BLUES LEGENDS - Peter Green by Derwyn Powell
In England, in1965, a historic union took place. Formed by John Mayall in what
was to become a classic blues line-up. After rave- up club gigs all around London,
the Bluesbreakers, Mayall/Clapton/Mcvie&Flint became arguably the best British
R&B band of all time. With Clapton’s departure to form Cream with
Jack Bruce, Peter Green’s role came into play. Mayall’s attention
was directed to Peter Green whose inevitable task was to take Clapton’s
place in the Bluesbreakers. His appearance on the album “A Hard Road”
in 1967, put-a-halt to the cries of “Bring back Eric”. A hard act
follow but Peter managed it. He learned guitar as a teen during the era of the
Shadows in England. There’s a certain reverb sound of Shadows guitarist,
Hank Marvin in Peters playing. Although, BB.King and Otis Rush were his main
influences that dominated his style. Peters began writing songs and developing
his special lead style, which was his own. Peter had written an instrumental,
which the band recorded for a single. “The Supernatural” was a step
forward in establishing the Peter Green sound. When Aynsley Dunbar left Mayall’s
band,drummer MickFleetwood came aboard and with bassist John McVie, recorded
a track entitled ‘’Fleetwood Mac’’; hence the name struck
and the new band was born.
Jeremy Spencer joins band and eventually, Danny Kirwan who along with the other
three, become the classic ‘’Fleetwood Mac’’ line-up.
Their first self-titled LP recording stayed on charts for a year. The track
“Albatrass” indicated that the band might be moving beyond the confines
of the blues.
‘’Blues Jam At Chess’’ or ‘’Fleetwood Mac
in Chicago’’ featured the band playing with bluesmen Honeyboy Edwards
/J.T. Brown/ Otis Spann/Buddy Guy and Willie Dixon and others. A successful
single “Oh Well” Pt. 1 & 2, was followed by “Then Play
On” LP. An electric mix of Peter Green/Danny Kirwan, and some blues jamming.
It was over all, a wonderful album, but Peter’s last one with the ’’Mac’’.
Suddenly Peter was beginning to have his problems. He could not come to terms
with the concept of his wealth and wanted Fleetwood to donate their earnings
to charity. He seemed to be searching for a more improvised sound. This drove
him to write “The Green Manalishi” a song about money and manifestation
of the devil. Finally in 1970, Peter left the band.
Peter was still active musically and released an album of jams “The End
of the Game” recorded in one night it has its moments, but wasn’t
a fully realized project. A patchy work at best. Green continued doing gigs
around London and guested on several records w/various artists including B.B.King
and Memphis Slim and Duster Bennett to name a few. By 1974 he had all but disappeared
from public view. Health problems plagued him during this period and it was
not until the late 70’s that he would make his return. Then in 1978, ‘’In
the Skies’’ hit the record stores. While not as dynamic as his Mac
tracks, but for most fans it was just nice to have him back. A great album that
shouldn’t be compared w/ Fleetwood’s output, but judged on it’s
own merits. Standout tracks were ‘’Seven Stars’’ and
title track ‘’In the Skies’’. Peter’s fans claim
it gets better with each listening. Follow-ups ‘’Little Dreamer’’
released in 1980, while a weaker affair and 1981’s ‘’Whatcha’
Gonna Do’’ likewise. They still had their inspired musical moments.’’
Last Train to San Antone’’, ‘’Got to See Her Tonight’’,
and ‘‘Bullet in the Sky’’ were three such tracks. While
1982’s ‘’White Sky’’ also had standout songs like
‘’Shining Star’’, ’’Indian Lover’’
and ‘’Born on the Wild Side’’. ‘’Kolors’’
was the 1983 offering. It was scraping the bottom of the barrel, but still contained
a few Green classics. By 1984 he was again absent from the music scene. After
years of illness and drastic treatments that followed he all but disappeared,
but this wasn’t the end. In 1995 interest in Peter’s music was picking
up again. A biography came out that year and guitarist Gary Moore’s tribute
album came out. In 1996 Peter’s old friend Nigel Watson, was responsible
for getting Peter back into performing and the group Splinter was born. Peter
said he had to totally relearn how to play. Early gigs were nervy affairs by
all accounts, but it paid off, as Peter was singing and playing better since
his early Fleetwood Mac days. Five or six Splinter albums are now available
since their formation. If Peter Green and Splinter play near you, you should
do yourself a favor and check him out. He’s the real thing, a musician
who still feels the music.
A Selected Discography follows:
- English Rose / Epic [1969]
- Fleetwood Mac / Greatest Hits/Epic [1971]
- Fleetwood Mac / In Chicago / Chess [1969]
- Fleetwood Mac / Then Play On /Wea [1969]
- Peter Green / In the Skies [1979]
- Peter Green / White Sky [1982]
- Peter Green / with Splinter / Destiny [1999]
- Peter Green / with Splinter / Hot Foot Powder [2000]
- Peter Green /Splinter / Reaching the Cold 100 [2003]