John Mayall - The Turning Point - 1969 - Review

Songs: The Laws Must Change, Saw Mill Gulch Road, I´m Gonna Fight For You J.B., So Hard To Share, California, Thoughts About Roxanne, Room To Move.

Type of Music: British Blues

Comments:

Mick Taylor had just left for the Stones and John Mayall was left with Steve Thompson on Bass only. Instead of looking for new guitar players and drummers however, he invited two session musicians (Jon Mark & Johnny Almond) and went on tour.

One of these basically acoustic concerts was recorded on July 12, 1969 at the Fillmore East in New York City.

The record is a relaxing mix of blues and long jazzy grooves carried by Johnny´s Sax and Jon´s acoustic finger-style guitar. The album got extra airplay of course on account of the single Room to Move that was released in countries like The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For once the single is indeed the best track on the album.

None of the other songs is bad as well. The only problem I have with the album is that all songs sound somewhat similar, caused by the stripped instrumentation and John´s slightly irritating voice.

I actually think that this might have been a great album if performed by a full band line up including electric guitar and drums. And with a better singer!!

Yeah, I know,  I´m going too far now. Because we wouldn´t be talking about a John Mayall album any longer. So let´s take The Turning Point for what it is. A pleasant relaxing jazzy blues album made by four performers that play together in a very natural way. And they couldn´t have had much time to rehearse!

Who should buy this Record: A Must For John Mayall and Jazz/Blues fans.  It´s not an Essential Rock Record however.   

Afterthought: You better look  for  the Re-Mastered version released in 2001. It has 3 bonus tracks, a/o the single Don´t Waste My Time.  

Score: ******* (7 out of 10)