On July 22, 2024, John Mayall died aged 90. He was musician (keyboards, harmonica, guitar), singer, songwriter and producer. In the 1960s, he formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians, including Sammy Prosser, Davey Graham, John Gilbey, Ricky Brown, Pete Burford, Sam Stone, Brian Myall, Keith Robertson, Bernie Watson, John McVie, Peter Ward, Martin Hart, Roger Dean, Hughie Flint, Eric Clapton, John Weider, John Slaughter, Geoff Krivit, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Aynsley Dunbar, Micky Waller, Mick Fleetwood, Terry Edmonds, Keef Hartley, Chris Mercer, Rip Kant, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Paul Williams, Keith Tillman, Henry Lowther, Andy Fraser, Tony Reeves and Jon Hiseman. John Mayall was referred to as the “Godfather of the British Blues”, and the “Pioneer of the British Blues”, with career that spanned nearly seven decades, remaining an active musician until his death. He released seventy albums (studio and live).
Tag Archives: Jon Hiseman
Barbara Thompson
On July 9, 2022, Barbara Gracey Thompson MBE died aged 77. She was musician (saxophone) and composer, founding member of United Jazz and Rock Ensemble, Barbara Thompson’s Jubiaba, and Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia, but was best known as member of Colosseum. She recorded with The She Trinity, Howard Riley Trio, Michael Gibbs, Keef Hartley Band, Jon Hiseman, Manfred Mann’s Eart Band, Neil Ardley, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Marti Webb, Rod Argent, Jeff Wohlgenannt, Kate Westbrook and Mike Westbrook.
Colosseum: Those Who Are About to Die Salute You
On March 13, 1969, “Fontana” label released “Those Who Are About to Die Salute You – Morituri Te Salutant”, the debut Colosseum album. It was recorded 1968 – 1969, and was produced by Tony Reeves and Gerry Bron.
Personnel:
- Dave Greenslade– organ, vibraphone, piano, backing vocals
- Dick Heckstall-Smith– saxophones
- James Litherland– lead vocals, guitar
- Tony Reeves– bass guitar
- Jon Hiseman– drums
- Jim Roche – guitar
- Henry Lowther– trumpet
Track listing:
- Walking in the Park – Bond
- Plenty Hard Luck – Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman, James Litherland, Tony Reeves
- Mandarin – Tony Reeves, Dave Greenslade
- Debut – Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman, Tony Reeves
- Beware the Ides of March – Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman, Tony Reeves
- The Road She Walked Before – Dick Heckstall-Smith
- Backwater Blues – Leadbelly
- Those About to Die – Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman, Tony Reeves
Colosseum: The Grass Is Greener
In January 1970, “Dunhill” label released “The Grass Is Greener”, the third Colosseum album (released only in US and Canada). It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Tony Reeves and Gerry Bron.
Personnel:
- Dave Greenslade– vocals, organ, keyboards
- Dave “Clem” Clempson– vocals, guitar
- Tony Reeves– bass
- Jon Hiseman– drums
- Dick Heckstall-Smith– saxophone
- James Litherland – vocals
Track listing:
- Jumping Off the Sun – Mike Taylor, Dave Tomlin
- Lost Angeles – Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith
- Elegy – James Litherland
- Butty’s Blues – James Litherland
- Rope Ladder to the Moon – Pete Brown, Jack Bruce
- Bolero – Maurice Ravel
- The Machine Demands a Sacrifice – Pete Brown, Jon Hiseman, James Litherland
- The Grass is Greener – Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman
Jon Hiseman
On June 12, 2018, Philip John “Jon” Hiseman died aged 73. He was musician (drums, percussion), recording engineer, record producer and music publisher, regarded as one of the best and most influential drummers in the history of the rock music. He has worked with many musicians and bands including Jack Bruce, John Mayall, Tempest, United Jazz + Rock Ensemble, JCM, but was best known as founding member and drummer of Colosseum. As leader he released two solo albums.
Colosseum: Valentyne Suite
In November 1969, “Vertigo” label released “Valentyne Suite”, the second Colosseum album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Tony Reeves and Gerry Bron.
Personnel:
- Dave Greenslade- Hammond organ, vibraphone, piano, backing vocal
- James Litherland- guitars, lead vocals
- Tony Reeves- bass guitar
- Jon Hiseman- drums, machine
- Dick Heckstall-Smith- saxophones, flute
- Neil Ardley- conductor, string arrangements
Track listing:
- The Kettle – Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman
- Elegy – James Litherland
- Butty’s Blues – James Litherland
- The Machine Demands a Sacrifice – James Litherland, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Pete Brown, Jon Hiseman
- Valentyne Suite Theme One: January’s Search – Dave Greenslade
- Valentyne Suite Theme Two: February’s Valentyne – Dave Greenslade
- Valentyne Suite Theme Three: The Grass is Always Greener – Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman
Colosseum: The Grass Is Greener
In April 1970, “Dunhill” label released “The Grass Is Greener” the third Colosseum, album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Tony Reeves and Gerry Bron. The album was released only in the United States.
Personnel:
- Dave “Clem” Clempson – vocals, guitar
- Dave Greenslade- vocals, organ, keyboards
- Dick Heckstall-Smith- saxophone
- Tony Reeves- bass
- Jon Hiseman- drums
- James Litherland – vocals
Track listing:
- Jumping Off the Sun – Mike Taylor, Dave Tomlin
- Lost Angeles – Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith
- Elegy – James Litherland
- Butty’s Blues – James Litherland
- Rope Ladder to the Moon – Pete Brown, Jack Bruce
- Bolero – Maurice Ravel
- The Machine Demands a Sacrifice – Pete Brown, Jon Hiseman, James Litherland
- The Grass Is Greener – Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman
Colosseum: Daughter Of Time
In December 1970, “Vertigo” label released “Daughter of Time”, the fourth Colosseum album. It was recorded in 1970, at “Lansdowne Studios” in London, except “The Time Machine”, recorded at Royal Albert Hall, July 2, 1970, and was produced by Gerry Bron.
Personnel:
- Chris Farlowe- lead vocals
- Dave “Clem” Clempson- guitar, lead vocal
- Dave Greenslade- organ, piano, vibes, backing vocals
- Dick Heckstall-Smith- soprano and tenor saxophones, spoken word
- Louis Cennamo- bass guitar
- Mark Clarke- bass guitar
- Jon Hiseman- drums, percussion
- Tony Reeves- bass guitar
- Barbara Thompson- flute, alto, soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones, backing vocals
Track listing:
- Three Score and Ten, Amen – Clem Clempson, Dave Greenslade, Jon Hiseman
- Time Lament – Dave Greenslade
- Take Me Back to Doomsday – Clem Clempson, Dave Greenslade, Jon Hiseman, Dick Heckstall-Smith
- The Daughter of Time – Barry Dennen, Dave Greenslade, Dick Heckstall-Smith
- Theme for an Imaginary Western – Pete Brown, Jack Bruce
- Bring Out Your Dead – Clem Clempson, Dave Greenslade
- Downhill and Shadows – Clem Clempson, Jon Hiseman, Tony Reeves
- The Time Machine – Jon Hiseman
John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers: Bare Wires
On June 21, 1968, “Decca” label released “Bare Wires”, the eight John Mayall and the Bluesbrakers album. It was recorded in April 1968, at “Decca Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon and John Mayall. “Bare Wires” was the last John Mayall studio album to feature the name “Bluesbreakers”.
Personnel:
- John Mayall– vocals, harmonica, piano, harpsichord, organ, harmonium, guitar
- Peter Green– guitar
- Mick Taylor– lead guitar, Hawaiian guitar
- Tony Reeves– string bass, bass guitar
- Jon Hiseman– drums, percussion
- Keef Hartley– drums
- Dick Heckstall-Smith – soprano and tenor saxophone
- Chris Mercer –tenor and baritone saxophone
- Henry Lowther– cornet, violin
- Derek Varnals – engineer
- Pete Smith, Jan Persson –photography
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall, except where noted.
- Bare Wires Suite (Medley)
- Bare Wires
- Where Did I Belong
- I Started Walking
- Open Up A New Door
- Fire
- I Know Now
- Look In The Mirror
- I’m a Stranger
- No Reply – John Mayall, Mick Taylor
- Hartley Quits – Mick Taylor
- Killing Time
- She’s Too Young
- Sandy
Keef Hartley Band: Overdog
On April 8, 1971, “Deram” released “Overdog”, the fourth Keef Hartley Band album. It was recorded in 1970 – 1971, and was produced by Neil Slaven and Keef Hartley.
Personnel:
- Keef Hartley- drums, percussion
- Miller Anderson- vocals, guitar
- Gary Thain- bass guitar
- Mick Weaver- keyboards
- Dave Caswell- trumpet, flugelhorn
- Lyle Jenkins- tenor saxophone, flute
- Johnny Almond- flute
- Jon Hiseman- drums, percussion
- Peter Dines- keyboards
- Ingrid Thomas- backing vocals
- Joan Knighton- backing vocals
- Valerie Charrington- backing vocals
- Robin Black- engineer
- John Punter- engineer, A.I.R.
- Roy Thomas Baker- engineer
Track listing:
All tracks by Miller Anderson, except where noted.
- Enroute – Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Imitations From Home – Keef Hartley
- You Can Choose
- Plain Talkin
- Theme Song / Enroute / Theme Song Reprise
- Overdog
- Roundabout
- Imitations From Home
- We Are All The Same
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