A Hard Road (studio album) by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers

From Jboy56 01/19/2023 09:58

This is an important album in the canon of Brit blues and it is important for me as it introduced me to the blues way back in 1975 ( I also bought Crusade at the same time). Peter Green is the powerhouse here and his guitar work and voice make him one of my favorites among that crucial rock/blues instrument. The album cover is also a classic.
Should belong to any collection!

Although I 've never been a big fan of John Mayall, partly because of his vocals, I must, of course, admit that "A Hard Road" is an important and interesting album; characterized by fine songwriting with a solid foundation in the blues. For me though, it is especially Peter Green's presence that makes the album so special - like Clapton’s was on the first Bluesbreakers album.
Green's guitar playing is as impressive as on the first Fleetwood Mac albums and several songs could easily be mistaken for early Fleetwood Mac - especially when Green is allowed to take the lead vocal.

On the original album, which here is supplemented with 14 fine bonus tracks, it's songs like "A Hard Road", "The Same Way" and "Top of the Hill" that may stick with you. Also the two sublime instrumentals "The Stumble" and "The Supernatural" give the album weight.

Generally you get some fine and well played white blues, as it is known from Mayall and his band, which in this case consiste of Peter Green, Aynsley Dunbar and John McVie.

Among the bonus tracks there are also a variety of goodies to find. The catchy single "Looking Back" is one of the most commercial songs Mayall has released , and the number is both well arranged and played with a twinkle in the eye. "Alabama Blues" is a nice little Peter Green thing which originally was first released in 1971 on the "Thru ' the Years" album.

An great EP released with Paul Butterfield is included in its full length, and especially "Ridin 'on the L & N" is a treat.

Another very fine single from January 1967 "Sitting in the Rain " / "Out of Reach " is worth noting. "Sitting in the Rain" is a stripped-down blues song, much in the style of Fleetwood Mac's ”Leaving Town Blues", while "Out of Reach" is a pure Peter Green blues ballad .

Finally , there are four BBC studio recordings which sound surprisingly great. A very recommendable release, for everybody who has even just the slightest interest in the blues.

https://www.angelfire.com/nv/Badfinger/BANDjohnmayall.html

From mdbaxter 08/17/2020 21:29

Peter Green serves as a more-than-worthy successor to Eric Clapton on this album. He, like Clapton, is the clear standout on the record. The Supernatural is a masterpiece. It's influence knows no bounds.

Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green on lead guitar.
It's an OK album but there are better from Mayall. Nothing stands out except maybe the two instrumental tracks, The Stumble (an original of Freddie King) and Supernatural wich was an early attempt on the sound that was gonna be famous for Green's Black magic woman.

This was really cool. I'm a little sad we don't hear enough about John Mayall. You'd think we would hear more because of members Peter Green and John McVie.