John Mayall, that tireless blues bloodhound, isn't content with just studio sorcery. "Crocodile Walk / When I'm Gone," a 7-inch vinyl missile launched in 1969, captures the Bluesbreakers in their rawest, sweatiest element: LIVE.
This ain't your polished, overdubbed LP experience. It's a sonic snapshot of the band tearing up Klooks Kleek club in London, circa 1964. The air crackles with electricity, the crowd roars, and Mayall's harmonica wails like a banshee on a bender. This is blues with its sleeves rolled up, ready to brawl. This recording captures the energy of their early performances, a time when the band was honing their craft and cementing their reputation as a powerhouse live act.
"Crocodile Walk," the A-side, is a Mayall original, a swampy, stomping blues number that slithers and snaps with primal energy. It's a testament to the band's ability to conjure a Louisiana bayou in the heart of London. The song's infectious rhythm and catchy melody made it an instant fan favorite, and it remains a staple of Mayall's live shows to this day. On the flipside, "When I'm Gone" is a slow-burning blues lament, dripping with heartache and regret. Mayall's voice is raw and soulful, conveying a lifetime of hard-won wisdom. The song's emotional intensity and powerful lyrics resonated with listeners, solidifying Mayall's reputation as a songwriter with a deep understanding of the blues.
This single wasn't without its detractors. Some purists scoffed at the "live" gimmick, claiming it was just a way to cash in on the band's growing popularity. Others questioned the choice of songs, arguing that they weren't representative of the band's full range. But for those who crave the unadulterated thrill of live blues, "Crocodile Walk / When I'm Gone" is a shot of pure adrenaline. The raw, unfiltered nature of the recordings appealed to fans who were tired of the overly polished sound of many studio productions.
Recorded at Klooks Kleek and produced by the band themselves, this single is a testament to their DIY spirit. They didn't need fancy studios or expensive producers to capture the essence of their music. All they needed was a stage, a microphone, and an audience hungry for the blues. This independent approach resonated with the burgeoning countercultural movement of the time, further solidifying the band's appeal to a young, rebellious audience.
So crank up the volume and let the needle drop. "Crocodile Walk / When I'm Gone" is a time capsule from a bygone era, a reminder of a time when the blues was still raw, dangerous, and alive. It's a testament to the enduring power of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers to electrify and ignite the soul. It's a must-have for any serious blues fan and a testament to the band's lasting influence on the genre.
