Search - John Mayall :: Sense of Place

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Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 04/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Mayall's illustrious career has taken him all over the musical map. His creativity was at low ebb, however, during most of the 1980s. He shows himself back in top form with the issue of Chicago Line and now, A Sense of Place. While it is true that he breaks no new ground here that can hardly be expected at this stage in his career. Mayall has always championed the music of J.B. Lenoir and he opens with a driving version of Lenoir's "I Want to Go". That is followed by a rhythmically pounding "Congo Square", in my opinion the best song on the album. "Send Me Down To Vicksburg" features some fine rollicking keyboards. Other good tunes feature a sensitive take on Santana's "Sensitive Kind", the bluesy Texas tune about the lawless "Jacksboro Highway", and the rocking blues of "All My Life". "I Can't Complain" is at once funny and thought-provoking. About the only ones I don't like are a swabby rendition of "Let's Work Together" and "Black Cat Moan". If you liked the Mayall of old, you'll like him once again when you hear "A Sense of Place". There are not many guys nearly sixty (at time of recording) who can still tear it up like John Mayall can."

The come back album

Bob Davis | Christchurch New Zealand | 01/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"John Mayall and Paul Butterfield turned me on to the blues. However, after 'The Turning Point' John has turned out some pretty ordinary albums for a long while. Sense of Place restarted my love of John Mayall's music. I have every album since. There are also some prior albums which are terrific (Life in the Jungle and Behind the Iron curtain for example). Coco Montoya also has some magic moments here - Sensitive Kind and All My Life for example."

As the title suggests...

Bob Davis | 11/08/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is more polished and contains a greater variety of rhythms than the usual Mayall product. It is not what you would expect. The music is, however, honest and sensual. Very enjoyable."