Customer Reviews

Rock the Blues Tonight

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

 

 

This little heard live compilation of 3 different Canadian shows is a revelation for Harvey Mandel fans. Harvey gets to stretch out and jam for several songs. For a few songs the band just stops and Harvey continues to wail. This is Fun stuff. The sound is mono and while this doesnt have as much punch as legit live releases of the day it is VERY listenable. What it loses in fidelity it more than makes up in sheer exuberance with Harvey trading licks with his cohort violinist Sugarcane Harris (see Pure Food & Drug Act). Harvey is on all but 3 tracks and even those are worthwhile since they feature jazz trumpeter Blue Mitchell along side Freddie Robinson (of Somebody Lone me a Dime fame) and drummer Keef Hartley. All in all a worthwhile and reasonable (2 disc) package.

First of all, the sound quality of this album is just fine. It's a live album, and in fact, I think it's one of John Mayall's better live albums. I rate it right up there with the 70th birthday concert.

The album is loaded with songs from the USA Union and Back to the Roots albums, so I would say it was recorded sometime around 1971 - 72. Canned Heat alumni (and current members) Larry Taylor and Harvey Mandel are featured on this album, as well as Sugarcane Harris. All of them really lay out with some great jams. Mayall himself collaborated with Canned Heat in the summer of 1968. This is documented in the Blues from Laurel Canyon album.

All in all this is a great blues - rock album.

Mayall...live.... sounds like a cant miss for a blues fan. MISS THIS ONE. The sound quality is horrible. I cant believe someone would actually put out a CD that sounds this bad. While the playing is fantastic, its terribly hard to enjoy. Only for the sincerest of fans. And even then it will frustrate you as it did me. Buyer beware!!