The seminal album, originally released in 1966, established John Mayall's Bluesbreakers as the leading blues-rock exponent of the British Invasion. It is here reissued with the addition of two bonus sides by Mayall and Clapton cut in 1967. The only album for the Bluesbreakers that captured the short tenure of Eric Clapton in the band, it also propelled Clapton to further success in his next musical venture; Cream.
Clapton had left the Yardbirds over stylistic differences, but his stay with The Bluesbreakers afforded him a holistically-creative blues experience. With Mayall handling the keyboard action and harmonica co-leads, Clapton stretched out for some of the most influenced and influential blues of his own career. Providing the professional backdrop for the young Clapton to play his favored Chicago blues formulas, Mayall and The Bluesbreakers also at this time included John McVie on the electric bass, and Hughie Flint on the drumkit. Horn players on these sessions were John Almond, Alan Skidmore, and Dennis Healey.
Classically enduring, this set opens with Otis Rush's "All Your Love", a inferno of cascading riffs and thundering rhythms that cut right to the chase. Other classic redos include Freddie King's "Hideaway", Ray Charles' "What'd I Say", Mose Allison's "Parchman Farm", Robert Johnson's "Ramblin' On My Mind", and Little Walter Jacobs' "It Ain't Right". Mayall penned tunes include "Little Girl", "Key To Love", and "Have You Heard"; plus he rearranged the rendition of "Another Man" (an old public-domain prison work song). The two bonus tracks (recorded before the original sessions and released as singles after the LP), are: "Lonely Years" and "Bernard Jenkins".
One of the most influential albums in the British Invasion is back; "Remastered & Revisited". The receipt of this reissue should be immense, classic material by classic artists during a classic era. All signs point to "yes" on this biscuit.
The Decca Music Group Ltd.; c/o UMG Recordings, Inc.; 1755 Broadway; New York, NY 10019:
UMG; 2220 Colorado Ave.; Santa Monica, CA 90404: or , www.umusic.com
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