XRT Blues Breakers Show: John Mayall

XRT welcomes legendary blues singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Mayall at Mayne Stage for one night only. An artist who can definitely be described as a legend in his own time, Mayall has dedicated more than fifty years and fifty albums to hard-hitting interpretations of fierce Chicago-style blues. During his career he has collaborated with other stellar performers, including Jack Bruce, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, John McVie and many more. In the late 60s, Mayall joined forces with Eric Clapton, creating a historic union that culminated in the first hit album for the Bluesbreakers, “Decca” bringing them worldwide recognition. Clapton went on to form the rock and roll band band Cream, as Mayall continued to hone the talents of a succession of great musicians, becoming more and more popular in the US.

After a long and successful career, Mayall and the Bluesbreakers disbanded in 2008 in hopes to retire, but Mayall jumped back in the touring scene in 2009 with a trio of guitarist Rocky Athas, bassist Greg Rzab and drummer Jay Davenport. Reaction to this tour was so positive that two tours of Europe were booked, including several shows with BB King. And now this living legend performs at Mayne Stage for one performance only. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a living blues legend, John Mayall, perform at a remarkably intimate venue, Mayne Stage.

Pegi Young and The Survivors

Pegi initially came to the public's attention through her longstanding role as backup singer with Neil Young, her husband of three decades. But Foul Deeds—whose first 5000 copies will also include the bonus live DVD Love Like Water, directed by noted filmmaker Jonathan Demme at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia—makes it clear that Pegi's iconoclastic creative voice is very much her own. Her uncanny knack for cutting to the heart of thorny emotional issues drives such indelible originals as "Broken Vows," "Starting Over," "Who Knew" and the rueful title track. Another highlight is the dusky, lilting "Traveling," which appears on the album in two versions, one spare and dreamy, and the other performed with a full band.