"Road Show Blues," recorded live in Huntington Beach, California at
the Golden Bear Club in July 1980, features the legendary bluesman
John Mayall and his crackerjack band in rare form. This Italian compilation
drawn from the three LPs Mayall made for the British DJM label between
1979 & 1981, is identical to "Roadshow" released on the Thunderbolt label 1996.
It may be one of the lesser-known live outings committed to disc,
but it is very good. It stands as a fine example of the Mayall experience
in a live setting. John is now heading towards 70 years old and he
ranks amongst the greatest blues players right alongside men like
Hooker, King, and Waters. He is to this day making the music he loves
and he has a following that is worldwide and ever growing.
These nine tracks encompass the absolute live blues experience with
Mayall, complete with piercing guitar licks peppered with a wailing
harmonica, tight rhythm section, and soulful vocals to give you the
complete raw live experience that only the blues can offer.
What could be more apt than a song called "John Lee Boogie" in honor
of Hooker's passing? It is not a coincidence that it is the best cut
on the entire album. Any good bluesman worth his salt had to of been
inspired by John Lee Hooker at one time or another during their career,
and Mayall shows why with a great tribute to the man. The rest of
the tracks stand up very well too.
Legends like John Mayall reach almost mythical proportions because
of longevity and popularity. I have never had the honor of seeing
the man play live, now I have an idea what he sounds like and hope to see him some day.
1. Why Worry (Mayall) - 3:15
2. Road Show (Parker) - 4:21
3. Mama Talk to Your Daughter (Lenoir) - 3:52
4. A Big Man (Mayall) - 4:51
5. Lost and Gone (Mayall) - 2:40 6. Mexico City (Mayall) - 5:00
7. John Lee Boogie (Mayall) - 4:10
8. Reaching for a Mountain (Mayall) - 4:20
9. Baby, What You Want Me to Do (Reed) - 5:08
Credits:
John Mayall - Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards, backup vocals
Kevin McCormick - Bass
Maggie Parker - Lead and backup vocals, Percussion
Soko Richardson - Drums
James Quill Smith - Lead Guitar, backup vocals
