John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Genuine 1968 Release on Decca Records

"Blues From Laurel Canyon" by John Mayall is the first album after the breakup from the "Blues Breakers". This album also introduces Mick Taylor as a guitarist.

John Mayall explains the reasons for being happy with Mick Taylor as guitarist. On the 14th of July '68 The Bluesbreakers were disbanded following my decision to work in more of a solo capacity with a small 'backing group'. This boiled down to choosing the right personnel for the now quartet formation. I doubt if there could be a better choice than guitarist Mick Taylor who really shows his brilliance on this new album. He has worked with me longer than any other guitarist I've had and I hope that we'll continue as a team for a long time to come. I also have great faith and high hopes for the new rhythm section of Stephen Thompson and Colin Allen who, after an amazingly short time of being 'thrown in the deep end', are already settling down extremely well. This album is the story of my 3 weeks vacation in Los Angeles after the abolition of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. I'm very satisfied that the others have been able to interpret in music so accurately all the experiences and feelings I had during this brief visit to my new found 'home'.

Peter Green is the guest guitarist on the track: "First Time Alone"

Album Front Cover Photo of John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
John Mayall's "Blues from Laurel Canyon": A Sunset Strip Sermon on Electric Mud
Album Description:

John Mayall, that tireless blues troubadour, that British blues boombox, has once again uprooted himself, this time trading the smog-choked streets of London for the sun-drenched canyons of Los Angeles. On "Blues from Laurel Canyon," released in 1968, Mayall delivers a sonic postcard from this new frontier, a collection of songs that capture the spirit of change and experimentation that permeated the Sunset Strip in the late '60s.

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, steeped in reverb and dripping with wah-wah.

Mayall's songwriting on this album is sharp and observant, drawing inspiration from the characters and landscapes of his new Californian home. He sings of Hollywood hustlers and canyon dwelling hippies, of desert sunsets and freeway traffic jams. His lyrics are infused with a sense of wonder and possibility, reflecting the optimism of a generation on the cusp of cultural revolution. He paints a vivid picture of his time in Laurel Canyon, detailing his encounters with fellow musicians like Canned Heat and Frank Zappa, as well as his romantic escapades.

The album's production, overseen by the legendary Tom Wilson, is crisp and clean, capturing the raw energy of the band's live performances. The recording sessions took place at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, London, a far cry from the sun-drenched canyons of Laurel Canyon, but the band manages to conjure the spirit of their new home nonetheless. This juxtaposition of British recording location and California-inspired content adds another layer of intrigue to the album.

One cannot discuss "Blues from Laurel Canyon" without mentioning the young guitar virtuoso Mick Taylor. Still in his teens at the time of recording, Taylor's incendiary playing is a highlight throughout the album, showcasing his raw talent and potential. It's no wonder he would soon be recruited by the Rolling Stones.

"Blues from Laurel Canyon" is not without its controversies. Some critics accused Mayall of cultural appropriation, claiming that he was co-opting the blues for his own commercial gain. Others dismissed the album as a pale imitation of American blues rock. But for those willing to listen with an open mind and an open heart, "Blues from Laurel Canyon" is a revelation, a testament to the enduring power of the blues to cross boundaries and transcend genres.

John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK ) Essential Information

Music Genre:

Blues

Label & Catalognr:

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

Media Format:

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

Year & Country:

1968 Made in England

John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK ) Production & Recording Information

Album Packaging

This 12" LP vinyl music record comes comes in a Fold Open Cover (FOC), which is also also known as a Gatefold cover. The inner pages of this album cover contains photos, artwork. and liner notes

Producers:

John Mayall - Producer

Mike Vernon - Producer

Mike Vernon: A legend of British blues. Explore his iconic productions, the founding of Blue Horizon Records , and his lasting impact on blues-rock.

 

Recording Location:

"Laurel Canyon" was recorded in three days at the Decca studios West Hampstead 26-28 August 1968


Musicians:
  • John Mayall - Lead Vocals, Harmonica
  • Peter Green - Guitar
  • Mick Taylor - Guitars
  • Stephen Thompson - Bass Guitar
  • Colin Allen - Drums
Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Vacation
  2. Walking on the sunset
  3. Laurel Canyon Home
  4. 2401
  5. Ready to Ride
  6. Medicine man
  7. Somebody's acting like a child
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. The bear
  2. Miss James
  3. First time alone
  4. Long gone midnight
  5. Fly Tomorrow

John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK ) High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
Front Cover Photo Of John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )

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 Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
Photo of album back cover John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
Photo of inside sleeve John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
Photo of inside sleeve John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
Photo of inside sleeve John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
Photo of inside sleeve John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )
Close up of John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK ) record's label
Photo of record label of John Mayall Blues from Laurel Canyon ( Decca, UK )

Index of JOHN MAYALL Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Behind the Iron Curtain 12" Vinyl LP

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.

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John Mayall - The Best of John Mayall 12" Vinyl LP

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

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John Mayall Blues Breakers - With Eric Clapton 12" Vinyl LP

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

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John Mayall - Blues Giant 12" Vinyl LP

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.

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JOHN MAYALL - Blues From Laurel Canyon (Germany) 12" Vinyl LP

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.

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

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,

Learn more

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

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

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John Mayall & His Bluesbreakers - Crocodile Walk / When I'm Gone 7" Vinyl Single

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.

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John Mayall & The Blues Breakers - A Hard Road With Peter Green 12" Vinyl LP

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.

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John Mayall - Last Of The British Blues 12" Vinyl LP

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

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John Mayall - The Turning Point 12" Vinyl LP

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.

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John Mayall - Weisse Serie 12" Vinyl LP

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.

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