Crusade [Import]

John Mayall, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal I.S.
• ASIN: B000001F6V
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,409 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #97 in Music > Blues > Harmonica Blues

Editorial Reviews

Japanese only SHM pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. Universal. 2009. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gone but not forgotten, March 14, 2000

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crusade (Audio CD)

Not surprising that no one has reviewed this; I was more than mildly surprised to find that it's still in print. While many listeners rated "Bare Wires" as most representative of an undeservedly ignored Mayall work, I feel this is a much better candidate. "Crusade" is a straight-ahead tribute to some of Mayall's blues heroes, and he pays them a fittingly respectful musical tribute. "Crusade" is much better than "Bare Wires," "Blues from Laurel Canyon" and other Mayall releases of that ilk because it sticks to the blues and is blessedly free of some of the truly awful autobiographical lyrics that John was capable of penning. When he does contribute an original, it fits with the theme of the album, as in the affecting "Death of J.B. Lenoir," a sorrowful lament for one of Mayall's blues inspirations.

Other highlights include "My Time after Awhile," which shows that Mayall's vocals, acquired taste though they may be, can in the right circumstances capture the power of a blues lyric. "Snowy Wood" features some fine blues guitar from Mick Taylor, who was soon to depart for Rolling Stones glitz, but who showed he could play some good blues licks when properly motivated. "Oh, Pretty Woman" won't make you forget Albert King, but Mayall doesn't do the tune an injustice either, and Taylor again contributes some tight guitar work.

In fact, the whole album benefits from a strong hand in the choice of material. It has a fine, smoldering flavor that reflects Mayall's love of the material.

Great album? No. Worth having in a blues collection? I'd say so. The test of the blues for me is the respect the artist shows for the material and the genuine feeling that he or she is able to wrest from it. By these standards, "Crusade," Mayall and his bandmates pass the test.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mick is among the finest., October 7, 2004

By 

P.J. Le Faucheur (Canada (ex- U.K. resident)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crusade (Audio CD)

Ah, the glorious days of the warm tube amp!! This album has stood the test of time. I put it on the player just yesterday and it still sounds like it was done last week instead of the late 1960s.

For a baby faced 18 year old Mick Taylor plays some of the best blues guitar EVER and proves to be a slightly more technical & funkier player than Eric Clapton.His control of feedback is dynamic and alot like Peter Greens. Although Mayalls voice is a little shaky and offkey in places,the choice of songs is strong. The tracks featuring Micks instrumentals are the finest.

Together with the CD "A Hard Road" and the Clapton "Beano" album this provides as an essential addition to any seeking raw, energetic 60s blues guitar.

"Snowy River", "Driving Sideways" and Mick's sensational soloing on "My Time After Awhile" prove that he was a force to reckon with.

Today in 2006 Taylor is still one the most consistant guitarists around.

(Check out John Mayalls '70th Birthday/Anniversary' DVD to see what i mean)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Down At The Bare Wires, June 22, 2004

By 

Mike McKever (Glasgow SCOTLAND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crusade (Audio CD)

I bought this album on vinyl for £1 in 1970 in a second hand shop in Glasgow where the manageress didn't know what it was worth. I thought I had won the pools and when I played it I realised I had. The intensity and tightness of Mick Taylors guitar was far from the disappointment which those of us who had followed the Bluesbreakers through the 60s expected in the aftermath of Clapton and Green. I get the impression that my fellow reviewers are late arrivals to the Bluesbreakers unlike myself. However, if they listened to John's 70th Birthday album, Taylor is far and away the only musician on it who doesn't sound tired - he is as crisp and clean as ever, without having lost any of the passion of it. Crusade is not the best Bluesbreakers album but there is something about it (the indignation and grit that goes with any crusade maybe?) which gives it a diamond-like quality. It also contains in it the heritage(Guy, Rush, Williamson) so dear to Mayall and the religious light shines from it. Listen to 'Checkin on My Baby' and see if it wouldn't blow anybody (except maybe Walter Trout - another old Bluesbreaker) off the map. If you hear this as your first Bluesbreakers album you will probably buy them all through time. I have.