John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers - Stories

 

Numbered limited edition white vinyl

John Mayall represents the heart and soul of British blues, although his true contributions have often been overshadowed by the staggering list of musicians who have benefited from his guidance, if not his uncanny ability to discover and harness talent: Clapton, Green, Taylor, Montoya, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Walter Trout.

In 1963, "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers," as they were called then, had their first concert in the Marquee Club. It marked the birth of one of the most successful blues bands of its time.

Stories first released in 2002 marks Mayall's 52nd release, and the first track, "Southside Story," shows his prowess. Mayall says that he didn't even receive the song until he was in the studio, but you'd never guess by listening. "Southside Story" establishes a mood within the first eight bars, setting the tone for the rest of Stories.

The title is apt; for this release, Mayall focuses on the storytelling aspect of the music, and each song is a window into a larger world. In this respect, Mayall does best with the more straightforward material, such as "Dirty Water" and especially his own "Mists of Time," the anthemic blues ballad that closes the album. His paean to the younger generation, "Kids Got the Blues," is most welcome, as it recognizes that there is a younger generation of blues musicians and listeners keeping the music alive. Overall, Stories is a solid addition to Mayall's body of work, with a good selection of material and strong performances all around.

Side A

1. Southside Story

2. Dirty Water

3. Feels Just Like Home

4. Kids Got The Blues

Side B

1. The Witching Hour

2. Oh, Leadbelly

3. Demons In The Night

4. Pride And Faith

Side C

1. Kokomo

2. Romance Classified

3. I Wished I Had

4. Pieces And Parts

Side D

1. I Thought I Heard The Devil

2. The Mists Of Time

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