THERE are few more remarkable musicians than John Mayall. The Godfather of British blues has been delighting audiences around the world for over six decades and earlier this year he released his 65th album, Talk About That.

He is currently touring the UK and on Tuesday, less than a week before his 84th birthday, he will be at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.

Mayall has played a pivotal role in establishing blues into popular culture. With his legendary Bluesbreakers he provided the ultimate apprenticeship for a legion of musicians. Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Walter Trout, Mick Taylor and many more were all guitarists with the band as was Buddy Whittington who will be supporting John on tour.

“Having Buddy along will be interesting,” said John. “We are a trio now; the whole point is that we don’t have a guitar player. So it will be a nice contrast for us to have Buddy open the show and then we do our thing.”

John took the decision to disband the Bluesbreakers in 2008 and has toured with a trio ever since.

“It’s very different,” he said. “There is a lot more interplay between us and it’s working out really well. We’re having a great time.”

John still chalks up over 100 shows a year and the UK tour follows a hugely successful series of dates around Europe.

The show will feature songs from throughout his career including the most recent album.

“I think it was the 65th, I keep losing track of how many. It’s reached that point now,” he laughed.

With such a large back catalogue, I wondered if John can still remember all his recordings.

“If I put a record on the turntable it brings back memories of that particular time,” he said.

“My whole career is a testament to what my life has been. So they do bring back memories and the people I’ve played with and the stories associated with them.

“They are a documentary of my life.”

When he’s listening to some of his earlier recordings, does John ever wish he had done them differently?

“I think once you have recorded something they are set in stone and capture the mood at the time,” he said. “I don’t have any regrets or second thoughts about anything. The songs are what they are.

“I’m not one for looking back, you have got to keep moving forward.”

John’s approach in the studio remains unchanged from his early days.

“Usually when we go and record an album, it normally takes three days,” he said. “It’s just like playing live really. It’s very much first takes of everything.”

Given his decade-spanning career, John is in an ideal place to assess where the blues is today.

“I think that blues become part of the fabric of popular music so long may it last,” he said.

John Mayall, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Tuesday, November 21. Details from 0161 907 9000 or www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk