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| John Mayall at 75years of age! |
Last Monday night, I went with a friend to Jazz Alley to see a blues artist named John Mayall. I know just about nothing about blues. It's not my favorite style because so much of it is progressive and "jamming." It plods, to my ear, although the repetitions with slight variations are what the blues fan grooves on. I like a well-defined melody, and that may be because I'm not a musician and can't appreciate the craft beyond the basics.
I will say I like quite a bit of a jazz sampling, because I find those progressions relaxing. Can't explain it past that, but if I'm spun up over a personal situation, Pat Metheny or Lee Ritenour can smooth me right out.
The best way to appreciate blues is to have it served up in the company of a blues musician. I could see my friend nodding and smiling as John Mayall took to the stage with his younger band members. He informed me that Mayall mentored an infinite number of blues players, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and the founders of Fleetwood Mac.
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| This album includes John Almond, John McVie of Fleetwood Mac, Alan Skidmore, and Dennis Healey |
"Fleetwood Mac was a blues band?" I asked my companion. Indeed they were until some personnel changes brought the new direction which was the way to making better money. There's way more bucks in pop than in blues. Dumb it down for the masses, but these were great bluesmen.
This evening he had unknowns accompanying him on electric bass, guitar, and drums. Mayall himself was playing a Roland keyboard and harmonica.
John Mayall, as you may know, is an old-timer. He's seventy-five years old. He's been performing and influencing blues composition for over fifty years. Wouldn't you be curious to see how he's holding up? I was, and even though I didn't know much about him, I thought here's a chance to see a real legend perform, no matter what his genre.
Mayall opened with a solo compostion. He played a chromatic harmonica with one hand and hit the keyboard with his other hand. Now, even if you're not wild about the sound of the hard blues selection, you gotta be impressed by that kind of coordination. When he blows harmonica, it comes from very deep within, and so it's not the screechy sound you hear from Bob Dylan or Neil Young. It's full and round.
He has an interesting touch on the keyboard. His fingers look light and easy. That's complicated stuff he's playing, I know that. But he smiles to himself as he hears the notes, and he glances over sideways to his band members as if to say, "It's like this." The side players beam with joy. You can tell everyone is in a zone full of love and excitement. Real comradarie at the top of the game.
Small club, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley. I don't think there is bad seat in the house. There are terraced floors, including an upstairs, and the room is accoustically designed so that big PA equipment is not necessary. Sound is clean. We sat at a high cafe table just inside the bar area. Great view, I thought. And for $28 admission I thought we were getting excellent value.
You can get dinner if you want, before the show. Non-diners can arrive later than diners, but I suggest you get there early, anyway. Some seats are better than others in the cocktail-only sections and most people do arrive early who want those better seats.
Jazz Alley is very well-staffed. You feel welcome and important as soon as you step inside the club. You aren't just seated, but choices are carefully shown to you with the expectation that you'll fully enjoy the show.
I wish I could adequately describe the show we saw. Those young musicians were very hot. You coulds see these are future stars, and hanging out with John Mayall is historically proven to be the road to the top. He most definitely showcases each one throughout the night, showing paternal pride in his protoges.
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| Mayall with the young muscians who appeared with him. I do not have their names. |
I found myself actually liking the music. I wondered as I listened if enjoying is a learning process. As you discover the why and how of a thing, it makes it's place in your life.
"Just listen to the groove," said my friend, "The groove will getcha."
Discographies are easy to find on the internet, as are video clips of John Mayall's various incarnations with side players he's brought up. I especially enjoyed "Congo Square" and "Room to Move," and "It's Too Early in the Morning." But the songs were all immensely enjoyable.
If you get a chance to see John Mayall perform, it's something you won't forget. Blues fan or not.
