The Blues Alone
John Mayall
Release Date: 2 June 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP033
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John Mayall and Keef Hartley recorded The Blues Alone, in one day at Decca's studios in Broadhurst Gardens in May 1967. Completely self-written, Mayall plays everything bar drums and creates a densely atmospheric, singular take on the blues. It may lack the virtuoso soloing of the preceding albums, but makes up for it in feel, talent, and passion.
John Mayall Plays John Mayall
John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers
Release Date: 2 June 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP034
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After gaining a fearsome reputation on the live circuit, Mayall signed a contract with Decca who realised the band he had, The Blues Breakers – Roger Dean on guitar, Hughie Flint on drums and John McVie on bass – were red hot and they needed to be captured live. Recorded on December 7 1964 – and reproduced here in glorious mono – at Klooks Kleek, above the Railway Hotel in West Hampstead, John Mayall Plays John Mayall was a fine debut, capturing the blues in front of an enthusiastic audience.
Blues From Laurel Canyon
John Mayall
Release Date: 30 June 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP035
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Following the breakup of The Bluesbreakers in 1968, Mayall took a three week break in LA, and it proved an eye-opener for him. As a result, Blues From Laurel Canyon was a concept album of sorts, a view of a Brit Abroad at a time when it wasn't de rigueur to travel. 2401 especially is an incredible confection – acknowledging Cream, foreseeing Led Zeppelin; Mick Taylor's slide guitar would soon be heard in the Rolling Stones. For Tomorrow is a nine-minute blues-rock tour de force.
A Hard Road
John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers
Release Date: 2 June 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP036
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In the summer of 1966 Clapton left, partnering off with sometime Bluesbreaker Jack Bruce to form Cream. Mayall did not look back, re-employing East London guitarist Peter Green, who had previously filled in for Clapton. Undoubtedly equal to Clapton, with a marked difference in style, Green's signature sound enlivens 1967's A Hard Road. Hughie Flint had been replaced by Aynsley Dunbar on drums, and the trademark take on Chicago blues became heavier.
Crusade
John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers
Release Date: 2 June 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP037
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Released in September 1967, Crusade introduced another guitar protégé to the world. The 18-year-old Mick Taylor had crossed Mayall's path a couple of years earlier at a show in Hatfield: it was now time for him to join, as Peter Green had left Mayall to form his own group. The album was so titled as Mayall felt that he would forever be on a crusade to get the blues to the widest audience possible. Listen to the version of Albert King's Oh Pretty Woman that opens the album. It's amazing!
Bare Wires
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
Release Date: 30 June 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP038
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John McVie was next to leave the Bluesbreakers, joining Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood in their new venture, Fleetwood Mac. Reedsman Dick Heckstall Smith joined, alongside drummer Jon Hiseman from the Graham Bond Organisation and bass player Tony Reeves. The resulting album, Bare Wires, was Mayall's most successful album, reaching No 3 in the UK charts. If it could be said that if Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton was the foundation stone of UK blues rock, then Bare Wires did similar for jazz rock. Mick Taylor's playing on the album is little short of superb.
Blues Breakers
John Mayall with Eric Clapton
Release Date: 27 October 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP068
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Eric Clapton joined Mayall from the Yardbirds, disenchanted with the pop direction that that group were taking, away from his beloved blues. As a result, Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton became a touchstone in the blues-rock scene of the mid 60s, from its iconic cover (a disinterested Clapton reading The Beano comic) onwards; it was an earnest homage to the music that so inspired the players, creating a heavy, warm brew; an unmistakably English take on an American form.