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G. E. Harrison | Cheltenham | 09/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Apparently this is John's 57th studio album and while there is nothing here that compares to his best 60s releases this is a great-sounding, consistent set of material produced by Mayall himself. The band consists of guitarist Rocky Athas, bassist Greg Rzab, drummer Jay Davenport and Tom Canning on keyboards - with Mayall playing harmonica, organ and guitar.



John also writes three new songs "Slow Train To Nowhere" an organ-based slow burner, "That Good Old Rockin' Blues" and "Tough Times Ahead" a commentary on the current world economy. For someone in his mid-70s Mayall still has the puff to play harp on many numbers and the band support him well, with Canning's keyboards being excellent throughout and Rocky Athas contributing good guitar, without being outstanding. Mayall's voice isn't as strong as it was but in some ways that adds to its charm on some numbers. My favourite track is the acoustic(ish) "How far down" (by Nashville's Brian Langlinais), with "Number's down" and the jazzy, organ-led "An eye for an eye" not far behind.



On first listen I was going to give this 3 stars but it has grown on me and I think it definitely deserves four - a good set of songs, with Mayall and the band all on good form. John manages to break some new ground here but there are also nods to the past and it definitely has that distinctive John Mayall sound.

"

Doing what he knows best

Ray the Rat | Taylorsville, UT United States | 11/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Mayall fan since the late 60s. Yeah, I'm old. Age notwithstanding, this album is very little changed in concept from many others he's done going back to Turning Point. Mayall writes songs about what he knows: his life. He wrote about his previous loves including the mysterious Nancy T, his visits to California an relocation there, his involvement with Canned Heat and Frank Zappa in the Canyons of the LA basin.



Sometimes it's almost painful to hear such openness about a person's life, but that's his style. And it hasn't changed a bit in "Tough." Several of the songs relate to his recovery from alcoholism (and I can relate to that), others about the current state of affairs in the world...the same basic stuff he wrote about relating to his service in Korea. And while it's sometimes brutally honest, there isn't a bad song on the album, I'd be hard pressed to say which is the best or rank them; they're all good. I can't say that about too many albums by any performer.



I think Mayall deserves 4 stars for putting an album that has brand new music (or brand new covers), not just a "greatest hits." Yeah, some songs are recycled, but they're done well. And I give him the 5th star for being able to put forth a high-energy release like this at the age of 75.



The only thing I could wish for would be Larry Taylor on bass. But Greg Rzab does a good job, if not quite as technical as Taylor. (I'm a bassist and find Taylor to be a demigod with 4 strings.)



To be honest, I wasn't overjoyed with it when I first heard it, but as another reviewer said, it grows on you. But it's much better than fungus which will do the same thing.

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Great ..as usual

Wojciech Langer | Toronto, Ontario | 11/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One cannot go wrong with this CD's music. I like the booklet as well, describing what each song is all about. Mayall shares his opinions and feelings about tough (good title) issues of life, he even cares about the recent state of terrible economy. Great new release from the ageless artist."