June 2001

John Mayall and Friends
Along for the Ride
Eagle Records

By Bill Milkowski

British blues pioneer John Mayall assembles an all-star cast for Along for the Ride. The guests on this blues-rock gathering include guitar slinger Jeff Healey on "A World of Hurt," organist Billy Preston on the title track, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons on "Put It Right Back," Gary Moore on "If I Didn't Get Home," Jonny Lang on "That's Why I Love You So" and Otis Rush vocalizing on his own anthemic "So Many Roads." Guitarists Peter Green and Mick Taylor, both alumni of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, also make special guest appearances along with the likes of Steve Cropper, Steve Miller, Andy Fairweather Low, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. While Mayall's spirit hasn't waned, unfortunately his singing hasn't improved over the last 40 years.