Customer Reviews

Sense of Place

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

 

 

John Mayall's illustrious career has taken him all over the musical map. His creativity was at low ebb, however, during most of the 1980s. He shows himself back in top form with the issue of Chicago Line and now, A Sense of Place. While it is true that he breaks no new ground here that can hardly be expected at this stage in his career. Mayall has always championed the music of J.B. Lenoir and he opens with a driving version of Lenoir's "I Want to Go". That is followed by a rhythmically pounding "Congo Square", in my opinion the best song on the album. "Send Me Down To Vicksburg" features some fine rollicking keyboards. Other good tunes feature a sensitive take on Santana's "Sensitive Kind", the bluesy Texas tune about the lawless "Jacksboro Highway", and the rocking blues of "All My Life". "I Can't Complain" is at once funny and thought-provoking. About the only ones I don't like are a swabby rendition of "Let's Work Together" and "Black Cat Moan". If you liked the Mayall of old, you'll like him once again when you hear "A Sense of Place". There are not many guys nearly sixty (at time of recording) who can still tear it up like John Mayall can.

John Mayall and Paul Butterfield turned me on to the blues. However, after 'The Turning Point' John has turned out some pretty ordinary albums for a long while. Sense of Place restarted my love of John Mayall's music. I have every album since. There are also some prior albums which are terrific (Life in the Jungle and Behind the Iron curtain for example). Coco Montoya also has some magic moments here - Sensitive Kind and All My Life for example.

This recording is more polished and contains a greater variety of rhythms than the usual Mayall product. It is not what you would expect. The music is, however, honest and sensual. Very enjoyable.

A real pleasure to listen to. My main problem with it was it ended too soon. Do yourself a favor and get this one.

Always A Brand New Road....And this is what this album is from start to the end. This is again a new way and a great new music from John Mayall.
................this is sure one of his best albums ever !

Overall, it's an honest work. John Mayall is a British blues authority and an overall British sound and mood is delivered indeed. On the whole, nothing new under the sun. Some songs are catchy and pleasent to listen to, others not very so. Harmonica playing delivers the goods and some tasty guitar work can be spotted here and there (dig the final lick of the solo in "Sensitive kind", a-la Otis Rush). Unfortunately, on the other hand, the Korg M1 piano tone is really cheesy, and the piano player is all over the place. You find yourself wishing him fingers arthritis to stop the mess he's doing!