Steve Thompson with John Mayall

[dougjwray]

I've always loved Steve Thompson's thumpiness on this tune: "California" from the 1969 live album "The Turning Point." Johnny Almond's sax solo is wonderful, too. No drummer in sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcqZlFMUYQ

[jerry]

When I was first learning bass I was listening to a lot of Mayall because of his bassists, and Larry Taylor and Steve Thompson were is main guys back then. I don't think Thompson was playing bass very long before he joined Mayall, he was a young cat with a great feel. I also dug his work with Stone The Crows, a band that never really caught on in the states.

[dougjwray]

I also learned from those Mayall records, and Larry Taylor is one of my favorites. I didn't realize that Thompson was with Stone the Crows; I saw them at the Fillmore East (opening for Joe Cocker, I think) shortly before their lead guitarist was electrocuted onstage somewhere.
I also saw the Mayall "Turning Point" band at the Fillmore East, but it was in 1970, after the album was recorded. They were the headliners, and B.B. King, Taj Mahal and a guy named Duster Bennett were also on the bill.
Ah, memories...

[jerry]

Originally Posted by dougjwray

I also learned from those Mayall records, and Larry Taylor is one of my favorites. I didn't realize that Thompson was with Stone the Crows; I saw them at the Fillmore East (opening for Joe Cocker, I think) shortly before their lead guitarist was electrocuted onstage somewhere.
I also saw the Mayall "Turning Point" band at the Fillmore East, but it was in 1970, after the album was recorded. They were the headliners, and B.B. King, Taj Mahal and a guy named Duster Bennett were also on the bill.
Ah, memories...

The bassist you probably saw with STC was Jimmy Dewer later of Robin Trower, Thompson didn't join until '71 I think. I loved the Fillmore bills!!!!!!!!!!!! Good times, good times.