Jeff Beck/Mick Taylor/Mick Jagger et al
This Is The Blues, Vol 1
Eagle Rock Records
www.eaglerockent.com

Rory Gallagher/Jack Bruce/Peter Green et al
This Is The Blues Vol 2
Eagle Rock Records
www.eaglereockent.com
By George W. Harris

This pair of cds (which will eventually get to 4 Volumes) answers the
important question, “What happened to all of the 60s rockers that were
frustrated black blues artists?” Back when the British Invasion of rock
was creating such a hubbub, a sub group of artists were exploring the
REAL roots by delving into the songbooks of Robert Johnson, Willie
Dixon, T-Bone Walker and the like. Groups like Cream, John Mayall’s
Bluesbreakers and the original Fleetwood Mac (yes, at one time they
were a blues band!!!) put out some burning stuff, of which most rock of
the 70s up to now is a result. Just about every guy that had a
blues-rock band in the 60s is here, freed from the shackles of
commercial and social necessities, and just playing what they dreamed
of when they were tuning their first Gibson.

Volume 1 has Ex Bluesbreaker and Stones Mick Taylor moaning on his axe
on “You Shook Me” along with ex-Jeff Beck Group Max Middleton on
keyboards. Speaking of Beck, he’s got his Les Paul amped up on “Hobo
Blues” while Ex-Mott The Hoople Luther Grovesnor and Ariel Bender hit
the right spot on “Cryin’ Won’t Bring You Back.” Jack Bruce’s voice has
aged like a leather belt, and is better for it on “I’m In The Mood.”
The venerable group Savoy Brown comes off amazingly well on the
acoustic “Going Down Mobile,” while Mick Jagger cranks out his
harmonica on Chris Jagger’s bona fide “Rackateer Blues.” Not a bad way
to spend an hour plus at all.

Volume 2 continues the good feelings with Rory Gallagher’s vintage take
of “Leaving Town Blues” and Jack Bruce sounding like the Muddy Waters’
nephew on “Send For Me.” Ex-Beckers bobby Tench and Max Middleton
reunite for a heavy duty “Albatross” while Southside Johnny gives a
Springsteenish “Baby When The Sun Goes Down.” Two highlights are Kim
Simmonds with Savoy Brown on a sepia toned “Stop Messin’ Round” and
Peter Green back from hiding on a viscerally hitting “Traveling
Riverside Blues.” John Lee Hooker himself chimes in with Booker T.
Jones (of The MG’s) on an eerie “Red House.” During the whole two plus
hours, you get a sense that these cats are finally at home doing what
they want, and don’t care who’s listening, which means that those who
are listening are the real beneficiaries. Look for these far and wide.
Oh Yeah!