Customer Reviews

Rattlesnake Guitar: Music of Peter Green

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't usually buy tribute CD's but have made an occassional exception or two. Until I obtained this CD, the best tribute CD in my collection was "You're Gonna Miss Me When I am Dead and Gone" the tribute to Muddy Waters by the Muddy Waters Band.

This CD has now moved ahead of the pack and given the diversity of musicians on this CD, that was no easy feat. Unlike the Muddy tribute which features one band doing all of the songs, this CD features as many as 40 different musicians playing their own version of some of these great songs without simply attempting to copy Green's style. I think its safe to say, that having 40 plus musicians participating on one tribute CD could be a receipe for disaster. However, in this case it worked.

There are 29 songs on this double CD and it is not easy to pick one over the others. However, in my opinion, Clas Yngstrom's interpretation of "The Supernatural" is nothing short of fantastic. Also, as a big Rory Gallagher fan, I was particularly pleased with his two songs "Leaving Town Blues" and "Showbiz Blues" which are not going to be found anywhere else.

All in all, there is more than enough on this CD to please even the most jaded fan. If this CD doesn't do it for you, check your pulse, you may well be dead!!

Released in 1995, twelve years after the last Peter Green recording of any kind, this was a welcome surprise and a little prophetic: Green was feeling his way back into guitar playing the same year and would accomplish a stunning comeback in 1996. It's a mixed bag but contains some terrific takes on Green originals, including:

the late Rory Gallagher performing 'Leaving Town' and 'Show-biz Blues'

Larry McCray's superheated 'Black Magic Woman'

Mick Abrahams' subtly delicious 'The Same Way'

Naked Blue's rearrangement of 'Closing my Eyes'

Ian Anderson's delicate version of 'Man of the World'

Harvey Mandel's takes on 'Ramblin Pony' and 'Long Grey Mare'

Paul Jones and others jazzy recasting of 'Albatross'

It's mostly a fitting tribute produced by former Jack Bruce songwriting partner Pete Brown.

Too many "tribute" albums turn out to be disappointments because "name" musicians are often hastily assembled and pressed to crank out material with which they have little or no experience and expertise. On Rattlesnake Guitar, there is a wide array of musicians from across the musical spectrum, but these play the songs as if they'd been together for years. Different musicians offer their own interpetations of Green's music rather than trying to replicate it. And some tremendous interpretations there are here! Though I generally like the whole album, I think the standout is "Love That Burns", a wailing, bluesy rendition of a great song that will have you hitting the repeat button again and again. Other outstanding covers are Black Magic Woman, I Loved Another Woman, Oh Well, A Fool No More, and If You'll Be My Baby. Ian Anderson does a great job with a poignant rendition of Man of the World. I had heard all these songs before and it took me a few listens to warm to some of these versions, but if you like Peter Green as much as these guys apparently do, you will find this a powerful compilation of some of his best and one that is well worth owning.

I'm a Blues music collector and this CD is one of my favorite. If you like the blues with a lot of guitars, then this is for you. Even if you don't know Peter Green. Great tribute, great CD.

My sister found this album in a record store shortly after it came out and bought it for me for my birthday. I couldn't wait to give it a listen. I wondered how the assembled artists could play the music the way Peter Green did, with so much feeling. Listening to the music dispelled all doubts; everyone involved did a wonderful job and the feeling IS THERE! Sometimes you can just close your eyes and imagine the smoke coming off of the guitars. I mean, these guys flat out blister those axes. They also do justice to the slower songs like "Albatross" and "Man of the World". You can tell that this whole album is a labor of love by all involved. If you like the blues, or if you like Fleetwood Mac, or if you like excellent songs played by dedicated professionals, then you must get this album.

Well, it's a tribute CD so everything is up for artist interpretation. From that perspective it's just an interesting listen to see what other artist would do. I like a few tracks and not others so it's hit and miss. I'd rather listen to this than Gary Moore's Blues for Greeny because (other than one track) does it note-for-note... what's the point of that? I'll just liesten to Peter.
I got to meet Peter Green when he was with the Splinter Group in San Diego (9/11/98) and I asked him directly how he liked this. He said that he didn't then said, "...oh, except for Rory's (tracks)." Interesting to know what Peter himself thought. You can always see if this is in your local library to try before you buy.

The musicians involved with this tribute are fantastic. The tribute is long overdue and the results are amazing. If you are a blues fan or a lover of great guitarists this is a must for your collection. Peter Green ranks up there with the best such as, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Stevie Ray Vaughan and countless others. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It's a killer.

I'm not a big "tribute album" guy but this is one huge exception. There is way too much good stuff to highlight individually but the Dave Peverett songs are a real bonus. Peter should be proud.

Always looking for some new blues,I found this double cd set on amazon recently.I didn't know of all the artists but I am a huge fan of Peter Green.To be honest, I didn't expect any of the covered songs to measure up to the quality of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac.The versions played here are very good and I guess for want of a better phrase-immortalize the great songs of a musical genius-Peter Green.This is a beautifully presented double cd set with terrific fold-out liner notes,the sort of treatment you would expect for a blues guitar icon.You'll love it.

This is a very good interpretation of Peter Green's music, with the benefit of modern recording. The musicians appear to have real feeling for the songs. My favourite song would have to be 'Fleetwood Mac' covered by Stu Hamm, Jonathon Mover and Larry Mitchell - there is some blistering guitar work in this song, it is quite heavy too.
I am pleased they made this 2 CD's instead of just one, there would have been too many good songs missed. Any longer and there would be too many similar sounding songs, so a good compromise.