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EDITORIAL REVIEWS REVIEW A master class in contemporary blues, topped off with a helping of Mayalls trademark lyrical wit and even a guest appearance by Joe Walsh. --People Magazine John Mayall Scores Again with Talk About That By Barry Kerzner John Mayall is now 83 and shows no signs of slowing down. His latest album, Talk About That, out on Forty Below Records is at once classic Mayall, and so much more. At this stage, Mayall has nothing left to prove to anyone. He is still relevant and in fact triumphant because he hasnt stopped pushing his own boundaries, and he s never stopped exploring and expanding his musical vocabulary. That he is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is almost criminal. Talk About That is Mayalls 66th album. On this outing he plays keyboards, harmonica and guitar as well as serving up his familiar vocal stylings. He is joined by Rocky Athas on guitar, Greg Rzab on bass, and Jay Davenport on drums. The fellas are tighter than Murderers Row throughout. The 11 tracks contain eight originals and three covers. Production and mixing here are effective in really showcasing the layers of instrumentation, especially when the horns drop in for a visit. The sound quality is stellar too. In our opinion, this is the some of the best music that Mayall has laid down in years. Talk About That is exciting, varied, and satisfying, and will be viewed as a milestone work, in much the same way 1993 s Wake Up Call, and 2003 s 70th Birthday Concert have been. There is so much to love on this album, it s hard to know where to begin. We have the inspiring rendering of the classic Goin Away Baby, with an updated feel that tips a hat to the original, but oh how the band stretches out and throws down here. There s guest Joe Walsh bringing his biting, bluesy fretboard dancing to the fore on The Devil Must Be Laughing, and fine work on Cards On The Table as well. The band s back-beat is stout and solid throughout; it doesnt waver. It is the foundation upon which this masterpiece is built. Greg Rzab on bass reminds us of the melodic work of James Jameson of the Funk Brothers. His integration with Jay Davenport on drums is beyond... well, just beyond. Rocky Athas on guitar is a breath of fresh air. He thrills, he excites, he seduces, he calms, and he touches us. What more could anyone ask of a band? We sat there, completely lost in I Didnt Mean To Hurt You, and we lingered there. Don t Deny Me, with its delightful Stax flavor was deeply gratifying. Blue Midnight is jazzy, breezy, and put a big smile on our face. If for some incomprehensible reason fans have not snagged a copy of Talk About That their very own, what are you waiting for? --American Blues Scene A brand new masterpiece from a man who has made masterpieces for decades. The legendary John Mayall, now at 83, is delivering his heartfelt blues with as much fire as ever. His is a mighty band, which starts and ends with the great solidity of drummer Jay Davenport, who lays down a greatly soulful and driving foundation for each of these songs, as crisp as it is funky. On top of that we get Mayall wailing sometimes on Hammond organ, sometimes harmonica, sometimes guitar. Rocky Athas plays both lead and rhythm guitar, with Greg Rzab is on bass. The amiable Joe Walsh lends some gritty lead guitar on the great song The Devil Must Be Laughing, matching the intensity of Mayall s Hammond playing and soulful exhortative vocals. The whole thing is like a priceless lesson in rhythm and blues, hearing the great propulsive grooves this band provides for the bluesman to ignite. It s Hard Going Up lives in that great Mose Allison-like realm of whimsical, wary wisdom married to a charged blues, opening the door to great life lessons: It s hard going up, he sings, but twice as hard coming down. Resounding like a modern classic is Blue Midnight, a smooth bluesy incitement which weds a perfect Mayall guitar solo, all passion and electric soul, with a funky Mayall keyboard solo. Yes. Mayall s a man of musical multitudes still burning into his ninth decade with blues of the ages. While countless rock stars who came in his wake long ago burnt out or faded away long ago, he s still doing it, still living and singing in the incendiary heart of the blues. -American Songwriter Magazine by Paul Zollo --American Songwriter Magazine