Hailing from Macclesfield, Cheshire, and growing up in Cheadle Hulme, John Mayall had already made a name for himself on the Manchester blues scene before relocating to London in 1963 at the urging of Alexis Korner.
Following the breakup of The Bluesbreakers in 1968, Mayall took a three week break in LA, and it proved an eye-opener for him. As a result, Blues From Laurel Canyon was a concept album of sorts, a view of a Brit Abroad at a time when it wasn't de rigueur to travel. 2401 especially is an incredible confection – acknowledging Cream, foreseeing Led Zeppelin; Mick Taylor's slide guitar would soon be heard in the Rolling Stones. Fly Tomorrow is a nine-minute blues-rock tour de force.
A1. Vacation
A2. Walking On Sunset
A3. Laurel Canyon Home
A4. 2401
A5. Ready To Ride
A6. Medicine Man
A7. Somebody's Acting Like A Child
B1. The Bear
B2. Miss James
B3. First Time Alone
B4. Long Gone Midnight
B5. Fly Tomorrow