Product Description

It was a night when the legends played; when English Blues met Chicago and Memphis Blues, and something magical happened. One hot night in June, 1982 at New Jersey's Capitol Theater, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers paid homage to and were joined by five blues immortals: Albert King, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and 83-year-old Sippie Wallace. Awesome is the only word to describe the amazing musical moments on the night the legends came out to play. Songs: An Eye for an Eye, My Time After Awhile, The Dark Side of Midnight, Room to Move (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers), Baby What You Want Me to Do (Etta James), Messin' with the Kid, Don't Start Me Talkin' (Buddy Guy & Junior Wells), Shorty George (Sippie Wallace), Why Are You So Mean to Me?, Born Under a Bad Sign, Call It Stormy Monday (Albert King), C.C. Rider Jam (Company).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #167185 in DVD
• Released on: 1998-12-01
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Compilation, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.com
This is an absolute must for any fan of the blues, be it classic American blues or the more raucous English style that took off in the '60s. In 1982 John Mayall reunited the top members from several versions of his outfit, The Bluesbreakers, and hit the road. Bassist John McVie (later of Fleetwood Mac) represented the early '60s line-up, while Collin Allen and the great Mick Taylor (of Rolling Stones fame) came from the late '60s reincarnation. This DVD captures a show at the Capitol Theater in New Jersey, where Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, for one night, played with the heroes who inspired them. In a style much like The Last Waltz, the band plays one of their numbers (among them "The Dark Side of Midnight," "Room to Move," and "My Time After Awhile") and then are joined by blues legends. Fiery guitarist Albert King rips through "Why Are You So Mean to Me?" and his classic "Born Under a Bad Sign," before melting the audience with "They Call It Stormy Monday." The impeccably dressed duo of Junior Wells and Buddy Guy offer up "Messin' with the Kid," and "Don't Start Me Talkin'." Perhaps the high points, however, belong to the ladies. A saucy Etta James grinds her way through "Baby, What You Want Me to Do," while 80-year-old legend Sippie Wallace demonstrates that she's not too old to down a beer and blast out the blues with "Shorty George." Everyone takes the stage for a massive "C.C. Rider" jam at the conclusion, topping off an excellent DVD that will stun any blues lover. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews

The Truth Hurts!
First, let me state that I am a blues musician, so I might be a little harsh on my review. That said, I bought this video because of Etta, Albert, Junior, and Buddy. I can definitely say that without these illustrious performers, this video would be zero stars. The Bluesbreakers lived up to their name, sounding like a band on its first night out. I would have been embarrassed to be onstage with them, even though they are great musicians in their own right. The worst part was watching John Mayall squirm around like he was setting the place on fire, when in actuality, he was playing some modest licks at best. In whole, the band couldn't start or stop together, and their job of backing up some of the Blues legends was terrible. Buy it used, if at all!

Well, it's a little better than that.
First off, let me say I am also a blues musician, so I do have some idea of what I'm talking about. I would agree with the previous reviewer that the Bluesbreakers are definitely not a highlight of this film. John Mayall does seem very pompous though he never does anything special. But, I think the rhythm section was at least adequate and Mick Taylor puts in some fine playing. Albert King is definitely the highlight here, he's in great form. The giant of a man sings with a lot of soul and plays with a lot of passion. Etta seems a bit off on Baby What You Want Me To Do. Junior Wells slubs a few lines but otherwise he's in great form (his harp is excellent). Buddy Guy seems a bit off too, his guitar isn't quite as stinging as usual. Sippie Wallace is great, she really has conviction and puts it across exceptionally at her age. I would advise you to buy this, I've gotten a lot of pleasure out of it.

Mick Taylor shows all how to play virtuoso blues guitar
Sorry folks, perhaps the place was a shade too warm or maybe these blues greats had one too many drinks before the show ... for me, the highlight was Mick Taylor's brilliant guitar playing even after showing much respect (by not upstaging) for the musicians he listened to as he was learning to play the blues.

The audio quality is certainly not the best and it does get a little rough around the edges during the jams ..... hey, but this is the blues, not opera