a hard road

Standard-bearers of the ’60s British blues boom, led by singer–harmonica player–bandleader John Mayall. The lineup was famously fluid, nurturing future stars—Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor—and tying into Fleetwood Mac via John McVie and Mick Fleetwood as Mayall steered the band from Chicago-blues grit into blues-rock and jazzier territory.

A Hard Road was issued 17 February 1967 on Decca/London and produced by Mike Vernon, this successor to the “Beano” LP spotlights Peter Green on lead guitar, with John McVie (bass), Aynsley Dunbar (drums), and Johnny Almond (sax); horns by Alan Skidmore and Ray Warleigh color select tracks. Originals and blues staples mingle with Freddie King–style instrumentals, capped by Green’s mood-drenched showcase “The Supernatural.” Standouts include “You Don’t Love Me,” “The Stumble,” “Dust My Blues,” and “Someday After a While.” A UK Top 10 hit (peaking at #8), it firmly established Green as a leading voice in British blues.

TRACK LISTING

• A1 A Hard Road 3:11
• A2 It's Over 2:50
• A3 You Don't Love Me 2:48
• A4 The Stumble 2:53
• A5 Another Kinda Love 3:04
• A6 Hit The Highway 2:16
• A7 Leaping Christine 2:22
• B1 Dust My Blues 2:47
• B2 There's Always Work 1:35
• B3 The Same Way 2:10
• B4 The Supernatural 2:56
• B5 Top Of The Hill 2:39
• B6 Someday After Awhile (You'll Be Sorry) 3:00
• B7 Living Alone 2:25