British Bluesman John
Mayall’s latest release, A Special Life on the Forty Below Records label
features band members guitarist Rocky Athas, bass guitarist Greg Rzab, and
drummer Jay Davenport, with a guest appearance by C.J. Chenier who adds his
impact on this memorable release. Blues lovers are in for a treat with John
Mayall – A Special Life from the legendary John “The Godfather of British
Blues” Mayall.
John Mayall – A Special
Life: Why Did You Go Last Night, Speak Of The Devil, That’s All Right, World
Gone Crazy, Floodin’ In California, Big Town Playboy, A Special Life, I Just
Got To Know, Heartache, Like A Fool, Just A Memory
John Mayall – A Special
Life: John Mayall: vocals, piano, organ, harmonica, clavinet, lead guitar on
tracks 5 and 7; Rocky Athas: lead and rhythm guitar except on track 7; Greg
Rzab: bass guitar and percussion on track 9; Jay Davenport: drums; C.J.
Chenier: vocals on track 1 and 8, accordion on track 1
John Mayall – A Special
Life was produced by John Mayall and Co-Produced by Eric Corne on the Forty Below Records label.
John Mayall, singer,
songwriter, musician, producer, knows no boundaries; his work transcends time,
and at 80 years of age (he was born on November 29, 1933), his energy is
clearly focused on his latest release, A Special Life. Since the beginning, he
has made his mark on the world of blues, and his former band, The Bluesbreakers
included such legendary luminaries as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick
Fleetwood, John McVie, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel, Walter Trout,
and Coco Montoya, and that is just the tip of the musical iceberg in his “who’s
who” of talent he has played with over the years.
The cover art is gorgeous
and features John Mayall’s guitar laden with turquoise, coral, and silver, and
musicians who like to play along while listening will appreciate the keys noted
for each of the songs on the inside cover.
The release opens with the
Zydeco legend Clifton Chenier song, Why Did You Go Last Night, which features
guest C.J. Chenier adding vocals and accordion on his father’s song that
captures the listener’s attention with the instrumental intro that segues into
the catchy lyrics, “Oh, pretty baby, why did you go last night…” and the band’s
ability to blend chords into a delicious musical cocktail. Shake it up, baby!
Next in the line-up is the
Sonny Landreth song, Speak Of The Devil, followed by the Jimmy Rogers song,
That’s All Right, a foot stomping blues number. The 11-track release continues
the magical vibe with three new Mayall songs, and a remake of an old Mayall
favorite with World Gone Crazy, the title track, A Special Life, Heartache an
especially fine instrumental piece with Greg Rzab adding percussion, and Just A
Memory.
John Mayall takes over
lead guitar on the Albert King song, Floodin’ In California which opens with a
killer drum intro and speaks of the floods in Los Angeles
and San Francisco,
then the band slides into the Eddie Taylor song, Big Town Playboy. Rocky Athas
moves over as lead guitarist again on the Mayall title track, A Special Life
with John showing his prowess and why he was recognized and awarded an O.B.E.
(Order of the British Empire) for his lifetime
music contribution.
C.J. Chenier is back on
the Jimmy McCracklin song, I Just Got To Know, adding his
vocals, and then the band segues into the Mayall song, Heartache. Next in the
line-up is the Greg Rzab and Rocky Athas song, Like A Fool.
The release closes with the
aptly named Mayall song, Just A Memory, and what a memory it is; blues lovers do
not miss out on purchasing A Special Life, and if at all possible, get yourself
out of your chair, or wherever else it is that you like to listen to music, and
get yourself to a John Mayall concert in Europe or in the United States. A
Special Life is indeed special, and one that is all the better when shared.
For information on John
Mayall – A Special Life as well as information on upcoming tour dates, please
visit the website: www.JohnMayall.com
Listen to a sampler of
John Mayall – A Special Life at www.FortyBelowRecords.com
Follow John Mayall on
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/JohnMayallBlues
Follow Luxury Experience
on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LuxuryExperience
Websites where you can
procure John Mayall – A Special Life: Amazon, BarnesandNoble, and CDUniverse.
© August 2014. Luxury
Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
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