Today (25 July 2020) the sad news came that Peter Green, founding member of Fleetwood Mac, passed away.
Oh Well (part 1)
"I can't help about the shape I'm in
I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you
I might not give the answer that you want me to"
Peter filled in for Eric Clapton with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for a while and when Clapton left in '66 Peter became a full-time member, joining Mick Fleetwood and John McVie.
John Mayall gave Green, Fleetwood and McVie some free recording time and they recorded 5 songs. One of them, an instrumental was named 'Fleetwood Mac' by Green, incorporating Mick and John's names.
By early '67 Peter went off to form his own blues band along with fellow Bluesbreaker member Mick Fleetwood who Peter had known even before the Bluesbreakers when they played together in another group 'Peter B's Looners'. Along with Jeremy Spencer playing guitar they formed "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac featuring Jeremy Spencer". John McVie waited until September '67 when he also joined them and they became the early Fleetwood Mac.
Peter only stayed until 1970, long before the Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham days, but just around the time Christine McVie (nee Perfect) came along. Christine Perfect had previously played piano and backup on 2 of their albums, 'Mr. Wonderful' and 'Then Play On' before permanently joining the group.
Between 1967 and 1970 though, Peter wrote and performed some of the early Fleetwood Macs most memorable songs, many released just as singles without an album backup.
It's often overlooked that Peter wrote and recorded 'Black Magic Woman' in 1968, 2 years before Santana released their version.
The hauntingly ethereal dreamlike seascape instrumental 'Albatross' also came out in 1968. In a 1987 interview George Harrison said that 'Albatross' was the inspiration behind the Beatles track 'Sun King'.
The above-mentioned 'Oh Well (parts 1&2) came along in 1969. Part 1 lasts 2:19 and is fast paced and has a vocal track. Part 2 is a slower, classically influenced instrumental lasting for 5:39.
'Man of the World' is the only Fleetwood Mac song on the Immediate label, the label collapsed just after the songs release.
It's also quite unique. The A-side is shown as 'Man of the World' by Fleetwood Mac. The B-side is 'Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight' by Earl Vince and the Valiants. Obviously it was Fleetwood Mac having a bit of fun recording under a different name. The song was covered by Punk rockers The Rezillos in 1978.
I remember playing the B-side on the jukebox in the local transport cafe back in the day, it was one of those great "guess who this is" tracks.
Be aware, depending on when you were born, this may not be 'your' Fleetwood Mac. It may not be your parents Fleetwood Mac. It could well be the Fleetwood Mac enjoyed by your grandparents.
And still so good today.
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