone to be above reproach.  Remember, this was back in the days
before the multitude of effects were available and you had guys like
Hendrix, Clapton and Townsend using volume and built in tube distortion for
their sound.  Of course, Roger Mayer had a hand in Hendrix's sound but
that's another discussion.
	Mayall isn't a tremendous musician nor can he really sing, but he
always was capable of finding unbelievable talent and putting together a
great band.  For fun, check out his 70th birthday concert during which Mick
Taylor pays a visit only to walk off of stage right to allow the real
master, EC, step in stage left and steal the show.  Watching Mayall's eyes
tear up as Eric strolls onto the stage and the crowd erupts is worth it
alone.

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Nicholas Aleshin [mailto:deltanick at comcast.net] 
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 8:44 PM
To: Slowhand Digest
Subject: [Slowhand] John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers Recordings

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