Customer Reviews
John Mayall 
2008-05-04
What can I say this another great work from one of the great blues men. It is a must buy if you truely love the blues.
Pitiful 
2007-09-28
Don't misunderstand me... I own 46 John Mayall CD's and albums and I like his music very much. Many of his recordings are stepping stones in the evolution of the blues/rock/jazz fusion.
Unfortunately, this album is not the case. After listening (just once - can't take anymore) I honestly think that this is nothing but a pitiful effort of an aging artist to make more money towards the sunset of his career...Too bad JM did not choose to issue some re-mastered/re-mixed, etc., compilations of his fantastic old material...I traded "In The Palace of the King" for Gloria Estefan's 1990 "Exitos" CD (a $1.50 value)...!!!
Looking backward 
2007-08-29
I appreciate Patrick Skog's review and, especially, the list in his "comments," which is a really good one for what is basically a "notes" section.
As far as John Mayall's blues go, I have to admit that I don't like 'em. His taste in and knowledge of blues don't translate into his own performances, in my opinion, on this or any other of his albums.
I don't care for Mayall's singing (very thin), songwriting, cover versions, and, particularly, rhythm sections. Even when he has a great rhythm section, like John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, he constrains them, tightening them up and taking the air out of them.
Listen to the expanded version of 'A Hard Road,' for example, and compare the songs on which Mayall is the leader to the songs on which Peter Green is the leader, such as "The Super Natural," "The Stumble," "Out of Reach," "Curly," "Greeny," and "Alabama Blues." The difference is monumental. Suddenly, the music breathes and has a life of its own.
Mayall's strengths, I think, have been his choice in guitarists and his inspiring love and knowledge of the blues. I'm sure he gave Clapton, Green, Taylor, (Jon) Mark, and others great stuff to listen to. And it's mostly those guitarists that have left Mayall's historical mark.
For now I'll just focus on recordings by Peter Green (with Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, Eddie Boyd, Otis Spann, Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, and solo). I prefer Green's versions of "Preachin' Blues" (Robert Johnson), "Alabama Blues" (J.B. Lenoir), "You Need Love" (Muddy Waters), "Worried Dream" (B.B. King), "The Stumble" (Freddy King), "Don't Know Which Way to Go" (Buddy Guy), and "Need Your Love So Bad" (Little Willie John) to the originals.
If that's not saying a lot, I don't know what is.
He's got songs of his own that, in my opinion, are as good: "First Train Home," "Drifting," "A Fool No More," "Rambling Pony," "Love That Burns," "Stop Messin' Round," "Leaving Town Blues," "World Keep On Turning," "Black Magic Woman," "Oh Well," and "Last Train to San Antone," for example. And there are more!
Such as "The Super Natural," from 'A Hard Road.' It's not coincidentally the title of the blockbuster by Santana, who made "Black Magic Woman" his own. "The Super Natural" is Green's calling card, his first definitive recording as a blues master. And it's a most remarkable composition, being basically one note--"pure and easy," as Pete Townshend once wrote.
Still, one has to start somewhere, and Peter Green got the best start possible when John Mayall gave him the lead guitar position in The Bluesbreakers.
Stuck in a time warp... 
2007-07-25
This CD is reminiscent of the John Mayall recordings from the 60's and 70's...in fact it sounds like the same recordings remixed. The best song on here is Big Legged Woman, and it is only OK with further listenings. The rest sounds like it is 40 years old, and not in a good way.
Freddie must be very proud. 2007-07-16
The Texas Cannonball has been gone for 30 years. With John Mayall's latest release, the double fisted Blues frieght train that was Freddie King is back on track. Bravo John.
Disappointed 2007-07-02
John Mayall, the "Godfather of British Blues", returns with the Bluesbreakers for his latest studio album "In The Palace Of The King". This new album is John's tribute to one of his blues heroes, the late, great Freddie King. King was a blues guitar pioneer from the mid-50's through to his tragically early death in the mid-70's and he influenced everyone from Peter Green to DaveEdmunds to Stevie Ray Vaughan and probably most of all Eric Clapton, who produced and played on King's final album. "In The Palace Of The King" features John Mayall's take on his personal selection of Freddie King favorites and is a fabulous combination of two true blues legends.
In the Palace of the King 2007-06-27
Another great album from the British Father of the Blues. Freddie King is one of my favorite performers, and Mayall does him justice. I've yet to find a Mayall album I didn't like, although some weren't as strong as others, this is a very good listen.
Nice tribute 2007-06-26
Great songs done by an all time blues superstar in memory of a "king". I especially like the Buddy W. vocals on Big Legged Woman.
Well done ! John
RIP Freddie
RICK SHAQ GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "JOHN MAYALL TIPS THE CROWN TO ONE OF THE "KINGS"! (THAT'S FREDDIE!) 2007-06-04
First let me state for the record, that this CD is over 1,000 TIMES BETTER than John's previous release "Road Dogs". (See previous Shaq review!) This CD is special on so many levels. Most importantly, is the reason and feeling for this CD. To me, it's more than meets the eye. Just the fact that John, who is known as the "Father Of British Blues", to many blues fans, understands the importance of educating a new generation of electric blues fans, as regards, the blues masters that came before. Tributes to the "Kings" of early electric blues, are too few, and too far in between. I was raised to believe, that the greatest compliments, are the ones that come from your peers. So John, dedicating an entire CD, to the late, great, Freddie King, is a tremendous tribute. This CD contains 14 songs, that cover a lot of electric blues territory. Song #4 "Palace Of The King", is a "rocking, socking, blues, bopping", classic! Song#6 eulogizes John's Mother, who passed away at ninety-nine years old. John's words are touching, and there is a wonderful guitar solo also. Song #13, also written by John, entitled "King Of The Kings", says it all, as he tips a crown to Freddie King. This is a great, fun, yet respectful tribute, to one of the masters. As stated earlier, there should be more such tribute CD's, to electric blues legends, the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, Albert Collins, etc. If no one steps up in America, I'm all for the "Father Of British Blues" adding another tribute CD to his list! P.S. It should also be noted that John blows a mean "harp"!
Still On Top 2007-05-29
Some may wonder if and when John Mayall is going to run out of steam. After all, not many musicians can claim to have officially released 56 albums. Those of us who have enjoyed his music through the years can be thankful that with the release of In The Palace of the King, it is clear that Mayall remains in top form.
Mayall's new CD is ostensibly a tribute to the late blues great Freddie King's songs and his influence, and in many ways it is. But in reality its an occasion for Mayall and his current crop of Bluesbreakers to give the listening public another good reason to buy a Mayall album.
I like the whole CD, but there are some super tunes here that make In The Palace of the King obligatory for Mayall fans. One of the best tunes is Time To Go, the one Mayall wrote in tribute to his recently deceased mother. Other standouts are Big Legged Woman, Now I've Got A Woman, Help Me Make It Through The Day, the instrumental Cannonball Shuffle, Freddie King's You've Got Me Licked, and King of the Kings.
I agree with the reviewer from San Jose who nailed the date of Mayall's renaissance and that reviewer's assertion of Mayall's quality and consistency over the past two decades. The release of In The Palace of the King presents those who were fans of Mayall in their youth with a good chance to reacquaint themselves with his music and to hear for themselves that he is still on top.
