2015 – Forty Below
Records
By Phillip Smith; May 30, 2015
For a short three-month stint
in 1967, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
consisted of future Fleetwood Mac
members, Peter Green, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood. Because a
devoted fan from Holland was ballsy
enough to sneak a one track reel-to-reel recorder into five different clubs in
London to record a handful of shows, we are blessed to hear the magic which
took place when these four musicians took the stage. Keeping in mind, this was recorded in mono,
from a hidden tape recorder; the results are consistent with most bootleg
recordings from that era. Live in 1967 gives us thirteen sweet
blues-smothered tracks to chew on.
The Bluesbreakers break out a little briefcase of blues featuring Freddie King songs : “Have You Ever
Loved a Woman”, “The Stumble”, “Someday After Awhile”, and “San Ho Zay”. Peter
Green kills it on guitar covering these.
It’s just downright cool to hear him rip into “The Stumble”. This is blues guitar at its finest. The opening riff on “San Ho Zay” is so lush; I
wish it could have been recorded off a board.
I love their performance of T Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday”. This one puts me in my bluesy space
immediately. Mayall on vocals and
organ guides this one from start to finish with a delicious guitar performance
from Green. This is what music is all
about, right here.
John Mayall
and Fleetwood Mac fans are sure to enjoy
this historical bluesy treat.
Also check out my review of John Mayall's 2014 album, A Special Life => http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2014/07/john-mayall-special-life.html
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