Forty
Below Records Signs the Legendary Godfather of British Blues, John
Mayall, and Will Release His First New Studio Album in Five Years, A Special Life, on May 13
Latest CD, Which Features Special Guest C. J. Chenier, Is One of John Mayall’s Finest and Most Personal Albums to Date
LOS
ANGELES, CA – Forty Below Records announces the signing of the
legendary “Godfather of British Blues,” John Mayall, and a May 13
release date for his first studio album in five years, A Special Life,
distributed by Sony/RED. The new album was recorded in November, 2013,
at Entourage Studios in North Hollywood and was produced by Mayall, with
co-production, engineering and mixing by Eric Corne. A Special Life also boasts original cover art and design created by John Mayall.
The aptly-titled A Special Life
serves as further testament to John Mayall’s boundless talent, vitality
and ever-dynamic personality. Along with his accomplished band, he goes
back to his roots on the new album with an eclectic mix of songs centered in the blues, but with diversions into rock and Americana.
Backing
Mayall on the new album are Texas guitarist Rocky Athas and a
Chicago-based rhythm section of Greg Rzab on bass and Jay Davenport on
drums. The current band lineup came together five years ago for his last
studio album, Tough, and has developed an amazing
chemistry over the years through consistent touring both in the U.S. and
around the world. Athas came on the recommendation of Mayall’s former
guitarist Buddy Whittington, and quickly asserted himself as a major
force in the band. After Rzab came onboard to play bass, he recommended
Davenport for the drum spot and the group was complete.
Since
2009, the new, leaner four-piece lineup has given John more room to
stretch out as an instrumentalist. After being invited to do a guest
spot on Walter Trout’s latest album, John met engineer/producer Eric
Corne. John was so impressed that he asked Eric to record his new album.
Greg, Jay and Rocky flew in for the sessions which took less than a
week to record and the end result is one of John's best albums ever,
with its deep devotion to blues and roots music. Accordion legend C.J.
Chenier makes a powerhouse guest appearance on a couple of tracks,
including the opener, “Why Did You Go Last Night,” written and
previously recorded by his father, Zydeco icon Clifton Chenier. A Special Life
also includes three new songs penned by John and a reworked Mayall
classic to go along with covers of Jimmy Rogers (“That’s All Right”),
Albert King (“Floodin’ in California”), Sonny Landreth (“Speak of the
Devil”), Jimmy McCracklin (“I Just Got to Know”) and Eddie Taylor (“Big
Town Playboy”), plus a new song written by Greg Rzab and Rocky Athas.
John
Mayall and his band are scheduled to start a major two-month tour of
Europe in mid-February and will return to the U.S. to begin touring
around the country with the album’s release, headlining major concert
venues as well as performing at festivals throughout the spring and
summer. John Mayall is booked by Monterey International.
John
Mayall’s place in music history has been assured ever since he put
together the first of his bands, known as the Bluesbreakers in 1963.
Besides his own work, John also backed blues greats John Lee Hooker,
T-Bone Walker and Sonny Boy Williamson on their first English club
tours.
When
Eric Clapton quit the Yardbirds, John quickly offered him the job as
his new guitarist and the band recorded the all-time best-selling
classic album, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton.
However, by the time it was entering the charts, Clapton and bassist
Jack Bruce had left to form Cream. So began a succession of future stars
who would define their roots under John's leadership before leaving to
form their own groups. Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood became
Fleetwood Mac. Andy Fraser formed Free, and Mick Taylor joined the
Rolling Stones.
In
1969, with his popularity blossoming in the USA, John caused somewhat
of a stir with the release of a drummer-less acoustic live album
entitled The Turning Point, from which his song, “Room to
Move,” became a rock classic. He received a gold record for this album.
Attracted by the West Coast climate and culture, John then made his
permanent move from England to Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles and began
forming bands with American musicians. Throughout the ‘70s, John became
further revered for his many jazz/rock/blues innovations featuring such
notable performers as Blue Mitchell, Red Holloway, Larry Taylor and
Harvey Mandel.
In
1982, John decided to re-form the original Bluesbreakers. Mick
Fleetwood was unavailable at the time so John hired drummer Colin Allen
to join with John McVie and Mick Taylor for a couple of tours and a
video concert film entitled Blues Alive. Featured greats
were Albert King, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Etta James. Public
reaction convinced Mayall that he should honor his driving blues roots
and he quickly selected his choices for a new incarnation of the
Bluesbreakers. Officially launched in 1984, it included future stars in
their own right, guitarists Coco Montoya and Walter Trout.
Throughout
the eighties and nineties, John's popularity went from strength to
strength with a succession of dynamic albums including the
Grammy-nominated Wake Up Call that featured guest artists Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Albert Collins and Mick Taylor.
In
1993, Texas guitarist Buddy Whittington joined the Bluesbreakers and
for the next ten years energized the band with his unique and fiery
ideas. Making his recording debut on Mayall's Spinning Coin album, he proved to be more than equal to following in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors. Padlock on the Blues featured a rare collaboration with his close friend John Lee Hooker. On Along for the Ride,
Mayall re-teamed with a number of his former mates, including Peter
Green, Mick Taylor, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, as well as ZZ Top's
Billy Gibbons, Steve Miller, Billy Preston, Steve Cropper, Otis Rush,
Gary Moore, Jeff Healey and Jonny Lang. In 2002, Stories debuted on the Billboard blues chart at #1.
At
a 70th Birthday celebration in aid of UNICEF in Liverpool, a concert
was filmed, recorded and released as a DVD and double CD in December
2003. Along with the Bluesbreakers, it featured old friends Eric
Clapton, Mick Taylor and Chris Barber. The BBC also aired an hour-long
documentary on John's life and career entitled The Godfather of British Blues and to coincide with the release of Road Dogs in 2005, John was awarded an OBE by The Queen's Honours list. In the spring of 2007, John Mayall's 56th album release, In the Palace of the King, was an entire studio album that honored and paid tribute to the music of Mayall's long-time hero of the blues, Freddie King.
Over
the last ten years, Mayall has additionally released live recordings on
his own online label, Private Stash Records (some still available on
his website). They include Time Capsule (containing historic 1957-62 live tapes), UK Tour 2K (from a 2000 British tour), Boogie Woogie Man (a selection of solo performances), Cookin' Down Under (a live DVD from Australia), No Days Off (another British live show), Live in London and Historic Live Shows.
