John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

John Mayall has dedicated his 70 years to the tireless promotion of American blues, adding his distinctive British stamp while expanding the genre through the originality of his inventions. His true contributions to the blues have often been overshadowed by the staggering list of musicians who have flowed through his ranks, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Coco Montoya, Jack Bruce, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. Fifty-two albums later, this blues survivor continues to perfect his craft with a seasoned line-up of Bluesbreakers who meet every demand of their tireless leader. Fourteen songs are presented, including six originals, with the guitar of Texan Buddy Whittington remaining the dominant Bluesbreaker weapon. The key track is "The Mists Of Time,” a beautiful Mayall original that lasts almost eight minutes and ends too soon. "Dirty Water” is another high point, given Mayall’s moody, Bayou-esque guitar, near-ghoulish vocals, stirring harmonica and the witty lyrics of Buddy and Julie Miller. Stories is hardly Mayall at his very best, but it stands as testament to his unfaltering passion for the blues.