Back to the Roots - John Mayall and “Some memorable men”

Liner Notes: 

The initial idea behind this double album was to gather together all the major musicians who have played in the bands throughout my career, but the immensity of this task overwhelmed putting it fully into effect.  Many of the so-called ‘graduates of the Mayall School’ unfortunately were either working in distant countries on tours, or else were impossible to track down in time for the recording dates I planned on.  It goes without saying that their absence from these tracks is regretted; there are many old faces I’d have enjoyed playing with again…  However, on the positive side just cast your eyes to the right and look who we got here!  I’m amazed now that it all actually happened and that the guys who were able to participate, projected their talents so well.  I appreciate their wholehearted enthusiasm and cooperation at such short notice and with no time to rehearse.  During all these sessions I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who felt a sense of history being revisited and, though we all have our natural quota of rough edges and goofs here and there, I think that the feeling of spontaneity and the pooling of creative ideas was well captured on this album. 

($4.99, my most expensive LP in months)