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Blues from Laurel Canyon

John Mayall

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iTunes Review

U.K. blues-rock gains a tinge of L.A. ambiance on John Mayall’s Blues From Laurel Canyon. This 1968 album chronicles the British singer/bandleader’s three-week excursion into the hipper environs of the Hollywood Hills, and the songs that resulted are earthy and easy-going, marking a return by Mayall to simpler forms after the jazz-rock experimentalism of Bare Wires. The unhurried pace and free-flowing musicianship in these tracks catches the spirit of its era nicely. Most notably, the album features some excellent playing by Mayall’s ensemble of the moment, with Mick Taylor (soon to join the Rolling Stones) delivering succinct, stinging lead guitar work on tracks like “Vacation” and “2401.” Drummer Colin Allen stands out as well, contributing some evocative tabla work on the simmering “Fly Tomorrow.” Mayall applies his rough-cut vocals to a set of diary-like lyrics that are long on introspection (if somewhat short on finesse). “Walking on Sunset,” “Long Gone Midnight” and “The Bear” are candid snapshots from the waning days of psychedelia. In its time, Blues From Laurel Canyon was seen as a transitional effort by an artist reconnecting with his muse; it remains a beguiling and often inspired high point in Mayall’s catalogue.

Customer Reviews

This album was inspiring

I remember what was happening in U.S. society, in the events of the world, and in creative music at the time of this album's release. That time and that world no longer exists. This music does succeed in capturing it, and reminding one of the vision of the artist, the emotion of the era, and the sheer beauty of the California Hippie Dream. If you don't understand what I mean, you are unfortunate to have missed out on a unique experience of history.

Get A Clue

Come on Murph, lighten up. This is rock shake your booty boogie.

Not Great, Not Bad

I was a huge fan of Mayall's back in the day, and bought this album on vinyl within days after it's initial release in 1968. Upon reflection now, the music is very competently played, have no doubt, but a close look at the cover should give you a clue: Mayall was very much the L.A. hippy-dippy music man when he recorded this, which is also pretty plain from song titles (and lyrics).

Biography

Born: November 29, 1933 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England

Genre: Blues

Years Active: '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

As the elder statesman of British blues, it is John Mayall's lot to be more renowned as a bandleader and mentor than as a performer in his own right. Throughout the '60s, his band, the Bluesbreakers, acted as a finishing school for the leading British blues-rock musicians of the era. Guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor joined his band in a remarkable succession in the mid-'60s, honing their chops with Mayall before going on to join Cream, Fleetwood Mac, and the Rolling Stones, respectively....
Full Bio

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