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John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers—Live In 1967 Volume
Three—Forty Below Records

John Mayall, known as the Godfather of the British Blues, needs
no introduction to blues fans. Having just celebrated his 90th

birthday he has left us with a great back catalogue to enjoy. This
latest release is the third in a series of live albums dating back
to 1967 which feature the core of what would turn out to be
Fleetwood Mac.

The album opens with John’s distinctive voice and harmonica
work on ‘Brand New Start’. ‘Tears In My Eyes’ is a slow blues
that acts as a vehicle for some great guitar work from Peter Green. ‘Stand Back Baby’ is a great
rocking eight bar blues featuring some slide guitar whilst ‘Greeny’ is over seven minutes
worth of Green’s super guitar soloing overlayed on top of Mayall’s organ work.

The upbeat Sonny Boy Williamson cover ‘Your Funeral My Trial’ has some more great har-
monica sounds from Mayall as you would expect. Peter Green goes to town once again on the
Freddy King blues instrumental ‘The Stumble’ before the album closes with another cover, the
Otis Rush number ‘Double Trouble’.

The quality of the recording is as you might expect not quite hi fidelity standard and even quite
rough in parts. However, that’s not the point because what we have here is a reference point
and insight into the work of these great musicians.

The rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass really hold down a
solid foundation for John Mayall’s organ, harmonica and vocal work but the star of the show
is undoubtedly Peter Green who gets free reign here to really show off his guitar skills. It is
quite clear to see here how these fine musicians would later develop into a fine band in their
own right as Fleetwood Mac and see Peter Green become arguably Britain’s best ever blues
guitarist.

1967 was around the time in my early teens I first saw John Mayall in Manchester and he was
my gateway into the world of blues for which I am truly grateful. In the twilight of his career
it’s good to take a nostalgic trip back and see the great legacy that John has left us.

Ged Wilson

Spoonful Of Blues—Songs From Notodden Norway—

Bluestown Records

Spoonful of Blues are a four piece blues band from Notodden
Norway which is of course home to one of Europe’s finest Blues
festivals. This current release is their sixth album for Bluestown
Records.

The album opens with a great upbeat number, ‘Blood Red
Tears’ which has a Peter Green guitar vibe about it, whilst
‘Rollercoaster Ride To Hell’ has that Fabulous Thunderbirds
feel to it. They take things down a notch with ‘Breaking Up’ and
then you can hear echos of Canned Heat with ‘Out In The Country’. There is a great whammy
bar sound on ‘Crush On You’ which would not be out of place on an episode of Peaky Blinders!