(Hannover, Germany) – John Mayall ‘The King of British Blues’ needs little introduction. On the brink of his 82nd year, he continues to tour the world bringing Blues to audiences young and old. With a discography stretching some 63 albums released between 1965 and 2015 he is revered by some of the greatest bluesmen in recent times, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Joe Bonamassa to name but a few. Released this month, Find a Way to Care was produced at the House of Blues Studios in California. Filled with his trademark Organ, Harmonica and Guitar riffs the album has been highlighted as one of Mayall’s best works to date. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to see him play in front of a packed house in Hannover at the Capitol.
I managed to catch John as he signed copies of his new album for fans. I am being brutally honest when I say I thought his years had caught up with him and he looked rather tired. Perhaps he was tired? On stage though, he still cuts a fine figure. Any concerns I had disappeared immediately and it became evident how much he loves playing live. I was was amazed by the ease with which Mayall switches between Organ, Guitar, Harmonica and singing, sometimes several times during the same number. There is no substitute for experience and John Mayall has an abundance of it. The musicianship, the voice and interaction with the audience and his band all made for a fantastic show. With numbers from every decade including, as you would expect, many from the new album.
The John Mayall band in it’s current form have been together since around 2009. Mayall himself is reported to have said, “The band I have now is the best band I have EVER had. I think it would be impossible to do better than that!”
It is easy to see why.
8/10
The John Mayall Band:
Rocky Athas – Guitar
Greg Rzab – Bass
Jay Davenport – Drums
All photos by Spike Porteous.
© 2015. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”65″]
