Just picked up an interesting collection on early fleetwood mac.
It's called " the pious bird of good omen." Oddly, the track listing on the back is wrong, and the album includes a few of their best tracks, padded out with a bunch of outtakes, false start takes, etc. many of which have killer Peter Green playing. It's also a fascinating window into their recording process, communication, etc.
I bought this against my better judgment, as the online review was lukewarm at best, and it turned out to be an amazing find. It's a mixed bag, but it's really got some great stuff on there. After listening to this a few times, here's my new, polished take on the clapton vs. peter green debate--
1. Clapton has two or three albums worth of really top level playing, with a boatload of great phrasing and melodic ideas, plus some of the best guitar sounds in rock history. Essential listening.
2. Peter Green has as much technique as Clapton (if that matters), also with great sounds, and is arguably more emotionally intense and soulful than Clapton. His best work is also essential listening. I wouldn't call him "better" than Clapton, but Clapton partisans need to take Green into account-- He definitely makes it impossible to rate Clapton as the runaway best white British blues guitarist.
So, for what it's worth, here's my boiled-down take. I listen to Peter Green for the emotional intensity, and Clapton for phrasing and note choice.
(MORE)
Posts
