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John Mayall — Force of Nature
Album: Back to the Roots
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1174









Released: 1971
Length: 5:24
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Comments (70)add comment
Painfully boring. No difference between the guitar solo and whatever was going on during the dreadfully bad singing.
Posted 3 days ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
 Canadese wrote:

If you read his Bio you will see he originally founded the seminal John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band which has counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues-rock musicians. They included Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor and many others. A bit like Long John Baldry 's band that acted as a cradle for many future great artists such as Mick Jagger, Jack Bruce, Charlie Watts, and Reg Dwight (Elton John). Must have been quite the music scene in those days in England.


I really feel like Mick Taylor is seriously underappreciated in "guitar-god" rankings (and EC is more than a little overrated).
Posted 3 days ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
Whoever chose that bio pic at the top of the page should receive 100 lashes with a wet noodle. Looks like his keyboard shorted out in the rain and he's enduring a nasty shock. I think it would be hard to find a worse photo of Mr. Mayall. 
Posted 1 month ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Yep.


That Eric cat can play a little guitar.

Would have been nice to John M on his harp.  Especially at that time. He was on top of his game. 
Posted 1 month ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 eyke wrote:

RIP John Mayall 1933-2024

RIP to another of the greats (after a long life at least) and thanks for all the amazing Blues Rock you made and influenced. 
Long Live RP, and here’s to 90+ years of eclectic playlists from William and Co!!

Posted 1 year ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
RIP John.  
Posted 1 year ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
RIP John Mayall 1933-2024
Posted 1 year ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

FORCE OF NATURE 6:32
Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel: lead guitars
Mick Taylor: slide guitar
Larry Taylor: bass guitar
John Mayall: tambourine, drums and vocals

Thank You for the info!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:

Someone really isn't listening to the beat.



It's the rhythm guitar. I can't listen to it. I feel drunk.
Posted 2 years ago by dave3ld    [ Reply ]
This remix is very drum heavy, and it has a very weak guitar. 
Posted 2 years ago by Blasserman    [ Reply ]
they all pale next to John Dawson Winter III
Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Today is his 90th birthday!  Happy birthday to a man whose music has burned brightly in my life for so long.
Posted 2 years ago by knitmills    [ Reply ]
As a drummer, it is really painful to hear the slowing down of the song. Maybe to much weed? Arrgh :)  
Posted 2 years ago by topcat99    [ Reply ]
JM brought on Mick Taylor, Steve Winwood,  Eric Clapton I believe..to name just a few..

John Mayall..the most famous Musician 
no-one ever heard of....
bought his Diary of a Band  vol 1+2
on vinyl way back in '69 or '70.
wore it out ... now long gone...
Good memories..
Posted 2 years ago by billjacky    [ Reply ]
 SmileOnADog wrote:

If I recall correctly, the original vinyl album came with a large booklet, maybe 16 or so pages, printed on this luxurious textured paper with beautiful photos of all the players and some comments from JM on their history, styles, and so on.  I pawed through that little glimpse of "real musicians" avidly then stupidly cut it up and tacked the pictures to the walls of my bedroom.  Hey I was like 13, cut me some slack, I didn't understand that 35 years later I'd wish I'd left it intact.

I have the CD version, with booklet
An excellent album, and story of the sources used for the album is very inneresting. 
I understand stupid. If I had known how much "hold baggage" overage cost, and I could pay in installments, I would have brought my entire LP collection. It was about 40-50 or so LPs, including Lynyrd Skynyrd's Street Survivors, with the flames.  
Posted 3 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
Amazing how good Mick Taylor's slide is on this! Sounds almost as good as Johnny Winter
Posted 3 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Someone really isn't listening to the beat.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Love the hard crisp beat.
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Love that Harvey Mandel!  Love his Wade In The Water, too!  John Mayall is truly one of the Gods of The Blues, and thanks, RP for this! 
Posted 4 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I have this on CD and it seems that these cats didn't play together, John Mayall carried tapes from the UK to LA to capture these tracks, hence the Archives to Eighties title.
Posted 4 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
my goodness

that's quite the lineup for this song
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

FORCE OF NATURE 6:32
Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel: lead guitars
Mick Taylor: slide guitar
Larry Taylor: bass guitar
John Mayall: tambourine, drums and vocals


Mandel is the one weaving continuously in such capable manner 
Posted 4 years ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]
 Ulises wrote:

Wow! Mr. Mayall is 85 years young AND still touring. 



85 yrs old; we age with the years. And bedsides, credit where credit is due!!
Posted 4 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
 mjbaumann wrote:

Long Live John.

Fantastic Producer and Arranger and showman, and he can sing Too!




Huh. I was just thinking the weak point was the singing.
Posted 4 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
87 and still performing?  Impressive.  Mayall was a most enjoyable part of the soundtrack of my youth. -w

Blues legend John Mayall returning to Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
Ty HintonSt. Augustine Record, dated 07 Dec. 2020

Posted 5 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Long Live John.

Fantastic Producer and Arranger and showman, and he can sing Too!
Posted 5 years ago by mjbaumann    [ Reply ]
Several lyrical variants but found these instead:

Yeah I feel like the force of nature
could make you sing like a bird released
If what you seek is the wise man's treasure
you know it's buried beneath your feet
You know you look like faded picture
I see the cracks freezing on your skin
and as the world slowly turns and hits you
that the thieves of the night
are coming to take you in
For smoking all my stash
and burning all my cash
I bet you knew right away
it's all over town that
the sun's going down
on the days of your easy life.
I bet you knew right away
you dope you don't know where it's at
It's all over town
that the sun's gone down
and it's high time to pray.
Yeah I feel like the force of nature
could make you sing like a bird released
If what you seek is the wise man's treasure
you know it's buried beneath your feet
You know you look like a faded picture
I see the cracks frozen on your skin
and as the world slowly turns and hits you
then the thieves of the night
are coming to take you in
For smoking all my stash
and burning all my cash
I bet you knew right away
it's all over town that
the sun's going down
on the days of your easy life.
I bet you knew right away
you dope you don't know where it's at
It's all over if you're begging me please
then get on your knees and pray.
For smoking all my stash
and burning all my cash
I bet you knew right away
it's all over town that
the sun's gone down
and it's high time to pray
Posted 5 years ago by LoudshirtsBand    [ Reply ]
 Ulises wrote:
Wow! Mr. Mayall is 85 years young AND still touring. 
 

85 yrs. old. (actually 86 now) ….sorry, we don't get younger with time.
Posted 6 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
Don't like the drums on this track. The song starts with a faster pace then slows down. I prefer the faster opening pace.
Posted 6 years ago by oHelvetos    [ Reply ]
Wow! Mr. Mayall is 85 years young AND still touring. 
Posted 7 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
 Opiner wrote:
h8rhater wrote:

Guitars on the album: John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel, Jerry McGee, Mick Taylor, Larry Taylor (bass), Steve Thompson (bass)

On the song: Not sure which of these players performed.

 
Pretty sure that is Harvey Mandel.  I had that album - recall his distinctive, fluid style.
 

According to the booklet Eric Clapton and Harvey Mandel - lead guitars, Mick Taylor -slide guitar, Larry Taylor - bass guitar, Joe Yuele - drums and John Mayall - vocal
Posted 7 years ago by jaydee    [ Reply ]
If you read his Bio you will see he originally founded the seminal John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band which has counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues-rock musicians. They included Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor and many others. A bit like Long John Baldry 's band that acted as a cradle for many future great artists such as Mick Jagger, Jack Bruce, Charlie Watts, and Reg Dwight (Elton John). Must have been quite the music scene in those days in England.
Posted 7 years ago by Canadese    [ Reply ]
The Blues Breakers (and this band, if they aren't BBs) are all well and good, but I really don't like Mayall's voice. Let someone else sing, and you're golden.
Posted 7 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Guitars on the album: John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel, Jerry McGee, Mick Taylor, Larry Taylor (bass), Steve Thompson (bass)

On the song: Not sure which of these players performed.

 
Jeez, ya kinda wish they coulda found better musicians...

I thought the voice was Levon Helm at first. I guess John Mayall will do...

- This is some incredible stuff. I know little about JM other than the name, but now I gotta look up some of his work. Wow.
c.
Posted 7 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Thank you, Bill.  Haven't heard John Mayall in years - anywhere.  Had a few of his albums back in the day, as well as Harvey Mandel.  Awesome.
Posted 7 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
h8rhater wrote:

Guitars on the album: John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel, Jerry McGee, Mick Taylor, Larry Taylor (bass), Steve Thompson (bass)

On the song: Not sure which of these players performed.

 
Pretty sure that is Harvey Mandel.  I had that album - recall his distinctive, fluid style.
Posted 7 years ago by Opiner    [ Reply ]
 Webfoot wrote:
That drum in incessant.

 

you'd a loved the 25 minute drum solos back then {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 8 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Yes Please. 
Posted 8 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
That drum in incessant.
Posted 8 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Prefer the Beano album, sorry.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
so wicked (little sleepy-slo but still man that guitar is coooool!)
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
If I recall correctly, the original vinyl album came with a large booklet, maybe 16 or so pages, printed on this luxurious textured paper with beautiful photos of all the players and some comments from JM on their history, styles, and so on.  I pawed through that little glimpse of "real musicians" avidly then stupidly cut it up and tacked the pictures to the walls of my bedroom.  Hey I was like 13, cut me some slack, I didn't understand that 35 years later I'd wish I'd left it intact.
Posted 9 years ago by SmileOnADog    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
1970?! I"ve not heard this until now. WTF?
This is Awesome. I love the simple restrained drumming.

 
Just ONE of the reasons RP is the best! {#Sunny}
Posted 9 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
This is from another era, when FM radio played these songs. I listened to this double album a whole lot, then gave it away, only to wonder why. There is a congested superstar collection of musicians quality to most of the songs on the album, a bit overblown, but I'm not sure where else or when anything like this would have happened except in the time around 1970. There was a disastrous war raging and the country seemed to be unravelling (seems oddly familiar), but the music had a liveliness that has scarcely been matched. And yes, there was lots of dreck.
Posted 10 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
1970?! I"ve not heard this until now. WTF?
This is Awesome. I love the simple restrained drumming.

   
Same here. Love it!
Posted 10 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
1970?! I"ve not heard this until now. WTF?
This is Awesome. I love the simple restrained drumming.
Posted 10 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Dang good!  Sliiiiiiiide & bend.
Posted 10 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
Nice! {#Bananajam}
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
it's a very good album all the way around
Posted 10 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Turned way UP!
Posted 10 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Wow, that's good!  8 > 9
Posted 10 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Can you imagine being able to pick up a phone and call Eric, Mick and the other boys and just say "I'm recording an album, can you help?"  With friends like these . . . what musician needs anyone else!
Posted 10 years ago by helloitsme    [ Reply ]
Lacklustre ... meh-to-blecch.
Posted 10 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
 QuestionMark wrote:
Besides Mayall...who is playing guitar?

 
Guitars on the album: John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel, Jerry McGee, Mick Taylor, Larry Taylor (bass), Steve Thompson (bass)

On the song: Not sure which of these players performed.
Posted 10 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 QuestionMark wrote:
Besides Mayall...who is playing guitar?

 
FORCE OF NATURE 6:32
Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel: lead guitars
Mick Taylor: slide guitar
Larry Taylor: bass guitar
John Mayall: tambourine, drums and vocals
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Besides Mayall...who is playing guitar?
Posted 11 years ago by QuestionMark    [ Reply ]
COSMIC!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
A lot going on with the guitars - thanks for playing Mayall!
Posted 23 years ago by casablues    [ Reply ]
blues is ok, but this song is so boring
Posted 23 years ago by Revel    [ Reply ]
zzzzz
Posted 23 years ago by Oscar    [ Reply ]
My dad bought me this CD a few years ago, and until now I\'d forgotten I\'d misplaced it. Gonna have to go and get it again. Great tune. Thanks RP!
Posted 23 years ago by jeremyleo    [ Reply ]
the blues are the truth.
Posted 23 years ago by miamizsun    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by JCJ: i like slide guitar, but this song is pretty dull as far as blues goes. Mayall doesnt have much range in that forced voice of his
Hey, when you're as old as he is (and done what he has done) you;d probebly be lucky to have a voice! :D
Posted 23 years ago by ndanger666    [ Reply ]
Listen carefully to the guitar work... just masterful stuff from Harvey Mandel, another of Mayalls great discoveries & one of my all-time faves
Posted 23 years ago by kenmo    [ Reply ]
God listen to that slide! It was amazing even before the solo! I could listen to stuff like this all night! Careful Bill, this could kick me over to one of the blues stations!
Posted 23 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
John Mayall's greatest accomplishment was, probably, discovering great guitarists and give them 'room to move'. His album 'Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton' brings back great memories (I used to play Key to Love with one of my first bands).
Posted 23 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
i like slide guitar, but this song is pretty dull as far as blues goes. Mayall doesnt have much range in that forced voice of his
Posted 24 years ago by JCJ    [ Reply ]
The very first record I owned was of John Mayell. It was still mono, can You imagine? I was about 10 years old. So this is all sentiment to me.
Posted 24 years ago by paulv    [ Reply ]