PETER GREEN SPLINTER GROUP
Peter Green Splinter Group - The Very Best Of (Deluxe Edition) [2012] (2 X CD's)
Peter Green was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac (having previously been in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers) and he was a key driver in that band’s early blues rock sound. He left Fleetwood Mac in 1970 due to ill health and was not seen again fully until 1995 when the Splinter Group was formed by fellow guitarist and Peter Green fan Nigel Watson. The Splinter Group saw Peter Green back onstage and the band released a series of albums between 1995 and 2004 when Green left the band. This two CD covers the Splinter Group’s history nicely and goes in chronological order, although as many of the songs were reinterpreted blues classics the music has that classic blues backbeat and there a lot of songs from Robert Johnson, one of Peter Green’s big influences.
The early Splinter Group line-up has a distinctive rock feel as joining Green an Watson were drummer Cozy Powell, bassist Neil Murray and keyboards Spike Edney (later to find fame running the SAS Band and its admirable series of charity gigs and previously the live keyboards player for Queen). As a result, the earlier blues classics like ‘Look On Yonder Wall’ have a real rocking feel to them. The band quickly changed into a more classic blues band when Roger Cotton replaced Spike Edney and they added sax and trumpet to the later albums, plus included more original material. Listen out to for the harmonica playing of Green, which is both powerful and a touch sorrowful at the same time.
Two definite highlights are the Fleetwood Mac covers ‘The Green Manalishi’ and ‘Man of the World’, which is played as a lovely instrumental version. Even if you don’t fancy the album do grab a listen to this song. ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ sees Green team-up with guest Paul Rodgers. Now that would have been some pairing back in the day had it happened. Other guests include Otis Rush, Buddy Guy and Snowy White.
A perfect overview of Peter Green’s comeback, aided by the Splinter Group. Hopefully this won’t be the last we see of his talented playing, even if he just comes back for the odd live appearance. A true British blues legend. (www.getreadytorock.me.uk)
32 of the original guitarist's best Splinter Group recordings 1997-2004. Guests include Paul Rodgers, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Dr John & Hubert Sumlin. If you are a blues fan, or just like the very best in music, then this CD has to be in your collection. An absolute collectable classic.
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Track lists
CD1
01 Look On Yonder Wall
02 The Stumble
03 Steady Rollin Man
04 It takes time
05 When You Got A Good Friend
06 Walkin' Blues
07 Ramblin' On My Mind
08 Me And The Devil Blues
09 Sweet Home Chicago
10 The Supernatural
11 Shake your hips
12 Last Fair Deal Gone Down
13 If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
14 The Green Manalishi
15 Big Change Is Gonna Come
16 Heart of Stone
CD2
01 Burglar
02 Hiding in shadows
03 Man Of The World
04 Dead shrimp blues
05 Little Queen of Spades
06 Hot Tamales and they're red hot
07 Cross Road Blues
08 Come On In My Kitchen
09 Downsize Blues (Repossess My Body)
10 Feeling So Good
11 Time Keeps Slipping Away
12 Underway
13 Ain't Nothin' Gonna Change It
14 Look Out For Yourself
15 Don't Walk Away
16 I'm Ready For You
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Thank you for this best-of, Butter - I'd like to hear how Green sounds, post-Mac. Discovering his era of the group back in the early 1990s was a shock to my ear, after knowing little beyond "Tusk" and "Rumors". E.g., "Dust My Broom" (saluting Robert Johnson and Elmore James) was from an entirely different planet from "Rhiannon" and "Landslide"... and one worth visiting and exploring in depth.
ReplyDeleteHi Aging Child,
DeletePeter Green is a oft underrated, I really don't know why. He is a skillful and sensitive artist.
I just listed to your Alan Parsons compilation this weekend. (Thanks to son-of-butterboy picking it up for me). You have done a great job with the breakdowns. Keep them coming my friend.
Cheers
Thank you for the kind and humbling words, Butter (and please pardon my lag in replying... busy week!), and a further thank-you to Son-Of for keeping an eye out for you and your interests.
DeleteFolks like Peter Green, and his many, many brothers and sisters, pull us in and spur our own interests, and encourage in us a sincere wish to share in our discoveries; you just don't keep the good stuff to yourself.
Meanwhile, my next comp just needs some artwork for me to roll it out... and time for me to _get to_ the artwork. Stay tuned, and thanks again!
Thanks Aging Child.
DeleteWe are all busy at times. Since Ive been back I cant seem to catch up with everything. And time seems to be going so fast these days.
Music is for sharing and I try to put interesting material out because it helps me to think better. Having broad musical taste also takes you to a different thinking and I like that. Having a narrow field of perception may not be so rewarding. Although I concede what makes you happy simply makes you happy.
I look forward to your new compilation. (Any Hints);)
Cheers
Hear, hear - pun intended, too, re both time and music. And re next comp(s)... I expect them to not focus on one artist, but rather be thematic, which is were the next two will go (just got an idea today @ TZ). Hints... would have to be, er, off the record. Yet I feel best laying out what I hope would be gentle surprises.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the lovely weekend, and don't try to cram too much into it. How about some samples of Armenia sometime soon, for a gentle, uh, change of tune?
I look forward to your comps and fresh perspective.
DeleteI am still listen to Armenian music and will have some out there soon(ish)
Cheers
could you please reupload this one please ?
ReplyDeleteHi Mark i.
DeleteNew link established, tested and working.
cheers.