Blues from Laurel Canyon

U.K. blues-rock gains a tinge of L.A. ambiance on John Mayall’s Blues From Laurel Canyon. This 1968 album chronicles the British singer/bandleader’s three-week excursion into the hipper environs of the Hollywood Hills, and the songs that resulted are earthy and easy-going, marking a return by Mayall to simpler forms after the jazz-rock experimentalism of Bare Wires. The unhurried pace and free-flowing musicianship in these tracks catches the spirit of its era nicely. Most notably, the album features some excellent playing by Mayall’s ensemble of the moment, with Mick Taylor (soon to join the Rolling Stones) delivering succinct, stinging lead guitar work on tracks like “Vacation” and “2401.” Drummer Colin Allen stands out as well, contributing some evocative tabla work on the simmering “Fly Tomorrow.” Mayall applies his rough-cut vocals to a set of diary-like lyrics that are long on introspection (if somewhat short on finesse). “Walking on Sunset,” “Long Gone Midnight” and “The Bear” are candid snapshots from the waning days of psychedelia. In its time, Blues From Laurel Canyon was seen as a transitional effort by an artist reconnecting with his muse; it remains a beguiling and often inspired high point in Mayall’s catalogue.