Crusade – JOHN MAYALL****

Oh Pretty Woman/Stand Back Baby/My Time After Awhile/Snowy Wood/Man Of Stone/Tears In My Eyes/Driving Sideways/The Death Of J B Lenoir/I Can’t Quit You Baby/Streamline/Me & My Woman/Checking Up On My Baby

There was a heavy turnover of personnel in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers at this time. Crusade features the guitar playing of a young Mick Taylor, who would later join The Rolling Stones. (US:136 UK:8)

"Eric Clapton in. Eric Clapton out. Peter Green in. Peter Green out. Mick Taylor in…. Being asked to play in The Bluesbreakers was like being on a non-stop merry-go-round. The studio must have been fitted with revolving doors. When you consider the band also saw Mick Fleetwood briefly pass through their ranks and that he, Green and John McVie – who plays bass throughout Crusade – would use the Bluesbreakers as a springboard to form the original Fleetwood Mac, there can be no hesitation about naming John Mayall as the premier figure for nurturing great blues rock talent in the sixties."

"While Crusade may not be in the same class in terms of quality as either Bluesbreakers or A Hard Road, it is superbly crafted, following pretty much the same formula as the previous albums, a mixture of blues standards and Mayall originals."

"Fine 1967 album from John Mayall. The lead guitarist here is Mick Taylor. There is more brass than A Hard Road and the tracks tend to be a little longer. The stand out song is the heartfelt Death Of J B Lenoir, but its all good."

"The whole band is awesome, John's playing and singing is as good as it gets. Mick Taylor on lead guitar plays solos throughout the LP that are as good as any I have heard live, including Eric Clapton. This album is the real stuff, with John and the band playing some great blues."

"One of the early Mayall classics - Mick Taylor at his finest. This is one of those great British blues albums that capture the late 60s passion and gusto. Good selection of originals and classic blues. And Mick Taylor fuels the fire."

"Typical of their output during this period, though I can think of stronger albums. A mix of blues and blues rock, with some heavy/traditional, and some fast."