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Bare Wires(with the Bluesbreakers)

by John Mayall

Released: June 21, 1968

Blues, blues-rock, jazz rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

The Album

This album saw a shift in the band's structure, with Mayall mostly abandoning his traditional lineup (guitar, bass, drums plus Mayall on keyboards) to explore a flexible, brass-oriented direction. "Bare Wires" is a studio album by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, including guitarist Mick Taylor. Released in 1968, it showcases Mayall's evolving taste towards a more experimental approach.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album's title track is reflective of this…

The album's title track is reflective of this new direction, with 22 minutes of complex score featuring a brass section arranged by Henry Lowther and Derek Wadsworth.

However, despite its success, it also marked the…

However, despite its success, it also marked the end of a line up from the Bluesbreakers as both drummer Aynsley Dunbar and bassist Tony Reeves decided to leave shortly after the release, leading to another significant shift in Mayall's music style.

While it remains grounded in blues tradition, the…

While it remains grounded in blues tradition, the album incorporated elements from jazz, psychedelia, and rock.

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Explore the Album

John Mayall - Bare Wires(with the Bluesbreakers)

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Then

Reception

"Bare Wires" peaked at number 59 on the American Billboard 200 chart, a significant achievement given the experimental nature of the music. It was Mayall's highest charting album to that date, reaching number 3 in the UK LP chart, mainly due to a heavy touring schedule across England and Europe. Despite its deviation from traditional blues, critics praise Mayall's innovation and risk-taking, considering it one of his best works.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Bare Wires" is a studio album by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, including guitarist Mick Taylor. Released in 1968, it showcases Mayall's evolving taste towards a more experimental approach. While it remains grounded in blues tradition, the album incorporated elements from jazz, psychedelia, and rock.

This album saw a shift in the band's structure, with Mayall mostly abandoning his traditional lineup (guitar, bass, drums plus Mayall on keyboards) to explore a flexible, brass-oriented direction. The album's title track is reflective of this new direction, with 22 minutes of complex score featuring a brass section arranged by Henry Lowther and Derek Wadsworth.

"Bare Wires" peaked at number 59 on the American Billboard 200 chart, a significant achievement given the experimental nature of the music. Despite its deviation from traditional blues, critics praise Mayall's innovation and risk-taking, considering it one of his best works.

It was Mayall's highest charting album to that date, reaching number 3 in the UK LP chart, mainly due to a heavy touring schedule across England and Europe. However, despite its success, it also marked the end of a line up from the Bluesbreakers as both drummer Aynsley Dunbar and bassist Tony Reeves decided to leave shortly after the release, leading to another significant shift in Mayall's music style.