Search - Fleetwood Mac :: Showbiz Blues 1968-1970

PETER GREEN'S FLEETWOOD MAC AT THEIR BEST!!!

R. C. Steingraber | San Jose, California, USA | 08/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, a disclaimer: this is PETER GREEN'S (ORIGINAL)FLEETWOOD MAC, not the Buckingham-Nicks-Christine McVie pop juggernaut. This was arguably the finest British Blues outfit to come out the late 60's, led by the brilliant eccentric genious, Peter Green, and ably assisted by Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan, John Mcvie & Mick Fleetwood. This is a welcome collection of rare, never before releasd material: one side studio and one side live in concert. About half of the live CD's 73 minutes were from a BBC radio broadcast that was heavilly bootlegged. 2 other live cuts are scortching alternate versions from the '70 Boston Tea Party shows. The sound on the live disc is very good for the era during which the material was recorded. The performances are truly inspired, among the best ever. It's a great selection of this band's best songs. Peter Green is the frontman on the majority, with a few ably fronted by Jeremy Spencer or Danny Kirwan. The studio CD is more of a mixed-bag. Cuts 1-3 are by Green & Fleetwood in Peter B's Looners, a 1966 R&B outfit put together by keyboardist Peter Bardens (of later fame with Camel & Them). These cuts are OK, but are welcome due to their rarity and historical significance. There is a higher percentage of Jeremy Spencer on this studio disc, doing his Elvis/Buddy Holly/Elmore James routine to the max. There is a lot of Peter Green material here pre-Kirwan. There are 3 versions of "Showbiz Blues" fascinatingly showing the evolution of the song from the earliest demo into an alternate take, very close to the final version that appeared on "Then Play On". The sound quality of this studio CD varies quite a bit, due to the time range from 1966-1970. There are over 50 pages of text and rare photos in this fine package. As with the recent excellent releases of original Fleetwood Mac material on CD, we've once again hit the motherlode with this EXCELLENT collection. I Highly recommend this release, along with its 2CD twin set, "The Vaudeville Years". Also absolutely essential are The "Blue Horizon Years"(a 6-CD budget Box Set), the 3CD "Boston Tea Party" Box Set, and of course Peter Green's phenominal Fleetwood Mac swansong, "Then Play On". All of this material is among the finest music ever recorded; essential, powerful, passionate British Blues and Beyond! This music smokes!!! However, if you are into Fleetwood Mac's later Pop offerings, you probably will not like this at all. Apples & oranges......."

Where do they FIND this stuff?!

Meho Midjich | Evanston, IL | 10/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Fleetwood Mac fan (mostly the Peter Green version) since 1970. Just when I thought I'd heard it all comes this set! Most of the tracks are interesting, but clearly cutting room floor material. The stuff only us Mac fanatics could appreciate.But some of the tracks are incredible! Among the groups best stuff and lying in a vault for over thirty years?!Exhibit A: "Black Magic Woman" Green's jam favorite is from the Boston concerts and is the best version I've heard. His Hendrix influenced wah-wah makes the instrumental jam second half of this performance interesting. Mesmerizing, soaring Green guitar that loops around Danny Kirwan's vibrato-laden guitar wails take this Otis Rush inspired piece to incredible heights. Worth the price of the set on its own.Exhibit B: "Coming Your Way" Kirwan's Afro/Surf jam, marred by poor sound quality and some meandering "solo" playing by Kirwan. Yet, it is a more driving version than the Boston recording, with Fleetwood and Mac laying down an irresistable backbeat. World dance music from the Mac in 1970! Listen to how Green prods Kirwan after Mick Fleetwood's drum solo.Exhibit C: The four piece Mac! An extremely rare instance where Green and Jeremy Spencer played as a UNIT instead of Green simply backing the slide meister. "I Have to Laugh" is an intensely brooding Otis Rush song driven by Jeremy's powerful vocals and Peter's wonderfully evocative and unobtrusive lead guitar work. This is one of my favorite Mac tunes of all time. Several times, I've played this for friends who are simply stunned. "Who is THAT?"There are many more wonderful tracks here, with the second cd full of terrific 1970 live performances that were among the band's last recordings in the Peter Green incarnation.You have to be a fan to enjoy the entire cd. But, all you need is a heart to enjoy the best cuts."

Now this is More Like It

N. Wakabayashi | Jawsey | 07/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I gave this a four rating due to it being out-takes & extra live cuts. HOWEVER, if you are a Original Fleetwood Mac fan, this thing will be a diamond in the rough!!!This has some of the earliest sides Peter Green ever cut, as the first few tracks sound like something Santana would do... done in 1966. The real keeper on disc 1 is tracks 14-16, as the same song goes through a metamorphis with the lryics & the feel. Green (on slide!!) goes through different styles with the song. One cut, he takes Son House's style, the other is more like Skip James.... it's quite revealing. The last cut on the first disc is Peter on guitar.... & a violin player!!! The second disc has more live cuts from the Boston Tea Party that hasn't been available before, along with live cuts from a gig that is not mentioned I believe... believe it or not, some of these cuts are even better than the Tea Party live cuts vol. 1-3. The Jumpin' at Shadows is more melodic, while Green Manalishi has a wah wah bass solo by Green. None of the songs are played note for note, & every track is DEFINITELY worth hearing. Rattlesnake Shake is shorter, & rather different. A great Black Magic Woman. Take that Carlos! Peter is in fine form throughout.This is one hell of a compilation for all the Peter Green fanatics out there. It completely outdoes the Vaudville set, which is actually quite a find in its own right.The liner notes are fantastic as well. Highly recommended set for the fans of "Fleetwood Mac".Sorry, no "Silver Springs" on this set. It's all about the "Man of the World.""