John Mayall - So Many Roads: An Anthology 1964-1974

The veteran British blues titan’s first golden decade

Despite giving first exposure to a stellar string of UK musicians, John Mayall seemed to get more credit at the time than he does now for his unpredictable but ever-passionate crusade to further the blues music he loved. Whether redefining electric guitar blues with Eric Clapton on 1966’s Bluesbreakers, or unexpectedly going unplugged on 1969’s drummer-free The Turning Point, Mayall was never afraid to take chances with his ever-changing line-ups, releasing a staggering number of albums during the first decade of recording showcased in this box set, which acts as a perfect companion to 2007’s expanded reissues from the same period.

Two discs are given to each of Mayall’s five-year periods with Decca then Polydor, from Crawling Up A Hill, recorded for his John Mayall Plays John Mayall debut at Hampstead’s Klook’s Kleek club in December 1964, to Gasoline Blues from 1974’s This Turning Point. It’s always a thrill hearing the Clapton, Green and Taylor line-ups in full flight, but the real beauty of this set is how it effectively demonstrates what an unwavering powerhouse Mayall was in his own right. And the story doesn’t stop here as, in the grand blues tradition, he continues to work at 77 years old.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Universal | 532 764-2 (4-CD)

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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