The Mists Of Time - John Mayall (2002)
We have some stunning Electric Blues for our LCM Friday Classic this week. 'The Mists Of Time' is a wonderful track from John Mayall's 2002 album 'Stories'. At almost 8 minutes in length this is a song to savor.
John Mayall grew up in England and loved the blues from an early age. He has always been more famous for the musicians who played with him in The Bluesbreakers than for his own music. Former Bluesbreakers include Eric Clapton, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor, and Peter Green.
'Stories' is typically John Mayall, with tracks ranging from good to great in the context of his current stable of Bluesbreakers, who have been together for years. You can hear it in their fluid sound buoying Mayalls distinctive vocals without submerging them or rising up to gale force required by their unfaltering leader. A "concept album, 'Stories' refers to this collection of 14 songs whose writers have some connection to the Bluesbreaker family. The guitar remains the dominant storyteller. The albums most captivating track, "The Mists Of Time, is a beautiful Mayall original that lasts almost eight minutes while "Dirty Water is another high point, given Mayalls moody, Bayou-esque guitar, near-ghoulish vocals, stirring harmonica, plus witty lyrics from the pens of Buddy and Julie Miller.