Customer Reviews

In the Palace of the King

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The pitch on the little plastic label adhered to the CD wrapper began with the words "...best Mayall in decades..." which is not really the case because every one of the recordings John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers have released in the past twenty or so years has had more than a few great performances. This one's different, however, with its focus on the works and influence of the great Freddie King. I'm happy to report that JM and the boys do him proud.

As usual, Buddy Whittington provides a veritable master class on the subject of the electric blues guitar. Paying tribute to his fellow Texan, he covers all the stylistic bases and even takes the microphone on "Big Legged Woman." Joe Yuele continues providing the perfect rhythmic foundation while bassist Hank Van Sickle maintains a firm grip on the low end, giving an especially noteworthy performance on Leon Russell's "I'd Rather be Blind." Tom Canning again serves-up fine accompaniment on organ and Mayall adds to his fine body of work on the harp.

As if a smokin' set by the Bluesbreakers weren't enough, Mayall continues his tradition of providing exposure to promising guitarists by offering Robben Ford a guest spot on his own instrumental tribute to King, "Cannonball Shuffle," previously heard his fine 2003 recording "Keep on Running," on which Mr. Mayall guested on harp.

The bottom line is that from start to finish, "In the Palace of the King" is a fine listen which I highly recommend.

British blues legend John Mayall offers up the latest in his career-resurgent string of solid albums that began with the Coco Montoya - Walter Trout fueled "Chicago Line" in 1988. Mayall's original claim to fame...the unbelievably powerful triumverate of Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor in the guitar seats...came to an end in the late 60s with Taylor's departure. In the two decades that followed, Mayall sought to express himself in new ways, such as the very popular "drummerless" band on "USA Union." He also reached out to Taylor and Clapton for occasional reunion efforts, so he never completely "left" the original vision behind. The 1988 return to a guitar-driven band, as well as re-branding the effort "John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers," also returned Mayall to what he does best. The original Bluesbreakers LPs allowed Clapton, Green and Taylor to take turns on Freddie King tracks ("Hideaway," "The Stumble," "Someday After A While (You'll Be Sorry)," and "Driving Sideways"). Now, approximately 4 decades after the first LP with Clapton, Mayall (along with current axeman Buddy Whittington and the rest of the 2007 Bluesbreakers) unleashes "In The Palace Of The King," which draws from superb Shelter Records-era Freddie King. The last two decades have been so solid and consistent for Mayall that it would do an injustice to his other albums to call this "his best in years." It is among his best, but so is most of what you'll find in the post-1988 catalog. It's prime Mayall, prime Bluesbreakers, and they're doing what they've always done best: paying tribute to one of the men who wrote the rule book for every "British Guitar God" who followed him. For all of the second-string performers who have been honored with career-spanning box sets, it's a mystery as to why no one's ever sat down and given Mayall the long-overdue tribute HE deserves.

Some may wonder if and when John Mayall is going to run out of steam. After all, not many musicians can claim to have officially released 56 albums. Those of us who have enjoyed his music through the years can be thankful that with the release of In The Palace of the King, it is clear that Mayall remains in top form.
Mayall's new CD is ostensibly a tribute to the late blues great Freddie King's songs and his influence, and in many ways it is. But in reality its an occasion for Mayall and his current crop of Bluesbreakers to give the listening public another good reason to buy a Mayall album.
I like the whole CD, but there are some super tunes here that make In The Palace of the King obligatory for Mayall fans. One of the best tunes is Time To Go, the one Mayall wrote in tribute to his recently deceased mother. Other standouts are Big Legged Woman, Now I've Got A Woman, Help Me Make It Through The Day, the instrumental Cannonball Shuffle, Freddie King's You've Got Me Licked, and King of the Kings.
I agree with the reviewer from San Jose who nailed the date of Mayall's renaissance and that reviewer's assertion of Mayall's quality and consistency over the past two decades. The release of In The Palace of the King presents those who were fans of Mayall in their youth with a good chance to reacquaint themselves with his music and to hear for themselves that he is still on top.

The Texas Cannonball has been gone for 30 years. With John Mayall's latest release, the double fisted Blues freight train that was Freddie King is back on track. Bravo John.

More of a "metal head" than many would imagine I've always recognized and enjoyed the blues base of bands such as Black Sabbath (aka Polka Tulk Blues Band), Scorpions and Judas Priest.

For some time I've been focusing on purchasing various blues CDs and this was my most recent purchase, due in no small part to recognizing Freddie King's name and knowing that Peter Green had history with Mayall.

I have no regrets in the purchase. I highly recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in blues, or great music in general.

First let me state for the record, that this CD is over 1,000 TIMES BETTER than John's previous release "Road Dogs". (See previous Shaq review!) This CD is special on so many levels. Most importantly, is the reason and feeling for this CD. To me, it's more than meets the eye. Just the fact that John, who is known as the "Father Of British Blues", to many blues fans, understands the importance of educating a new generation of electric blues fans, as regards, the blues masters that came before. Tributes to the "Kings" of early electric blues, are too few, and too far in between. I was raised to believe, that the greatest compliments, are the ones that come from your peers. So John, dedicating an entire CD, to the late, great, Freddie King, is a tremendous tribute. This CD contains 14 songs, that cover a lot of electric blues territory. Song #4 "Palace Of The King", is a "rocking, socking, blues, bopping", classic! Song#6 eulogizes John's Mother, who passed away at ninety-nine years old. John's words are touching, and there is a wonderful guitar solo also. Song #13, also written by John, entitled "King Of The Kings", says it all, as he tips a crown to Freddie King. This is a great, fun, yet respectful tribute, to one of the masters. As stated earlier, there should be more such tribute CD's, to electric blues legends, the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, Albert Collins, etc. If no one steps up in America, I'm all for the "Father Of British Blues" adding another tribute CD to his list! P.S. It should also be noted that John blows a mean "harp"!

Great songs done by an all time blues superstar in memory of a "king". I especially like the Buddy W. vocals on Big Legged Woman.

Well done ! John
RIP Freddie

Fantastic CD. I would rate it a 10 out of 10. You won't be disappointed if you buy.

What can I say this another great work from one of the great blues men. It is a must buy if you truely love the blues.

Another great album from the British Father of the Blues. Freddie King is one of my favorite performers, and Mayall does him justice. I've yet to find a Mayall album I didn't like, although some weren't as strong as others, this is a very good listen.