John Mayall Live In Winnipeg November 18, 2009

John Mayall 

and Band

LIVE!

I was lucky enough to get fifth row, center seats for quite a nice concert last night here in Winnipeg at the venerable Pantages Theatre.
British blues god (sorry to all you Christians reading this-it's just a saying) John Mayall (Born 29 November 1933) and his upstanding band hit the stage last night right on time at 8 p.m. and right from the get go it was completely apparent that Mr. Mayall and crew were going to be darn entertaining.
How did I know this?
It's pretty simple, and folks, just because a blueser like John Mayall has been in the biz a long time (like, a grandpaw's length) does not ever necessarily equate to a show like the one this band produced last night.
Not by a long stretch.
Mayall strode onto the stage all by his lonesome, said a brief and friendly hello (again, it must be the grand dad of the blues thing) and proceeded to sing and blow some pretty fantastic harp.
I play a bit of harp and believe me when I say this guy is good. He's no Magic Dick, rather more a stylist hitting some sweet and delicate notes and melodies. Nice.
Then he strolled over to the Korg keyboard and while he played those sharp harp melodies accompanied himself with some on the spot right-handed piano chords. Superb.
He invited the band out and as they slowly moved into position and started in it was easy to see that these cats were ready to work with the master, not just back him up.
With songs from the latest Mayall album "Tough" interspersed between classic Mayall gold the night just got better and better with each song. All the players shone and were each allowed their own time in the spotlight and they each, to a man, came across as skilled without being pedantic and seemed to be enjoying themselves greatly.
Mayall has always been a proponent of bringing new talent forward and watching him groove while the other players soloed was a treat. He genuinely got into it and it made the audience that much more attentive to what the players were doing. There was a short intermission and there was absolutely no loss of power or finesse when the quintet hit the stage after watering the horses. The crowd was super receptive and Mayall seemed genuinely pleased with the loud applause and more than a few standing O's. He deserved every handclap, whistle and cheer-for real folks. John Mayall is no young lion yet he is still capable of bringing a roar to the stage, with the help and support of a fine set of players there to do much more than play charts and hit their marks. These guys are welcome back any time.
for further reading please see: http://www.uptownmag.com/2009-11-12/page4841.aspx

(1933-11-29)