The Turning Point – JOHN MAYALL****

The Laws Must Change/Saw Mill Gulch Road/I’m Gonna Fight For You JB/So Hard To Share/California/ Thoughts About Roxanne/Room To Move

The Turning Point was a live album from a pared down Bluesbreakers recorded at New York’s Fillmore East in July 1969 and featuring just Mayall original compositions. (US:32 UK:11)

“Viewed initially as a gimmick, the lack of drums was in fact the key to the clear, intimate sound Mayall was seeking. Structured to allow virtuoso playing, his highly atmospheric songs are driven along by the bass and acoustic guitars, with instrumental solos emerging from and gliding above their intricate backing rhythms. Mayall's vocals, guitar and harmonica underpin some excellent blues and R & B.”

“This album is as much jazz as it is blues, with the instruments playing with, and off each other in a profound way, creating atmospheric effects that are still being built on today. This release blew my mind, and I still stand transfixed whenever I hear any song from Turning Point.”

“John Mayall shows here once again why he is one of the biggest legends of the whole blues music history. He plays slide guitar, tambourine and mouth percussion in this performance and he does it with attitude. And of course he performs the vocals with his classic style. All of the songs are Mayall's own material which is a plus every time.”

“Ditching heavy lead guitar and drums, Mayall’s new band had only been together a month or so when this live recording took place.”

“Not only is this a great blues album in general, its sheer innovation is unmatched. It was certainly a long jump from the more traditional blues John Mayall was performing throughout the sixties, but The Turning Point shows that jump to be one of the best moves in the industry. It is classic electric blues and, despite its lack of drums, it probably has better rhythm than just about any rock album of the time.”

“A wonderful blues album with some more intricate melodies not found in the hard guitar driven style popular at the time. Mayall shows no faltering with his beautiful voice and superior blues harp skills from one of the best bluesman to ever hail from Britain.”