70th Birthday Concert

70th Birthday Concert

It's a warm summer's Saturday night, July 19, 2003 in Liverpool England and the eager audience patiently waits. In celebration of John Mayall's 70th birthday and for the benefit of UNICEF's fight against child exploitation, The Bluesbreakers (Tom Canning, Hank Van Sickle, Jo Yuele and Buddy Whittington) kick off with "Jacksboro Highway." After a few more numbers the place erupts as John Mayall appears to a standing ovation. The Godfather of British Blues has arrived and straight away he's playing fantastic harmonica and keyboards. Then (and after 38 years since they first played together) the "friends" and soul mates are reunited to a tumultuous reception as Eric Clapton appears on stage. Joining them is Mick Taylor and British Blues pioneer, Chris Barberas as they blast through nearly 21/2 hours of stunning blues. From blues standards to classics from the "Beano" album and on to contemporary Bluesbreakers material, an ecstatic Liverpool crowd laps up one of the finest nights of blues this millennium.