Description
This is a meticulous transfer of the 1960s British blues rock masterpiece from two types of master tapes, the 1966 UK original mono version and the US original mono version, when the master tapes were at their freshest! It is not just a high-quality reproduction, but above all, even though it is the same 1966 original mono version, the UK and US versions were mastered with completely different sounds, making it a very interesting sound source that allows you to compare them! John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers led the British blues rock movement in the 1960s. The album “Blues Breakers – John Mayall With Eric Clapton”, a full-fledged band album with Eric Clapton at its core after leaving the Yardbirds, is a historic masterpiece that represents 1960s British rock. Moreover, this album is a masterpiece that is a full-fledged blues album that led to the deification of Clapton, who was the source of graffiti with “CLAPTON IS GOD” in the streets of London. In addition, this album was released in 1966. At that time, mono records were the norm, and various artists released both mono and stereo formats, but mono was the mainstream in terms of sound. As I will explain later, you can only truly appreciate this album by listening to it in mono! Moreover, the most important point about this release is that the mastering was completely different in the UK and US at the time! Roughly speaking, the UK original mono record has a smooth sound and a wide bandwidth, and the sound texture emphasizes the freshness of the original master, while the US original mono record was mastered to sound good when played on the radio with a strong 60s-like compression, and the sound texture is quite powerful with a strong emphasis on treble. Therefore, this time we will be realizing a rare reprint of both the UK original mono record and the US original mono record set! Not only can you listen to the original mono record from that time, when the master tape of the masterpiece is at its freshest, but you can also enjoy comparing the textures of the two different presses from that time, which is extremely valuable! Please note that only the UK original mono version of “Ramblin’ On My Mind” contains surface noise from the original record (please rest assured that it is not at a level that significantly impedes listening to the song). While the stereo mix of this work is clear, it is difficult to feel the intertwining of each instrument, which is the essence of blues. Also, although the mono mix has been released on current CDs, the freshness of the master tape has clearly deteriorated as it was released nearly 60 years ago. In that respect, the original mono version of this album is a masterpiece because the sound is solidified, and the momentum of the band, which is the greatest attraction of this album, is conveyed with tremendous force. Eric Clapton’s impressive guitar playing, who inherited the guitar skills of blues legends such as Freddie King and Otis Rush, is clearly too far removed from the band in the stereo mix. The momentum from the opening is also exceptional in mono. As mentioned above, one of the greatest attractions of analog records is that “even the original version of the same album has a completely different sound production depending on the country” – this is a major point of this release! As mentioned above, the original mono version of this work from 1966 is a typical example, and you will be able to fully immerse yourself in the sound creation that was emphasized in both the UK and the US at that time. What was groundbreaking about this album was its overwhelming vividness and persuasiveness. And it beautifully captures the image of the members, all around 20 years old, fully demonstrating their respective abilities under the control of their boss (John Mayall), who was more than 10 years older than them. Moreover, it is not a copycat blues, but Clapton’s individuality is already apparent! At just 20 years old, he established his own identity with the combination of Les Paul and Marshall amps. The mono mix unique to the commemorative original analog version, which has just captured the breath of the band with this young super guitarist with such a strong individuality, is very different from the current digitally transferred CDs that have been released nearly 60 years ago. In order to compare the freshness of the master tapes as in this case, there is no other way than to get the original UK and US vintage LPs from that time, but of course they have become expensive items now. In particular, the US original mono version is harder to come by than the UK original mono version. Even if you can get it, you cannot avoid the deterioration of the condition that is unique to vintage LPs. For this release, we have eliminated this problem and made it into a CD. And yet, the taste of mono that only the original LPs from that time, when the master tapes were overwhelmingly fresher than they are now, has not been lost at all. This is a historic masterpiece that represents 60’s British rock, and is an absolute must-have in Eric Clapton’s career. The original form of that album is released in “two different forms”! Please compare the texture of the sound production of the original mono mixes of the UK and US and find your favorite “country version sound”! Taken from UK Original Mono LP (Decca LK 4804) released in 1966 and US Original Mono LP (London Records LL 3492) released in 1966 Disc 1 – Taken from UK Original Mono LP 1. All Your Love 2. Hideaway 3. Little Girl 4. Another Man 5. Double Crossing Time 6. What’d I Say 7. Key To Love 8. Parchman Farm 9. Have You Heard 10. Ramblin’ On My Mind 11. Steppin’ Out 12. It Ain’t Right Disc 2 – Taken from US Original Mono LP 1. All Your Love 2. Hideaway 3. Little Girl 4. Another Man 5. Double Crossing Time 6. What’d I Say 7. Key To Love 8. Parchman Farm 9. Have You Heard 10. Ramblin’ On My Mind 11. Steppin’ Out 12. It Ain’t Right John Mayall – Vocals, Piano, Organ, Harmonica Eric Clapton – Vocals, Guitar John McVie – Bass Guitar Hughie Flint – Drums (A1 to A3, A6, B6) John Almond – Baritone Saxophone (A5, B1, B3, B5) Alan Skidmore – Tenor Saxophone (B1, B3, B5) Dennis Healey – Trumpet (B1, B3, B5)
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