Padlock on the Blues

Padlock on the Blues

John Mayall can't get no respect, if "Always a Brand New Road" off of Padlock on the Blues is any indication. The autobiographical song makes mention of what most Mayall fans already know--his not inconsiderable talents have been eclipsed by the much more prominent successes of former Bluesbreakers like Peter Green, Mick Taylor, and Eric Clapton. But Mayall doesn't let it get him down--nor should he. This time around, he's got Joe Sublett playing sax, Tommy Eyre on organ, Buddy Whittington on guitar, and even guest spots from John Lee Hooker on "Somebody's Watching" and "Bad Dream Catcher." Then there's Mayall's own skills on piano and harmonica; if his vocals--never his greatest strength--leave something to be desired, he more than makes up for it as an instrumentalist. Just listen to the piano solo on "Dancing Shoes," or the excellent harp work on "Always a Brand New Road." The piano opening of the title track is eerily reminiscent of the Who's "Love Reign O'er Me," at least until it slams into as satisfying a slow blues as one could wish for. There's something nourishing about Mayall's brand of blues, and Padlock definitely satisfies. --Genevieve Williams

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