Customer Reviews

Peter Green Splinter Group

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I have always been a Peter Green fan and his original material penned by himself during the Fleetwood Mac era will always remain among the best blues written and played.

But after a long absence from the music scene his comeback with new splinter group i felt both joyed and reluctant unsure of what to expect. I was really afraid to listen to his new recordings thinking that he lost his powers. But to my great astonishment and joy i was wrong. he again delivers his immaculate and soulful guitar playing and singing. This record is a testiomny to that. Every piece is great may be except dark end of the street which is a little out of context among all the other blues renditions. Bt my favorite is homework by great otis rush. Peter Green infuses a new life to it with his playing of the song.

The reemergence of Peter Green, who, along with his old friend and fellow guitarist Nigel Watson, form the central pillars of Splinter Group is a cause to celebrate. This 1997 effort from the group showcases their expertise at reinterpreting blues classics and allowed Green to exorcise the demons that has sidelined him for more than two decades.

Though this version of the band is decent, it is not nearly as fluid as the current line up. Still, the trio of Cozy Powell on drums (in what was sadly one of his last gigs before his death), Dee Murray on bass, and Spike Edney on keyboards are clearly having as much fun as Green and Watson here.

It's pointless for me to suggest stand out cuts here because it all depends on how you like your blues, soft and slow, loud and gritty, slick and steady. It's all here. Green's vocals are raspy and sometimes hard to hear, but nonetheless, he is singing his heart out. Watson is an excellent guitarist in his own right, and the two anchor the sound throughout.

Still, it's hard to consider this work as essential listening. It's enjoyable, the playing is proficient, and the sound is clean. All but the first two tracks are recorded in concert, and the banter and crowd noise add to the fun.

Legendary British blues guitarist Peter Green, founder of the original Fleetwood Mac Blues Band and git slinger for John Mayall's Bluesbreakers has been MIA from the music world for 12 years until this new recording of live material and 2 new studio cuts surfaced. Peter Green Splinter Group/Artisan Recordings/Snapper Music was only available as a U.K. import until now. This new release was recorded on Green's European '96 tour and shows him in beautiful form on both guitar & vocals. Among the 10 live cuts we got 2 new studio recordings of old blues classics "Travelling Riverside Blues" & Hitch Hiking Woman". Amazing are the only words words to describe both. As for the live stuff, what can be said of Green these days? His spirit is still AUTHENTICALLY linked to the real American black blues and better than some of the top name U.S. & U.K. blues rockers (no names mentioned!). On this recording of live & studio tracks Green is backed by Cozy Powell: drums (ex-Jeff Beck Group/Black Sabbath), Dee Murray: bass (ex- Whiitesnake/Black Sabbath), Spike Edney: Keys & Nigel Watson: guitar/vocals. Standout cuts? "Look On Yonder Wall," "Steady Rollin' Man," "Help Me" & "Travelling Riverside Blues". Green's guitar is as fluid as ever and vocally his soul is from the deep south. No question this guy is 'black turned inside out!'. BTW: He makes very good use of the Robert Johnson catalog with 3 of the old bluesman's tracks on this CD. No questions asked...PETER GREEN IS THE BLUES and WELCOME BACK!

With the exception of the first two cuts (acoustic renditions of Robert Johnson songs) the rest of this disc presents live material marking Peter Green's return to the music scene after a prolonged absence. Within the live set are two more acoustic Johnson tunes, the rest is solid, tightly performed electric blues. The band compliment Green nicely as they lend a more than sympathetic ear to supporting his long awaited efforts. There are times when Green sounds rusty but it does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the disc as he still has that fat gorgeous tone. Only Clapton can compete with Green for soulful blues soloing. The superior double disc "Soho Sessions" does a better job of presenting a rejuvanated Green as the rust is seemingly absent on that recording. Most of the electric cuts from this disc are also present on Soho. Still, this one is worth picking up...Simon

Listening to this CD is like watching Wizards Jordan rather than Bulls Jordan. The playing is smooth and competent and slickly recorded, but clearly doesn't have the energy that the 60's Fleetwood Mac recordings did. You do get flashes of Peter Green's former technique, but mostly he seems to have lost a step. And that is completely understandable, considering what he has been through since the Mac days. On many tracks, his voice is difficult to hear. They bust through some classic blues tunes, but I would go to the early Fleetwood Mac to get the better versions of these songs.

The first 2 tracks are new studio recordings. The opener is an acoustic cut with Peter singin like the most black deep soulful man you can think of. He plays the stumble, slower than in the 60's but its still rocking. 3 tracks are not sung by Peter. There is also a double album called the Soho sessions, but this one has more memorable moments.