Polydor Records 1971 Stereo Gatefold Cover & Booklet
Back to the Roots is a 1971 double album by John Mayall released on Polydor. Recording sessions took place both in California and London where Mayall invited some former members of his band, notably guitarists Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor. At the end of the 1980s Mayall remixed some tracks and issued them along with some of the older material as Archive to the Eighties.
Besides Mayall, who sang and played piano and guitar, the musicians who recorded the original tracks were:
Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel and Jerry McGee on guitars;
Larry Taylor and Steven Thompson on bass;
Keef Hartley and Paul Lagos on drums;
Johnny Almond on saxophone and flute.
Side 1.
1. Prisons On The Road
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Paul Lagos Lead Guitar – Eric Clapton Piano, Vocals – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
4:16
2. My Children
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Lead Guitar – Harvey Mandel Organ, Vocals – John Mayall Tenor Saxophone, Flute [Bass Flute] – Johnny Almond
5:08
3. Accidental Suicide
Bass – Larry Taylor Lead Guitar – Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel, Mick Taylor Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
6:15
4. Groupie Girl
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Guitar – Harvey Mandel Piano, Vocals – John Mayall Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Almond Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
3:52
5. Blue Fox
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Paul Lagos Guitar – Jerry McGee Harmonica – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
3:41
Side 2.
1. Home Again
Bass – Larry Taylor Guitar – Eric Clapton Piano, Harmonica, Vocals – John Mayall
4:55
2. Television Eye
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Lead Guitar – Harvey Mandel Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals – John Mayall Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Almond
7:31
3. Marriage Madness
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Lead Guitar – Mick Taylor Organ, Vocals – John Mayall Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Johnny Almond
3:34
4. Looking At Tomorrow
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Paul Lagos Lead Guitar – Eric Clapton Piano, Guitar [Rhythm Guitar], Vocals – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
6:53
Side 3.
1. Dream With Me
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Flute – Johnny Almond Guitar – Harvey Mandel Guitar, Vocals – John Mayall
5:19
2. Full Speed Ahead
Bass – Steve Thompson (2) Drums – Keef Hartley Guitar – Mick Taylor Harmonica, Vocals – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
5:20
3. Mr. Censor Man
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Lead Guitar – Mick Taylor Piano, Vocals – John Mayall Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Almond
4:42
4. Force Of Nature
Bass – Larry Taylor Lead Guitar – Eric Clapton, Harvey Mandel Slide Guitar – Mick Taylor Tambourine, Drums, Vocals – John Mayall
6:32
5. Boogie Albert
Piano – John Mayall
2:16
Side 4.
1. Goodbye December
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Lead Guitar – Eric Clapton Rhythm Guitar – Harvey Mandel Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals – John Mayall
5:23
2. Unanswered Questions
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Keef Hartley Lead Guitar – Harvey Mandel Organ, Vocals – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
4:40
3. Devil's Tricks
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Paul Lagos Guitar – Jerry McGee, Mick Taylor Piano, Vocals – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
7:45
4. Travelling
Bass – Larry Taylor Drums – Paul Lagos Flute – Johnny Almond Slide Guitar, Vocals – John Mayall Violin – Don "Sugarcane" Harris
4:38
Credits:
Producer, Written-By – John Mayall
Notes:
Gatefold cover.
Includes a 24-page, full-size booklet with info about artists and lyrics.
Recorded at Larrabee Studios, Los Angeles, California & IBC Studios, London, England between November 15 & 25, 1970.
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