Along for the Ride
British bluesman John Mayall is primarily known as the guy whose band massive guitarists likeEric ClaptonandPeter Greengot their start in. Mayall's always been a better bandleader than musician; it's not that he's bad at the latter, but rather that he's so good at the former. So it is perhaps appropriate thatAlong for the Rideis essentially a showcase of other artists, many of them young up-and-comers, includingShannon CurfmanandJonny Lang.As you have no doubt guessed, there is some serious guitar playing here, but what's most special about this CD is that these gifted ax men really get a chance to shine. Lang's lead guitar on "That's Why I Love You So," for instance, sure doesn't sound much likeMick Taylor's on "She Don't Play by the Rules," and neither of those resemblesGary Moore's work on "If I Don't Get Home" or Buddy Whittington's lead on "So Many Roads."Along for the Ride's cast also includes a few Mayall emeriti, such as Green,Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie, as well asJeff Healey,Steve Miller,Otis Rush, and plenty of others. Lots of musicians do the all-star-album thing, but you know Mayall's going to integrate his guest stars smoothly, and that's exactly what he does.--Genevieve Williams