Buddy Whittington

The guvnor, John Mayall that is, rates Buddy Whittington as the best guitarist he has played with which is pretty strong considering that Mayall’s guitarists have included Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout and – oh yes, him – Eric Clapton as well as Jack Bruce, John McVie and Jon Hiseman among the other sidemen. None of which would mean a damn thing if this album didn’t prove that Mayall still has all his marbles.

This is a delight from the first notes of ‘Back When The Beano Was Boss’ to the last pathos inducing chords of ‘While We’re Here’.
Not only can he play guitar brilliantly but he has a pretty fine singing voice and he writes a good song too.

All the songs on this album seem to be part of a biography of Buddy Whittington – the Beano mentioned in the opener refers to the Bluesbreakers album that famously has Clapton reading the Beano comic on the cover and ‘Deadwood And Wire’ is all about the young Whittington starting out and wanting “something from Leo’s workbench” (Leo Fender) - unfortunately the poor lad can only afford a Squire.

He plays Blues with a Texas twang to both his voice and his playing adding a touch or more of gentle humour as well as the great playing – ‘I Had To Go See Alice’ will be very recognisable to gentlemen of a certain age and condition but he also tells a fine love song to his wife as well.
When he gets down on it, as on ‘Ain’t Got The Scratch’ with a ZZ Top dirrrrty grind or ‘Texas Trios’, his paean to Guitar/Bass/Drums outfits from Tejas he shows he can do virtually anything.

All this is done with a really understated air, no outrageous rifferey or screamin solos - all played with a beaming smile and warmth to spare.

No shame, I have just about fallen for this album hook, line and chorus and it’s taking up residency on my iPod as we speak. Cracking.