VALE MAYALL

John Mayall was known as the ‘Father of the British Blues’. In this case the epithet was no exaggeration. Alongside Alexis Corner, Graham Bond and a few others, Mayall pioneered R&B in Blighty. An extraordinary number of important musicians passed through his bands, most captured on vinyl in a massive discography. Here is a selection of John Mayall albums, focussing on those vital early years.

Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton [July 1966]

Mayall’s second album. Pictured, from left: Mayall, Eric Clapton, John McVie (Fleetwood Mac appearing here as a glint in McVie’s eye) and Hughie Flint.

Diary Of A Band, Volumes 1 and 2 [July 1968]

Although forward-looking regarding his musical journey, Mayall nevertheless showed a remarkable fondness for his own backstory. The two Diary Of A Band LPs are lo-fi live recordings from 1967 that feature some spirited playing and amusing soundbites. Like a little mini-documentary, they are ‘of their time’, yet the chance to hear Keef Hartley, Dick Heckstall-Smith (Colosseum) and Mick Taylor’s beginnings is a treat that trumps the dubious sound quality.

Blues From Laurel Canyon [November 1968]

This concept album (featured in these pages as part of a birthday tribute) is one of Mayall’s most satisfying. Far from a collection of mid-paced blues standards, Laurel Canyon has a set of lovingly assembled songs—all written by Mayall—that tell an entertaining story via a rich range of musical and emotional moods. Young guitar slinger Mick Taylor shines and the departed Peter Green appears on one track.

Looking Back [August 1969]

A compilation of 7″ A and B-sides, this LP became more significant as people moved away from 45rpm singles. It contains tracks by several Blues Breakers line-ups as well as solo Mayall songs. Amongst the many players are Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green, and Jack Bruce (Cream).

The Turning Point [September 1969]

Perhaps sensing he had reached a creative peak with Blues From Laurel Canyon, Mayall did a brisk about-face for his next album. With an essentially acoustic quartet, Mayall hit the road and recorded this live set. Featuring the talented duo of Jon Mark and Johnny Almond (later to form Mark-Almond) with regular bass player Steve Thomson providing the bottom end, this is a superb set of original blues brought to life by Almond’s flute and sax playing. Perfect late evening listening.

Back To The Roots [March 1971]

Rather than archival live recordings or some other compilation device, here Mayall chose the rewarding path of inviting former band members (and others) to join him in the studio (California and London) to make new music. Thus we have Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Canned Heat’s Harvey Mandel and violinist Don ‘Sugarcane’ Harris contributing to an enjoyable double LP set.

New Year New Band New Company [March 1975]

…and new clothes for the mid-70s. I saw this LP described as Southern hippie country funk rock. Be that as it may, it is unusual in that Mayall shares the vocals with Dee McKinnie, his light tenor blending well with her vocals. The album features Canned Heat’s Larry Taylor on bass and Don ‘Sugarcane’ Harris. But really what everyone wants to know is, where can I get that necklace?

Mayall continued to tour and record well into his eighties. After contracting pneumonia in 2018 (at age 85) he reluctantly cancelled a tour, but recovered sufficiently to re-enter the recording studio once again. When he finally announced his retirement, just shy of his 88th birthday, the statement also included details of a recently completed new album. Called The Sun Is Shining Down, it was his sixtieth release.