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Fleetwood Mac - Complete Blue... |
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ALBUM REVIEWSPick of the Chick: Our Favorite Releases, 1999-Present |
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For most music enthusiasts, the name Fleetwood Mac conjures images of country rock superstars embroiled in tabloid turmoil. But before Fleetwood Mac became rock's favorite soap opera, they were a completely different beast. Led by guitar virtuoso Peter Green, the earliest incarnation of Fleetwood Mac forged blues and rock into an explosive and influential mix. Their music rivaled the output of bands like the Yardbirds and paved the way for the blues-based jams of the Grateful Dead and Santana. The Sire label has released The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions 1967-1969, a six disc set compiling all of the tracks Fleetwood Mac recorded for the Blue Horizon label. This set makes music available that's been difficult to find in recent years. It also showcases some incredible music from a lineup of the band that's often eclipsed by the Buckingham Nicks era. The box set contains four studio albums and two compilation albums released on Blue Horizon. Highlights include the blues ballads "Need Your Love So Bad" and "Albatross," as well as the driving blues-rock of "Rambling Pony." The Peter-Green-penned "Black Magic Woman" also appears here. Although Santana made this song popular, Fleetwood Mac's original is still the best. All of these tracks come from The Pious Bird of Good Omen--the best overall CD in the set. Both volumes of Blues Jam in Chicago are also included in the box set. For these two albums, the band headed to Chess studios in Chicago where they recorded with American blues legends like Buddy Guy, Otis Spann, and Willie Dixon. The most amazing thing about the Blues Jam albums is that the boys from Britain hold their own playing with these gods of American blues--an amazing feat. The Sire label did everything right on this reissue. The packaging is excellent and contains detailed liner notes by Mike Vernon--Fleetwood Mac's producer during that period. The level of detail may be a bit cumbersome for the casual Fleetwood Mac listener, but for the fanatic, it's a fascinating document. The Peter Green lineup was a spectacular live band, and while this set of studio recordings is excellent, it doesn't always capture their live energy. In addition, a few classic tracks are missing from the set since they weren't recorded for Blue Horizon. Two notable omissions are "Man of the World," which was recorded as a single for the Immediate label, and "Oh Well," which appeared on the Sire release Then Play On. With all the other goodies on this box set, however, these tracks aren't really missed. The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions lists for around forty bucks. For six CDs in an excellent package, this set is a steal. If you love the British blues of Clapton, you've got to check out Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac. PIGEONHOLE: Some of the best British blues
ever recorded, compiled in an excellent (and cheap) reissue package.
Andrew Helminger |
FLEETWOOD MAC
