John Mayall - Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (album review ) | Sputnikmusic John Mayall Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton 4.0 May 19th, 2006 | 41 replies Release Date: 1966 | Tracklist By the time the Yardbirds released their pop hit "For Your Love", not many were in a position to bring them down in anyway."God", however, had other plans. It is a widely known story among blues enthusiasts and aging hippies; Clapton joins the Yardbirds, becomes the guitar deity of the sixties, only to take an exit due to the poppier winds that were carrying the Yardbirds to a more commercial destination. The Yardbirds recovered by way of Jeff Beck, whilst Clapton moved on to lend his magic hands to blues purist John Mayall, a man more famous for his abundance of guitar heroes (think Ozzy) than for his own merits. However, to state that Mr. Mayall isn't talented in his own right would be pure fiction, as made clear by the album 'Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton'.

The year is now 1966, and while The Beatles are manipulating tapes and dropping acid, John Mayall and company are finishing up the album that would forever cement them into the fabric of everything sixties, as well as in the minds of every kid with a Muddy Waters record and an electric guitar. With such virtuoso covers as "What'd I Say" and "Ramblin' On My Mind", the Bluesbreakers not only asserted themselves as the cream of the blues crop in England, but also made the still pop-infested Yanks across the pond take notice of the style of music they had so unwittingly spawned. The stunning, three minute long instrumental "Hideaway" only displays Claptons' undeniable genius as a lead guitarist, but also shows off the rather unknown and ever rotating rythym section as a force to be reckoned with in it's own right. But what of the man himself? It is arguable Mayalls' voice has never been better than on this classic record, and showcases some talent in the rythym guitar and harmonica department, as well.

By the time "Parchman Farm" has finished it's 2:24 second run, it's somewhat more apparent why Clapton got second billing. Hughie Flint (Drums) is likewise in top form, not merely banging around in a frenzy of self-indulgence, but subtley and tastefully providing the tunes with the beat they deserve (The exception being the drum solo in "What'd I Say"), with John McVie (Bass) thumping along, creating his own spotlight at times, and slipping into obscurity at others. And yet, that's partially what makes this record as unique as it is. No one is trying to promote themselves over the group, as would become the fashion in the latter half of the decade and on throughout the Seventies, but complementing each other, and displaying the passion required to perform a piece of blues music and not sound like a wanker, which in Claptons' case says a bit more than for anyone else, considering Cream was less than a year away from becoming a reality.

Like many classic albums of the sixties, this one does not skip through it's length unscathed, providing a weak song or two such as "Lonely Years", which is essentially a rythym guitar, a screeching harmonica, and Johns' distinctive voice, all intertwined in rather poor sound quality; as well as the waltzy, nearly six minute long saxophone driven number entitled "Have You Heard". While the former is relatively quick, sitting through "Have You Heard" can be a daunting task in it's own right; on par with climbing Everest after a pint or two of Jagermeister. The music itself varies quite substantially throughout the album, with mournful songs driven more by harmonica ("Another Man"), to the guitar fury that Clapton is so well known for on songs like "Little Girl" and "Steppin' Out". The album flows remarkably well, seguing from one tune to the next in a Michelle Kwan-type fashion. Naturally, while everybody delivers a solid performance, it's Clapton who shines on this record, and it;s Clapton who would reap the most from it.

It was after this album that the infamous "Clapton Is God" graffiti started mysteriously popping up all over London. It is also worth mentioning the striking similarities between the guitar riff following the drum solo in "What'd I Say" and the main riff in The Beatles "Day Tripper". Even with a few lesser tracks, the album and the sound of it are blues at it's finest, with lovely guitar grooves and fantastic piano playing, too. The bulk of the album maintains the quality one would expect from a record credited with launching the career of one of the most renown bluesman to ever live , and while it's reputation may precede it in some ways, it's legacy gargantuan, it's impact undeniable, this is undoubtedly one of the shining acheivements of the counter-culture, and a reference point for every guiatarist to ever bang out a I-V-IV chord progression. Pros- Fantastic, tasteful playing by everyone. Superb covers of classic songs. Helped launch the blues revival. Cons- Alot of covers take away from artists' own originality. Some songs falter compared to the others.

4/5 5 rock artists John Mayall helped launch | Calgary Herald 5 rock artists John Mayall helped launch More from Mike Bell, Calgary Herald Published on: July 10, 2014 | Last Updated: July 10, 2014 9:29 PM MST Eric Clapton’s time with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers helped cement Slow Hand’s reputation as one of rock’s great guitarists. John Davisson / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Share Adjust Comment Print To say that John Mayall has an ear for talent is one of the greatest understatements you could utter. Over the course of his legendary, almost 60-year career, the artist performed with some of music’s most enduring figures, and his Bluesbreakers band, itself, helped launch or at least nurture some of rock music’s biggest names and acts. Here are just five. Eric Clapton Old Slowhand came into the Bluesbreakers fresh out of the Yardbirds (the ultimate breeding ground for guitarists with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page following), and, reportedly, as a direct result of that act moving away from its blues roots.

While his two stints in the band were brief, spread out over a year, his appearance on the classic Blues Breakers album — released soon after he departed — helped make his reputation as one of the best blues guitarists of the time, and one of the best guitarists of all time. His next act, Cream, also featured former Bluesbreaker Jack Bruce along with future Blind Faith collaborator Ginger Baker. Mick Taylor After a two-year tenure as Bluesbreakers guitarist, Taylor was recruited for a little rock and roll combo called The Rolling Stones to replace Brian Jones. During his half-decade stint, Taylor appeared on a handful of Stones masterpieces, including Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St., and other than some remarkable playing is also said to have contributed considerably but uncredited almost entirely to the songwriting of those albums — something that is widely acknowledged as leading to his departure. He was inducted with them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has since performed live with the band, including as a guest on their current tour, even helping with the reissue of Exile. Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood There would be no Fleetwood Mac without John Mayall.

While the band may now be known for the late-’70s, Rumours-era sound and lineup — which will hit the Saddledome Nov. 14 — it was as Bluesbreakers where these three met and decided to make a go of it as another British blues act. With Green at the helm, they began to build a name for themselves while evolving their sound, hinting at what was to come. He would leave, a victim of the ’60s drug scene, and the band would continue on, picking up Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and a place in rock history. John Mayall - Listen To This! LISTEN TO THIS! CONTACTS THE QUINTESSENTIAL JOHN MAYALL With 61 official album releases as of 2014, it was hard to sort through such a huge catalogue to come up with a cross-section of material that best represented a career that has spanned over four decades. After much struggle, however, and thanks to John Mayall's help, here is what we came up with. All Sound Bytes in 56K Streaming Audio Our old LISTEN TO THIS!

page had asked John to pick 10 tracks that he would want you to have if you were interested in learning about the blues. These are tracks taken from John Mayall"s personal collection. He says: "Go to the source!" You may access them HERE Coming Soon HOW CAN YOU LIVE LIKE THAT From ï¿½Historic Live Shows ï¿½ Vol 3ï¿½ (Private Stash 2012) w/ Buddy Whittington, John Paulus, Joe Yuele "This song has always been very special for me in that it is a song by the great jazz saxophonist Eddie Harris and Iï¿½ve always thought he was very underrated by critics. He was actually going to be my guest on the original album but he died a week before we cut it.

A great track that features some great guitar and Iï¿½m particularly proud of my piano work on this one." (John Mayall) Coming Soon NOTHING TO DO WITH LOVE From ï¿½Toughï¿½ (Eagle 2009) - w/ Rocky Athas, Greg Rzab, Jay Davenport, Tom Canning "When I first heard this song written and played by Jerry Lee Williams I was bowled over by its power. I took my cue from the original rough demo and made it as meaningful and sinister as I could. A simple analysis of how love can get out of control sometimes.

Weï¿½ve all been there." (John Mayall) Coming Soon TIME TO GO From ï¿½In the Palace of the Kingï¿½ (Eagle 2007) - w/ Buddy Whittington, Joe Yeule, Hank Van Sickle "Having recorded a full album dedicated to the memory of one of the greatest blues singers and guitarists of all time ï¿½ Freddy King, I just had to write new lyrics to fit one of his classic songs (Welfare Blues) He was a friend of mine and I am happy that I got to sit in with him a few times." (John Mayall) LISTEN: BURNED BRIDGES From "Road Dogs" (Eagle 2005) - w/ Buddy Whittington, Tom Canning, Hank Van Sickle, Joe Yuele "Second only to "Room to Move", this fast harmonica blues has recently become one of my most popular features every night on our live shows. It is always open to any number of interpretations and is great fun to embark on a journey of improvisation.

The Bluesbreakers keep up a solid tempo that constantly pushes me into new territory." (John Mayall) LISTEN - TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTER From "70th Birthday Concert" (Eagle 2003) - w/ Buddy Whittington, Tom Canning, Hank Van Sickle, Joe Yuele, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Chris Barber "I can't tell you what a great thrill it was to celebrate my 70th birthday with this great concert which fortunately was recorded and filmed for posterity. On this classic J.B. Lenoir song, it was guitar heaven that night to have a finale that featured such a rare gathering of friends.

To see and hear Buddy Whittington trading licks with Mick Taylor and Eric Clapton was a true taste of Bluesbreakers history revisited!" (John Mayall) LISTEN - DEAD CITY From "Blues for the Lost Days" (Silvertone 1997) - w/ Buddy Whittington, John Paulus, Joe Yuele "This track really rocks thanks to the great guitar of Buddy Whittington who has been with me for fifteen years and counting." (John Mayall) LISTEN - MAIL ORDER MYSTICS From "Wake Up Call" (Silvertone 1993) - w/ Coco Montoya, David Grissom, Rick Cortes, Joe Yuele "Jumping ahead to the eighties, I re-instated the name of the Bluesbreakers and hired guitarist Coco Montoya for a ten year period. Just before he launched his own solo career, we recorded this album in Los Angeles with producer R.S. Field.

I love the dramatic structure of this piece which builds to a terrific climax propelled by the intense drumming of Joe Yuele." (John Mayall) LISTEN - GOOD TIME BOOGIE From "Jazz Blues Fusion" (Polydor 1972) - w/ Freddy Robinson, Blue Mitchell, Clifford Solomon, Larry Taylor, Ron Selico "As I now had access to the cream of the jazz elite, I tried to combine jazz and blues with this exciting blend. For our live shows this turned out to be a dynamite combination as we featured the great Blue Mitchell on trumpet and Freddy Robinson on guitar. Soon after this live recording was made, my old pal Keef Hartley took over the drums and Red Holloway replaced Clifford on saxophone." (John Mayall) LISTEN2 - LISTEN2 - NATURE"S DISAPPEARING From "USA Union" (Polydor 1970) - w/ Sugarcane Harris, Harvey Mandel, Larry Taylor "After the breakup of the drummer-less Turning Point band, I moved to Los Angeles and put together my first band of American musicians. I was very aware of the comparatively new concept of ecology and wrote this song to encourage people to recycle.

The searing and moving violin of Sugarcane Harris still gives me shivers." (John Mayall) Listen To This! - A revisited version of NATURE'S DISAPPEARING from 1993's Wake Up Call album. (Listen2) LISTEN2 - LISTEN2 - SO MANY ROADS From "Looking Back" (Decca 1969) - w/ Peter Green, John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar "This single was recorded just one week after Peter Green took over from Eric. His guitar playing shows a ferocity that reflects his passion for the blues and for the great Otis Rush. Funnily enough, at that time, we had not as yet even seen a photograph of him. To us he was an almost mythical blues legend whose spirit we tried to capture." (John Mayall) Listen To This! - A revisited version of SO MANY ROADS from Along for the Ride (Eagle 2001) - Produced by David Z, w/ Buddy Whittington, Otis Rush, Greg Rzab, Joe Yuele, Reese Wynans.

(Listen2) LISTEN2 - LISTEN2 - ROOM TO MOVE and CALIFORNIA From "The Turning Point" (Polydor 1969) - w/ Jon Mark, Johnny Almond, Steve Thompson. We had to include John Mayall's ground-breaking hit album featuring his drummer-less and lead-guitar-less band. It's hypnotic hit, Room To Move, has become a staple in John Mayall's live shows for four decades. CALIFORNIA expresses his love for his soon-to-be adopted home. (Editor) (Listen2) LISTEN - 2401 From "Blues from Laurel Canyon" (Decca 1968) w/ Mick Taylor, Steve Thompson, Colin Allen "During my 1968 summer vacation in Los Angeles, I spent part of my time living in Frank Zappa's famous Laurel Canyon house (2401 Laurel Canyon Blvd.).

The daily life style there and the parade of eccentric hangers-on became more than enough inspiration for this song which happened to be the street address." (John Mayall) LISTEN - A HARD ROAD From "A Hard Road" (Decca 1967) w/ Peter Green, John McVie, Aynsley Dunbar. "Producer Mike Vernon was reportedly apoplectic when Mayall and band - which also featured the dynamic rhythm section of bassist John McVie and drummer Aynsley Dunbar - first showed up at the studio without Clapton, but ... Green makes his presence felt within the first few seconds of A Hard Road's eponymous opening track, complementing Mayall's pleading vocal with a tightly-coiled restraint that exemplifies the tension and subtlety that he consistently brought to his work with Mayall" (Scott Schinder, 2003 reissue liner notes) LISTEN - STEPPIN' OUT From "Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton" (Decca 1966) (Affectionately called "The Beano Album") w/ Eric Clapton, John McVie, Hughie Flint.

"When Eric joined the Bluesbreakers, he brought this instrumental to our repertoire. From the first day we began performing it live, it changed the way audiences perceived the role of the electric guitar in rock and roll. It also launched the tradition that continues to this day whereby my guitarists choose a showcase for their versatility." (John Mayall) Concert Review – John Mayall – Music Enthusiast Written by Jim S. That grainy picture above is from my camera phone. Mouse over it – or any of my pics – and you’ll get color. That’s Mayall of course, dead center playing one of three instruments (keys, harp, guitar). To his left, guitarist Ricky Athas, bass Greg Rzab, somewhat hidden is drummer Jay Davenport. Mayall is one of the last of that cohort of British bluesmen who were part of the blues vortex that was Cyril Davies and Alexis Korner . According to Wikipedia, Korner persuaded Mayall to opt for a full-time musical career and move to London, where Korner introduced him to many other musicians and helped Mayall to find gigs.

Ultimately Mayall went on to form the highly influential band Bluesbreakers who in their own way, were every bit as impactful as The Yardbirds . The seminal album from that time is called Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton aka the Beano album. That said, the album they’re touring behind – the recently released John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers Live in 1967 – featured Peter Green . The band sounded great but I thought that Mayall’s voice had lost some power. The blues genre demands that you have a strong, strong voice up front and he didn’t have it. That said, I will cut him a break. I want you to note that the video below is from 2012 when Mayall was EIGHTY YEARS OLD. (When I’m 80 I plan on sitting on the couch and yelling at kids to get off my damn lawn). I can tell you that while Mayall is not exactly running around the stage these days, he stood up for the whole show, going back and forth from keyboard to harp to guitar. He could certainly sit down for keyboard but he chooses not to. Anyway, check this out. Same band, filmed live a couple of years ago.

It’s called “The Sum of Something.” Athas continues Mayall’s long trend of featuring outstanding guitarists: Mayall’s signature song is one he released back in the ’70’s on a live album. It’s called “Room to Move.” Didn’t do it when I saw him but what the hell. Same band One of the nice things about these shows – especially when I go alone – is that I always wind up talking to people. (Actually they usually wind up talking to me). We were sitting at a shared table and there were as many people by themselves as with someone. (If we have learned one thing at our age it’s that if you wait for others to share your interests you’ll spend a lot of time sitting at home and miss a lot of good stuff). One of my tablemates – who had bought himself an entire bottle of wine – clued me in to Mayall’s 70th birthday party album. Apparently Clapton and Mick Taylor – also a Mayall protege – played on it. It’s pretty damn good so I’m stealing a track from that.

Here’s Mick on “Somebody’s Acting Like a Child.” John, thanks for all the blues and I look forward to your 90th birthday album. Share this: Eric Clapton | Biography & History | AllMusic google+ Artist Biography by William Ruhlmann By the time Eric Clapton launched his solo career with the release of his self-titled debut album in mid-1970, he was long established as one of the world's major rock stars due to his group affiliations -- the Yardbirds , John Mayall's Bluesbreakers , Cream , and Blind Faith -- which had demonstrated his claim to being the best rock guitarist of his generation. That it took Clapton so long to go out on his own, however, was evidence of a degree of reticence unusual for one of his stature. And his debut album, though it spawned the Top 40 hit "After Midnight," was typical of his self-effacing approach: it was, in effect, an album by the group he had lately been featured in, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.

Not surprisingly, before his solo debut had even been released, Clapton had retreated from his solo stance, assembling from the D&B&F ranks the personnel for a group, Derek & the Dominos , with whom he played for most of 1970 and recorded the landmark album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs . Clapton was largely inactive in 1971 and 1972, due to heroin addiction, but he performed a comeback concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London on January 13, 1973, resulting in the album Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert (September 1973). But Clapton did not launch a sustained solo career until July 1974, when he released 461 Ocean Boulevard , which topped the charts and spawned the number one single "I Shot the Sheriff." The persona Clapton established over the next decade was less that of guitar hero than arena rock star with a weakness for ballads. The follow-ups to 461 Ocean Boulevard , There's One in Every Crowd (March 1975), the live E.C.

Was Here (August 1975), and No Reason to Cry (August 1976), were less successful. But Slowhand (November 1977), which featured both the powerful "Cocaine" (written by J.J. Cale , who had also written "After Midnight") and the hit singles "Lay Down Sally" and "Wonderful Tonight," was a million-seller. Its follow-ups, Backless (November 1978), featuring the Top Ten hit "Promises," the live Just One Night (April 1980), and Another Ticket (February 1981), featuring the Top Ten hit "I Can't Stand It," were all big sellers. Clapton 's popularity waned somewhat in the first half of the '80s, as the albums Money and Cigarettes (February 1983), Behind the Sun (March 1985), and August (November 1986) indicated a certain career stasis. But he was buoyed up by the release of the box set retrospective Crossroads (April 1988), which seemed to remind his fans of how great he was.

Journeyman (November 1989) was a return to form. It would be his last new studio album for nearly five years, though in the interim he would suffer greatly and enjoy surprising triumph. On March 20, 1991, Clapton 's four-year-old son was killed in a fall. While he mourned, he released a live album, 24 Nights (October 1991), culled from his annual concert series at Royal Albert Hall in London, and prepared a movie soundtrack, Rush (January 1992). The soundtrack featured a song written for his son, "Tears in Heaven," that became a massive hit single. In March 1992, Clapton recorded a concert for MTV Unplugged which, when released on an album in August, became his biggest-selling record ever. Two years later, Clapton returned with a blues album, From the Cradle , which became one of his most successful albums, both commercially and critically. Crossroads, Vol. 2: Live in the Seventies , a box set chronicling his live work from the '70s, was released to mixed reviews.

In early 1997, Clapton , billing himself by the pseudonym " X-Sample ," collaborated with keyboardist/producer Simon Climie as the ambient new age and trip-hop duo T.D.F. The duo released Retail Therapy to mixed reviews in early 1997. Clapton retained Climie as his collaborator for Pilgrim , his first album of new material since 1989's Journeyman . Pilgrim was greeted with decidedly mixed reviews upon its spring 1998 release, but the album debuted at number four and stayed in the Top Ten for several weeks on the success of the single "My Father's Eyes." In 2000, Clapton teamed up with old friend B.B. King on Riding with the King , a set of blues standards and material from contemporary singer/songwriters. Another solo outing, entitled Reptile , followed in early 2001. Three years later, Clapton issued Me and Mr. Johnson , a collection of tunes honoring the Mississippi-born bluesman Robert Johnson . Released in 2005, Back Home , Clapton 's 14th album of original material, reflected his ease with fatherhood.

Also in 2005, Clapton unexpectedly teamed with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker for a Cream reunion that included May concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall and shows at New York's Madison Square Garden in October, with the former being compiled for a live release that fall. This turned out to be the first of many reunions and looks back for Clapton . In 2006, he elevated the profile of his latter-day idol J.J. Cale by recording an album-long duet, The Road to Escondido . The following year he released his autobiography -- accompanied by a new career compilation called The Complete Clapton -- which focused more on his trials with addiction and subsequent recovery than his musical career. In 2008, Clapton began playing regular shows with his old Blind Faith partner Steve Winwood , gigs that were captured on the 2009 double-live set Live from Madison Square Garden . Winwood also appeared on Clapton 's next studio album, 2010's Clapton , which was a collaboration-heavy affair also featuring Cale , Sheryl Crow , Allen Toussaint , and Wynton Marsalis .

In 2011, Clapton returned the favor to Marsalis by collaborating on the live concert album Play the Blues: Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center . Clapton parted ways with Warner after Clapton , and he chose to set up his own Bushbranch imprint on Gary Hoey 's independent label Surfdog. His first album for the label was Old Sock , largely a collection of old songs the guitarist loved. It reached the Top Ten in the U.S. and Great Britain. In the fall of 2013, Warner Bros. released Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013, and his Unplugged album was expanded and remastered by Rhino. Early the following year, Clapton announced that a new album, The Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale , would be issued in July, one year on from the passing of his key inspiration. The tribute album included contributions from artists such as Willie Nelson , John Mayer , Tom Petty , and Mark Knopfler . A collection of his Warner recordings called Forever Man saw a spring 2015 release. Clapton returned in May of 2016 with I Still Do , his third album for Surfdog.

It found him reuniting with Slowhand producer Glyn Johns ; the album debuted at six on the Billboard Top 200. Later that year, Clapton released Live in San Diego , a double-disc album featuring a 2007 concert with J.J. Cale . Eric Clapton Eric Clapton 12 Links Introduction Eric Clapton "Slow Hand" is a famous English guitarist, singer and composer. He excels in blues, and was ranked nº4 in Rolling Stone's "100 Guitarists of all time". He has released or taken part in over 50 different albums, either on his own or in the different formations he has taken part in his large career. He also belongs to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame three times: for Cream, The Yardbirds and his solo albums. He is nº53 in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". On top of that, he also belongs to the Order of the British Empire (CBE). History Early Years Eric Clapton was born in Ripley, England, in 1945. His father abandoned his mother and he never got to meet him.

Later on, his mother left him to be raised by his grandparents. He started playing guitar at the age of 13, he was self-taught in his beginnings, when he tried to emulate the songs he liked, specially blues. At the age of 17 he took part in his first band "The Roosters", a rhythm and blues formation, for a short time, before playing with another band, Casey Jones and the Engineers, also for a brief period of time. In 1963 he joined The Yarbirds, a rock/blues band. This way he toured England and began to earn a well deserved reputation as guitarist, but he left the group because he didn't like the orientation the band was leaning towards, specially after the release of the single "For your love", which he refused to play. It was during these concerts that he got his nickname "Slow Hand", not because he played slow (he can be lightning fast), but because the audience always clapped slowly when he broke a string and replaced it on stage.

Eric Clapton In 1965 Clapton was part of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, and by the end of the year that he stayed with them he was already considered a cult guitarist, with a legion of followers who saw him as one of the most skilled blues guitarists of all time. Cream In 1966 Clapton formed the band Cream along with Jack Bruce as singer & bassist and Ginger Baker on the drums. The band toured Europe and USA, and were famous for they long jamming and emotional gigs, with a mixture of blues, rock and jazz. The band was active only between 1966 and 1968, but in that time they became extreamly successful, releasing four studio albums and three live albums, selling millions of copies, with widely known hits such as "Crossroads" and "Sunshine of Your Love". Cream split in 1968 due to growing tension between Clapton and Ginger Baker, and soon afterwards they released their album "Goodbye", featuring live perfomances and a collaboratuon with George Harrison which would lead to many other releases involving Clapton in George Harrison's future recordings.

Twenty five years later Cream would briefly join again to give a few concerts though. 1969 - 1977 In 1969 Clapton joined Blind Faith for a few months, releasing one album and its subsequent tour. He soon got tired and decided to tour as guitarist with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, and also found time to release his first solo album at the same time, named "Eric Clapton". It was 1970 and Clapton not only had switched bands twice, but also released his first LP and recorded with many other different artists such as Ringo Starr, King Curtis, Howlin' Wolf, Plastic Ono Band, and some others. In Spring 1970 he decided to form yet another "famous artists" band, called Derek and the Dominos (called Eric and friends at first), which lasted a year, until 1971.

It was in those days that Clapton & George Harrison were so close, that Clapton wrote many of the songs for the Derek and the Dominos album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs", including (surprise!) "Layla" as its main hit, one of the most famous songs Clapton ever wrote. Clapton wrote that song thinking of Harrison's wife, which he fell in love for. "Layla" album is regarded as one of his bewst ever made, and it was recorded with the aid of Allman Brothers guitarist Duane Allman. The Yardbirds Though the album was great the critics weren't so good at release, and that fact coupled with the recent death of Clapton's admired friend Jimi Hendrix were part of the reasons that made Clapton fall in a drug addiction and alcoholism. Derek and the Dominos went on tour but soon they split. Bad years were ahead for Clapton as he left the stages and felt deep into a heroin addiction until 1973, year in which Pete Townshend (The Who) helped him to come back organising a concert for the occasion.

Come 1974, cured from his addiction, and being with Harrison's ex-wife Pattie Boyd, he released a new solo album named "461 Ocean Boulevard". One year later he released "There's One in Every Crowd", and went on tour again, resulting in a live album, "E.C. Was Here.". In 1976 came "No reason to cry" and a year later "Slowhand", which included his famous hits "Wonderful Tonight" and "Cocaine". The 80s In 1981 he teamed up with Jeff Beck, released some duets, and also took part in the Amnesty International concert. The 80s were not good years for Clapton though, as he fell into addictions once more. Cream In 1983 he became friend of Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), recorded and went on tour with him. In 1985 Clapton released "Behind the Sun", followed by "August" in 1986, produced along with Phill Collins, with whom he toured for a couple years.

In 1989 Clapton released "Journeyman", a good album with amazing collaborations from George Harrison, Phil Collins & Mick Jones among others. Tragedy was about to hit hard Clapton's life though: in 1989 Clapton divorced Boyd, having a son named Conor with an Italian model 5 years before. Then in 1991 Conor died falling from the 53rd floor of their apartment in NYC. As a result of such tragic incident Clapton wrote another of his most memorable songs, "Tears in heaven". If that was not enough, just a couple years before, in 1989 another tragic death had ocurred: Stevie Ray Vaughan , the amazing guitarist and friend of Clapton was on tour with him, and he died in a helicopter crash in between gigs. Recent Years ç Eric Clapton surprised his fans in 1992 with an unplugged album that featured "Tears in Heaven", which surprisingly became his best selling album to date.

Derek and the Dominos In 1994 Clapton released his live album "From the Craddle", really bluesy, reaching nº1 on the Billboard and getting the Grammy as Best Traditional Blues Album. Three years after he would record the studio album "Pilgrim". He made collaborations with BB King, Santana and Sheril Crow (With whom he had a brief relation), and two years later, in 1999 he married a twenty three year old named Melia McEnery. In 2001 he released a new album named "Reptile", and two more in 2004 covering classics of Robert Johnson. From then on he re-united with Cream to give some concerts, and made lots of collaborations with famous artists and tribute & benefit concerts, being remarkable the one to George Harrison, and the release of "The Road to Escondido" in 2006 along with J.J. Cale. Now a days he is working on a new album along with Robbie Robertson (The Band), with whom he has played some concerts in 2008. He has also been invited to play live in North Korea, the concert should take place sometime in 2009.

Influences Since young, Clapton stayed away from pop music and preferred listening to Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Sonny Boy Williamson. His roots were the blues, and as such he grew strong into a legendary guitarist. Other artists he has learnt from and sometimes covered in his gigs are Buddy Guy, Freddie King and B. B. King, Bob Dylan , Bob Marley, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix and Elmore James. Eric Clapton But if we had to choose just one guitarist of all time it would have to be Robert Johnson, in Clapton's own words: "Robert Johnson to me is the most important blues musician who ever lived. He was true, absolutely, to his own vision, and as deep as I have gotten into the music over the last 30 years, I have never found anything more deeply soulful than Robert Johnson. His music remains the most powerful cry that I think you can find in the human voice, really. ... it seemed to echo something I had always felt." Claptons Gear He started out playing Gibson guitars, specially Les Pauls , but also SG , ES-335 and Firebird when he was with Cream.

later on he switched to Fender , specially Fender Stratocaster , he made his own Stratocaster out of the best pieces of three starts he bought, and being black he called it "Blackie". Since 1988 there's an Eric Clapton Signature Strat (first signature strat created), named after "Blackie". He also played other Fenders such as the Telecaster during his time in The Yardbirds. As for amps he has also used a huge variety ranging from Vox AC-30 with The Yardbirds, Marshall 2x12 40W Combo with The Bluesbreakers, 1959 100W Marshall heads through 4x12 cabs with Cream and Fender Showman & Fender Champ in his days with Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominoes. His setup, in his own words: "All of them (guitars) need to be about 1/8" in the action, and I like it to be constant all the way down. I can't stand it if the nut is low, and the action gets higher as you go up the neck.

I always take the wang bar off and have five springs, and just tighten the whole thing up. I like frets to be generally somewhere between a Strat and a Les Paul. Les Pauls are too thick, and Fenders are sometimes too thin. The Fender Elite is very nice because it's a blend. The neck on Blackie, the Strat I play all the time, is probably my favorite shape. It's almost triangular on the back -- V-shaped -- with a slightly curved fingerboard, as opposed to the flat one. That, to me, is the best." Clapton's strings are usually Ernie Ball Slinky and Super Slinky strings, .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042. Albums The Best Blues-Rock Albums Of The 1960s The Best Blues-Rock Albums Of The 1960s Blues Expert By Reverend Keith A.

Gordon Little did the bluesmen of the 1940s and '50s realize that the records they were making would be heard as far as half way across the world, inspiring a generation of teenage musicians in England, and across Europe as well as the U.S. Beginning in the early 1960s, music from artists like Muddy Waters , Big Bill Broonzy , Sonny Boy Williamson , John Lee Hooker , Howlin' Wolf , and others could be found in the record collections of the young soul rebels who would invent the sub-genre of rock 'n' roll that would become known as blues-rock. These are the albums that have helped define the blues-rock sound during the 1960s. Big Brother & the Holding Company's Cheap Thrills. Photo courtesy Legacy Recordings Big Brother & the Holding Company â 'Cheap Thrills' (1968) The sophomore album from this San Francisco band featuring the blustery vocals of Janis Joplin, a Texas-born tornado with blues in her blood who delivered a performance as emotionally-powerful as anything you'd hear during the decade.

Led by the hit single "Piece of My Heart" and including a powerful cover of Big Mama Thornton's "Ball and Chain, Cheap Thrills would introduce the world to the charms of Janis. Big Brother was a mediocre band at best, and would struggle when Joplin left shortly after the release of Cheap Thrills to pursue a solo career. continue reading below our video 5 Classic Novels Everyone Should Read Canned Heat's Boogie With Canned Heat. Photo courtesy EMI Music Buy from Amazon Inspired by the boogie beat of John Lee Hooker 's recordings of the 1940s and '50s, Canned Heat 's sophomore album defined the band's trademark boogie-rock sound with a set of mostly original material. Yielding a Top Ten hit in "On The Road Again," Boogie With Canned Heat also featured the Albert King -styled rocker "Amphetamine Annie" and the country blues tune "Whiskey Headed Woman," based on a song by Delta bluesman Tommy McClennan. Canned Heat would have other hits, and continued to slog their way through the festival circuit well into the 2000s. Check Amazon rating » Cream's Disraeli Gears.

Photo courtesy Polydor Records Buy from Amazon Working with producer Felix Pappalardi, later of Mountain, Cream 's second album not only defined the power trio aesthetic, it took blues into an entirely different realm altogether. Featuring Eric Clapton 's blistering fretwork and the explosive, heavy rhythms of bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker, songs like "Strange Brew," "Sunshine Of Your Love," and "Takes of Brave Ulysses" mixed blues and psychedelic rock to devastating effect. Disraeli Gears would help launch the late-1960s blues-rock explosion, resulting in bands like Rory Gallagher's Taste , Gary Moore's Skid Row, and Leslie West's Mountain, among many others. Check Amazon rating » Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac. Photo courtesy Blue Horizon Records Buy from Amazon When Bluesbreakers alumni Peter Green left John Mayall's employ, he joined bandmates John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, along with guitarist Jeremy Spencer, to form Fleetwood Mac (also known, early on, as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac).

The British band's self-titled debut album would become an unlikely hit in the U.K., it's inspired mix of blues covers of songs from Elmore James "Shake Your Moneymaker"), Robert Johnson "Hellhound On My Trail"), and Howlin' Wolf ("No Place To Go") balanced by Green's maturing songwriting and considerable six-string skills. Check Amazon rating » Jeff Beck Band's Truth. Photo courtesy Legacy Recordings Jeff Beck Band â 'Truth' (1968) Less than a year after his departure from British blues-rock legends the Yardbirds , guitarist Jeff Beck formed the Jeff Beck Band with vocalist Rod Stewart and bassist Ron Wood, later joined by drummer Mick Waller. The four young men recorded this explosive debut album, Truth mixing the amplified blues of artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf with hard rockin' guitar and heavy, bombastic rhythms. Performances like the old Yardbirds gem "Shapes of Things," and Willie Dixon 's "You Shook Me" and "I Ain't Superstitious" would drive Truth to best-seller status in the U.S. and set the template for much of the blues-rock (and heavy metal) to follow.

More » Jimi Hendrix Experience's Are Your Experienced?. Photo courtesy Legacy Recordings Jimi Hendrix Experience â 'Are Your Experienced?' (1967) The stunning debut by the Jimi Hendrix Experience blew so many minds because nobody had ever heard anything quite like it. The album's soulful vocals; dazzling guitar pyrotechnics; solid, heavy rhythms; and brilliant original songs like "Foxy Lady," "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," and "Fire" blended blues, jazz, soul, and psychedelic rock unlike anybody before or since. Although British and American releases included different songs – a situation since corrected by CD reissues of Are You Experienced? – one thing was certain on both sides of the pond...Jimi Hendrix was an artist of exceptional vision and ability. More » John Mayall's Bluesbreakers' Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton. Photo courtesy Polydor Records Buy from Amazon One of, if not the most influential blues-rock album in the genre, Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton made a star of guitarist Clapton and cemented John Mayall 's reputation as one of the forefathers of the British blues scene.

With a smattering of Mayall's original songs and rockin' covers of music from Willie Dixon ("All Your Love"), Freddie King ("Hideaway"), and Moses Allison ("Parchman Farm"), Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton brought the blues to a Beatles-crazed England and opened the floodgates to a tidal wave of blues-rock bands. Check Amazon rating » Johnny Winter's Johnny Winter. Photo courtesy Legacy Recordings Buy from Amazon By 1969, blues-rock music was already giving up ground to the popularity of psychedelic and hard rock in England, setting the stage for the proto-metal of bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. In the states, however, interest in the blues was rekindled by the fiery fretwork found on Texas guitarist Johnny Winter 's self-titled debut album. Leading a classic power-trio line-up, Winter offered up blustery houserockin' blue covers like Sonny Boy Williamson 's "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" alongside smooth blues like B.B. King 's "Be Careful With A Fool." Original material like "Leland Mississippi Blues" and "I'm Yours And I'm Hers" offered a perfect showcase for Winter's roaring guitar.

Check Amazon rating » Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin. Photo courtesy Atlantic Records Led Zeppelin â 'Led Zeppelin' (1969) Originally known as the "New Yardbirds," Led Zeppelin took the blueprint written by Cream and pushed it further towards the hard rock end of the spectrum. First, however, Jimmy Page 's blues roots would be displayed on the band's self-titled debut, which reinterpreted the blues in a heavy metal vein with songs like "Dazed and Confused" and "Good Times Bad Times," as well as a pair of Willie Dixon songs, "You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You Baby." Zeppelin's plundering of the blues tradition, fueled by Page's ripping fretwork, Robert Plant's bluesy wail, and the dynamic rhythm section of bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham, would make them the biggest band in the world during the early 1970s. More » Paul Butterfield Blues Band's Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Photo courtesy Elektra Records Paul Butterfield Blues Band â 'Paul Butterfield Blues Band' (1965) The self-titled debut effort from Paul Butterfield Blues Band would turn the blues world in America on its head, much as Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton would a year later in England. A multi-racial band comprised of Chicago blues veterans, Paul Butterfield's gruff-n-tumble vocals and raging harp would be complimented by guitarists Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop , and supported by a stellar rhythm section in bassist Jerome Arnold and drummer Sam Lay, both from Howlin' Wolf's band. The album's mix of original material, including friend-of-the-band Nick Gravenites ' "Born In Chicago" and the collaborative "Thank You Mr. Poobah" sit comfortably alongside covers of songs from Willie Dixon, Little Walter , Elmore James, and Muddy Waters. More » John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and Friends: 70th Birthday Concert on Blu-ray Disc Review by Brandon A. DuHamel on BigPictureBigSound John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers and Friends: 70th Birthday Concert on Blu-ray Disc Review By Brandon A.

DuHamel The Performance John Mayall, known as "the father of British blues," has helped to launch the career of many a British musician, including the likes of Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Mick Fleetwood. His career highlight was in the late 1960's when he had his first commercial breakthrough with his band, The Bluesbreakers, with the album The Bluesbreakers and Eric Clapton. This July 19, 2003 concert performance in Liverpool was in celebration of Mayall's 70th birthday and held as a fundraising event for the Unite for UNICEF series to raise awareness of child exploitation. The concert saw Mayall reunited with members from the classic 60's Bluesbreakers lineups, Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor, as well as veteran trombonist Chris Barber. Drawing from his over fifty-year career, Mayall and company ran through sixteen blues numbers, both original and traditional, such as "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Oh, Pretty Woman." A particular highlight is the duet between Mayall and Clapton of "No Hurry," sounding like a mix between roadside and Delta blues.

This disc should be a treasure for anyone into the blues -- particularly Anglo-blues -- and fans of Mayall, Clapton, and Taylor. The Picture The 1.78:1 AVC/MPEG-4 encoding on this Blu-ray release is in 1080i and originally captured in HD. It offers solid black levels, reserved video noise, natural flesh tones and strong contrast levels. It has a great lifelike look to it with an absence of any obvious compression artifacts, but there are some occasional motion artifacts that creep in, probably due to the 1080i source. That is still not enough to detract from the high level of detail here, in both foreground and background shots. This is a strong looking presentation for sure. The Sound Apart from a little jaggedness in the high frequencies, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 options both sound wonderfully balanced and energetic on this release, with good dynamics and air around the instruments. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix adds some slight ambience and crowd noise to the surrounds and a bit deeper bass over the PCM, but both are quite pleasant.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix squeezes the soundstage a tad and emphasizes the roughness in the high frequencies even more. I'd recommend avoiding it if you can. The Extras It's always a welcome bonus when a concert disc provides extra performances, as is the case on this release. The three additional tracks include two by The Bluesbreakers on their own and one more with Mayall & The Bluesbreakers with Mick Taylor. There's also a fine, if brief, interview with Mayall discussing the history of The Bluesbreakers and the various musicians that have made stopovers in the band. The extras provided on this release are: Bonus Performances (1.78:1; 1080i/60): Interview with John Mayall (1.78:1; 480i/60) Final Thoughts Seventy years on, and Mayall still gots da blues. This fine presentation from Eagle Rock will make a strong addition to any music lover's collection, being one of the better audio and video encodings they have released, with great music to boot.

Product Details Performers: John Mayall, Mick Taylor, Eric Clapton, Chris Barber Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4 Audio/Language: English LPCM 2.0, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Blu-ray Disc Release Date: June 30, 2009 List Price: $24.98

Question: John Mayall's band which helped launch Eric Clapton's career was called what?
Answer: Bluesbreakers