A Shout Out to John Mayall

I find it interesting to follow the genealogy of artists and bands as members move around forming new bands and the occasional supergroup.  It’s fun to see how the music is impacted by bringing disparate musicians together.

John Mayall is responsible for giving us some of the best and most important blues rock artists with his Blues Breakers group.  The more well known musicians that moved through the Blues Breakers include Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, John McVie and Aynsley Dunbar.  Some were in the band at the same time, hinting at the earliest supergroup.  Other notable musicians that played with the Blues Breakers, albeit very briefly, include Mick Fleetwood & Jack Bruce.

I’ve seen some criticism of John Mayall’s Blues Breakers as not really being unique in that most of their work were covers of original blues artists from the States.  While true, these early albums contained terrific covers, with great musicianship, and introduced many people to artists that had not made it into mainstream listening.  

So, a big Thank You to John Mayall for assembling a great cast of musicians over the years and providing us with some great blues rock to listen to.  I certainly do not get tired of getting back to some of these classics.

I’ve created two playlists here.  One is music from John Mayall & The Blues Breakers, the other is from bands that former members of the Blues Breakers have gone on to.  Here’s the who’s who on the songs.

Blues Breakers songs

Being from the early days, the mix on some of these songs hurts a bit, especially the live songs.  But that’s the price of admission!  John Mayall is on all of these, responsible for vocals, keyboards, harmonica & the occasional guitar.

• All Your Love – Eric Clapton (guitar), John McVie (bass)
• Parchman Farm – Eric Clapton, John McVie
• Stepping Out – Eric Clapton, John McVie
• Have You Ever Loved a Woman – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce (bass)
• Dust My Blues – Peter Green (guitar), John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar (drums)
• The Supernatural – Peter Green, John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar
• Living Alone – Peter Green, John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar
• Driving Sideways – Mick Taylor (guitar), John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar
• Curly – Mick Taylor, John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar
• Greeny – Mick Taylor, John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar
• It Hurts Me Too – Mick Taylor, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood (drums)

Beyond the Blues Breakers

I think it’s fairly safe to say that the Blues Breakers experience set the stage for the follow on bands.  Cream kept in the blues rock vein and added some thunder to their mix.  Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac also stayed there and added some experimentation.  Mick Taylor joined the Rolling Stones after Brian Jones left in 1969, and stayed until the end of 1974.  He has had many collaborations and solo work since then.  Aynsley Dunbar created the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation after leaving the Blues Breakers, co-writing the song “Warning” that was covered on Black Sabbath’s first album.  He has since played in several bands (notably the initial incarnation of Journey and the Mothers of Invention) and has done significant studio & collaboration work.

Cream – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker

• Rollin’ and Tumblin’
• SWLABR
• Badge
• Those Were the Days

Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac – Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Jeremy Spencer

• The Green Manalishi
• Black Magic Woman
• Man of the World
• Oh Well (Pt. 1)

The Rolling Stones – Mick Taylor, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts

• Honky Tonk Women
• Bitch
• Tumblin’ Dice – Mick Taylor plays bass in place of Bill Wyman
• Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)

Aynsley Dunbar & co.

• Warning – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation
• Peaches en Regalia – Frank Zappa & the Mothers
• Keith Don’t Go (Ode to the Glimmer Twin) – Nils Lofgren
• Wheel in the Sky – Journey