Various Artists - The Knights of the Blues Table

Knights of the Blues Table is truly a labor of love. Originally conceived as a tribute to the "Godfathers of british blues," Cyril Davies and Alexis Korner, the album ended up as a more general celebration of the genre's origins and rich history. The record includes uniformly great performances from members of virtually every important blues-influenced British rock group, including Humble Pie, Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Savoy Brown, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, the Rolling Stones, Manfred Mann, and scores of others. The disc is a rock family-tree lover's dream, as it reveals the incestuous nature of the scene. What makes Knights of the Blues Table truly stand apart from other tribute records, though, is the obvious love and enthusiasm apparent in every performance. There's no musty musical grave robbing or label politics here. These guys love this music, and it's easy to forget that they once had to buck convention and risk ridicule just to play it. There are so many highlights it's hard to pick just a few, but obvious treats include great harmonica work from Mick Jagger on Lonnie Johnson's "Racketeer Blues" (with brother Chris Jagger on vocals), a rare vocal performance by Cream lyricist Pete Brown on Leroy Carr's "Rocks in My Head," an absolutely blistering take on "Blind Man" by ex-Stone the Crows vocalist Maggie Bell, and a sandpaper-voiced version of Robert Johnson's "Traveling Riverside Blues" by the legendarily reclusive and rarely recorded Peter Green. To top it all off, the album also includes a 1954 home recording of "KC Moan" performed by Cyril Davies himself. In short, Knights of the Blues Table is a recording of extreme historical and cultural importance, a must-have treasure trove for lovers of british blues, and a damn good listen to boot. ~ Pemberton Roach, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alex Keen Bass (Acoustic) Alexis Korner ? Anthony P. Roger Executive Producer Arnie Goodman Executive Producer Ben Elliott Mixing, Engineer Blues, Inc. ? Bob Jenkins Drums Charlie Watts ? Chico Lopez Bass Chris Jagger Guitar, Vocals, Performer Cyril Davies ?, Performer Dave "Clem" Clempson Guitar, Performer Dennis Greaves Guitar, Vocals Dick Heckstall-Smith Performer, Saxophone, Sax (Tenor) Dick Taylor Guitar Duffy Power Guitar, Performer, Arranger, Vocals Georgie Fame Performer, Organ, ? Gerry McAvoy Bass Henry Thomas Bass Ioannis Digital Art, Design, Art Direction, Retouching Jack Bruce Vocals, Performer, Bass, Harmonica James Powell Drums Jeff Allen Drums Jim Sullivan Performer, Guitar Joe Gastwirt Mastering John Povey Harmonica Kuma Harada Bass Les Davidson Guitar Linda Loiewski Art Direction Lou Martin Performer, Piano Maggie Bell Vocals, Performer Malcolm Mortimore Drums Mark Feltham Harmonica Matt Gregory Engineer Max Middleton Performer, Keyboards Mick Clarke Vocals, Guitar, Performer Mick Jagger Performer, Harmonica Mick Taylor Slide Guitar, Performer, Vocals Mike Hobart Sax (Tenor), Sax (Baritone) Miller Anderson Performer, Vocals, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) Neal Wilkinson Drums Neil Slaven Liner Notes Nigel Watson Vocals, Guitar, Performer Nine Below Zero Performer, ? Otis Grand Performer, Guitar Paul Jones Harmonica, Vocals Pete Brown Producer, Mixing, Percussion, Performer, Vocals Peter Green Guitar, Vocals Phil May Vocals Phil Ryan Piano, Performer, Organ Robert Ahwai Guitar (Rhythm) Ronnie Leahy Piano, Organ Skip Alan Drums Stephen Jacaruso Art Direction, Design Steve Wren Organ, Piano The Pretty Things Arranger, Performer Tony McPhee Vocals, Guitar Tristan Powell Guitar, Engineer Wally Allen Waller Bass