Some will say that John Mayall is the Blues. After hearing this Cd, I would agree with that statement. He rights amazing Blues songs, is a fabulous piano player, and harmonica player, and has gathered and launched some of the best musicians Rock n Roll has ever had. He has had such musicians as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, and Peter Green, and his influence is still running strong.
1. All your Love: The backing and lead guitar flow with each other in this song great. I do really like the drumming in this song. The lyrics are mediocer, and the vocals are okay. The guitar solo is very simple, yey very appealing and catchy. The song picks up speed throughout the time it lasts. 3/5
2. Hideaway: The Guitaring and organ are fabulos in this song, and the bass and drums flow nicely. This song is actually a Freddie King cover. The solo is pretty good. 4/5
3. Little Girl: I really like the organ playing in this song, and the rest of the instruments match and flow with it great. I do like John Mayall's voice, it's funny because it is actually pretty similair to Eric Clapton's. 4/5
4. Another Man: This is a short song. With just the harmonica playing. Mayall shows a lot of emotion through his harmonica playing. It sounds like an old time prison work song. 4.5/5
5. Double Crossing Time: This songs real name is actually "Double Crossing Man". It was written about and to smite Jack Bruce, because of how he left Mayall to join the pop friendly "Manfred Mann". Other than the meaning, it is a great song. The vocals and lyrics are both nicley sung. The piano and guitar stick out in this, pretty much like all the other songs. 5/5
6. What'd I Say: This actually a Ray Charles cover, and it has some good organ playing, and a nice drum solo. I really like the lyrics and how they are sung. The drum solo is the highlight of this song, because for one it's not evry day you here a drum solo, and I think it's a pretty good one, plus he stays on beat and has pretty good timing. 5/5
7. Key to Love: This song has some woodwind and brass instruments in it. They kind of make it so you can't here the guitar. I like the vocals, and the guitar solo is excellent. 4/5
8. Parchman Farm: This is Mose Allison cover, and a very upbeat song. It has some great harmonica playing, and the bass and drums add to it greatly. There is a decent harmonica solo. 5/5
9. Have you Heard: This is a slower number, with some good saxophone playing. Eric shows some skills in this song that he hasn't shown on the rest of this album, and Mayall's organ playing adds to it greatly. The guitar solo at the end is the highlight of this song, in my opinion. 4/5
10. Ramblin' on my Mind: This is a Robert Johnson cover, and quite a good one. It is also the only song that Eric Clapton sings on, on this album. The way Eric sings Johnson's lyrics show many feelings and great emotion. I don't really like Clapton's solo on this one, though it has a great amount of skill. 3/5
11. Steppin' Out: Another upbeat song, that shows off the great guitar skills of Clapton, and the fabulos organ playing of John Mayall, and of course some great back up by Mcvie and Flint. It also has some trumpet playing, that adds to the song nicely.
12. It Ain't Right: This is probably the most upbeat song on here, and it isn't really that Bluesy compared to the rest of the songs. It really suits Mayall's voice, and his harmonica playing. The guitar,bass, and drums add a great driving force to the song. 5/5
I give this album a 5/5
It gives off and shows some great skill.
