#0073: John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers - Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton [***]

I like blues in isolation.  But there don't seem to be many variations available within the form to keep it interesting over a whole album.  Its simplistic structure makes it very accessible for listeners and players but that also makes it easy to play badly.

That said, this album starts with a strutty kinda groove that breaks into that driving compound three you hear on tracks like Sweet Home Chicago.  It's sung clearly, the guitar is precise and tuneful and it doesn't bang on for too long.  There is a feel change in the next track too and I see a pattern forming.

Track 3, a fast straight 4 comes and goes in its already bland competence.

But just as I was getting bored, there's a very short track of just harmonica and claps with singing over the top.  It's a clever little interlude that wakes me up again and gets me ready for some more guitar.  What we're then treated to is that deep plunging, slow 6 so definitive of the genre.  The track opens with a flourish on the piano and then it all kicks in but again, it's only a few minutes.  No self-indulgent 10 minute solos.

There's a very nice cover of Ray Charles' What I'd Say with some tasty and understated organ work.  The drum solo, while providing variety wasn't in itself particularly interesting (and I'm a fan of drum solos in general) and even within a four and a half minute song was too long but when the song comes back in, the guitarist employs the riff from Daytripper over the main groove and the band add some dynamics that bring it all to a satisfying close.

The album goes on through fast skiffle rhythms peppered with pristine harmonica licks (Parchman Farm), broad stompers with horn support (Key To Love) and another slow 6, but this time lead by saxophone with a thick, gooey organ pad that separates it from the previous one.

Have You Heard, however is almost six minutes long and after the vocals come in, it gets tired quick.  Robert Plant on vocals, it would've carried but whoever's singing has too soft a voice to pull this off.  After three and a half minutes there's the telltale crescendo and the guitar breaks into solo.  Nice work.  Can't fault that young man, really.

Now this is interesting.  It's another slow 6 but just piano and guitars.  I say interesting but its appeal ends with their choice of instrumentation.  Same scales, same progression, same lacklustre vocal.  Bit of a non-track really after a promising start.

Stepping Out is a show-stopping instrumental with lavish horns and a brazen guitar riff and then the album closes with a fast skiffle featuring harmonica again.

As far as blues goes, this is as good as I've heard and they've certainly worked hard to keep it interesting.  I just can't ride that 1-4-5 train for more than a few stops.