Interesting interview with John Mayall: singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, blues crusader--for what is said and what is not said. He has a certain attitude of someone who does his music job with experience, knowledge, and inner direction to carry him across many stages and recording studios. While I may not consider his music pure blues, but rather blues-rock or blues-based music, so much of it sounds good, and I appreciate the stories that he has to tell.
I saw the bluesbreakers 1963 at the Marquee club London,I was 15 yrs old..Clapton had left .let me explain,in England there was no media coverage of roots music .The first time I heard of Eric Clapton was word of mouth.My older brother told me about the bluesbreakers.John had to tour constant the band members where unknowns who came and went.The 2nd time i saw him Iwas 17yrs old at the Club a go go the line up had Mick Taylor,Andy Fraser(Free)John Mcvie(fleetwood mac).all word of mouth gigs.I sat with these guys before the gig .They all travelled in johns van together.
I quite agree Gina, He seems to have lost his enthusiasm. He is getting on mind youand Don asked some fairly mediocre questions as well. Whenever I have talked to Johnover the years, he has been very encouraging, down to earth and straight forward to discuss music with. Perhaps this was an off day. We all get them!
asking questions such as, "what was the reputation the blues breakers had among bands at the time..." Mayall was right to look askance; how COULD one answer that? And the constant rush in with, "yes, yes," would get annoying. The best thing an interviewer can do is know when to shut up.
John Mayall certainly isn't giving Don Odell an easy time of it with his candid, boring short answers. His attitude hardly makes for an interesting interview. I found it quite disappointing really, as I thought he'd have an enthusiastic and friendly personality. Well done to Don Odell for keeping his professional cool and holding it together. I saw John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers in 2002 and loved the gig. The highlight for me was hearing Buddy Whittington play for the first time. His guitar playing blew me away. I've been fortunate to see him play several times since and chat with him too. Now there's a really warm, friendly lovely guy!!
I think you are a little unfair to JM - his answers were clear, concise and to the point - not an ounce of flannel/waffle. I wonder how many similar interviews he had to do that day/week?! I saw JM on a number of occasions, and he was great. I only saw Buddy Whittington with him once - he was superb!
JM is indifferent to inane questions about things that are either obvious or irrelevant. The interviewer is answering his own questions and expecting JM to agree.
Growing up in Hurst, TX was a magical time. Lots of great musicians came from this area - must have been something in the water here. Being able to go see Buddy Whittington play locally before Mayall were all memories many of us hold dearly. I lived around the corner from Buddy - and he knew all of the songs - even in Jr High - and if you wanted to know how to play a particular song - Buddy already knew it. He was always so humble and soft spoken - as far back as I can remember.
Similarmente a JM, IMHO están al mismo nivel de pioneros del British Blues, R&B tanto JM.como Alexis Korner como Graham Bond, probablemente el más dotado (gifted) de todos (GB pionero del uso del Hammond en contexto de jazz+R&B).
John Mayall is not very self-reflective. I imagine it irks him a bit that all of the attention is on the guitar players he has had, Clapton, Green and Taylor, rather than him, or the music he championed.
8:47. Leaders open doors to others. Real leaders are humble, and being a Silent receptive to Boomers is a great discrete accomplishment. I think he believes every young man he helped is grateful to him. The rest is a collective reward :) Maybe the shitty music nowadays affects him, too.
Oh dear, come on John, show a bit of warmth and humour. He's never been the best interviewee, but that was embarrassing. Such a contrast to one of my favourite blues breakers, Buddy Whittington who seems a really friendly, approachable kind of guy.
To have an good friend thats left. He or she will still live as long our memory will last.
Interesting interview with John Mayall: singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, blues crusader--for what is said and what is not said. He has a certain attitude of someone who does his music job with experience, knowledge, and inner direction to carry him across many stages and recording studios. While I may not consider his music pure blues, but rather blues-rock or blues-based music, so much of it sounds good, and I appreciate the stories that he has to tell.
This man truly was a genius. He certainly knew how to pick the best musicians in the world. Don’t think there was a better bandleader ever.
Fancy having some band rehearsing in the background when your interviewing a legend like John Mayall!!!
I worked with him in the 60's when he was a graphic artist
I saw the bluesbreakers 1963 at the Marquee club London,I was 15 yrs old..Clapton had left .let me explain,in England there was no media coverage of roots music .The first time I heard of Eric Clapton was word of mouth.My older brother told me about the bluesbreakers.John had to tour constant the band members where unknowns who came and went.The 2nd time i saw him Iwas 17yrs old at the Club a go go the line up had Mick Taylor,Andy Fraser(Free)John Mcvie(fleetwood mac).all word of mouth gigs.I sat with these guys before the gig .They all travelled in johns van together.
Eric only joined the Bluesbreakers in 1965?
Just seen the first night of the 80 Anniversary Tour (UK) in Truro Cornwall. Just fantastic and one of the best nights I have had in quite some time.
Clapton said access to John Mayhall's record collection (I think he also lived with John for awhile) had a huge influence on him
Major influence on Brian Jones
I would like to have seen his cheerful side. Anyway I was digging this guy on vinyl in 1970 on my grandmothers record player.
Why isn't John Mayall in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame???????
Respect
I quite agree Gina, He seems to have lost his enthusiasm. He is getting on mind youand Don asked some fairly mediocre questions as well. Whenever I have talked to Johnover the years, he has been very encouraging, down to earth and straight forward to discuss music with. Perhaps this was an off day. We all get them!
asking questions such as, "what was the reputation the blues breakers had among bands at the time..." Mayall was right to look askance; how COULD one answer that? And the constant rush in with, "yes, yes," would get annoying. The best thing an interviewer can do is know when to shut up.
John Mayall certainly isn't giving Don Odell an easy time of it with his candid, boring short answers. His attitude hardly makes for an interesting interview. I found it quite disappointing really, as I thought he'd have an enthusiastic and friendly personality. Well done to Don Odell for keeping his professional cool and holding it together. I saw John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers in 2002 and loved the gig. The highlight for me was hearing Buddy Whittington play for the first time. His guitar playing blew me away. I've been fortunate to see him play several times since and chat with him too. Now there's a really warm, friendly lovely guy!!
I think you are a little unfair to JM - his answers were clear, concise and to the point - not an ounce of flannel/waffle. I wonder how many similar interviews he had to do that day/week?! I saw JM on a number of occasions, and he was great. I only saw Buddy Whittington with him once - he was superb!
Gina: Like pulling teeth!
JM is indifferent to inane questions about things that are either obvious or irrelevant. The interviewer is answering his own questions and expecting JM to agree.
Growing up in Hurst, TX was a magical time.
Lots of great musicians came from this area - must have been something in the water here.
Being able to go see Buddy Whittington play locally before Mayall were all memories many of us hold dearly.
I lived around the corner from Buddy - and he knew all of the songs - even in Jr High - and if you wanted to know how to play a particular song - Buddy already knew it.
He was always so humble and soft spoken - as far back as I can remember.
Similarmente a JM, IMHO están al mismo nivel de pioneros del British Blues, R&B tanto JM.como Alexis Korner como Graham Bond, probablemente el más dotado (gifted) de todos (GB pionero del uso del Hammond en contexto de jazz+R&B).
He's asking stupid questions.What did Eric Clapton bring to the blues breakers ? What.
John Mayall is not very self-reflective. I imagine it irks him a bit that all of the attention is on the guitar players he has had, Clapton, Green and Taylor, rather than him, or the music he championed.
8:47. Leaders open doors to others. Real leaders are humble, and being a Silent receptive to Boomers is a great discrete accomplishment. I think he believes every young man he helped is grateful to him. The rest is a collective reward :)
Maybe the shitty music nowadays affects him, too.
He seems stuck up. Must have been awkward asking questions from him
Oh dear, come on John, show a bit of warmth and humour. He's never been the best interviewee, but that was embarrassing. Such a contrast to one of my favourite blues breakers, Buddy Whittington who seems a really friendly, approachable kind of guy.
Van Morrison is just a tad IRISH,not British.
Steve Bush not rightfully