USA Union

Infobox Album
Name = USA Union
Type = Studio album
Artist = John Mayall


Released = 1970
Recorded = Larrabee Studio, Los Angeles, USA
Genre = Blues
Producer = John Mayall
Label = Polydor
Reviews = *"Rolling Stone" (mixed) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/johnmayall/albums/album/130231/review/5943217/usa_union link]
Last album = "Empty Rooms"
(1969)
This album = "USA Union"
(1970)
Next album = "Back to the Roots"
(1971)

USA Union is a 1970 album by British bluesman John Mayall, featuring Harvey Mandel on guitar, Larry Taylor on bass and Don "Sugarcane" Harris on violin. The album was recorded on July 27-8th, 1970 at Larrabee Studios in LA and released by Polydor later in the same year.

At the end of the sixties John Mayall was residing in Laurel Canyon and has developed connections with local musicians, befriending members of Canned Heat. Harvey Mandel and Larry Taylor had been both members of the band. With his new all-american line up Mayall pursued the jazzy blues experiment documented on his live album "The Turning Point". The main change was replacing the sax and flute of Johnny Almond by the violin of Sugarcane Harris. In this unusual format (electric guitars, violin, no drums) the band created a unique sound that is virtually impossible to date. This intemporal quality allows new listeners appreciate the album even today. On tour the band was joined by drummer Paul Lagos from Kaleidoscope. Jazz critic Leonard Feather wrote liner notes for the back of the album. Inside Mayall gave advice on preserving nature.

Track listing

# Nature's Disappearing 5:56
# You Must Be Crazy 3:55
# Night Flyer 5:33
# Off the Road 2:47
# Possessive Emotions 5:20
# Where Did My Legs Go 3:45
# Took the Car 4:08
# Crying 6:27
# My Pretty Girl 4:21
# Deep Blue Sea 5:06

All compositions by J. Mayall. 'Nature's Disappearing' reappeared in a new version on the album 'Wake up Call' (1993); it can be heard as played in concert on the album 'Live from Austin, TX' (2007; recorded Sept. 1993).