Customer Reviews

Tough

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

 

 

Apparently this is John's 57th studio album and while there is nothing here that compares to his best 60s releases this is a great-sounding, consistent set of material produced by Mayall himself. The band consists of guitarist Rocky Athas, bassist Greg Rzab, drummer Jay Davenport and Tom Canning on keyboards - with Mayall playing harmonica, organ and guitar.

John also writes three new songs "Slow Train To Nowhere" an organ-based slow burner, "That Good Old Rockin' Blues" and "Tough Times Ahead" a commentary on the current world economy. For someone in his mid-70s Mayall still has the puff to play harp on many numbers and the band support him well, with Canning's keyboards being excellent throughout and Rocky Athas contributing good guitar, without being outstanding. Mayall's voice isn't as strong as it was but in some ways that adds to its charm on some numbers. My favourite track is the acoustic(ish) "How far down" (by Nashville's Brian Langlinais), with "Number's down" and the jazzy, organ-led "An eye for an eye" not far behind.

On first listen I was going to give this 3 stars but it has grown on me and I think it definitely deserves four - a good set of songs, with Mayall and the band all on good form. John manages to break some new ground here but there are also nods to the past and it definitely has that distinctive John Mayall sound.

I've been a Mayall fan since the late 60s. Yeah, I'm old. Age notwithstanding, this album is very little changed in concept from many others he's done going back to Turning Point. Mayall writes songs about what he knows: his life. He wrote about his previous loves including the mysterious Nancy T, his visits to California an relocation there, his involvement with Canned Heat and Frank Zappa in the Canyons of the LA basin.

Sometimes it's almost painful to hear such openness about a person's life, but that's his style. And it hasn't changed a bit in "Tough." Several of the songs relate to his recovery from alcoholism (and I can relate to that), others about the current state of affairs in the world...the same basic stuff he wrote about relating to his service in Korea. And while it's sometimes brutally honest, there isn't a bad song on the album, I'd be hard pressed to say which is the best or rank them; they're all good. I can't say that about too many albums by any performer.

I think Mayall deserves 4 stars for putting an album that has brand new music (or brand new covers), not just a "greatest hits." Yeah, some songs are recycled, but they're done well. And I give him the 5th star for being able to put forth a high-energy release like this at the age of 75.

The only thing I could wish for would be Larry Taylor on bass. But Greg Rzab does a good job, if not quite as technical as Taylor. (I'm a bassist and find Taylor to be a demigod with 4 strings.)

To be honest, I wasn't overjoyed with it when I first heard it, but as another reviewer said, it grows on you. But it's much better than fungus which will do the same thing.

One cannot go wrong with this CD's music. I like the booklet as well, describing what each song is all about. Mayall shares his opinions and feelings about tough (good title) issues of life, he even cares about the recent state of terrible economy. Great new release from the ageless artist.

How long will John Mayall keep cranking out great albums? Here he is, in his mid-70s, with an excellent new group of musicians, pumping out the music as though he were fifty years younger. Tough is Mayall's first one in a couple of years and the first with an entirely new band in a long time.
Whether you prefer rock, a blues shuffle, or slow-smoking blues, there is something for you here. To me, the best cuts on the album are the jaunty An Eye For An Eye and its shuffling equal The Sum of Something, but I also thrill to the crisp, driving rock of Nothing To Do With Love and Train to My Heart as well as to the smoky blues of Slow Train to Nowhere and Tough Times Ahead.
Since I bought Tough, I've played it for a lot of friends and everyone of them found themselves fired up by its energy.
If you are one of those who thinks John Mayall is a relic of the sixties, think again. After a mid-career rough patch he has released nothing but quality albums followed by more quality albums. Listen to Tough and hear what I mean!

Released in 2009 this is something like John Mayall's 21st studio release and 58th album overall (not including reissues). It is about 55 minutes long and the sound quality if very good but not perfect.

This is a collection of blues tinged rock songs with a little of boogie and shuffle thrown in here and there. It reminds me less of old Mayall and more of modern rock-blues from artists like Mark Ruffner or especially Gov't Mule.

There is nothing outstanding or even note worthy. There is nothing you might hear and say "I've Got to Have that Album". But, it is a nice collection of songs that I don't mind hearing. For the most part there is also nothing that is subpar, except for That Good Old Rockin' Blues. For a song that is supposed to celebrate Rock/Blues it is rather weak...the weakest thing on the album.

My favorite Mayall period was when he into the blues jazz fusion and working with various line ups that would go on to form Colosseum and Mark-Almond. My favorite Mayall album is Bare Wires.

So, who has played with John Mayall:
Eric Clapton
Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVeigh (Fleetwood Mac)
John Almond, Jon Mark (Mark-Almond)
Jon Heisman, Dick Heckstall-Smith (Colosseum)
Keefe Hartley
Jay Spell
Mick Taylor (2nd guitarist for the Rolling Stones)
Don Sugarcan Harris
Rick Vito
His bands were breeding grounds for many artists, up until about 1975, after which, I can't recall anyone spinning out of his band.

I have seen Mayall a number of times. When people in the audience used to yell out "Room to Move", he would say, "what do you want to hear an old record?" But, after awhile, he did start playing it again in concert.

One time when I saw him, he and the band were so drunk that they had trouble playing some of the songs and he would forget the words.

I own all Mayall's records and DVDs. Tough is the best in a decade if not more and can easily compete with his best albums from late 60's early 70s'. It sounds modern, but is measured. Paradoxically, with age Mayall's singing got even better. Somehow the mood of the album and the singing remind me Bring 'Em In, another classic from a seasoned bluesmen.

Definitely recommended, not only for Mayall's fans.

John Mayall has changed the line up in his band since his last release but the quality of his material is still as high as it has been for decades.

This is yet another great album from a master musician. John Mayall is well into his seventies and his music is still as fresh as ever.

This album is well worth your attention.

Warning for Rap and Hip-Hop fans: one of the lyrics on this album contains the line "I hate rap music with a passion....." In keeping with that sentiment there's not a trace of rap or hip-hop influence here. Mayall doesn't cater to musical trends; he just keeps putting out top quality music like he's been doing for decades.

Okay...the dude is now 75. It is not his best for sure if you are old school Mayall, BUT....new band and all it has it's moments and overall I give it 4 stars.