Search - John Mayall :: Memories

Save Your Money-A Failed Experiment

Bryan L. White | Duncanville, Texas USA | 02/15/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"All hail John Mayall, but no one's perfect.This album demonstrates the truth of that cliche.I bought this record blind in high school because I knew of Mayall's reputation and I stupidly didn't want to have the same Mayall albums all my friends had. The title of this album is accurate-Mayall is recalling his youth from middle age.A good deal of his youth appears to have been spent masturbating and fantasizing about sex.That's inescapable-the lyrics of "Wish I Knew a Woman" frankly describe an adolescent Mayall"jacking off pretending I'm the lover of them all"as he stares at the pinups hanging on his walls.The tunes are flat and the songs simply don't swing.This isn't rock and it fails as blues. Sorry I can't find a way to sugarcoat this, but the album stinks.I'm sure Mayall would be the first to admit that in his career he's put out some duds.This album doesn't come off at all.Grab "Bluesbreakers" or one of his other classics instead."

John Mayall's 'Memories' is intimate authentic blues.

Mitchell Lee | Richmond, VA United States | 07/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I find the 2 previous reviews for this album fascinating! And I have had both sorts of reactions to `Memories' myself!



Yes, it IS a considerable departure from John Mayall's other music. If you are looking for fresh-faced White English lads from the 1960s playing music about terrible things that happened to young Black American lads between 1915 and 1945, then look elsewhere. Again, if your hormones are looking for fast adrenal Blues/Rock that's all hooks and testosterone, then look elsewhere. Don't get me wrong. I love that stuff! Might I suggest Blind Faith, Cream, Zeppelin or many of John Mayall's other albums if you wish to curdle the air.



John Mayall's 'Memories' is intimate authentic blues by a white Englishman from just past the middle of the last century. He is NOT using Robert Johnson's 'Crossroads' as a metaphor for his own life the way Cream did. He is singing directly about his own life, pinups, pimples, tree-houses, the Korean War and all. This is music that could actually embarrass a teenage boy in 1971. It did. Now, you tell me, which approach is truer to the spirit of the natural blues?



With 35 years of hindsight this is a BEAUTIFUL blues album. I generally prefer my blues older and darker. But on 'Memories' John Mayall makes up for his pigment, nationality and time-period with sheer honesty. Despite the occasional wince from lyrics that can seem direct to the point of child-like and despite music that is stubbornly introspective without having quite the subtle expressiveness of Tim Buckley, this album is uniquely wonderful. I sat back on the sofa last night, closed my eyes and slipped on the cordless headphones. John Mayall sang to me about his childhood. And 46 minutes later when the last note faded away, I felt as though I had turned the final page of a completely satisfying novel.

"

SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!!!

Tony Musto | Pittston, PA United States | 07/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Mayall album is bursting with sheer honesty. The man bares his soul for all to see. Let me know when someone records an album which can compare with this masterpiece. You will be waiting forever for something that equals this. I bought this when it was released, fell in love with it instantly, and it remains in my top 10 most enjoyable albums. Everyone has "memories" of their childhood, both good and not so good. John Mayall is at the top of his game on this one, trust me. I really must say that everything he has released has a lasting quality rarely found in any artist."