John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers – Bare Wires (1968) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

Bare Wires was the first Bluesbreakers album of new studio material since A Hard Road, released 16 months before. In that time, the band had turned over entirely, expanding to become a septet. Mayall’s musical conception had also expanded — the album began with a 23-minute “Bare Wires Suite,” which included more jazz influences than usual and featured introspective lyrics. In retrospect, all of this is a bit indulgent, but at the time it helped Mayall out of what had come to seem a blues straitjacket (although he would eventually return to a strict blues approach). It isn’t surprising that he dropped the “Bluesbreakers” name after this release. The album was Mayall’s most successful ever in the U.K., hitting number three. William Ruhlmann, Allmusic.

Track listing:

Bare Wires: A Suite By John Mayall
01. Bare Wire
02. Where Did I Belong?
03. I Started Walking
04. Open Up A New Door
05. Fire
06. I Know Now
07. Look In The Mirror

Another Side:
08. I’m A Stranger
09. No Reply
10. Hartley Quits (Instrumental)
11. Killing Time
12. She’s Too Young
13. Sandy

Personnel:

John Mayall • Vocal, Harmonica, Piano, Harpsichord, Organ, Harmonium, Assorted Guitars
Chris Mercer • Tenor & Baritone Saxes
Dick Heckstall-Smith • Tenor & Soprano Saxes
Jon Hiseman • Drums, Percussion
Henry Lowther • Cornet, Violin
Mick Taylor • Guitar, Hawaiian Guitar
Tony Reeves • String Bass, Bass Guitar
Produced by Mike Vernon & John Mayall
Engineer: Derek Varnals
Recorded at Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London on the 3rd, 9th, 24th & 30th April 1968