Forty Below Records has announced a September 4 release date for Find a Way to Care, the new CD from blues musician John Mayall.
Produced by Mayall (who also did the graphic design and artwork for the album) and Forty Below’s Eric Corne, Find a Way to Care was recorded at the House of Blues Studio in Encino, California. In addition to Mayall (vocals, piano, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer, clavinet, guitar and harmonica), featured on the sessions are Rocky Athas (lead and rhythm guitar), Greg Rzab (bass) and Jay Davenport (drums), who collectively are now into their seventh year as John’s band. The group is also augmented by a horn section on several tracks.
About the new album, Eric Corne says, “I really wanted to feature John’s keyboard playing on this record. He’s truly one of the most lyrical, economical and underrated keyboardists around. We also wanted to change things up a bit after the success of A Special Life and the addition of a horn section on several tracks was a really fun way to do that. As good as the last album was, I think this one is even better.”
The even-dozen tracks on Find a Way to Care include a scintillating group of new songs and savvy covers of Mother in Law Blues (Don Robey), The River’s Invitation (Percy Mayfield), I Feel So Bad (Lightnin’ Hopkins), Long Distance Call (Muddy Waters), I Want All My Money Back (Lee Baker) and Drifting Blues (Charles Brown).
About his choice of cover songs on the new album, Mayall says, “Every time I make an album, I always feel I owe it to my fans to come up with fresh and varied interpretations of the blues. With this in mind, I chose an assemblage of songs that includes perhaps some slightly lesser-known bluesmen, and that all had either different beats or special instrumental treatments. I also found three songs that would be further enhanced by the addition of horns.”
Added to the mix are original songs that always feature Mayall’s take on the current human condition, as well as universal truths. “As always, I draw from my own experiences and thoughts about things in my life so that from album to album I create on ongoing musical diary of my life,” he explains. “The blues never lets me down!”
The track list:
Mother in Law Blues
The River’s Invitation
Ain’t No Guarantees
I Feel So Bad
Find a Way to Care
Long Distance Call
I Want All My Money Back
Ropes and Chains
Long Summer Days
Drifting Blues
War We Wage (bonus track)
Crazy Lady (bonus track)
John Mayall’s U.S. dates:
07/01 – Hollywood, CA – Whisky a Go Go
07/02 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
07/03 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
07/05 – Agoura Hills, CA – The Canyon Theater
07/07 – Santa Barbara, CA – Soho Restaurant & Music Club
07/08 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley Blues Club
07/09 – Sacramento, CA- Ace of Spades
07/10 – Oakland, CA – Yoshi’s
07/11 – Napa, CA – City Winery
07/12 – Grants Pass, OR – Rogue Theatre
07/13 – Bend, OR – Tower Theatre
07/14 – Eugene, OR – Shedd Institute for the Arts
07/15 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
07/16-7/19 – Seattle, WA – Jazz Alley
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