Audio CD review:
Fleetwood Mac - The Original Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac - The Original Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

Band: Fleetwood Mac Title: The Original Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac Rating: Release Date: 2004-10-12 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Drifting 2: Leaving Town Blues 3: Watch Out 4: Fool No More, A 5: Mean Old Fireman 6: Can't Afford To Do It 7: Fleetwood Mac 8: Worried Dream 9: Love That Woman 10: Allow Me One More Show 11: First Train Home 12: Rambling Pony No.2 13: Watch Out (Take 1) 14: Something Inside of Me - (live) 15: Something Inside of Me (Take 2) 16: Something Inside of Me (Take 3) 17: One Sunny Day 18: Without You 19: Coming Your Way (Take 6)

some clarification It is NOT the first Fleetwood Mac record (called "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" with a litter bin on the front cover and released in 1968)! Originally this record was a part of a double LP "The Original Fleetwood Mac/English Rose". I'd like to share some information about this particular record. The record (LP) under review was called "The Original Fleetwood Mac", released in 1971 (though all material was recorded earlier in the late sixties) and contained 12 tracks (1 - 12 of this release) with liner notes by Mike Vernon who was a producer. I think it was released just after Peter Green left the group. On CD it was released in the middle of 90-ies by Castle records (in 1994) and later re-issued by Blue Horizon. It is one of my favourite records of classic line-up with Peter Green. Highly recommended!. Discrepancy to note Note the tracklist. Seems that this is different from other versions. There is another version with the same tracks up to track 12 (at which point they diverge) put out by the Original Masters label (16 tracks total) and this one by the Blue Horizon label (19 tracks total). Both are on Amazon under different entries. I gather that everything after 12 was considered a bonus track so maybe the only difference is which bonus tracks. The Blue Horizon one has some alternate takes and songs, while the Original Masters has other songs with some live recordings. Still I am confused by the difference, given that both seem to have been released (or re-released) rather recently. Anyway, this one (Blue Horizon) has liner notes from Mike Vernon. The cover art also seems to vary a bit from version to version, but with all sharing the main 4 photo spread on the bottom. Also, one of them (Blue Horizon) seems to be called "The Original Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" (on Amazon, AMG and the CD spine, though not on the cover) and the other (Original Masters) just called "The Original Fleetwood Mac. " Anyway, I just thought this was all worth noting for what it's worth. AMG All Music Guide seems to have entries for both, though this one (Blue Horizon version) seems only to be accessible by clicking through alternate versions around the lower part of the screen. Their review also seems to indicate that Peter Green played guitar on track 5, while the notes here indicate that it was Spencer. The Brilliance of the Original Fleetwood Mac lives on For the uninitiated, Fleetwood Mac had a strong impressive career when Stevie Nicks was just in High School. One word summarizes what the Green God era of 'Mac is - Brilliance. Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie were a band soaked in the blues. From 1967 to 1970 before Messrs Greens' departure they penned some wonderful originals and were reknowned for their live shows. This album is a compliation for starters. Some of it has been seen elsewhere, some of it has not. Drifting comes right out of the gate, and features brillant and passionate solo work by Peter. Other highlights on the album are the foreboding A Fool No More, Mean Old Fireman showcasing Jeremy Spencer's mean slide guitar, The self titled instrumental and First Train Home - another Green masterpiece. For those who are students of the blues. Early 'Mac is essentual. Now only did they play the music but two members of the band would later reflect lives of down-and-out bluesmen. Green's well documented LSD abuse which led to mental institutions and gobs of medication. Danny Kirwan who Peter Green brought to 'Mac also has fallen on hard times. At $20 bucks plus, is this album worth it you ask? Answer is yes. A serious fan of the early years of 'Mac or simple blues fans ought to pick this up. This is simply some of the best British Blues you've never heard. . You can see a complete list of all Fleetwood Mac discography, or go back to the Fleetwood Mac tabs