mar 27, 1968 - John Mayall

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Toby Jug, Tolworth

John Mayall - vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar
Mick Taylor - guitar
Andy Fraser - bass
Keef Hartley - drums
Chris Mercer - T sax
Dick Heckstall-Smith - B sax
Henry Lowther - trumpet

Appearing after a hectic month in which they'd played 20 gigs and done two BBC recording sessions. The ever-changing line-up had briefly settled on John, 34, vocals and guitar; Mick Taylor, guitar; Keef Hartley, drums; Chris Mercer, tenor sax; Henry Lowther, trumpet; and Dick Heckstall-Smith, baritone sax. Andy Fraser was on bass, having taken over a month earlier from Keith Tillman. Heckstall-Smith had the party trick of being able to play two saxes at the same time. Parchman Farm, Killing Time and That's Wrong Little Mama were in the setlist. The Kingston Borough News reviewer loved it. "Mayall was introduced to the audience as one of the finest blues bands in the world, and he certainly proved this to anyone in doubt. Since Peter Green left the group there has been complete reorganisation of the Bluesbreakers. A brass section of Dick Heckstall-Smith, Chris Mercer and newcomer Henry Lowther on trumpet give the group a very strong jazz feel." It made a big impression on Alan Wilkinson. "I remember standing at the bar with Mick Taylor and asking him if he'd play Snowy Wood in the second set," he said. "He told me might, but he didn't! Happy days, and only a short walk from my gaff in Surbiton." Ian Davies remembers Mayall as "a musical opportunist, magnetically attracting new musicians".
Taken from 'Hello Tolworth, I'm Ziggy'

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