John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers — Live in Texas, 1998

A founding figure of British blues, John Mayall was filmed in Houston, Texas, in the late 1990s for “Up Close and Personal – Live in Texas”. Known as the “godfather of British blues”, whose ranks once included Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor, Mayall here leads his Bluesbreakers through an intimate, white-hot full concert. On vocals, guitar, harmonica and keyboards, Mayall is joined by guitarist Buddy Whittington, bassist John Paulus and drummer Joe Yuele — a tight band delivering nervy, generous electric blues. Released long after it was shot, this live recording documents the stage longevity of an artist who never stopped carrying the blues forward. In front of a Texan audience, the concert moves through shuffles, slow blues and soaring guitar. An essential filmed live concert for understanding the transmission of Anglo-American blues and John Mayall’s stagecraft in the 1990s. Guitarist Buddy Whittington, in particular, shines across the set, confirming the Bluesbreakers’ long-standing reputation as a launch pad for exceptional players.