Blues from Laurel Canyon
| Blues from Laurel Canyon | ||||
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| Studio album by John Mayall | ||||
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Publication |
1968 |
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| Label (s) | Decca Records | |||
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Format (s) |
LP, CD |
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Title (number) |
12 |
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running time |
47 min 59 s |
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| occupation |
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Mike Vernon , John Mayall |
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Studio (s) |
Decca Studios West Hampstead, London, England |
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Blues from Laurel Canyon is the ninth album by British blues musician John Mayall . It was released by Decca Records in 1968 and was Mayall's last regular studio album for that label.
History of origin
When the Bluesbreakers broke up on July 14, 1968 at Mayall's request , he made a three-week trip to Los Angeles . John Mayall wanted to start a solo career and only work with a small accompanying group. While looking for the line-up for the planned new quartet formation, Mayall retained Mick Taylor , the guitarist with whom he had worked the longest. They were joined by musicians Stephen Thompson and Colin Allen.
The album Blues from Laurel Canyon represents Mayall's trip to Los Angeles, his later new home, in musical form. The Laurel Canyon Valley is a residential area in Los Angeles that is also known for its prominent residents, including some musicians. Mayall wanted to put all the feelings and experiences of his journey into one album. It starts with the arrival (Vacation) and ends with the departure (Fly Tomorrow) . Guitarist Peter Green made a guest appearance on the song First Time Alone .
He lived in Laurel Canyon with his friend Bob Hite before he had his beloved tree house to live in. The play The Bear is dedicated Hite; it begins with a boogie-style guitar introduction reminiscent of its host. Mayall also played on the album Living the Blues by hit band Canned Heat Piano during this time .
Blues from Laurel Canyon was recorded at Decca Studios West Hampstead from August 26-28, 1968. All songs were written by John Mayall, who also took care of the artwork . It was produced by Mike Vernon and John Mayall. The sound engineer was Derek Varnals, assisted by Adrian Martins.
The album reached number 68 on the US Billboard charts and number 33 in the UK.
Track list
The keys were also given by John Mayall.
Side one:
- Vacation - 2:47 - E.
- Walking on Sunset - 2:50 - As
- Laurel Canyon Home - 4:33 - C
- 2401 - 3:42 - A.
- Ready to Ride - 3:32 - E.
- Medicine Man - 2:43 - G.
- Somebody's Acting Like a Child - 3:27 - Des
Side two:
- The Bear - 4:40 - B.
- Miss James - 2:30 - F.
- First Time Alone - 4:49 - H
- Long Gone Midnight - 3:27 - Es
- Fly Tomorrow - 8:59 - D
literature
- Bob Brunning: Blues in Britain - The History 1950s To The Present (London, 1995) ISBN 0-7137-2457-9
Web links
- Blues From Laurel Canyon at Discogs (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ According to Dick Heckstall-Smith , Mayall was tired of the logistical problems that touring with a band that last had seven members brought with it: "[...] he was getting fed up with the amount of gear he was having to carry about" Heckstall-Smith quoted in Bob Brunnings book about the British blues scene Blues In Britain .
- ↑ Living the Blues at allmusic.com
- ^ LP Decca SKL 4972, UK 1968