Bluesbreakers
Bluesbreakers, John Mayall With Eric Clapton *****

To not go track by track describing the genius of each track is going to be a challenge as every song here is worth outstanding merit. Before Bluesbreakers who knew Brits had so much soul, I know I didn't. But the music heard and played here is beyond comparison and beyond inspired. The heartfelt playing from Clapton would never be matched again, Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs came mighty close but still falters in comparison to this. Mayall alone was a powerhouse already but teamed with the great Clapton and they were unstoppable.

As you all know this was the album that made Clapton. He had the Yardbirds before this but this is what sparked the 'Clapton is God' graffiti all over England. Songs like 'Keys To Love' 'Hideaway' 'All Your Love' and 'Steppin Out' were all suspects for the cause. Even though some where covers the young kids didn't know that and thought they were Clapton originals, not that it matters because he did make them each his own. Mayall's reading of 'Parchment Farm' is as noteworthy as anything from Clapton as it is one of the top tracks on the album. Also the groups reworking of 'What'd I Say' is fantastic with a (not boring) drum solo.

From start to finish Bluesbreakers is an energetic album that never fails to satisfy with each passing listen. After this Clapton would leave to go on to other things, and Mayall would find a replacement some would say was just as good, but it was the paring of Clapton and Mayall that made this record golden, and neither of them would ever top it ever again.

One excellent reason to buy this: Clapton at his best
When this first came out (LP), anyone who played guitar HAD to have this. While Clapton had played in the Yardbirds, few really noticed his solos at the time. Instead, he seemed to come from nowhere preceded by his "Guitar God" reputation. We largely tuned out Mayall's voice and the horns and just focused on the guitar work. I listened to this repeatedly until I could hear it note-for-note in my mind's ear. It was, and still is, Clapton's best work. It was, and still is, among the very best electric-guitar-blues playing ever recorded (I love SRV and Mike Bloomfield, too). Every cut on which Clapton plays is a gem and a master piece (except the one featuring the drummer where not much else happens). [And, frankly, the 2 featuring Mayall's harmonica and no guitar are rather good in their own right.]

But, again, the incredible guitar work alone, all the other reviewers' complaints notwithstanding, is enough to warrant 5 stars and the purchase price to add this to your collection. Just focus on the guitar. 40 years later, I am still amazed. It would definitely be in my "desert island juke box."

Still great
I hadn't heard this album in 30 years, since I had it on vinyl. It is still as great as ever - better than I remembered, probably because I have a better appreciation now for Mayall and what he contributed to the world. Clapton was just about to reach God status and it's easy to see why his rise was meteoric.

Classic early Eric Clapton
I stumbled onto this one when reviewing a Yardbirds CD. This was the group that Eric Clapton was with (although very shortly) after leaving the Yardbirds and before forming Cream. His guitar work makes this album/CD worth listening to. Some really great stuff, very bluesy. No hit singles on this record but probably a must for Eric Clapton fans. A great classic album, a best kept secret.

Where is it?
would love to review this album, however despite waiting for a month I still haven't received it