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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Third of the unintentional sixties Bluesbreakers trilogy comprising: "The Beano" (Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton) and "A Hard Road" (with Peter Green), "Crusade" continues with the same formula of covers of blues standards from the likes of Freddy King, Willie Dixon, Otis Rush, Sonny Boy Williamson combined with Mayall (and Mick Taylor) originals.
"Crusade" was part of Mayall's campaign to bring the blues to a wider audience back in 1967, coupled with the release of various singles in that year (featuring various line ups from this and the previous album) all to no avail although "Suspicions" did enter the top 40. Alas with the likes of Cream's classic psychedelic blues rock album "Disraeli Gears" and the Jimi Hendrix Experience's debut "Are You Experienced", Crusade's tired formula was over shadowed and did n't make me part with my money back then, as much as I tried to like it. Nevertheless "Crusade" reached a respectable number 8 in the UK album charts.
Yes I realise as a callow youth myself I was expecting too much from the 18 year old Mick Taylor, but as much as his technical ability and musical maturity belied his tender years, for me there was no comparison to Eric Clapton at age 21 and his blistering savage guitar work on the "Beano" or equally the beautiful melodic economy of the 23 year old Peter Green's playing on "A Hard Road" - what a difference a few years make! Mayall moved on from this formula with his next album - the jazz/blues fusion tinged "Bare Wires" - where Mick was able to stretch and grow (such as on the bonus track "Knockers Step Forward" instrumental).
But good music is not all about guitarists or individual band member contributions is it? The Bluesbreakers line up on "Crusade" was expanded with the addition of a horn section comprising Chris Mercer and Rip Kant, who added more colour and depth to the arrangements as well nice interplay with Mick's guitar work. All in all good songs, good ensemble playing and vocals but no magic or fire.
God knows what the "Hard Road" line up singles and rarities, featuring Peter Green, are doing here (probably would have been more suitable on the expanded version of "Hard Road" or a "Decca London Years" compilation), maybe it's because the more relevant singles and bonus tracks featuring Mick Taylor are now on "Bare Wires".
"Crusade" was part of Mayall's campaign to bring the blues to a wider audience back in 1967, coupled with the release of various singles in that year (featuring various line ups from this and the previous album) all to no avail although "Suspicions" did enter the top 40. Alas with the likes of Cream's classic psychedelic blues rock album "Disraeli Gears" and the Jimi Hendrix Experience's debut "Are You Experienced", Crusade's tired formula was over shadowed and did n't make me part with my money back then, as much as I tried to like it. Nevertheless "Crusade" reached a respectable number 8 in the UK album charts.
Yes I realise as a callow youth myself I was expecting too much from the 18 year old Mick Taylor, but as much as his technical ability and musical maturity belied his tender years, for me there was no comparison to Eric Clapton at age 21 and his blistering savage guitar work on the "Beano" or equally the beautiful melodic economy of the 23 year old Peter Green's playing on "A Hard Road" - what a difference a few years make! Mayall moved on from this formula with his next album - the jazz/blues fusion tinged "Bare Wires" - where Mick was able to stretch and grow (such as on the bonus track "Knockers Step Forward" instrumental).
But good music is not all about guitarists or individual band member contributions is it? The Bluesbreakers line up on "Crusade" was expanded with the addition of a horn section comprising Chris Mercer and Rip Kant, who added more colour and depth to the arrangements as well nice interplay with Mick's guitar work. All in all good songs, good ensemble playing and vocals but no magic or fire.
God knows what the "Hard Road" line up singles and rarities, featuring Peter Green, are doing here (probably would have been more suitable on the expanded version of "Hard Road" or a "Decca London Years" compilation), maybe it's because the more relevant singles and bonus tracks featuring Mick Taylor are now on "Bare Wires".
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a good solid blues album, and any fan of British blues will be satisfied if they buy this. However the album does not compare to the classic 'beno' album, and ultimately was a slight let down. I expect magic from the Blues Breakers, and this album didn't quite provide.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this on vinyl all those years ago, played it to death for months and promptly forgot about it! I remember thinking it was ever so slightly disappointing after the overwhelming brilliance of the Clapton and Green albums. Mick Taylor's playing was great but seemed slightly stilted compared to his illustrious predecessors. How wrong can you be! "Oh Pretty Woman" is the definitive version in my book, "Snowy Wood" is a guitar instrumental par excellence and Taylor's contribution is outstanding throughout. That's not to mention the tight brass section and Mayall's astonishing harmonica solo on "Checkin' Up on my Baby". Even Mayall's usually reedy voice achieves real passion on Buddy Guy's "My Time After Awhile" and shows remarkable sensitivity with his tribute "Death of JB Lenoir".
That's the original tracks 1-12. I'd really like to know who was responsible for what's been added here. If you expect a few outtakes or alternate versions you're likely to be disappointed. Most of the other tracks feature Peter Green and consist in the main of disposable instrumental workouts and an Aynsley Dunbar drum solo on "Rubber Duck". Not awful if you like British blues but what on earth are these tracks doing here? I'm still giving the record five stars though, it's that good.
That's the original tracks 1-12. I'd really like to know who was responsible for what's been added here. If you expect a few outtakes or alternate versions you're likely to be disappointed. Most of the other tracks feature Peter Green and consist in the main of disposable instrumental workouts and an Aynsley Dunbar drum solo on "Rubber Duck". Not awful if you like British blues but what on earth are these tracks doing here? I'm still giving the record five stars though, it's that good.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great !
If you like the Beano Album and Hard Road album you will like this one too. First Mayall LP with Mick Taylor, more concise than the next 2 Taylor was on. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Ricardo lorenzo Flamenco
Remarkable Album. Outstanding Mick Taylor
The comments from many other reviewers compare, often unfavourably the performance of Mick Taylor with Eric Clapton on the famed Beano album. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Adrian Walker
British Blues at it's best!
Re-release of Mayall's 1967 album, with lots of extra tracks, all of which have been available on cd before, apart from Rubber Duck (Aynsley Dunbar's drum solo, which was on the... Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2007 by J. HOLMES
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