John Mayall: Room To Move

John Mayall may be considered the grandfather to a number of top bands. This list includes Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Mark-Almond, and others who studied under the tutelage of the master: Mr. John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers. In 1969 when Mick Taylor left the Bluesbreakers to join The Rolling Stones as their lead guitarist, the band folded. Mayall decided that his music needed a turning point – to move away from the loud electric guitars and drums; and so, he formed his next band that provided a slightly subdued version of the blues.

Today’s bubbling under recording comes from that era – a new band, a new sound, and a new record label – Polydor. It truly was “The Turning Point” and the album by that moniker came to fruition with the recordings of a live show from the Fillmore East on July 12, 1969.

Released as an un-charting single, “Room to Move” features Mayall on harmonica, vocals, and mouth percussion; Johnny Almond on flute and mouth percussion; Jon Mark on acoustic guitar; and Steve Thompson on bass. What a great tune that showcases this tight band in a live context. Who knew in 1969 that the human beat box would ever be so extremely popular.