Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac
Black Magic Woman (Studio Version) Peter Green
Peter Green with The Splinter Group Albatross
Madison Blues Peter Green Splinter Group
Feeling Good Blues: Peter Green
The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown) Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
Heart Of Stone Peter Green Splinter Group
Indians Peter Green Splinter Group
Big Change Is Gonna Come Peter Green Splinter Group
Turn Your Love Away Peter Green Splinter Group
Burglar Peter Green Splinter Group
I Can't Help Myself Peter Green Splinter Group
Peter Green - The Green Manalish Live Sweden 1970 Fleetwood Mac
White Sky [Love That Evil Woman] Peter Green
Oh Well Pts 1 and 2 Peter Green
Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac:
5. Homework
7. Black Magic Woman (Live Version)
Peter Green Solo:
2. Seven Stars
3. Tribal Dance
4. Just for You
Collaborations or Other Related:
1. (John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green)
2. The Supernatural (John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green)
The Tale of Peter Green: A Blues Visionary
Peter Green was born Peter Allen Greenbaum on October 29, 1946, in London, England. From humble beginnings, he rose to become one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time. His journey was one of prodigious talent, immense highs, personal struggles, and eventual redemption.
Green's journey to stardom began when he was recruited into John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers back in 1966, when Eric Clapton left. Mayall had already assembled an immortal group of musicians, and Green brought with him a new, soulful, innovative ingredient. His work during this time, such as the composition "The Supernatural," showed his ability to merge emotion with technical brilliance.
In 1967, he formed Fleetwood Mac with Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie, and slide guitarist Jeremy Spencer. But originally a blues band, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac was to become one of the major forces in the British blues scene. Their first album included covers such as "Shake Your Moneymaker," "Homework," and "Stop Messin' Around." However, it was Green's own sentimental ballads, like "Need Your Love So Bad" and "Love That Burns," which showed he could tap into the raw emotion in a song.
"Black Magic Woman" and Santana's Stardom
In 1968, Green wrote "Black Magic Woman," a sultry blues tune with a Latin-inspired rhythm. It became a hit but reached wider fame when covered by Carlos Santana in 1970, catapulting it into an international phenomenon. His fiery cover let loose Green's genius to a more general audience, though the original is still a haunting masterpiece of blues storytelling.
The Masterpiece of "Albatross"
In 1968, Green wrote "Albatross," an instrumental that demonstrated his skill at creating quiet, melodical soundscapes. Its languid beauty was a huge success and went on to inspire songs such as The Beatles' "Sun King." It has remained part of the band's set list to this day and is a hallmark of Green's talent.
The Green Manalishi and the Struggles Ahead
By 1970, Green was at the height of his fame but also on the brink of collapse. His haunting track, "The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown)," reflected his growing struggles with mental health and substance use. The song's eerie tones and cryptic lyrics symbolized Green's deteriorating state of mind, exacerbated by his use of LSD.
Unable to withstand the pressures of fame, Green left Fleetwood Mac in 1970. Much of the subsequent decade he spent fighting schizophrenia, living in relative obscurity. Even then, his genius sparked through. Tracks like "A Fool No More" and "Seven Stars" from his solo work showed glimpses of his brilliance.
The Splinter Group: A Resurgence
The 1990s saw Peter Green returning to music with the formation of The Splinter Group, a band that allowed him to revisit his blues roots. Albums like "Madison Blues" and songs such as "Heart of Stone," "Turn Your Love Away," and "Big Change Is Gonna Come" showed a more mature and reflective Green. The instrumental "Slabo Day" and tracks like "Burglar" showcased his renewed energy and love for the blues.
In the Skies: A Personal Redemption
In 1979, Green released "In the Skies," a solo album that marked a tentative comeback. Tracks such as "Apostle" and "White Sky (Love That Evil Woman)" were melancholy yet full of hope. They signaled Green's journey toward inner peace, even if his struggles were far from over.
Legacy
Peter Green's music never grows old. From the raucous "Rattlesnake Shake" to the haunting, dreamy sway of "Albatross," his genius inspires successive generations of musicians. A life filled with both triumph and tragedy, Peter Green spoke with his guitar where mere words failed.
Songs like "Feeling Good," "Indians," and "Tribal Dance" stand testament to his continued love of the music. The live performances, like "The Green Manalishi Live in Sweden (1970)," captured that raw energy and soul that made him a legend.
Though Peter Green has left this world in 2020, his spirit lives on through hauntingly beautiful melodies of his music. Whether through Fleetwood Mac, his solo work, or collaborations, Peter Green's blues will be forever echoing in the hearts of those who listen.