If you want to really groove out to some drummerless rippin blues music. Give this album a listen. Most of you have probably heard of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. The members of the Bluesbreakers over the early years were many and a virtual who's who of future classic rock stars.
Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood and many, many others cut their teeth in a band that was led by a man who was as gifted a talent scout as he was a musician. John Mayall attracted the best and early albums tell the tale of some great jams.
The Turning Point was a turn in a somewhat different direction from the Bluesbreakers. This album still contained the blues John was known for and loved, but what it did not have was any percussion instruments. Unless, of course, you consider the bass guitar and harmonicas percussion. This was recorded live, July 12 1969 in New York at Bill Graham's Fillmore East.
It featured Mayall on vocals, harmonicas, slide guitar, telecaster 6 string guitar, tambourine and mouth percussion. Jon Mark on acoustic finger-style guitar. Steve Thompson on bass guitar and Johnny Almond on tenor and alto sax, flutes and mouth percussion.
If you do give it a listen, do listen for the interplay and empathy. Sometimes, perhaps only one member is playing, then the others join in gently, building up to climaxes that sound all the more exciting for the restraint that went before it. All of this after only four weeks experience of each others playing.
This album was my first introduction into the blues scene. No better album to become a blues disciple. Again, thanks to Layla for giving me a chance to share my favorite albums. Please listen and enjoy!
My Beat Club - I`m Gonna Fight For You J.B. on MUZU
Just added this video I found. Pretty cool and definitive of the sound they were going for.
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