Forty Below
Records Set to Release John Mayall’s Talk About That Album on Vinyl
February 17
Vinyl Package
to Include Free Download Card
LOS ANGELES, CA – Forty Below Records announces a February
17 release date for the vinyl edition of iconic musician and Blues Hall of Fame
member John Mayall’s latest album, Talk About That. Originally
released on CD January 27, the vinyl version will also include a free download
card.
Joining Mayall (vocals, keyboards, harmonica and guitar) and
Greg Rzab (bass), Jay Davenport (drums) and Rocky Athas (guitar) as special
guest is legendary guitarist Joe Walsh, who plays on two tracks, “The Devil
Must Be Laughing” and “Cards on the Table,” both John Mayall compositions.
John Mayall will begin a lengthy European tour in early
February. His most-recent American dates included several days onboard the
“Legends Cruise,” and featured an exciting special guest appearance from
another legend – Todd Rundgren – who jammed on guitar with John and the band on
the Otis Rush classic, “All Your Love.”
Talk About That is drawing rave reviews from
the press and extensive radio airplay. “…Mayall continues to work tirelessly to spread the blues gospel…the 11 tracks
offer a master class in contemporary blues, topped off with a helping of
Mayall’s trademark lyrical wit and even a guest appearance by Joe Walsh”
- People.com.
“Talk About That ranks with the best.
Some may talk about that statement all day, but in the end, it’s true.
Everything that defines a great album is here. Mayall wrote some songs that
matter, and interspersed three smart covers. His quartet, aided by a trio of
brass as needed, smokes every one with remarkable potency.” – Elmore
Magazine
Watch a special musicUcansee.com
video of the making of Talk about That
“When I first had
the idea for the title track, ‘Talk about That,’ I wanted to write lyrics that
were about aspects of life that were running through my head,” John Mayall
recalled. “I also wanted to give the song a modern groove that would convey the
fun mood driving the piece. Greg and Jay laid down a really infectious
rhythm for me to feature my keyboard chops and bring the song to life with a
really funky feel driving it.”
Throughout
his career, John Mayall has always written timely songs that reflect what he
sees going on in the world around him, whether it’s war, poverty, social
injustice or personal introspection. Such is the case with “The Devil Must Be
Laughing,” which deals with the current political and world climate. And that
incentive also brought him in touch with Joe Walsh, who contributes some
percolating guitar work that melds perfectly with the song’s theme.
“A day
before we recorded ‘The Devil Must Be Laughing,’ we got a message through the
studio owner that Joe Walsh wanted to come by and possibly play on a track or
two as a guest,” Mayall said. “Who was I to say no to that idea! So, Joe
turned up at noon on the appointed day and with only a quick listen, plugged in
and we did the song in one take. The second song closely followed, and
with a smile and a quick photo, Joe was done and on his way. What a kick
for all of us that day!”
For Joe Walsh, playing on a session
with one of his musical heroes held a special place. “It
has been a bucket-list item since 1970 to play with John Mayall,” Walsh
said. “John had a run of GREAT British guitarists (one after another)
with his ‘Bluesbreakers’ albums, and that’s how many of us in the States
became aware of them. Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor - I
studied them all for hours and became a much better guitarist as a
result. The albums were legendary stuff and I have wanted to work with John for
years and years, wondering what it would be like.
“Finally got the chance - and he
was the complete gentleman and fine, fine musician I had always hoped he would
be. When you meet a hero who helped shape your career – it’s a wonderful
feeling to find they’re even cooler than you always thought they were.”
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