The Blue Pearls Official Homepage

That weekend we (The Blue Pearls) had some free time so Madman and I took the opportunity to watch the legendary guitarist Mick Taylor at Village, Vasteras, Sweden. It was nice to see that Mick was alive and kickin'. Unfortunately he can also be included in the list of artists that found it hard to cope with fame and the life style that goes with it.

Mick is a great guitarist and was tracked down by John Mayall in 1967. He joined Mayall's Bluesbreakers when Peter Green had left to form Fleetwood Mac. Mick surprised everybody playing so mature at the age of 18!

After Bluesbreakers Mick Taylor was invited to join forces with the "Rock n Roll Circus" The Rolling Stones. Mick is known to most people for his years alongside Messrs Jagger and Richards. He really made them swing with his guitar solos and some very nice slide guitar also. Keith Richards once said that Mick Taylor was the only real musician ever featured in The Stones.

After those years on the top very little has been known about Mick's whereabouts. I saw him in Gothenburg with Jack Bruce on May 15, 1975, where they did a great version of the Cream classic "Sunshine Of Your Love". He later appeared with his old boss John Mayall and did some concerts with Mayall labelled as "The Original Bluesbreakers".

He was back and had released a new CD "A Stones' Throw". Mick was touring with the great musicians he collaborated with on the album. Mick played on a beautiful cherry sunburst Gibson Les Paul through 2 amps, a Fender and a Marshall. The 2-set list mainly contained songs from the album and also some classics as "You Got To Move", "I Can't Quit You Baby" and Hendrix's "Red House". We all knew that Mick was a great guitar player but it was a big surprise that he also has been gifted with a great voice. One can't stop wondering why he had not showcased this earlier.

Mick's attitude was very gently and he also gave the other band members the opportunity to show their skills. Mick had lost none of his touch on the guitar, he has always been a great slide guitar player but had developed his slide playing even further. All in all it was inspiring to see Mick on stage again, I hope that he receive the attention that he deserves when he is standing on his own legs.

After the concert I went and spoke to Mick. I thanked him for the Concert, and told him that I saw him with The Bluesbreakers both 1967 and 1968 in Orebro. "That was a very long time ago" he said. "Yeah" I said, "there's been a lot of water under the brigde for both of us". I told him that I'm glad that he is back. Mick seemed to enjoy that I tried to encourage him. I also took the opportunity to give him a sample of our CD "Watch Out". We wished each other good luck.

Mick was the second of the three guitar giants who has been a member of The Bluesbreakers to receive our CD, the first was Peter Green, the last but not least was Eric Clapton.

September 26, 1999.
Bela Stephens

The musicians:
Max Middleton piano
Robert Ahwai guitar
Michael Bailey bass
Jeff Allen drums

Watching Mick Taylor September 25, 1999