STEPPIN' OUT (1966) by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лис 2009
- This is my second video of Eric Clapton playing with John Mayall's Blues Breakers (see also 'Hideaway' on my channel page). Like that one, this is also an instrumental, and was originally performed by Memphis Slim and written by James Bracken. Steppin' Out was from the 1966 album by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton as lead guitarist. It is often referred to as The Beano album because the photograph on the album cover shows Clapton reading The Beano, a well-known British children's comic. Apart from being one of the most overall influential albums in blues-rock history, it was likely the first time anyone had heard a Gibson Les Paul guitar through an overdriven Marshall amplifier; this unique sound would become particularly influential.
Eric Clapton told Guitar Player magazine that the 1960 Les Paul Standard he played on Blues Breakers was "the best Les Paul I ever had... just a regular sunburst Les Paul that I bought in one of the shops in London right after I'd seen Freddie King's album cover of Let's Hide Away And Dance Away, where he's playing a gold-top. It had humbuckers and was almost brand new -- original case with that lovely purple velvet lining. Just magnificent. I never really found one as good as that. I do miss that one." According to Clapton lore, his sacred 1960 was purchased in Lew Davis' guitar shop on Charing Cross Road in London in 1965.
According to the most widely accepted story, Eric Clapton wanted an amp that would fit in the boot of his car, so he asked Jim Marshall (whose store in London he frequented) to make him a combo amp powerful enough to use on stage. According to Robb Lawrence's The Early Years of the Les Paul Legacy, Jim Marshall initially gave Clapton a Model 1961 with 4x10" speakers, which was soon replaced with a 2x12" Model 1962. Clapton used the combo amplifier with his 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard, allegedly in combination with a Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, which resulted in the creation of a texture of sound that would become regarded as iconic in the realm of blues oriented rock. (Update: I was reading an interview with Joe Bonamassa who said he doubted the Rangemaster was used as he was able to recreate the Beano sound using a '59 Les Paul plugged into the treble jack of a real '66 Marshall Bluesbreaker type combo without one. He tried a couple of Rangemasters but didn't think they were part of the sound, although he acknowledged he could be wrong. Unless Clapton says something, we will probably never know with certainty).
The Bluesbreakers included John Mayall on harmonica, keyboards and a majority of the vocals, John McVie on bass, Hughie Flint on drums. On some songs, including this one, a horn section was featured, including John Almond, Alan Skidmore and Derek Healey, (misspelt on the sleeve as Dennis Healey). In 2003, the album was ranked number 195 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. (Much of the above info was adapted from Wikipedia).
There is no video for this song, so I have created my own. Comments are welcome, but please no 'my guitarist is better than your guitarist'.
I don't understand why every Clapton post immediately draws the "Hendrix was better" or "Peter Green blew him away" comparison. Can't we just appreciate what HE did? This is one of the greatest electric performances ever by anybody. Perfect tone and magnificent choice of notes…unparalleled solo architecture. I love SRV, Hendrix, Beck, Albert King, etc., and they all make their own statement. Just appreciate the great ones individually…it's like politics, everyone wants to take a side.
Yeah…and despite all his influence and the MANY band members he assembled over decades, John Mayall has been passed over by the Rock & Roll HOF continuously. Shameful.
This is the inspiration that led to the song Lazy by Deep Purple.
Gotta tell ya, my favorite Eric Clapton period is STILL his tenure with the Bluesbreakers… And Cream…
This album is the #1 reason why a '59 Les Paul is worth $500,000 today.
Don't know who is responsible but, noone will ever play this as well as this performance; even Clapton tried to do it again and couldn't manage the same precision and power.
Clapton peaked in his early days
When extraterrestrials arrive someday and ask: "What is this Les Paul tone you Earthlings so revere?" We can just play them this.
The best Clapton tone by far.
I believe that Hendrix was a fan of Eric Claptons Chicago blues style and probably heard this record before they actually met each other
RIP John Mayall (November 29, 1933 - July 22, 2024), aged 90
RIP John Mayall. It was a great ride.
Rest in peace John! You allowed these young English musicians to spread their wings. God bless you for that!
RIP John Mayall. You will be missed and always remembered.
I don't think one was better than the other they're just different and thank God for differences or we wouldn't have all this fine music
The album that changed the sound of the electric guitar forever! Near perfection achieved.
What makes Eric Clapton unique and for me the unparalleled best is his constant playing with rhythm, putting notes when you don’t expect them, starting licks at unexpected times and making his music always surprising and exciting.
I'll never get tired of listening to this .. what a talent.
Wow, got love John Mayall, RIP.
No gadgets, just fingers, 6 strings & a touch of genius without ego. Clapton at his 'in your face, finest' !