Record Reviews
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  | JOHN MAYALL ~ A SPECIAL LIFE
FORTY BELOW 006 (Barcode: 888295039918) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014
This is an album by the Godfather of British Blues, vocalist / multi-instrumentalist / composer / bandleader John MayallFind albums by this artist, recorded with guitarist Rocky AthasFind albums by this artist, bassist Greg RzabFind albums by this artist and drummer Jay DavenportFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven songs, four of which are Mayall originals, one is by Rzab and the rest are by Blues standards. This is the first album on the Forty BelowFind albums on this label Records label, which is Mayall’s current label, and the first album after almost a five years of recording break following the release of “ToughFind albums with this title” in 2009.
The music is everything Mayall’s fans expect from him, great songs, excellent vocals and superb instrumental performances. Mayall’s stability as an Artist is one of his great assets and he never recorded a bad album, despite his prolific recording career. He has been lucky to work with some of the best instrumentalists over the years, and his recorded legacy is a triumphant evidence that sticking to one’s Artistic truth is the shortest way to success and recognition.
Overall this is “another brick in the wall” of Mayall’s six-decades long career, which puts his love of the Blues idiom at the spotlight and made the life of his devoted followers more interesting over the years. Blues does not get any better that this… A Special Life indeed!
| | Updated: 04/08/2021Posted: 04/08/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MAYALL ~ FIND A WAY TO CARE
FORTY BELOW 011 (Barcode: 888295265669) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015
Despite the fact that British Blues Guru John MayallFind albums by this artist is already in his eighth decade of his life, he continues to release new albums with a Swiss Clock regularity, as if time stood still for him. This album, recorded in a quartet setting, finds Mayall singing and playing a plethora of keyboard instruments, including the Hammond organ. He is supported by guitarist Rocky AthasFind albums by this artist, bassist Greg RzabFind albums by this artist and drummer Jay DavenportFind albums by this artist. Some of the tracks feature brass arrangements. The album presents twelve tracks (two being bonuses on CD only), five of which are Mayall originals and the rest are by other Blues songwriters.
The music is as fresh and sparkling as always and although Mayall has been at it for six decades, his talent to reinvent himself and his music remains unexhausted. Following him on a regular basis, his faithful fans have been exposed to an ever changing panorama of excellent instrumentalists, whom he picks up carefully, always fitting his idiosyncratic style like a glove.
Many musicians reach a point in their lives that clearly indicates a time to retire and pass the torch to the next generation, but in Mayall’s case that time is simply not here yet. Thank you John for all these marvelous years and the Blues, which always was a part of the Soundtrack Of My Life.
| | Updated: 27/05/2021Posted: 27/05/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MAYALL ~ TALK ABOUT THAT
FORTY BELOW 015 (Barcode: 888295485630) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016
Despite the fact that British Blues Guru John MayallFind albums by this artist is already in his eighth decade of his life, he continues to release new albums with a Swiss Clock regularity, as if time stood still for him. This album, recorded in a quartet setting, finds Mayall singing and playing a plethora of keyboard instruments, including the Hammond organ, as well as guitar and harmonica. He is supported by guitarist Rocky AthasFind albums by this artist, bassist Greg RzabFind albums by this artist and drummer Jay DavenportFind albums by this artist. Guitar legend Joe WalshFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. Some of the tracks feature brass arrangements. The album presents eleven tracks, eight of which are Mayall originals and the rest are by other Blues songwriters.
The music is as fresh and sparkling as always and although Mayall has been at it for six decades, his talent to reinvent himself and his music remains unexhausted. Following him on a regular basis, his faithful fans have been exposed to an ever changing panorama of excellent instrumentalists, whom he picks up carefully, always fitting his idiosyncratic style like a glove. His awareness of current social / political matters and his honesty about them are another steady feature of his artistic path and he was never shy to criticize the illnesses of our society.
Many musicians reach a point in their lives that clearly indicates a time to retire and pass the torch to the next generation, but in Mayall’s case that time is simply not here yet. Thank you John for all these marvelous years and the Blues, which always was a part of the Soundtrack Of My Life.
| | Updated: 03/06/2021Posted: 03/06/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MAYALL ~ THREE FOR THE ROAD
FORTY BELOW 018 (Barcode: 020286225072) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018
This is an album by the Godfather of British Blues vocalist / guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter / bandleader John MayallFind albums by this artist presenting live recordings captured during the German tour in 2017. The recordings are by an intimate trio format with bassist Greg RzabFind albums by this artist and drummer Jay DavenportFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, two of which are Mayall originals and the rest are Blues standards (and a spoken introduction).
Mayall, aged eighty-three at the time sings, plays keyboards and harmonica and seems to have a time of his life. For the many fans, this is a rare album, which does not feature a lead guitar, and is so far the last live album at the time of writing. Mayall seems not to care about the missing lead guitar and plays as if this was his regular setting. 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: 03/12/2021Posted: 03/12/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MAYALL ~ NOBODY TOLD ME
FORTY BELOW 022 (Barcode: 020286227601) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019
Aged almost 85 at the time this album was recorded, British Blues hero John MayallFind albums by this artist shows no signs of slowing down and this, his last studio album (as of the time of writing) is still better than anything currently recorded by musicians half or less his age. Recorded in a basic trio format it features Mayall on vocals, keyboards and harmonica with bassist Greg RzabFind albums by this artist and drummer Jay DavenportFind albums by this artist, and supported by a brass section on some of the tracks, the concept of this album is to guest a different lead guitarist on each of the tracks. And indeed they answer the call gladly: Joe BonamassaFind albums by this artist, Larry McCrayFind albums by this artist, Alex LifesonFind albums by this artist, Todd RundgrenFind albums by this artist, Steven Van ZandtFind albums by this artist and Carolyn WonderlandFind albums by this artist (who joined his group on a permanent basis), all play heartwrenching solos on this album. The album presents ten tracks, three of which are Mayall originals and seven are Blues standards.
The music is as fresh as if the Blues idiom was just invented and the playing incredibly tight, as usual with Mayall’s albums, due to his particular attention to details. Mayall is able to prove again that despite the intrinsic limitations of the Blues idiom, it is possible to reinvent it over and over again, as he has done for over six decades of continuous music making.
The idea of having a different lead guitarist on each track is of course brilliant, but not lacking a risk, since different players might have proven to be incompatible. But not with Mayall’s vision – everything works like Swiss clockwork and the different guitarists add diversity, interest and spice to the proceedings.
Overall this is a brilliant Blues album and a guitar heaven for the many guitar fans out there – a winner in every respect. I can only pray to see Mayall go on with his work and expend his incredible recorded legacy further, as long as his strength will allow him to do so. You are a blessing, John!
| | Updated: 03/04/2021Posted: 03/04/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN MAYALL ~ THE SUN IS SHINING DOWN
FORTY BELOW 026 (Barcode: 762183630725) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2022
Aged 86 at the time this album was recorded, British Blues hero John MayallFind albums by this artist shows no signs of slowing down and this, his last studio album (as of the time of writing) is still better than anything currently recorded by musicians half or less his age. Recorded in a basic trio format it features Mayall on vocals, keyboards and harmonica with bassist Greg RzabFind albums by this artist and drummer Jay DavenportFind albums by this artist, supported by guitarist Carolyn WonderlandFind albums by this artist, who plays rhythm guitar on most tracks and lead guitar on one track and a brass section on some of the tracks. The concept of this album, same as on its predecessor, is to guest a different guest artist on most of the tracks: Melvin TaylorFind albums by this artist, Marcus KingFind albums by this artist, Buddy MillerFind albums by this artist, Scarlet RiveraFind albums by this artist, Mike CampbellFind albums by this artist and Jake ShimabukuroFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, six of which are Mayall originals and four are Blues standards.
The idea of having a different guest artist on each track is of course brilliant, but not lacking a risk, since different players might have proven to be incompatible. But not with Mayall’s vision – everything works like Swiss clockwork and the different artists add diversity, interest and spice to the proceedings.
The music is as fresh as if the Blues idiom was just invented and the playing incredibly tight, as usual with Mayall’s albums, due to his particular attention to details. Mayall is able to prove again that despite the intrinsic limitations of the Blues idiom, it is possible to reinvent it over and over again, as he has done for over six decades of continuous music making.
Overall, this is a brilliant Blues album and a guitar heaven for the many guitar fans out there – a winner in every respect. I can only pray to see Mayall go on with his work and expend his incredible recorded legacy further, as long as his strength will allow him to do so. You are a blessing, John!
| | Updated: 04/03/2022Posted: 04/03/2022 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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