TS: John Mayall vs. John Mayer

A womanizing alcoholic who wrote songs casually about nothing in particular and has made a habit of sacking band members even more casually... and there was something else I didn't like, some kind of smugness. Maybe Clapton, of all people, had it right in pointing to a lack of self-doubt. Eric's phrase intrigued - I don't recall it exactly, now: but roughly he said that artists needed self-doubt to be 100 per cent, and Mayall didn't have that. And this before going on stage for a reunion.

The music didn't blow me away neither. I have been more excited by blues in provincial pubs.

"Turning Point" might've been my first favourite album, thanks Dad.

What did you think of the Mayall show?

Recently someone left a copy of Blues from Laurel Canyon at my house (it's easier than throwing it away, I guess). I put it on and while I can't say I was blown away or anything, I was amused, sitting staring at the gatefold with this guy in his loincloths in LAUREL CANYON? I was under the impression that LC had running water and real housing. Then I read the notes. He wrote this album about his THREE WEEK VACATION there. This might be the best concept album. Fuck The Wall or all that Townshend crap. JOHN MAYALL -- CONCEPT ALBUM EXTRAORDINAIRE.

Anyone else check this out? I showed it to another friend of mine and he seemed to think it was pretty fucked as well.

yeah I love this album w/o making any great claims for it there's a tossed off feel and loose energy that enlivens ye olde 12 bar cliches. "Walking On Sunset" is so stoopid it's brilliant, that crunchy riff and those wide-eyed lyrics capturing just how I feel wandering around LA

C'mon. "Turning Point" is one of the seminal classic albums.

Mayall's not even that great and i wouldn't even mention the two in the same sentence. Mayer's likely the more technically accomplished of the two - i just don't believe any his licks or his lips.

I just saw Mayall in what was essentially a Sonny Boy Williams tribute.

Was just at an estate sale and picked up a CD of The Turning Point signed by Mayall himself for $1.

The 'Beano' Bluesbreakers album with Eric Clapton is a great I think - full of energy. And the 1965 single "I'm Your Withdoctor" (later covered by Motorhead!) is a stone cold classic.

I quite like the Lauren Canyon album for its eccentric feel - though haven't read the sleeve notes which might have put me off. Some of the other albums feel a purist but turgid and uninspired so far.

I'd like to know Scott's views - I'm not sure I've ever seen him comment on Mayall?

RIP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc_mr7FnnBs

70 albums! I love the two he did back to back with Clapton and Peter Green and like some of the stuff with Mick Taylor but somewhat reluctant to do a deep dive into the later ones. Any suggestions?

(Or, I could just read everything upthread. Never mind!)

Was just at an estate sale and picked up a CD of The Turning Point signed by Mayall himself for $1.

― a large tuna called “Justice” (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, March 22, 2019 10:14 AM (five years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Perhaps this is a testament to the last five years, but holy fuck I do not remember this.

I remember the sale, and grabbing a stack of cheap Blues Rock CDs there (Little Feat: Join The Band and Clapton: 461 Ocean Boulevard (Deluxe) plus Queen Rocks stand out) but not the signed Mayall, which I obviously bought too since I posted about it. In my defense, I was about to move for the second time in six months, and I pretty sure all the CDs I bought at this time ended up in a box that's been sitting in storage since April of that year.

best version of a john mayall song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ-ahSY_Tq4

either that one or this one (the underdogs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoxAc7gXtT0

absolutely love Medicine Man into Somebody's Acting Like a Child on Blues from Laurel Canyon with Mick Taylor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gVdV4JIxFQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmIrJvdC4y8

(thanks, dr, that Underdogs video is great)

Clapton just posted a video in tribute to Mayall where he says Mayall took him under his wing right when Clapton had decided to quit music, and he credits Mayall for making him the musician many would soon know him to be, from everything he knew about the blues (literally researching it via Mayall’s tutelage and incredible record collection) to giving him the motivation and reasoning to carry on as a performer. There’s almost a George Bailey story here - if Mayall didn’t exist, would Clapton be known only as a former Yardbirds guitarist? And Fleetwood Mac never exist? And Mick Taylor never appear with the Stones?

Documentary I saw on John Mayall off YouTube was worth a watch. Seemed like a pretty esoteric guy with a range of interests, kinda beat. He never really tried to cash in on any pop, just kinda stuck to what he knew and mostly managed his own career. Seems like he had to work at it and hustle to make music work.

when i worked at a record store he used to come in and buy his own cds to give to the new guys in his band to learn his songs. cool dude!

I misread that song title in the YouTube link above as "Shittin' in the Rain," which would be the best blues title ever.

RIP

never heard Blues from Laurel Canyon before, smurfherder OTM

Turning Point is excellent but much of that excellence is due to Mark/Almond

Gave the live records USA union and The Turning Point a couple of listens over the holidays, they are pretty good and unique. The drummerless lineup of the band gives them a pretty unique vibe.

They groove quite well and the music is kinda centered around the baseline with the horn, guitars, harp and keys rolling on top. I turned up the bass on my system and you can almost get a bit of dub like feel.

Pretty good, I’d sat the feel and sound of these records would make them pretty good ambient type listening too.

Mayall was an interesting dude.

Thanks for this - been listening this morning to The Turning Point for the first time ever, and really enjoying it.