John Mayall @ New Morning, Paris April 18 2014
First there is the sound check, he's putting his own setlist on his keyboard , then he's setting up the merchandise table (on his own) with a nice stole and cardboard that he probably designed himself so that it looks good. He's doing everything...
He has a couple of interviews for France 3 tv and for Soul Bag blues Magazine.
Then before the doors opened he's going to the merchandise table to welcome customers... well in fact to sell his brand new cd, (20 euros straight in his own bag.) and sign it but only the new cd. Don't dare asking him to sign an old vinyl... "After the show only" !
Funny, Never seen that before...he may be 80 years old but he's in charge, he's the boss.
5 minutes before the show he's going backstage.
8:00pm show time, once again he's doing (almost) everything: singing, playing mouth harp, playing keyboard, many times all three in the same songs.
When he's not doing this he's singing and playing the guitar... nicely.
No need to tell you that the musicianship is high: great guitar player, bass player and drummer.
I mean, the guy revealed to the world Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and a few others...
Lots of great blues songs, some of his own but mainly covers including a great 10 min rendition of jazz song "California".
Not only he plays Keys, guitar and sings he's also the MC introducing the musicians and each song -which is very helpful to write down the setlist ;-) -
The amps are still red hot that the whole band is going to the merchandise table to sell more cds, each musician has his own. You're allowed to have your old vinyl sign this time.
I guess that the best way to have things done perfectly is to do it by yourself and that's what JOHN MAYALL is doing every night.
