Bare Wires

by John Mayall, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

Overview

Bare Wires was the first Bluesbreakers album of new studio material since A Hard Road, released 16 months before. In that time, the band had turned over entirely, expanding to become a septet. Mayall's musical conception had also expanded -- the album began with a 23-minute "Bare Wires Suite," which included more jazz influences than usual and featured introspective lyrics. In retrospect, all of this is a bit indulgent, but at the time it helped Mayall out of what had come to seem a blues straitjacket (although he would eventually return to a strict blues approach). It isn't surprising that he dropped the "Bluesbreakers" name after this release. The album was Mayall's most successful ever in the U.K., hitting number three. [The 2007 UMVD import edition includes bonus tracks.] ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	08/07/2007
Label:	Umvd
UPC:	0602498421789
Rank:	99862

Tracks

1. Bare Wires Suite: Bare Wires/Where Did I Belong/I Started Walking/Open
2. I'm a Stranger
3. No Reply
4. Hartley Quits
5. Killing Time
6. She's Too Young
7. Sandy
8. Picture on the Wall
9. Jenny
10. Knocker's Step Forward
11. Hide and Seek
12. Intro/Look at the Girl
13. Start Walkin'

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers   Primary Artist
John Mayall   Primary Artist,Organ,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica,Harmonium,Harpsichord
Chris Mercer   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Tony Reeves   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Jon Hiseman   Drums,Percussion
Mick Taylor   Guitar,Hawaiian Guitar
Dick Heckstall-Smith   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Henry Lowther   Cornet,Violin

Technical Credits

Derek Varnals   Engineer
John Mayall   Composer,Producer
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers   Performer
Ray Davies   Composer
Mike Vernon   Producer
Mick Taylor   Composer
Jan Persson   Photography
Peter Smith   Photography
John Tracy   Liner Notes
Michael John Taylor   Composer