Customer Reviews

Life in the Jungle: Charly Blues Masterworks 4

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is possible the best John Mayall album ever and certainly the best live one that I have heard. It features some roaring guitar from both Walter Trout and Coco Montoya and some great organ and harmonica from Mayall. It features a great version of the Sonny Boy Williamson standard 'Help Me', a rework of 'All your love' and the spine tingling 'One life to give' and 'Life in the Jungle'. The only dud is 'I Ain't' got you' and 'Ridin' on the L&M' takes a while to warm up.

Life in the Jungle is one of those special albums that transcend the star rating category, cuz this sucka is a class all to itself. I love live music. I've loved John Mayall ever since I've heard Looking Back, and I've seen `em maybe six or so times over 35 years, and this is without a doubt my favorite album by him.
I've got most everything he's put out and love every bit of it, but this album has so much pure energy. Right out of the gate this thing blisters. All the tracks are first class including Ridin' on the L&M and I've Got You. Maybe my favorite is Fascinating Lover, but I don't skip over any of these tracks. I've seen Walter and Coco each with their own bands. These are two very humble guys. Walter says Coco is the best and Coco says Walter is. You can hear the mutual respect and friendship these guys have for each other. Aside from Peter Greene or Mick Taylor these guys are the best, although Buddy Worthington is pretty hot. I've seen the band twice with him and he can smoke the strings. I will always have a copy of this CD in my possession. I hate to narrow my favorites down to a numbering system, cuz some days I feel like different stuff, but I can listen to this anytime. It always gets me a little excited. You know, picks up my spirits just like good blues should do.

This great Mayall album has been re-issued (2006) as "Ridin' on the L&N." Why they felt the name change was necessary, I have no idea. The the name is actually nowhere on the CD case, it's just the first song on the album. Same tracks, same brilliant album. Under either name, a must for all Mayall fans. Other reviewers have already discussed the musicians and songs, so I'll forgo.