This collection of material recorded for the Immediate label in the 1960s has a few bright moments, but too much of it typifies the lesser traits of British blues--sluggish, bombastic jamming and a certain rote quality. The three cuts credited to
Eric Clapton were early supersessions of sorts, also featuring
Jimmy Page,
Mick Jagger (on harmonica),
Bill Wyman, and
Ian Stewart. But they're nothing more than jams, and one imagines that the musicians weren't happy to have these in circulation. Otherwise there are tracks by
Savoy Brown,
Jo-Ann Kelly, and T.S. McPhee (whose "You Don't Love Me" isn't half-bad, with some effectively creepy organ). On the other hand, the two cuts from
John Mayall's 1965 Immediate single are good, finished performances, especially the terrific "I'm Your Witchdoctor," which has some searing sustain breaks from
Clapton. Those
Mayall sides, however, are now available on other compilations as well. ~ Richie Unterberger