Most days, if you go hear an 85 year old musician play, it would probably be at the senior center or some nursing home, but last night at The Canyon Club the audience was treated to the legendary sounds of octogenarian John Mayall, full of excitement, energy, and enthusiasm. Returning after a short hiatus, a smiling and happy Mayall hit the stage with band members half his age; long-time bassist Greg Rzab, drummer Jay Davenport and new member Carolyn Wonderland on guitar and vocals. The audience was treated to a blues clinic reminiscent of Mayall’s early years of the club tours in the burgeoning English blues movement.
The receptive audience, a mixture of young and old, and including friends and family, enjoyed a range of songs from Cajun-influenced (“Baby, Open Your Eyes”) by Carolyn Wonderland (a virtuoso in her own right) to mellow (“Mother-In-Law Blues”). Combining guitar, harmonica and keyboard, John exhibited his mastery that his younger contemporaries can only aspire to. He shared with us a blend of old and new work, delighting the crowd with the classics “Ain’t No Guarantee of Love” and “Chicago Line” as well as newer works like “Being In Love Is A Lonely Feeling” and “Talk About That”.
John was wise to add Carolyn to his troupe, bringing in an added dimension with her lap steel guitar, finger-pickin’ prowess and strong, bluesy voice. With Rzab and Davenport as long-time pillars, the foundation of their music appeared solid and familiar. Long lasting legacies are far and few between, but for this night the legend that is John Mayall came shining through.
Contributed by Kevin Marsden and Ben Griffes
Upcoming shows at The Canyon Club include Jonny Lang 12/02, Robert Cray 12/14 and Taj Mahal 01/18
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