Sharp eye for talent keeps blues giant on top

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Blues legend John Mayall has mentored some of rock music's greats while they were with his band, the Bluesbreakers. These include Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Fleetwood Mac members Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. Guitar work from some of them, including a few established and up-and-coming admirers, grace the Bluesbreakers' 2001 CD "Along For The Ride." John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with the Colin John Band 8:30 p.m. today The Hawaiian Hut $35 general, $30 advance 941-5205 Also: 5 p.m. Saturday at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort luau grounds, $25 general, $22 advance; (808) 322-3441

"How long is this article going to be?" asked Mayall, a bit exasperated. "I'm only asking because so far the questions have been well-covered a million times by other people. Shouldn't we be talking about the show coming up and what I'm doing nowadays?"

Mayall let loose a chuckle to release some tension before I assured him, "Uh-huh, Mr. Mayall, I'll be getting there shortly."

I could hardly blame Mayall for his desire to quickly concentrate on the present Bluesbreakers lineup rather than its well-known emeriti of years past. As a blues fan, though, I could hardly be expected to pass up an opportunity to chat up one of the most legendary bandleader/mentors of British blues on a few bits of history just because other writers had passed that way first, right? Right?

OK then, Mr. Mayall, what will the Bluesbreakers be doing at its Hawai'i shows?

"Well, we're mainly featuring our new album, 'Stories,' " he said, somewhat strapped back into the conversation. Keeping the Bluesbreakers concert set list stuffed with tracks from that CD, and its all-star predecessor "Along For The Ride," "works really well for us to get new inspiration and so forth."

Inspired might also be an apt word to describe the often-stunning guitar work Mayall pulled from former students (Green, Fleetwood, McVie, Mick Taylor) and a few established and up-and-coming admirers (Steve Miller, Otis Rush, Jonny Lang, Shannon Curfman) on the Bluesbreakers' 2001 "Along For The Ride." Mayall is a polished multi-instrumentalist/vocalist in his own right, but his lofty perch in blues lore comes from his talent for recognizing talented musicians, giving them a venue for some of their best work, and then ushering them on to recognition beyond his own.

Though the Bluesbreakers lineup now features memberships of anywhere from three to 18 years (turnover was much quicker in the 1960s when players such as Clapton, Taylor and the future Fleetwood Mac were in the band), "Along For The Ride" proves the instructor has hardly lost his way with his pupils.

"If you're a bandleader, obviously your influence is going to rub off," Mayall said. "It's the same as Muddy Waters or ... any other great blues players that have had bands and fostered other talents. I provide the right environment for people to have a great time and flourish."

For your own safety, though, just keep the "Clapton Is God" signs at home on concert night, kids.