Record Reviews

MICK FLEETWOOD & FRIENDS ~ CELEBRATE THE MUSIC OF PETER GREEN AND THE EARLY YEARS OF FLEETWOOD MAC BMG 4050538669336 (Barcode: 4050538669336) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This 2CD album, recorded live at the legendary Palladium in London in February 2020, is a document of a special concert organized to pay tribute to one of the greatest Blues guitarists of all time, Peter GreenFind albums by this artist, and his seminal group Fleetwood MacFind albums by this artist. Mick FleetwoodFind albums by this artist (on drums) and Green formed Fleetwood Mac in 1967 and the group included also guitarist Jeremy SpencerFind albums by this artist and bassist John McVieFind albums by this artist, and eventually a third guitarist Danny KirwanFind albums by this artist. That early lineup lasted until May 1970, when Green left, and recorded a number of albums, which are absolute Blues-Rock classics to this very day. Green died a few months after this concert took place. This concert, three years in planning in making, presents no less than twenty-three songs from the Fleetwood Mac repertoire, about half of them written by Green, including the everlasting icons like “Man Of The World”, “Oh Well”, “The Green Manalishi”, “Albatross” and “Black Magic Woman”. The list of names of the guest musicians appearing on this album reads like a Rock / Blues encyclopedia and includes musicians such as David GilmourFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist, Bill WymanFind albums by this artist, Noel GallagherFind albums by this artist, Christine McVieFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Christine PerfectFind albums by this artist), Jeremy Spencer, Pete TownshendFind albums by this artist and many others. The overall level of performances is simply staggering. The fact that this concert actually took place, despite the nightmarish logistics involved with bringing so many musicians on one stage, not mentioning the contractual complications, is a symbol of Peter Green’s influence on generation of musicians all over the world. His contribution to the Blues idiom is simply immeasurable and goes way beyond the British Blues Revival of the 1960s, as his music proves to be simply everlasting. For Blues / Blues-Rock fans this album is an absolute must of course, and hopefully it will also open the eyes / ears of some young listeners to the treasures of days passed, which still glimmer more potently than anything recorded today.

Updated: 05/06/2021Posted: 29/05/2021

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ROLLING STONES ~ HACKNEY DIAMONDS GEFFEN 602458122565 (Barcode: 602458122565) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2019 - 2023 Released: 2023 This is the 24th studio album by the iconic British Rock group The Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist. Reduced to a trio following the death of their drummer Charlie WattsFind albums by this artist, this is the first album of original material since the 2005 album “A Bigger BangFind albums with this title”. Vocalist Mick JaggerFind albums by this artist and guitarists Keith RichardsFind albums by this artist and Ronnie WoodFind albums by this artist carry on the torch, supported by Rock stars like Elton JohnFind albums by this artist, Lady GagaFind albums by this artist, Paul McCartneyFind albums by this artist, ex-Stones bassist Bill WymanFind albums by this artist and numerous others. The album presents twelve songs, eight of which were written by the Jagger-Richards team, three were co-composed with the album’s producer Andrew WattFind albums by this artist and one is a Blues standard by Muddy WatersFind albums by this artist. The music is exactly what one might expect from a classic Rolling Stones album, full of great songs and excellent instrumental performances, superb recording quality with a retro sound and a timeless atmosphere of Classic Rock, showing clearly that six decades of music making definitely did not manage to take Stones off their path. They have more stamina, talent and balls than any contemporary Rock outfit, if there are any real Rock groups out there at all these days. The Stones really define the Classic Rock idiom better than any other musical group in history, not only because they managed to last all this years, but mostly because they managed to stay relevant all these years both a recording artists and phenomenal live performers. Their music has been an important part of the Soundtrack Of My Life for almost as long as I can remember, and never let me down since. Overall, if you are a Stones fan, this album is a true joy from start to finish, which can be cherished minute by minute and savored repeatedly, staying on the favorites list probably forever. If you are not a fan, it’s probably too late for you to save your sanity ;)

Updated: 05/12/2023Posted: 05/12/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS / MANASSAS ~ MANASSAS ATLANTIC 075678280825 (Barcode: 075678280825) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 1996 This is the debut album by the short-lived excellent band ManassasFind albums by this artist led by legendary American Rock icon Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist which also included ex-ByrdsFind albums by this artist / Flying Burrito BrothersFind albums by this artist vocalist / guitarist Chris HillmanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Al PerkinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Paul HarrisFind albums by this artist, drummer Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist and percussionist Joe LalaFind albums by this artist. Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist bassist Bill WymanFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The original double LP album presents twenty one excellent songs, split across the four sides of the two LPs with a separate subtitle for each of the sides, all bar one written or co-written by Stills and superbly performed by the band. Stills emerges on the album not only as a first rate vocalist, guitarist and bandleader but primarily as a superb songwriter, cementing his status initiated as a member of Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, where he already contributed some of his finest creations and his material featured on the two solo albums released before forming Manassas. Musically the album epitomizes the best of American Rock, which emerged from the amalgam of Blues, Folk and Country music with electric Rock And Roll. Plenty of heartfelt vocals, excellent vocal harmonies and surging guitar work supported by rock steady rhythm section were the ingredients of the irresistible formula that American Rock knew how to push to the max at the time. In retrospect this album is often considered as one of the top achievements of American Classic Rock in the 1970s, listed side by side such albums as Derek And The DominosFind albums by this artist masterpiece "Layla And Other Assorted Love SongsFind albums with this title". Dedicated to the great and prematurely dead American Rock Heroes: Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, Al WilsonFind albums by this artist (of Canned HeatFind albums by this artist) and Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist, Stills clearly defines his influences and pays tribute to the fallen victims of the demanding Rock careers. An essential piece of the American Classic Rock heritage, this album is a must in any serious Classic Rock collection and definitely worth to be re-discovered by the new generations of listeners.

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 18/01/2019

CD 1 HDCD Remastered Recommend To A Friend