John Mayall with Eric Clapton - Blues Breakers (Decca 1966) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

On Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton, the guitarist is allowed to stretch out on a set of blues and R&B standards such as Ray Charles' "What'd I Say," Freddie King's "Hideaway," and the Otis Rush hit "All Your Love," as well as the Yardbirds clone "Steppin' Out." Choice Mayall originals compliment the album's covers, especially the Mayall/Clapton collaboration "Double Crossing Time," which features an incredible Clapton solo that sounds like it descended straight from Maxwell Street in Chicago. Clapton even makes his debut as a vocalist, offering a fine rendition of Robert Johnson's "Ramblin' On My Mind."

Throughout Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton, the guitar star's axework is first rate, his playing fluid and innovative. Backed by a solid rhythm section that included future Fleetwood Mac namesake John McVie on bass and drummer Hughie Flint (who would go on to form McGuinness Flint with former Manfred Mann guitarist Tom McGuinness), Clapton had the necessary support to let his imagination fly. Mayall was a strict bandleader, demanding a lot from his players but here he lets Clapton become the superstar he had the potential to be. Reverend Keith A. Gordon, About.com: Blues

Tracklisting:

A1. All Your Love

A2. Hideaway

A3. Little Girl

A4. Another Man

A5. Double Crossin' Time

A6. What'd I Say

B1. Key To Love

B2. Parchman Farm

B3. Have You Heard

B4. Ramblin' On My Mind

B5. Steppin' Out

B6. It Ain't Right

John Mayall, vocal, piano, organ, harmonica
Eric Clapton, vocal, guitar
John McVie, bass guitar
Hughie Flint, drums
Augmented by John Almond, baritone sax
Alan Skidmore, tenor sax
Dennis Healey, trumpet
Produced by Mike Vernon