Live in 1967 / Find a Way to Care

John Mayall has a terrific background in the blues dating from the 1960s, when he formed the Bluesbreakers. The incarnation of his backing band on Live in 67—guitarist Peter Green, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood—was only with Mayall in 1967 for the three months when these songs were recorded before leaving Mayall to form Fleetwood Mac. For me, the main attraction is Green’s playing: soulful on the Otis Rush classic “Double Trouble” (with OK vocals by Mayall) and ripping on the Freddy King instrumental “San Ho-Zay”—with the rhythm cooking, too! Mayall’s singing has always bothered me, but his lyrics can reveal deep concern for the human condition. On the newest album, Find a Way to Care, “War We Wage” (with another tasty solo by guitarist Rocky Athas) describes opposing sides “waging a war no one can win.” “Crazy Lady” is a delightful solo turn on piano about a previous jealous and bossy love interest. Another treat is Charles Brown’s relaxed “Drifting Blues.”