Search - John Mayall: Live From Austin Texas on DVD

More Great Moments

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 11/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a little hesitant at first about buying John Mayall: Live From Austin Texas since my experience with the releases from the archives of the famed Austin City Limits hasn't always been entirely positive. But the opportunity arose to buy this at a very good price, so I took the plunge.
Though the DVD started shakily with a tentative rendition of I Want To Go, by the time the band tore into Maydell, it was plain that I was in for a treat. By the time it got to I'm A Sucker For Love, the group had reached full stride. Coco Montoya is never better than when he plays with Mayall and on "Sucker" launches a dazzling guitar attack in counterpoint to Mayall's keyboard bravado. They genuinely appear to be enjoying every minute of the concert! In addition, Joe Yuele proves his mettle on the drums and it soon becomes apparent why Mayall has kept him around for so long.
Mayall's oeuvre is huge and had I been the one to choose the songs for him to perform I would have chosen mostly different ones. But fans have to live with what he has chosen and for the most part, he makes the best of his choices. In addition to the two songs previously mentioned, my favorites here are Nature's Disappearing, I Could Cry, and Mail Order Mystics, that last being one of Mayall's trademark slaps at some of the cultural sillinesses of the "love" generation.
Overall, Live From Austin Texas offers more great moments from a career that has had far more than its share of them. Despite its brevity and a couple of weak cuts, this is a DVD that deserves a proud place in any blues fan's music library.

"

Mayall Just A Bandleader?

Stuart S. Lawler | Orange, VA USA | 11/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For all of those critics who have constantly chastised John Mayall for being known as just a bandleader and not a capable musician you definitely need to check this DVD out. I for one have never subscribed to this theory and having seen him in concert many times I know the man can play and he always acquits himself well. On "Live From Austin " he plays superb keyboards, scorching rythmn guitar, and he absolutley torches the harmonica on the last tune, "Mail Order Mystics", which also features David Grissom on lead guitar. His vocals are especially strong on this outing too. Coco Montoya is at his usual best on this DVD to boot. Just give it a listen and you will realize that John Mayall is a very serious and talented musician....oh yes, and by the way, he also just happens to be a bandleader too."