This is the reason we play, pure joy. So is watching Tommy in concert or studio. As one of the world’s top guitarists, he shows us what the acoustic guitar is capable of and what we can accomplish with the desire, time, and perseverance to become a great player. Like many of us, Tommy started out playing at home and after a while knew he wanted to perform for an audience.

Our Victory Music open mics are the perfect venue for doing just that. We host all levels of players, so don’t worry if you’re just starting out because all are welcome and appreciated. While you are here, have a taste of his amazing technique!

   - Joe Misiuda

We arrived with time to find our seats and order a drink.  The room is laid out so that the stage is in the center against the far wall, the green room under the stairs, at the opposite side of the room.  John Mayall and band appeared shortly after the scheduled start, walked through the room and lined up against the wall behind the stage without fanfare.

Introductions, notices of pending shows took a short time, then the band took the stage.  The house was full.  The band was composed of the following musicians:  John Mayall from Manchester, England on keyboard, guitar, harp, vocals – Rocky Athas from Dallas Texas on guitar – Greg Rzab from Chicago on Bass – Jay Davenport from Chicago on drums.     

John’s hair has gone white, he wears it medium long, and wore it this night in a ponytail, he was wearing green plaid shirt and jeans.   Others in the band were dressed similarly, in a casual way.

Stage and gear:

• John was at front center stage behind a keyboard,
• the drummer just behind him – Jay played a dark purple set of Pearl drums
• bass to his right – Greg played what looked like a Fender jazz bass
• guitar to his left – Rocky played a sunburst Les Paul through a red knob Fender Twin, also an unusual choice (may have been a rental) .
• John played one of his trademark minimalist guitars, the body just large enough to support pickups and bridge, using a Roland jazz chorus amp; played harp through his vocal mic (both these choices are somewhat unusual).

The songs

1st Nothing to do With Love

2nd May Dell

3rd Dirty Water

4th so many roads by Otis Rush

5th long gone midnight from blues for Laurel Canyon

6th Oh pretty woman Albert King

7th gimme one more day

8th Chicago Line from 1st album

9th you know that you love me

11:05 – 1 hour 20 minutes, standing O, 1 encore

The vibe:

The approach was more about presenting songs than a showcase for chops, though when called for, chops were present in spades.  Rocky’s amp sounded hard and bright to me at first, but his unerring touch and taste had me setting aside my concerns and just enjoying his playing. Greg and Jay were mostly in supporting roles throughout, but when they took solos near the end of the show, they showed their reasons for being chosen by John Mayall.  Not a lot of stories or banter between songs, but the band clearly enjoyed playing together.

Before playing an encore, John encouraged audience to attend other of his shows, and promised completely different sets for each (he has the history to draw from).  He is set to return to Seattle in January for a harmonica blowout.

Mr. Mayall will be 80 years old in November: he, of course, has aged since the days of the Bluesbreakers, but still looks vital.  He moved and played and handled himself as a younger man; here’s hoping we have him and his music for a long time yet.  I would add:  All-in-all, a fine show by a legend in the blues world who is still vital and passionate; if you get a chance to see him, don’t miss it.

Review by Steve Peterson, Laurin Gaudinier for Victory Music

Artist Reviews, Victory Updates