Blues From Laurel Canyon - John Mayall

Advantages: Very good hard-rocking blues.
Disadvantages: The humour on some tracks may not be to your taste.

...it in context, this is the era when good, old-fashioned British blues bands were in heavy demand - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Eric Clapton's Cream probably being the most famous bands in this category. Tightly Knit opens with Hey Mama - one of the weaker tracks on the album. It is a jokey, and not very PC track, with the lyrics "Hey mama, you must weigh 295" - fairly standard blues-rock introduction. Then again, PC is definitely NOT what this album is about. This is followed by "Shoot Her if She Runs" which does more to set the tone of the album. It features a slightly disconcerting riff that would fit well into a soundtrack to gangster film, and is much darker and more serious in tone. This is a catchy and hummable tune - again, a song about shooting your wife is hardly PC. This group's hard riffs and uncompromising attitude reflects... Read review

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Advantages: You hear one of the best British Blues Bands
Disadvantages: None

...) - Variation on the first track 15. I Held My Baby Last Night - More slide guitar, still good stuff even now, Jeremy on vocals 16. Mystery Boogie - Slide guitar with horn backing The Musicians of Fleetwod Mac at the time of "Mr Wonderful are:- Peter Green (Greenbaum) - Lead Guitar and Vocals, Peter played in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers who also had Eric Clapton for whom he filled in for and subsequently replaced on his, Eric's departure. Jeff Beck also played for the Bluesbreakers. Jeremy Spencer - Guitar and Vocals - He played Slide guitar as his thing in the band and played many of Elmore James songs, Dust My Broom being one of them from this album. John McVie - Bass Guitar - Replaced Bob Brunning I believe, John is the only member of the original Fleetwood Mac left in the band today. John also married Christine Perfect from... Read review

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Advantages: A great music CD for blues enthusiasts and indie rock alike.
Disadvantages: None

...This ten song CD album is the first offering by Devils River who are a trio from Southport, UK. Described as a power trio this band have a unique sound but it is clearly infused with influences from many of the blues greats such as Hendrix, Leadbelly, and SRV. There is a rough blues edge to some well crafted songs but the best thing about this CD is the energy and soul, you can feel the music as you listen, this isn't just another bland pop offering nor a manufactured soulless blues CD as many pretenders out there produce. The mini booklet that folds out has some great pics in a collage of the band and various bits and bobs, something to look at while listening. Well worth the money and I can't help but feel that this band are going to go on to bigger and better things in the future, definitely ones to watch for.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful