The Blues Breakers was Eric Clapton’s first step to his soon to be iconic status. People were writing “Clapton Is God” on walls already and he was just getting started. This album will help you understand why he ascended to this lofty status.
The John Mayall With Eric Clapton release finds itself remastered on the Audio Fidelity 24 karat gold disc in its original mono sound. I am certain blues enthusiast and Clapton fans will be gaga over this one. The gold disc version itself earmarks it as a collectable however with the addition of the mono tracks makes it an instant sought after item and soon to be rarity.
Mayall’s band became a springboard to stardom for many guitarists of Clapton’s ilk such as Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac) and Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones). I do not think Taylor was on the same level as EC but Green definitely was. What is even more remarkable is the fact that these three legendary guitarists joined Mayall’s band in succession!
I like what the outside of the slipcover says on this CD “The original dynamic range of this recording was not maximized, brickwalled, limited or compressed in any way during remastering”. For this listener a statement to that effect means something from an overall listening experience and as a collector. I think this will resonate throughout the music buying community.
I listened to this a few times and realized why this became important music so rapidly, and for obvious reasons never waned, in fact it has done nothing but increase interest in John Mayall’s music and lets people get a glimpse of a developing superstar in EC.
Blues Breakers is some killer blues and I would not be sticking my neck out to say that this was the template for everything going forward regarding all British and white boy blues worldwide. To hear it in this format is icing on the cake.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
