- Quite a busy week this week. two gigs so far and both at the excellent STABLES venue in Milton Keynes. The place only holds about 350 or so people so it is an intimate venue where you can see and hear artists in comfort. There is a well stocked bar and you can take your drinks into the audotorium. Set up by the late Johnny Dankworth and Wife Cleo Lane, it's well worth a visit and they get some pretty good acts there.
-One such was playing on Tuesday night - the legendary bluesman Peter Green. The place was jam-packed to witness Peter's performance and they were not disappointed. I last saw him just after he left Fleetwood Mac in the early 70's at Eel Pie Island, I think it was, in London. He fronted a four piece band then and it was a six piece on Tuesday. A second guitarist has been added, plus a sax player and keyboards. Peter does a B.B. now and that is that he sits down for the whole time. His contact with the audience is minimal. Indeed he seems rather embarrassed to be on the stage at all. He shuffles on and off with a small wave to the crowd.
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However it is his guitar that does the talking. As it always has. He treated us to some new unfamiliar numbers, some familiar ones from post Fleetwood Mac days and of course some classics. Three in fact:- "Oh Well", "Albatross" and the song almost everyone thinks Santana wrote "Black Magic Woman". He didn't really 'get it on' and at his age and with his previous drug consumption and related effects thereof, I didn't expect him to. But as I pointed out to Trish, a great guitarist is one whose style you recognise immediately and one which others can't really emulate, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, B.B. King, Santana, Zappa for example. Peter has his own and he borrows from the greats as he goes.
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For me, the best of the night were the aforementioned Mac classics, a super "The Thrill Has Gone" but the ultimate thrill was to hear him play Freddie King's "The Stumble". I desperately hoped for "The Supernatural" but didn't get it. That's right Pete, leave em' wanting!
For me, the best of the night were the aforementioned Mac classics, a super "The Thrill Has Gone" but the ultimate thrill was to hear him play Freddie King's "The Stumble". I desperately hoped for "The Supernatural" but didn't get it. That's right Pete, leave em' wanting!
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It definitley was a night to remember - a great tick on the 'must see' list.
ReplyDeleteOoooohhh! Lovely speaking, John! I am sad i was not there! F-ng hell! Tell me please some weeks before, next time, please!
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