- Audio CD (30 Jun 2003)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Spectrum
- ASIN: B000001F6U
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 33,633 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Album Review
With a release coming only two months after Crusade, The Blues Alone, the first Mayall "solo" album (i.e. without The Bluesbreakers), was John Mayall's third album of 1967, or fourth, if you count the various artists compilation Raw Blues. Like Raw Blues, it was released initially on Decca's discount Ace of Clubs label to distinguish it from a regular Mayall album, although the distinction has been lost over time. It was actually recorded prior to Crusade on May 1, 1967. Mayall played and overdubbed all instruments except drums, which were handled by Bluesbreaker Keef Hartley, which was one way of dealing with his ongoing personnel difficulties (by this time, his bassist, John McVie, had left to join Fleetwood Mac). It also served notice that, despite his band being a spawning ground for several British stars by now, the real star of the group was its leader. But it didn't quite prove that, since Mayall, while certainly competent on harmonica, keyboards, and guitars, doesn't display the flair of an Eric Clapton or Peter Green, and the overdubbing, as is so often the case, robs the recording of any real sense of interplay. --William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In the light of John Mayall's justly celebrated work with ever-changing band lineups (including the odd future superstar), it would be easy to overlook this solo effort which appeared shortly after Hard Road with Peter Green. "The Blues Alone" is pretty much what it claims to be, just Mayall on vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica (and surprisingly, celeste!) with unobtrusive support from drummer Keef Hartley on a couple of tracks (oh, and a steam train on "Catch that Train"). Fittingly, it is a very personal album, deeply moving in places ("Down the Line" and "Broken Wings" are both eerily beautiful), assertive in others ("No More Tears" and "Don't Kick Me" both feature driving guitar from the man himself) and just plain rockin' in others ("Sonny Boy Blow" is a joyous boogie-woogie blast with jangly piano an some pretty wild harmonica). Mayall's vocals are superb throughout. Along with "Turning Point" and "Laurel Canyon", this remains one of my personal favourites by this truly great performer.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Imagine that you were a teenager when he recorded this ; had heard 'Bluesbreakers'and come of age , and had lived ever since with 'Marsha's Mood' and 'Broken Wings' as lifetime music - and your original vinyl has just had an encounter with your dearly loved nephew's toddler.......
Absolutely unreplaceable , this is one of the few records I can't live without. Just John Mayall demonstrating why an old man made an impression back then which has lasted my lifetime.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Intimate English blues
3 Mar 2002
Format:Audio CD
The Blues Alone is an intimate album, with John Mayall playing all instruments except (sometimes) drums, and writing all the material. This music here apparently could not fit into the mold of the Bluesbreakers. The arrangements are spare, and John's guitar and keyboard work is nimble without calling attention to itself. John draws on a variety of blues sounds and traditions that I am unqualified to name, but can recognize. There are no bad songs on the album, and five that I particularly enjoy: "No More Tears", a rollicking happy song with an impressive upper-register guitar solo, "Canceling Out" an angry denunciation by a man on the make of women he picks up who aren't what they seem to be, "Brown Sugar" a smoldering song of praise about the pleasures of a brown-skinned lover (please not to be confused with the tongue-in-cheek but still offensive Rolling Stones song), "Broken Wing", a beautiful song of redemption featuring a gorgeous organ solo; and "Don't Kick Me", a rocker with a thundering bass line. This is my favorite Mayall album of the six or so I have heard, more satisfying than the very popular The Turning Point.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
You get Mayall
25 Mar 2002
Format:Audio CD
Mayall is revered as a blues legend for the band members he had and has. This old album (which I have played for 30+ plus years) highlights how good Mayall is himself where he plays every sound on the album apart from some drums from Hughie Flint. The result is a classic blues album. The album features his song writing and playing ability whether on harmonic, guitar or keyboards. As the liner notes say, his guitar is unlikely to cause others to jump off bridges (or words to that effect), but listening to his historic 9 string guitar or harmonica or his keyboards envokes strong emotions. There are many highlights, but the best are 'Sonny boy blow' and 'Broken wings'.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Its all about Marsha's Mood
10 Sep 2003
Format:Audio CD
I am no expert! Yet in my humble opinion the track "Marsha's Mood" is the quintessensial blues number. It conveys strong and disturbed emotion with beautiful simplicity. Mayall's music may be described as unpolished but for me this only creates depth and raw sentiment.
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