John Mayall - THE Turning Point 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Rare Spanish Pressing

John Mayall's "The Turning Point," a 1969 live recording from the Fillmore East, marks a bold departure from his electric blues roots. This rare Spanish pressing, intended for European markets, captures Mayall's adventurous spirit as he explores a new sonic landscape. Stripped of amplified guitars and drums, the album features acoustic instruments, flutes, saxophones, and Mayall's signature harmonica, creating an intimate, almost campfire-like atmosphere. This unexpected shift divided critics and fans alike, with some praising Mayall's artistic evolution and others lamenting the loss of his signature electric sound. However, the album's success solidified Mayall's status as a musical innovator, unafraid to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of the blues genre.

Album Front Cover Photo of John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain )
Mayall's "Turning Point": A Spanish Inquisition of Electric Blues Clichés
Album Description:

1969. Woodstock had just blown minds, Hendrix was still setting guitars ablaze, and John Mayall, the British blues godfather, did the unthinkable: he unplugged. "The Turning Point," a live album recorded at the Fillmore East, is a stark departure from the amplified blues rock that had defined his career. The album's title itself reflects this shift, signaling a new direction for Mayall and his music.

This ain't your typical Mayall jam. Gone are the wailing guitars and thundering drums. Instead, we get acoustic guitars, flutes, saxophones, and Mayall's ever-present harmonica. It's a stripped-down, intimate sound, a sonic campfire gathering in the midst of a rock and roll hurricane. The album's acoustic instrumentation and incorporation of jazz and world music elements resonated with a growing audience seeking a more mellow and introspective sound.

Mayall, backed by Jon Mark's nimble fingerpicking, Johnny Almond's jazzy woodwinds, and Steve Thompson's steady bass, explores a new sonic landscape. There are echoes of folk, blues, and even early world music. It's a testament to Mayall's restless spirit and his willingness to challenge both himself and his audience. Almond's flute playing, in particular, became a signature sound of the album, adding a layer of ethereal beauty to the music.

Naturally, this musical left turn wasn't without its critics. Some die-hard blues fans cried foul, accusing Mayall of abandoning his roots. Others questioned the album's commercial viability, predicting it would alienate his rock-oriented fanbase. But for those willing to open their ears and minds, "The Turning Point" was a revelation, a testament to the versatility of the blues and Mayall's artistry. The album's success proved the naysayers wrong, reaching a wide audience and becoming one of Mayall's most commercially successful releases.

Recorded live at the Fillmore East, the album captures the raw energy and spontaneity of the performance. The production, helmed by Mayall himself, is simple and uncluttered, allowing the music to breathe and the emotions to resonate. The live setting allowed for extended improvisations and showcased the band's chemistry and musicianship.

"The Turning Point" is a brave experiment, a middle finger to genre conventions, and a testament to Mayall's unwavering commitment to artistic exploration. This Spanish pressing, a sonic artifact from a different time and place, is a reminder of the global reach of Mayall's music and the enduring power of the blues to transcend cultural boundaries. The album's popularity in Spain and other European countries solidified Mayall's status as an international blues icon.

Whether you're a longtime Mayall devotee or a curious newcomer, "The Turning Point" is a must-hear. It's a reminder that the blues is more than just a 12-bar structure; it's a feeling, an attitude, a way of life. And John Mayall, ever the trailblazer, continues to show us new paths to explore. The album's influence can still be felt today, inspiring countless musicians to push the boundaries of the blues and explore new sonic territories.

John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain ) Essential Information

Music Genre:

Blues Prog Rock

Label & Catalognr:

Polydor 184 308

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1969 Made in Spain for Export to Europe

John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain ) Production & Recording Information

Producers:

John Mayall - Producer

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Eddie Kramer - Sound Engineer

Eddie Kramer: Iconic producer & engineer behind Hendrix, Zeppelin, & many more. Explore his life & work that shaped rock music history.

Recording Location:

Recorded at Bill Graham's Fillmore East, New York City

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

John Mayall - Album Cover Design


Tracklisting Side One:
  1. The Laws Must Change (7:21)
  2. Saw Mill Gulch Road (4:39)
  3. I'm Gonna Fight For You J.B. (5:27)
  4. So Hard To Share (7:05)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. California (9:30)
  2. Thoughts About Roxanne (8:20)
  3. Room To Move (5:03)

John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain ) High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain )
Front Cover Photo Of John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain )

Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

Photo Of The Back Cover John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain )
Photo of album back cover John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain )
Close up of John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain ) record's label
Photo of record label of John Mayall - Turning Point ( Spain )

Index of JOHN MAYALL Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Behind the Iron Curtain

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Behind the Iron Curtain 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

 GNP Crescendo GNPS 2184 , 1985 , Germany

John Mayall, often referred to as the "Godfather of British Blues," has been a driving force in the blues genre for decades. His seminal work with The Bluesbreakers has left an indelible mark on the blues landscape, influencing countless musicians and shaping the course of blues music.

Behind the Iron Curtain 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall - The Best of John Mayall

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall - The Best of John Mayall 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Polydor 2488 209 / Album 2675 093 D.R. , 1973 , France

Now, don't let the "Best of" title fool you. This ain't no watered-down, radio-friendly collection of hits. Mayall digs deep into his back catalog, unearthing hidden gems and showcasing his evolution from a purist bluesman to a genre-bending experimenter. You get a taste of his early days

The Best of John Mayall 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall Blues Breakers - With Eric Clapton

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall Blues Breakers - With Eric Clapton 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

 Decca SKL 4804 , 1971 , Holland

John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers' "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton," often called the "Beano album," is a landmark in British blues. This 1966 release features a young Eric Clapton's fiery guitar work, a raw sound that revolutionized blues rock. With Clapton's Les Paul through a Marshall amp

Blues Breakers - With Eric Clapton 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall - Blues Giant

Thumbnail Of John Mayall - Blues Giant 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

 Decca 6.28 117 , 1970 , Germany

At the heart of "Blues Gigant" lies Mayall's ability to assemble a stellar lineup of musicians who were influential figures in their own right. Mayall himself is a master of the blues, known for his soulful vocals and skilled harmonica playing.

Blues Giant 12" Vinyl LP

JOHN MAYALL - Blues From Laurel Canyon

Thumbnail Of  JOHN MAYALL - Blues From Laurel Canyon 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

 London 820 539 , 1969 , Germany

Recorded in 1968, John Mayall's "Blues from Laurel Canyon" is a sonic snapshot of his immersion in the Laurel Canyon music scene. Blending electric blues with acoustic guitar and psychedelic influences, the album showcases Mayall's evolving sound and storytelling prowess.

Blues From Laurel Canyon (Germany) 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall - Blues from Laurel Canyon

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall - Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK ) 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

 Decca FFSS SKL.4972 (ZAL 8532) St George Music , 1968 , England

Forget your dusty Delta blues and your Chicago shuffles. Mayall and his band of merry pranksters are channeling the electric mudslide of Jimi Hendrix and the psychedelic swirl of Cream, filtering it through the lens of their own British blues sensibilities. This is blues rock for the Age of Aquarius, baby,

Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK ) 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers - Featuring Eric Clapton & Peter Green

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers - Featuring Eric Clapton & Peter Green 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Decca 6399 111 , 1981 , Holland / Netherlands

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers' 1981 self-titled album, featuring Eric Clapton and Peter Green, stands as an iconic milestone in the blues and rock music panorama. This 12" Vinyl LP, complete with liner notes in Dutch, encapsulates the essence of British blues at its zenith. I

The Bluesbreakers - Featuring Eric Clapton & Peter Green 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall & His Bluesbreakers - Crocodile Walk / When I'm Gone

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall & His Bluesbreakers - Crocodile Walk / When I'm Gone 7" Vinyl Single album front cover

 DECCA DL 25 386 , 1965

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.

Crocodile Walk / When I'm Gone 7" Vinyl Single

John Mayall & The Blues Breakers - A Hard Road With Peter Green

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall & The Blues Breakers - A Hard Road With Peter Green 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Decca SKL 4853 / YAL 7652 , 1967 , Holland

"A Hard Road" was the third studio album released by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, following their successful self-titled debut and "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" (1966). This album marked a transitional phase for the band, as it saw the departure of Eric Clapton and the arrival of Peter Green.

A Hard Road With Peter Green 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall - Last Of The British Blues

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall - Last Of The British Blues 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

 ABC Records AA-1086 , 1978 , USA

This is blues for the bicentennial generation, a raw, unvarnished sound that harkens back to the smoky clubs where Mayall cut his teeth. But it's also a glimpse into the future, with hints of jazz fusion and funk creeping into the mix. Mayall, ever the restless innovator, refuses to be pigeonholed by genre

Last Of The British Blues 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall - The Turning Point

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall - The Turning Point 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Polydor 184 308 , 1969 , Spain

This ain't your typical Mayall jam. Gone are the wailing guitars and thundering drums. Instead, we get acoustic guitars, flutes, saxophones, and Mayall's ever-present harmonica. It's a stripped-down, intimate sound, a sonic campfire gathering in the midst of a rock and roll hurricane.

The Turning Point 12" Vinyl LP

John Mayall - Weisse Serie

Thumbnail Of  John Mayall - Weisse Serie 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

 Decca 6.25 333 (625333) , Germany

This is a Rare German release called: Die Weisse Serie. John Mayall's Weisse Serie 12" Vinyl LP is a collection of recordings from the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing his exceptional blues songwriting and performances. A true gem for fans of Mayall's work and classic blues in general.

Weisse Serie 12" Vinyl LP