The story behind this album "Turning Point" recorded live at a concert at Bill Graham's Fillmore East on July 12th 1969 is also amazing. Right in the middle of the British blues boom, with more and more focus on lead guitarists and guitar solos, John Mayall, who had had Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor in his band The Bluesbreakers, suddenly decided to form a new band with only bass, acoustic guitar, saxophones and flute and himself on harmonica, organ and guitar. No lead guitarist. No drums! A very brave move at the time! The album was a huge success and Room to move became the most popular encore for many many years. Thanks so much for sharing your joy at this first time listening.
Thanks, Harri. Glad you liked it. Mayall is a blues legend in the UK. His bands in the 60s and early 70s had such great musicians pass through as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Mick Taylor (who was the Stones' lead guitarist in the decade after Brian Jones' death)...just to name a few. I tried playing this song to explain my behavior to my first wife. She loved the song but she didn't buy my rationale. Like I said, she was my first wife.
John Mayall is true one of a kind original! In many ways he's was the springboard that some of the finest musicians in the world lept off of and went on to become famous in their own right!
That cut is from my favorite John Mayan album. That was John Mayall on the harmonica, John Mark on acoustic guitar, Johnny Almond on flute and Stephen Thompson on bass. My favorite cut on that album is “California “. Rock on!
John Mayall playing harmonica here. Guitar, keyboards, slide guitar vocals on the album. Filmore East 1969. What did you think of the drummer? No drummer on this entire album. John Mayall's theory that every instrument can provide it's own percussion. 'Don't miss it here, certainly. Johnny Almond is playing flute. He and his own band did the most beautiful version i've ever heard of the song New York State Of Mind. I hope you'll do some Paul Butterfield Blues Band eventually. Born In Chicago, or Driftin Blues, or even East-West from the album of that name. Thanks, Harri -
I saw him do this in concert - twice actually. Bought the album. Loved it. A great song on the album is "California". His saxophone player was amazing. John Mayall goes way back in the English Blues movement.
Johnny Almond R.I.P. (flutes, saxes and a lot of other instruments) and Jon Mark R.I.P. (guitars) formed a group of their own, Mark-Almond, after met as musicians in John Mayall's band. They were far from the first group emerging from The Bluesbreakers, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and Colosseum are two other examples. And John Mayall also had s part in forming Cream since Jack Bruce joined The Bluesbreakers for a short while when Eric Clapton was the groups guitarist. Mark-Almond was a great band well worth listening to.
I have many Mayall albums and I love many of them. This one is near the top of my list. It was an audacious tour and live album by a man who had made a well-earned reputation by honouring the blues with some of the best electric guitarists in blues/rock history. The Turning Point, which this tune is from, was recorded with an acoustic, drummer-less band! I put it on the turntable with apprehension, which vanished quickly. I recommend people give The Turning Point a good listen.
Another one that might be a first time listen for you from another early English blues guy is "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On The King of Rock and Roll" and the preceding introduction to it titled "Conditional Discharge." From the 1971 album It Aint Easy by Long John Baldry. Another classic from a great era in music. Thanks for playing (and enjoying!) Room To Move. It never grows old. Unlike those of us who were around when it first appeared.
I love John Mayall. Please react to More of this fantastic musician. Whatever you choose everything he's done so farr Is simply great quality musica. Saludos desde La Paz Mexico
my dear friend and myself first heard john mayall in 1973 we were 14 and we would surf all day and party all night to john mayall and j. giels band the circa 70s was a great era i was there it was primo!!!🤙
After listening to him for years ....60's onward I had the great good fortune of meeting and getting his autograph at Jazz Alley in Seattle. Super small venue (great food too btw). It was like meeting royalty in my mind. Love your reaction!
I’ve seen him a couple of times at various blues festivals. That was him on the harmonica. He also has an album out with Eric Clapton as his guitar player. This song came after that though. Clapton quit John Mayall’s band and formed Cream
Saw him in a small venue in Colorado springs long time ago. It had a dance floor in front of the stage. A drunk guy was moving around out of control. A huge bouncer came out to take care of the problem. John called the bouncer aside next thing you know the bouncer went backstage and John said I feel safer now
My gas man just a got a new harp in October. I told him to listen to this song, and then played it for him out there in the parking lot with my old D harp on the dash board. Learned this over 50 years ago, and variations on it and it's techniques have informed my playing ever since. Thanks, John. Everyone knows it and loves it when it starts. And "Fannie Mae" from Steve Miller's first album. Not to mention Paul Butterfield and Charlie Musselwhite. It's not really that hard to play once you get the hang of it, but man, is it windy.
Mayall used a high F sharp harp on "Room to Move." Almond, Mark and Thompson were all in that key. Would be interesting to hear how it sounds two tones lower.
@@John_Chu I can play it in any key you want. So can you. Like I said, it's informed my style. I used to go for hours in B flat. Respiratory therapy. Coming down the trail off of Mt. Whitney after a ten day hike, playing to the rhythm of my boots. Hehehe...TRUCKIN' down the trail. Empty pack, leaned down, and throwing in some Livin' In The USA from Steve Miller and looking forward to "Somebody give me a cheese burger".
@@twentyfiveyears5010 Boz Scaggs was in the band at that time and sang lead on a couple of tracks that he wrote. Boz left when he saw Steve was going in a different direction musically. He wanted to play hardcore blues, Steve wanted to play blues-based rock. Things ultimately worked out well for both of them.
@@John_Chu I'm right with you. There were a few blues players at that time had phenomenal first album or two, then went pop or rock. Made a lot more money than they would playing blues but the music was meh at best for me. Steve Miller, J. Geils, Rod Stewart after leaving Jeff Beck, Elvin Bishop after leaving Butterfield. Boz managed the transition well, though, with some masterful bluesy "pop" songs. I saw the Steve Miller BLUES Band a couple of times with Boz in the 60s in Berkeley and at the Fillmore (West). And wore the grooves off of Children of the Future.
John Chu, this is definitely a home run! It’s absolutely amazing and brought me to my feet! Love it! Harri, as always, your enthusiasm is infectious 🌺✌️
YES!!! This performance and the album came out when I was just starting college. Fantastic performance! This song was, until now, on my 'To Be Submitted to Harri list. Glad to hear it now and enjoy Harri's response to this outstanding performance by John Mayall. Bravo!
Hearing these British rhythm & blues artists from the early/mid-sixties is such a nostalgic ride for me - just heard the wonderful Spencer Davis Group (Gimme Some Loving) being reviewed on another channel. I was only about 14 when I met SDG and JM's Bluesbreakers (among many other nascent legends) when my girlfriend and I used to go down and collect autographs outside the local blues club, since we were too young, and too poor, to actually get into the club... and anyway, it was kind of fun to meet the guys in person rather than just be in an audience. We did manage to stay out of trouble, mostly... So, JM'sBs arrived in a couple of beat-up old transit (?) vans, packed in along with all their gear. The vans coughed and spluttered to a standstill and several dishevelled young men climbed out and started unloading instruments. We asked for their autographs and they obliged. JM was one, Hugh McVie I believe was another (my mother saw fit to throw out my old autograph book in an attic clear-out, sadly, so I can't check it out). I can't remember who else. Anyway, into this scene suddenly swept a huge American car - the serious 50s/early 60s kind that looked like a dinner table front and back, in a sort of pale green, with beige leather upholstery - gliding to a halt behind the ramshackle vans. The scowling man driving this vision of motoring cool got out and we asked for his autograph too but he brushed us aside... until John took him aside and had words with him... "It was in our agreement, remember, Eric? You have to look after the fans..." Eric - Clapton, no less - sidled back up to us grudgingly and we scored an autograph each from the future legend! Many memories - most quite respectable, and all enormous fun - from that 60s-70s era when music seemed to be the most exciting thing happening in the world. :-)
Man I love John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers! The man is a master of the harmonica! Love when he starts to chicka chicka....lol. Glad you enjoyed this one Sultan!
Melissa Ward here. I bought this album years ago.. wore it out. I could be wrong but it may have been a double lp. Much respect to Mr Mayall for all he's given to music. I believe Clapton learned a bit with his time with Mayall. And many others.
I can honestly say that when I heard my first John Mayall album in 1967 it changed my musical sensibilities for the rest of my life, it was my intro to the blues and to me John Mayall is a Legend
Didn't expect him to launch into Balinese Monkey Chant, nor did I expect to hear the word, encomium. Bravissimo! Only time I've heard it in the USA is when discussing "Time's Encomium", an electronic musical composition by Charles Wuorinen. Such raw exuberance! Right up my alley! What a fine gift for a Frinight! Thanks Harri! These guys are the roots of knock and know-all, and I like it.
Thanx again Harri that was fun, love your smile jealous of the hair. You are right about live performances I have been in the audience more than once and wondered, what the hell am I witnessing?! It's usually not something anyone saw coming but then again a true professional can make it look that way. Luvuman.
Just heard this week that John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers had Peter Green who left to help form Fleetwood Mac and was replaced by Eric Clapton woh left and was replaced by Mick Taylor. Because of his style of playing Mayall wanted to do something a little softer with added acoustic, thus the album title Turning Point. I think this version of Room To Move, from this album is the best. You mentioned you heard acoustic and you were right. So glad you did this song! I think you do a superb job of understanding the music you react to and I always find you interesting. I do wish that you would play them all the way through then react, otherwise you deny yourself and your audience the ‘aesthetic’ experience, that is, the overall effect or first impression of the whole. THEN we can go into the breakdown. This s the first standing ovation I’ve seen you do. That’s music’s intent - to move you.
One of my first LPs. Still have it. Plus I saw him live (making you even more envious, LOL) in Hamburg, Germany, back in 1971 or so. Unforgettable. Music I grew up with.
This was the first harmonica album I got - way back in the early 1970s. I moved on to much more advanced harmonica players, but I will always have a place in my nostalgia for John Mayall.
In the beginning of the track someone is asking him to do some "chicka-chicka". John replies, "This one's got some chicka-chicka. It called Room to Move." The chicka-chicka is what they call the rhythmic sounds you hear John making with his throat, mouth and breathing gymnastics as he's playing the harp. I played the freakin' grooves off that same album back in the day! Fun side note: I lived in Seattle. One Summer day (can't remember if it was late 60s or early 70s) I was at a place called Volunteer Park (Seattle-ites will know where that is). In the park there is a huge donut-shaped sculpture carved out of granite. As I was strolling along I heard some incredible blues harp coming from close by. I followed the sound and saw four or five guys in jeans and t-shirts just sitting around, and on top of, the sculpture and one of those guys was the harp player. Now, I had heard some pretty good blues harp in time but this guy was absolutely killing it! And I was the only person around to hear it! Later that day I discovered John Mayall and the Blues Breakers were in town to play a concert that night. Coincidence? Or was that, indeed, John blowing that harp in the park? I like to think it had to be him and the guys from the band just chillin' in the sun to loosen up for the concert later that night.
Check out the entire album, excellent. After John Mayall's bluesbreakers split up he did 2 albums with Jon Mark and Johnny Almond, this was a 3 man band. They did a second album that year and then Mark and Almond formed their own band. Really fantastic sound for a 3 piece band.
Harri, this was my era. I wish I could get a time machine and take you back to the 60s with me. Oh, and props for using "encomium." Perfect word choice.
Beast, it’s a good word to describe the energy of the band, and the innocent 😇 approach of the musicians. The same can be said for hardcore fans who, like truffle pigs, could smell the great music and then knew where to go to find it! And we did find it, too!
Still playing and came with a new record this spring. He must be 150 years old by now :-) His most famous records is from late 60. All the great musicians played with him back then like Peter Green Eric Clapton Mike Taylor to just name the guitar players. Laurel Canyon Blues is for me when he peeks. But there is some really interseting stuff on Crusade (the record before laurel Canyon). On Crusade is a song called Driving Sideways that has Mike Taylor's on solo. Sure he was a fantastic player back then. At the time for Turning Point I saw him live.........great concert and a great live album.
I have been waiting years to have someone review John Mayall. He launched or collaborated with so many great musicians on their way up including Clapton. His discograpy is tremendous with an average of almost an album a year since the 1960's and he still puts out great new music and, to my knowledge has not retired yet though his is in his 80's, Very deep rabbit hole if you give it a look. This same album has a song called "California" with a spectacular sax solo in it. Completely different musical mode but he was never tied to just the Blues.
1970 in my college dormitory me and a pal went to a room shared by four ‘heads’ and they had a massive pile of marijuana on a table - I mean great stuff and we all smoked. After around four joints this song came on the stereo. I swear, the song lasted sixteen hours in my marijuana soaked brain. The tune has always been stuck in my head since then! Thanks.
An oddity. This jazz/blues band has no drums. Around the same time there was a folk group called Pentangle that used drums unlike most folk groups of the period but both groups made it sound amazing. Check out Pentangle’s “Bruton Town”.
Wow the harmonica!!!! and the skatting. Can't think what kind of music category this falls into. Sometimes I felt I was in the deep southern states and was waiting for a fiddle to fire up. 🔥 🔥🔥 Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
John Mayall evolved from the earliest days of British adaptation of US Black Blues (look for the album "Diary of a Band" or something by The Bluesbreakers) into a foremost jazz guy by the end of his career. This album's title may have been an indication of John's change-over. The bandmates even toss in a little bit of jazz-scat? ALWAYS enjoy your analyses, Harri! Your standing ovation says so very much, Sir!
I just recently discovered that Baldry's "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock 'n' Roll" was a cover version! Although, it is by far the best version of it. The songwriter, Jeff Thomas, first recorded it in 1970 on his one and only album. But the second recording was done by Gator Creek, a one-off band of LA studio musicians that included Kenny Loggins (on that 1970 album was the first appearance of "Danny's Song"), and sung by Mike Deasy who played guitar behind acts as varied as Sinatra and Torme to Michael Jackson and Frank Zappa. The story that intros the song from Baldry, of course, is all Baldry.
It was called the turning point because John Mayall was trying to do something new there are no drums or electric guitar on this album one of the best songs is called California they used to play it here late at night on FM 103.3 in Nashville
🎉 YOU need to hear Oh, Pretty Woman, or All Your Love, or Hide Away. 😂 The Harp Player is damned good, but no body beats Stevie Wonder especially his playing and singing on the live recording of "Fragile" with Sting which happens to be one of His favorites, in fact he said he loves that song
I had an album that I lost somewhere throughout the years called White Boy Blues. It was John Mayall, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Paige and Eric Clapton. Check it out if you have time
John Mayall will be playing his last public performance later this month, May, 2022. And he is only 88 years old!!!
He can,he just needs room to move
The video of his last show last song is on RUclips. Room To Move.
The story behind this album "Turning Point" recorded live at a concert at Bill Graham's Fillmore East on July 12th 1969 is also amazing. Right in the middle of the British blues boom, with more and more focus on lead guitarists and guitar solos, John Mayall, who had had Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor in his band The Bluesbreakers, suddenly decided to form a new band with only bass, acoustic guitar, saxophones and flute and himself on harmonica, organ and guitar. No lead guitarist. No drums! A very brave move at the time! The album was a huge success and Room to move became the most popular encore for many many years. Thanks so much for sharing your joy at this first time listening.
Unfortunately old John won´t blow no more.Rest in peace.Let´s be grateful for all the music he left us to enjoy.
Thanks, Harri. Glad you liked it. Mayall is a blues legend in the UK. His bands in the 60s and early 70s had such great musicians pass through as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Mick Taylor (who was the Stones' lead guitarist in the decade after Brian Jones' death)...just to name a few. I tried playing this song to explain my behavior to my first wife. She loved the song but she didn't buy my rationale. Like I said, she was my first wife.
"room to move" I can dig it.
Great choice, another one from way back that no one else reacts to
Thanks John, I was feelin pretty down today, put Harri on, there it is, one of my all time feel good jams. Thanks again
Coco Montoya played lead guitar for Mayall for 10 years.
John Mayall put out a lot of great music over the years. But He will forever be known for this version of "Room to Move"
John Mayall is true one of a kind original! In many ways he's was the springboard that some of the finest musicians in the world lept off of and went on to become famous in their own right!
Some may call John the father of British blues. An amazing career.
A real sixties hit, I 'm glad I grew up in that time. 🎶🎶🎶💕💕💕👍
From one music lover to another, I adore your sensible, perceptive reactions, Harri.
His live shows were mind blowing. Not just music but stage presence blew me away.
That cut is from my favorite John Mayan album. That was John Mayall on the harmonica, John Mark on acoustic guitar, Johnny Almond on flute and Stephen Thompson on bass. My favorite cut on that album is “California “. Rock on!
Wow I haven’t heard John Mayall for so long. This is outstanding!
John Mayall, 1933-2024. RIP😞
Thanks for reacting to John Mayall. His band John Mayall's Bluesbreakers were incredible with some musicians you would recognize.
John Mayall playing harmonica here.
Guitar, keyboards, slide guitar vocals on the album.
Filmore East 1969.
What did you think of the drummer?
No drummer on this entire album.
John Mayall's theory that every instrument can provide it's own percussion. 'Don't miss it here, certainly.
Johnny Almond is playing flute.
He and his own band did the most beautiful version i've ever heard of
the song New York State Of Mind.
I hope you'll do some Paul Butterfield Blues Band eventually.
Born In Chicago, or Driftin Blues, or even East-West from the album of that name. Thanks, Harri -
Driftin' Blues Paul Butterfield Blues Band link. ruclips.net/video/BnnxFkUG3JQ/видео.html
one of my fav records of all time!
An almost forgotten classic. I saw him do it live way back when...he was great.
Rest in Peace, John 💙 Thanks for the music 💙🕊
I saw him do this in concert - twice actually. Bought the album. Loved it. A great song on the album is "California". His saxophone player was amazing. John Mayall goes way back in the English Blues movement.
mayall was the real king of british blues
Johnny Almond R.I.P. (flutes, saxes and a lot of other instruments) and Jon Mark R.I.P. (guitars) formed a group of their own, Mark-Almond, after met as musicians in John Mayall's band. They were far from the first group emerging from The Bluesbreakers, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and Colosseum are two other examples. And John Mayall also had s part in forming Cream since Jack Bruce joined The Bluesbreakers for a short while when Eric Clapton was the groups guitarist.
Mark-Almond was a great band well worth listening to.
I first heard this song in 1970, when I was eighteen. I love it still. I am so grateful to you for posting this. Your reaction warms my heart.
1966 John Mayall Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was my intro to John Mayall. You never get robbed when you listen to Mayall. Thanks Harri!
A classic song, first John Mayall song i ever heard
So glad I got to see him in his early years and again two years ago.
I have many Mayall albums and I love many of them. This one is near the top of my list. It was an audacious tour and live album by a man who had made a well-earned reputation by honouring the blues with some of the best electric guitarists in blues/rock history. The Turning Point, which this tune is from, was recorded with an acoustic, drummer-less band! I put it on the turntable with apprehension, which vanished quickly. I recommend people give The Turning Point a good listen.
Another one that might be a first time listen for you from another early English blues guy is "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On The King of Rock and Roll" and the preceding introduction to it titled "Conditional Discharge." From the 1971 album It Aint Easy by Long John Baldry. Another classic from a great era in music.
Thanks for playing (and enjoying!) Room To Move. It never grows old. Unlike those of us who were around when it first appeared.
Thank you so much. I put this song on all my classic playlists I love it so much. I've been waiting forever for someone to react to this song.
Ahh, John Mayall. The father of British Blues. Many greats have done their apprenticeships under him. Still listening to him after 60yrs.
I love John Mayall. Please react to More of this fantastic musician. Whatever you choose everything he's done so farr Is simply great quality musica. Saludos desde La Paz Mexico
my dear friend and myself first heard john mayall in 1973 we were 14 and we would surf all day and party all night to john mayall and j. giels band the circa 70s was a great era i was there it was primo!!!🤙
One of the greatest songs of all time. Loved it when it came out, still love it today.
John Mayall is the father of British electric blues. Guitar stars, Eric Clapton, Garry Moore and others played with him
After listening to him for years ....60's onward I had the great good fortune of meeting and getting his autograph at Jazz Alley in Seattle. Super small venue (great food too btw). It was like meeting royalty in my mind. Love your reaction!
I’ve seen him a couple of times at various blues festivals. That was him on the harmonica. He also has an album out with Eric Clapton as his guitar player. This song came after that though. Clapton quit John Mayall’s band and formed Cream
John Mayall is the godfather of the English Blues movement. Clapton was at one time in one of his bands.
Saw him in a small venue in Colorado springs long time ago. It had a dance floor in front of the stage. A drunk guy was moving around out of control. A huge bouncer came out to take care of the problem. John called the bouncer aside next thing you know the bouncer went backstage and John said I feel safer now
I think he’s great, damn I miss this type of music, Thanks! It’s jazz and blues together, awesome! Also it’s a great album
Unbelievable what a harmonica player never heard anybody that good you did it again Harry Play the song that I never heard you amaze me man thank you
My gas man just a got a new harp in October. I told him to listen to this song, and then played it for him out there in the parking lot with my old D harp on the dash board. Learned this over 50 years ago, and variations on it and it's techniques have informed my playing ever since. Thanks, John. Everyone knows it and loves it when it starts. And "Fannie Mae" from Steve Miller's first album. Not to mention Paul Butterfield and Charlie Musselwhite. It's not really that hard to play once you get the hang of it, but man, is it windy.
Mayall used a high F sharp harp on "Room to Move." Almond, Mark and Thompson were all in that key. Would be interesting to hear how it sounds two tones lower.
@@John_Chu I can play it in any key you want. So can you. Like I said, it's informed my style. I used to go for hours in B flat. Respiratory therapy. Coming down the trail off of Mt. Whitney after a ten day hike, playing to the rhythm of my boots. Hehehe...TRUCKIN' down the trail. Empty pack, leaned down, and throwing in some Livin' In The USA from Steve Miller and looking forward to "Somebody give me a cheese burger".
"Children of the Future," what a great album. So much good blues in the 60s.
@@twentyfiveyears5010 Boz Scaggs was in the band at that time and sang lead on a couple of tracks that he wrote. Boz left when he saw Steve was going in a different direction musically. He wanted to play hardcore blues, Steve wanted to play blues-based rock. Things ultimately worked out well for both of them.
@@John_Chu I'm right with you. There were a few blues players at that time had phenomenal first album or two, then went pop or rock. Made a lot more money than they would playing blues but the music was meh at best for me. Steve Miller, J. Geils, Rod Stewart after leaving Jeff Beck, Elvin Bishop after leaving Butterfield.
Boz managed the transition well, though, with some masterful bluesy "pop" songs.
I saw the Steve Miller BLUES Band a couple of times with Boz in the 60s in Berkeley and at the Fillmore (West). And wore the grooves off of Children of the Future.
John Chu, this is definitely a home run! It’s absolutely amazing and brought me to my feet! Love it! Harri, as always, your enthusiasm is infectious 🌺✌️
YES!!! This performance and the album came out when I was just starting college. Fantastic performance! This song was, until now, on my 'To Be Submitted to Harri list. Glad to hear it now and enjoy Harri's response to this outstanding performance by John Mayall. Bravo!
John Macallan, "The Godfather of British Blues". So many outstanding musicians have come and gone through The Bluesbreakers.
Thank you. This brings back so many fond memories. One of the best albums ever made
This album and _Jazz Blues Fusion_ are fantastic live albums. So much variety in music back then.
Hearing these British rhythm & blues artists from the early/mid-sixties is such a nostalgic ride for me - just heard the wonderful Spencer Davis Group (Gimme Some Loving) being reviewed on another channel. I was only about 14 when I met SDG and JM's Bluesbreakers (among many other nascent legends) when my girlfriend and I used to go down and collect autographs outside the local blues club, since we were too young, and too poor, to actually get into the club... and anyway, it was kind of fun to meet the guys in person rather than just be in an audience. We did manage to stay out of trouble, mostly...
So, JM'sBs arrived in a couple of beat-up old transit (?) vans, packed in along with all their gear. The vans coughed and spluttered to a standstill and several dishevelled young men climbed out and started unloading instruments. We asked for their autographs and they obliged. JM was one, Hugh McVie I believe was another (my mother saw fit to throw out my old autograph book in an attic clear-out, sadly, so I can't check it out). I can't remember who else.
Anyway, into this scene suddenly swept a huge American car - the serious 50s/early 60s kind that looked like a dinner table front and back, in a sort of pale green, with beige leather upholstery - gliding to a halt behind the ramshackle vans. The scowling man driving this vision of motoring cool got out and we asked for his autograph too but he brushed us aside... until John took him aside and had words with him... "It was in our agreement, remember, Eric? You have to look after the fans..." Eric - Clapton, no less - sidled back up to us grudgingly and we scored an autograph each from the future legend!
Many memories - most quite respectable, and all enormous fun - from that 60s-70s era when music seemed to be the most exciting thing happening in the world. :-)
Heard his music by chance many years ago and this song's been in my top ten since then.
What a treat, harp&scat. Reminded me of Johnny and Edgar doing "Tobacco Road".
This album, Turning Point, is one of the top 100 albums of all time.
I bought that album when it first came out all those years ago. Love Room to Move. John Mayall, one of the originals when it comes to British blues.
The word you’re looking for beside Blues is the original southern sound Bluegrass where Blues started
Man I love John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers! The man is a master of the harmonica! Love when he starts to chicka chicka....lol. Glad you enjoyed this one Sultan!
Melissa Ward here. I bought this album years ago.. wore it out. I could be wrong but it may have been a double lp. Much respect to Mr Mayall for all he's given to music. I believe Clapton learned a bit with his time with Mayall. And many others.
played the grooves off this vinyl 👌 🙌 👏 👍 😍 😎
The Troubadour Hollywood, California. I think I was 17 or 18 years old at that concert, I'm almost 70 now ....
I can honestly say that when I heard my first John Mayall album in 1967 it changed my musical sensibilities for the rest of my life, it was my intro to the blues and to me John Mayall is a Legend
Didn't expect him to launch into Balinese Monkey Chant, nor did I expect to hear the word, encomium. Bravissimo! Only time I've heard it in the USA is when discussing "Time's Encomium", an electronic musical composition by Charles Wuorinen. Such raw exuberance! Right up my alley! What a fine gift for a Frinight! Thanks Harri! These guys are the roots of knock and know-all, and I like it.
I've heard May all for decades but never heard this track before. His harp playing here is absolutely top shelf, superb.
Please do "Whammer Jammer"/ Hard Drivin' Man" by J Geils band. Equally as good!!
Thanx again Harri that was fun, love your smile jealous of the hair. You are right about live performances I have been in the audience more than once and wondered, what the hell am I witnessing?! It's usually not something anyone saw coming but then again a true professional can make it look that way. Luvuman.
Just heard this week that John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers had Peter Green who left to help form Fleetwood Mac and was replaced by Eric Clapton woh left and was replaced by Mick Taylor. Because of his style of playing Mayall wanted to do something a little softer with added acoustic, thus the album title Turning Point. I think this version of Room To Move, from this album is the best. You mentioned you heard acoustic and you were right. So glad you did this song! I think you do a superb job of understanding the music you react to and I always find you interesting. I do wish that you would play them all the way through then react, otherwise you deny yourself and your audience the ‘aesthetic’ experience, that is, the overall effect or first impression of the whole. THEN we can go into the breakdown. This s the first standing ovation I’ve seen you do. That’s music’s intent - to move you.
Actually Peter Green replaced Eric Clapton who then went on to form Cream
One of my first LPs. Still have it.
Plus I saw him live (making you even more envious, LOL) in Hamburg, Germany, back in 1971 or so. Unforgettable. Music I grew up with.
Don’t know much about John Mayall. But my three elder brothers were obsessed by him back in the seventies
Saw them at a bar in Mpls. Mn. USA Awesome...he played just like it before a huge big buck concert. He made this last at least 20 minutes.
This was the first harmonica album I got - way back in the early 1970s. I moved on to much more advanced harmonica players, but I will always have a place in my nostalgia for John Mayall.
In the beginning of the track someone is asking him to do some "chicka-chicka". John replies, "This one's got some chicka-chicka. It called Room to Move." The chicka-chicka is what they call the rhythmic sounds you hear John making with his throat, mouth and breathing gymnastics as he's playing the harp. I played the freakin' grooves off that same album back in the day! Fun side note: I lived in Seattle. One Summer day (can't remember if it was late 60s or early 70s) I was at a place called Volunteer Park (Seattle-ites will know where that is). In the park there is a huge donut-shaped sculpture carved out of granite. As I was strolling along I heard some incredible blues harp coming from close by. I followed the sound and saw four or five guys in jeans and t-shirts just sitting around, and on top of, the sculpture and one of those guys was the harp player. Now, I had heard some pretty good blues harp in time but this guy was absolutely killing it! And I was the only person around to hear it! Later that day I discovered John Mayall and the Blues Breakers were in town to play a concert that night. Coincidence? Or was that, indeed, John blowing that harp in the park? I like to think it had to be him and the guys from the band just chillin' in the sun to loosen up for the concert later that night.
Check out the entire album, excellent. After John Mayall's bluesbreakers split up he did 2 albums with Jon Mark and Johnny Almond, this was a 3 man band. They did a second album that year and then Mark and Almond formed their own band. Really fantastic sound for a 3 piece band.
Harri, this was my era. I wish I could get a time machine and take you back to the 60s with me. Oh, and props for using "encomium." Perfect word choice.
Beast, it’s a good word to describe the energy of the band, and the innocent 😇 approach of the musicians. The same can be said for hardcore fans who, like truffle pigs, could smell the great music and then knew where to go to find it! And we did find it, too!
I first heard this in 1970 on the first FM station in our area.
Still playing and came with a new record this spring. He must be 150 years old by now :-)
His most famous records is from late 60. All the great musicians played with him back then like Peter Green Eric Clapton Mike Taylor to just name the guitar players.
Laurel Canyon Blues is for me when he peeks. But there is some really interseting stuff on Crusade (the record before laurel Canyon).
On Crusade is a song called Driving Sideways that has Mike Taylor's on solo. Sure he was a fantastic player back then.
At the time for Turning Point I saw him live.........great concert and a great live album.
Go get your tickets Harri!
I have been waiting years to have someone review John Mayall. He launched or collaborated with so many great musicians on their way up including Clapton. His discograpy is tremendous with an average of almost an album a year since the 1960's and he still puts out great new music and, to my knowledge has not retired yet though his is in his 80's, Very deep rabbit hole if you give it a look. This same album has a song called "California" with a spectacular sax solo in it. Completely different musical mode but he was never tied to just the Blues.
i saw him in San Diego back in the day, I feel it was the best show i ever saw!
1970 in my college dormitory me and a pal went to a room shared by four ‘heads’ and they had a massive pile of marijuana on a table - I mean great stuff and we all smoked. After around four joints this song came on the stereo. I swear, the song lasted sixteen hours in my marijuana soaked brain. The tune has always been stuck in my head since then! Thanks.
Love it. Room to Move
A groundbreaking album, going back to California. Some amazing sax, no drums on the album I believe
He was Blues Ball Breaker in the '60's.
You were searching of the words "...an intimate setting."
Smokin'! Don't miss the drums one bit! Funny, that, lol.
Yasssss!!!✌🏻
An oddity. This jazz/blues band has no drums. Around the same time there was a folk group called Pentangle that used drums unlike most folk groups of the period but both groups made it sound amazing. Check out Pentangle’s “Bruton Town”.
Wow the harmonica!!!! and the skatting.
Can't think what kind of music category this falls into. Sometimes I felt I was in the deep southern states and was waiting for a fiddle to fire up. 🔥 🔥🔥
Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
I WAS 14!! AND THIS SONG CHANGED MY LIFE!! LEARNED TO PLAY THE HARP!!
HIGH Harri.... seriously, you and your subscribers will react like never before.... Bob Dylan.... "It's Aright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding"
John went on to do a lot of Jazz Blues fusion.
John Mayall evolved from the earliest days of British adaptation of US Black Blues (look for the album "Diary of a Band" or something by The Bluesbreakers) into a foremost jazz guy by the end of his career. This album's title may have been an indication of John's change-over. The bandmates even toss in a little bit of jazz-scat? ALWAYS enjoy your analyses, Harri! Your standing ovation says so very much, Sir!
I forgot all bout this song. Harri Roks!
Great choice
Check out
Butterfield blues band
East -west
Now that that’s outta my way. Thanks for this matey
Long John Baldry should be on your list of Must Hear.
I just recently discovered that Baldry's "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock 'n' Roll" was a cover version! Although, it is by far the best version of it. The songwriter, Jeff Thomas, first recorded it in 1970 on his one and only album. But the second recording was done by Gator Creek, a one-off band of LA studio musicians that included Kenny Loggins (on that 1970 album was the first appearance of "Danny's Song"), and sung by Mike Deasy who played guitar behind acts as varied as Sinatra and Torme to Michael Jackson and Frank Zappa. The story that intros the song from Baldry, of course, is all Baldry.
I'm hear a bit of folk music on there too. Fantastic song. First time I've heard it.
The entire Turning point album is a classic.
Saw him at the New Orleans Warehouse....awesome!!!
It was called the turning point because John Mayall was trying to do something new there are no drums or electric guitar on this album one of the best songs is called California they used to play it here late at night on FM 103.3 in Nashville
"Goin back to California!"& "the Laws must change!' Same album! Do them Please!
Now you are talking! Mayall.
For more good harmonica, try Spinning Wheel, by Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Thanks for this video Harri!
🎉 YOU need to hear Oh, Pretty Woman, or All Your Love, or Hide Away. 😂 The Harp Player is damned good, but no body beats Stevie Wonder especially his playing and singing on the live recording of "Fragile" with Sting which happens to be one of His favorites, in fact he said he loves that song
The blues alone album still great。
I had an album that I lost somewhere throughout the years called White Boy Blues. It was John Mayall, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Paige and Eric Clapton. Check it out if you have time