Customer Reviews

Fleetwood Mac in Chicago 1969

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you have only heard the Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks version of Fleetwood Mac, you are missing why this band has held together through many various formations, and also why Peter Green was present when Fleetwood Mac was indoctrinated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A different, bluesy period of the band, jamming with other now famous stars. Only better than the more well known line up if you are strictly a blues listener. The earlier versions of Fleetwood Mac are stungingly good. When I began to recreate my music collection in CD version, I focused more on Fleetwood Mac from 1975 to the present. I had forgotten what a different sound they used to have, and how good that sound was. If you like music of the 60's and 70's, you will enjoy this.

I agree with my colleagues' comments here on the music, and would only add:

One of the great things about this album, which you rarely see, is that the studio tapes are very sparsely edited. You get some fascinating 'studio chatter' between the participants, as these brash young 20-something Brits come to Chicago to record with these old black American blues legends. At first the atmosphere in the studio is decidedly chilly, as the presumption of these kids grates on the nerves of those who have 'been there, done that.'

But after they play a few numbers, and everyone sees that these cocky kids really can play, the atmosphere warms considerably, and by the end of the session you can feel a mutually-reciprocated affection.

The music is great, but for me it's the progression of the session that makes this set special.

Peter Green was NOT happy with Chess studios. He was "angry" in his own words. Many of the Chicago bluesmen that the Mac idolized were not so fond of the Mac either. And, it shows on this record.

Much of the music is horrendously out of tune. Honeyboy Edwards especially refused to tune. But, so did supposedly great producer Willie Dixon. Buddy Guy appeared on one uninspired track and left.

Yet, there is some terrific music here among the crud. Otis Spann, one of the greatest bluesmen ever, shines. He seemed to be among the few locals who appreciated what the Mac were trying to do. A few months later, he cut an album in NY with the band that is one of the most stunning blues albums I've ever heard. Otis became a fan of Peter Green's, reciprocating a love Green himself had for Otis' deeply emotional, flowing work. Later, Christine McVie carried Otis' influence into the more "popular" version of the Mac. Her piano playing was always heavily influenced by Otis.

Even amid the rather lackluster playing by the other bluesmen, Otis' playing stands out...from the background!

But, there is an even stranger aspect to this recording. Jeremy Spencer, whose renditions of Elmore James songs seem to rankle so many Mac fans, was in his glory. Although people accused him of mockery, Jeremy truly loved Elmore James' music. On this recording he had the opportunity to play his versions of EJ with Elmo's own sax player, the great JT Brown. And, the tracks featuring the pettite slidemeister with the old vet are absolutely the highlight of the set. Jeremy was so obviously ecstatic and humbled to play with JT that the glee oozes from the recording.

This is not a "Peter Green" highlight. This is Jeremy Spencer and Otis Spann in Chicago. Jeremy in ecstasy and Otis simply saving what could easily have been a nightmare with his incredible empathy and compassion. No crap from Otis. Too bad the other bluesmen couldn't get past their "We'z the blues" arrogance and Peter Green couldn't get past his anger at their attitude. Both show on this set.

I finally found this on CD after taping my father-in-laws vinyl version a few years back. What a great record! Chicago and Britian meld a mean session and bring it on home. Disc one is my fave, with the opener "Watch Out" leading the way with some mean lead from Peter Green. Great record.

Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, and Danny Kerwin; John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. Wow! Pull me out of my nostalgia and recognize that these guys had a band!!!! Fleetwood and McVie are one of the best rhythm sections in rock and roll, and PA Green knew it from before the beginning. Hear is a guy whose playing has an honest and felt depth that was, and I hope still is, unmistakeable and fine. Any young kid wanting to start out today with the hope of ending up with style, integrity, and soul, should listen to these guys.

i have been trying to find this recording in local stores for more than 20 years, nobody even heard of it. i just love it. this is the greatest blues anybody can hope to hear anywhere. thank you

I may be in the minority here but I am a huge Fleetwood Mac fan (pretty much all periods: the Peter Green blues band, the Bob Welch middle years, and the Buckingham-Nicks mega hits pop-rock versions), and a fan of blues, rock, jazz, and folk music in general. I must agree and disagree with points made by various other reviewers of the Fleetwood Mac In Chicago 1969 album. It is far from being a great album, Peter does not really burn on it, yet it is still a very interesting album especially to FM blues fans. Yes, there certainly was a bad vibe going on during the session. Jeremy does better justice to his slide playing and Elmore James schick. Had everyone been "in to" everyone else this might have been a much better session. Buddy Guy walking out does not surprise me. He has a temper and has a big chip on his shoulder about other musicians getting praise and wealth for musical ideas that he feels he is more responsible for. He is known to be pissed that Jimi Hendrix lifted some guitar licks (tricks) from him. I've heard "Hendrix-like" playing from Buddy Guy on some of his albums from the mid-nineteen sixties just before Jimi hit the scene. A case in point: Several years ago I saw him at a blues festival where he felt that the audience was not paying attention to him so he started bad mouthing the audience and added "May be you would prefer this..." With that he started to play "Purple Haze" in a mocking mood -- letting it be known that he can rock. Actually it did get the rest of the audience's attention (I was into him from the beginning) but most people were so in shock or embarrassed that they did not know how to react. Back to the Mac.

I've heard that several of the Chicago blues masters at the session were probably coerced by their label to record with Fleetwood Mac so as to further their own careers. I think some of the Chess Records players were a bit jealous of Fleetwood Mac getting rich off "their" blues music, and British at that. I think it was more that than racism. Remember these Black artists did have some White musicians in their bands. These include Johnny Winter and Paul Ocher. The stops and restarts and studio banter can be a bit annoying to a "normal" album. But this was more a recording of an event so it adds to the album to me. Interestingly piano master Otis Spann seemed to enjoy the session working with Fleetwood Mac and soon after recorded a whole album of his own with them called "The Biggest Thing Since Colossus...". It is a solid blues album and well worth searching for. I also agree that the London Sessions with Howlin' Wolf seemed happier and smoother. There are many other examples. Another transatlantic blues effort worth having is Sonny Boy Williamson with the Yardbirds featuring Eric Clapton. Sonny Boy on vocals and harmonica is clearly the leader here with Eric and company strictly providing support.

For anyone who had trouble finding "FM in Chicago" locally you are probably not imagining it. I searched for it for many years before finding it as a double vinyl LP. I think what is going on is this: This album has been released many times by several labels, Blue Horizon, Epic / CBS, Shire / Warner Brothers, Columbia / Sony, etc. As the album never sells hugely it is released in short runs with ever changing catalogue numbers. In both LP and CD format it has been released as both single albums (volumes 1 & 2) and as double albums. Also it has been released under several titles over the many years it has been out, "Live in Chicago", "In Chicago 1969", "Blues Jams in Chicago", etc. So before the Web and Amazon it might have been pretty hard to track down a copy, say by special order at a store, especially in smaller markets. I had trouble finding my first LP copy and I live in the Los Angeles area.

Again, I agree this album is mainly for Early Fleetwood Mac fanatics. A much better and satisfying set are the "Live At the Boston Tea Party" series of FM albums, especially the current first two volumes. Again these three albums have been released before as vinyl under several confusing semi-bootleg titles and as good sounding CDs. Also, for some reason my earlier released set of CDs seem to have a different track running order. This is why one should read reviews and research before making purchases of Music CDs and Movie DVDs as there are differences between releases that are usually not obvious.

I cannot express how wonderful this cd is ! I bought it on vinyl in 1983 ,and I have been playing it non stop since. The Mac boys fit right in here. There is no hesitation on their part . The songs flow nicely ,and the vocals by Otis Spann , Big Walter etc. are a great addition to the Mac vocals. Buy this one . You will thank me later !!!

"And The Gods Made Love"= Fathers & Sons Join together at Chess Ter Mar studios in the Hallowed of ALL grounds for Electric Blues= My Sweet Home Chicago..

THIS IS THR REAL DEAL FOLKS= PURE UN-ADULTERATED BLUES AS GOOD AS IT COULD EVER GET

The British Devoted Students of England Show The Rollin Stones AND THE WORLD= HOW ITS DONE....


Peter Green The Student of The Blues Shows The Masters (Willie Dixon,Sp Leary,Otis Spann,Buddy Guy,Honeyboy Edwards) that he has in Fact Mastered The Electric Chicago Blues So Well it Will Bring A Tear To Your Eyeballs WHen you Hear How Sweet a Les Paul sounds when in the hands of Bles Master Green....The Entire Band Sounds FINE TO ME= QUIRKS,STOPS,STARTS AND ALL= THIS IS LIVING BREATHING CHICAGO BLUES

ITS DOESENT GET ANY MORE FILTHY THEN THIS=

"WATCH OUT:TRACK ONE" = YOU WILL BE HOOKED FOREVER IF YOU CLAIM TO BE A BLUES FAN OR A BLUES MUSICIAN


DANNY GUITAR ROGERS

CHICAGOS SOUTHSIDE

If you're looking for something to learn some new licks on, this is it. Peter Green has about the rawest sound on a Les Paul I've heard since Roy Buchanan on a Tele!! Buy it you'll like it. bc