John Mayall, the undisputed ’Godfather Of The British Blues’ is highly respected on both sides of the Pond. An outpouring of international grief followed his passing aged 90 at his California home on July 22nd 2024.
England experienced an explosion of blues music in the 1960s, mainly inspired by established American bluesmen. John was older than many of his counterparts and was at the forefront of this movement, forming John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in 1963 after he moved to London. Signed to Decca Records, the singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, and harmonica player released his debut album, John Mayall Plays John Mayall, in 1965. Much to Mayall’s dismay the recording contract was terminated due to poor sales of both the album and the single “Crocodile Walk.” The band would be signed up again when Eric Clapton replaced guitarist Roger Dean in April 1965. Dean died in 2008, drummer Hughie Flint retired from the band in 1981, and bassist John McVie became an integral part of Fleetwood Mac.
During an interview in 1970 John recalled:
The record with Decca was a loser. It sold a thousand copies over one year — five hundred the first six months and five hundred and two the second six months. It was a live recording done at a place called Klooks Kleek, which was one of the places where I used to work when I first came to London. It was called John Mayall Plays John Mayall Live at Klooks Kleek, a very ungainly title.
From 1961 to 1970, Klooks Kleek operated as a jazz and blues club on the first floor of the Railway Hotel in northwest London. The owners took the club’s name from a 1956 jazz album by drummer Kenny “Klook” Clarke called Klook’s Clique. The recording took place in December 1964, and Dean stated that sound cables were run for 100 yards out of the club’s window to the Decca studios two buildings away. Nearly all the songs apart from a medley of “Night Train” and “Lucille” were written by Mayall, which was unusual for blues albums of this era that more generally comprised covers of black American blues artists.
Despite the inauspicious start, the opening, self-penned track on John Mayall’s so-called flop later became one of the best selling recordings of all time. “Crawling Up A Hill” was the first single from best-selling singer Katie Melua’s album Call Off The Search, released in 2003. In the UK the album sold 1.8 million copies within its first five months making it a platinum success and spending six weeks at the top of the UK chart.
So I stop one day to figure it out
I’ll quit my job without a shadow of a doubt
To sing the blues that I know about
My life is just a slow train crawling up a hill
So here I am in London town
A better scene I’m gonna be around
The kind of music that won’t bring me down
My life is just a slow train crawling up a hill
Tenor saxophonist Nigel Stanger makes an important contribution to the live album, performing on four tracks. His slide sax on “The Hoot Owl” is a masterclass. Stanger played with a host of name blues bands including Alexis Korner, Georgie Fame, The Animals, and in later years with Jimmy Witherspoon as well as with his own different line-ups. Mayall increasingly incorporated sax players into subsequent bands, including Dick Heckstall-Smith and Johnny Almond, brass playing an important part in The Bluesbreakers’ distinctive sound.
Sting gave the following eulogy to Nigel when the latter died of cancer in 1999. “Nigel is one of the finest musicians I ever worked with. He was one of my teachers. When he played, he played with joy and great passion. I shan’t forget the lessons he taught me and I shan’t forget him.” One of Stager’s lifetime achievements was when Nigel and his friend, music manager, producer and ex-Animal bassist Chas Chandler, set up in business together and built an iconic 11,000-seater Newcastle Arena, the largest sports and entertainment venue in north-east England.
Track List:
“Crawling Up A Hill” – 2:21
A superb opening song which gives a ‘potted autobiography’ of John’s life as a bluesman.
“I Wanna Teach You Everything” – 3:05
Exceptional Mayall harp solo plus flowing keys and scat vocals with a neat if somewhat pedestrian guitar solo from Dean.
“When I’m Gone” (Smokey Robinson)) – 3:08
A powerful driving narrative sung with passion and complemented by wailing harp and tasteful guitar work.
“I Need Your Love” (Walter Spriggs, Willie Spriggs) – 4:08
John dedicates this song “to all the fine young chicks that are out front!” Probably the best guitar solo on the album from Dean as he underpins a climactic vocal performance from Mayall. Roger is often overlooked and underrated due to the succession of high profile guitarists who followed him.
“The Hoot Owl” – 2:35
This features the brilliant Nigel Stanger on tenor sax plus special effects to add to the spooky atmosphere.
“R&B Time”- “Night Train” (Jimmy Forrest, Lewis C. Simpkins, Oscar Washington) / “Lucille” (Al Collins ,Richard Penniman] – 2:15
A raucous jam session which does what it says on the title with impressive sax appeal and rockin’ vocals.
“Crocodile Walk” – 2:26
Another classic original and trademark Mayall at his best, the fluent organ keys driving the rhythm.
What’s the Matter with You” – 2:34
This upbeat song, so typical of that era showcases John’s multi-instrumental talents and his conversational vocal style.
“Doreen” – 2:46
Dedicated to one of John’s first fans when he moved to London 18 months ago. It is another sax gem from Nigel.
“Runaway” – 2:25
The first public performance of this instrumental with its surging harmonica heading down the tracks at high speed, one of Mayall’s best solos.
“Heartache” – 2:57
Soul-searching angst expressed with deep emotion: “I can’t live in my lonely place.”
“Chicago Line” – 4:57
The final track is one of John Mayall’s signature songs, an extended version which allows everyone in the band to showcase their individual and collective skills. This tenor and slide sax-inspired improvisation became the title track of his 1988 album having become a regular feature in live concert performances.
Postscript:
Anyone who has the original first edition mono recording in mint condition could sell it for around $500 on an auction site, one of the advantages of buying a classic album which few people recognized as such at the time.
Credits:
John Mayall Plays John Mayall
John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
Recorded live at Klooks Kleek one of London’s top R and B venues in Hampstead London
7th December 1964
Released by Decca records March 1965
Record Supervision: Tony Clarke
Recording Engineers: Gus Dudgeon, Terry Johnson and Derek Varnals
Cover Design: Peter Ward and John Mayall
Photography: David Morse
