"Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" by FLEETWOOD MAC [1968 Debut LP] (1999 and 2004 Sony/Blue Horizon 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...My Heart Beat Like A Hammer..."

In its famous 'dog and dustbin' sleeve - Fleetwood Mac's first album was released in February 1968 on Blue Horizon Records in the UK in both MONO (7-63200) and STEREO (S 7-63200) and slightly later on Epic Records in the USA in both MONO (LN 24402) and STEREO (BN 26402). In the UK it's referred to by its label title "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" - in the USA simply as "Fleetwood Mac".

And although it's now recognised as a masterpiece of British Blues Rock - this particular stand-alone June 2004 CD reissue of that explosive debut is "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions 1967-1969" version - the one taken from the 6CD box set issued in November 1999. And it’s jumbled around enough to require a detailed explanation. So here goes...

The original album track list ran as follows (35:55 minutes):

1. My Heart Beat Like A Hammer (Jeremy Spencer song) [2:59 minutes]

2. Merry Go Round (Peter Green song) [4:20 minutes]

3. Long Grey Mare (Peter Green song) [2:15 minutes]

4. Hellhound On My Trail (Robert Johnson cover) [2:06 minutes]

5. Shake Your Moneymaker (Elmore James cover) [2:57 minutes]

6. Looking For Somebody (Peter Green song) [2:52 minutes] (End of Side 1)

7. No Place To Go (Howlin' Wolf cover) [3:21 minutes]

8. My Baby's Good To Me (Jeremy Spencer song) [2:51 minutes]

9. I Loved Another Woman (Peter Green song) [2:57 minutes]

10. Cold Black Night (Jeremy Spencer song) [3:17 minutes]

11. The World Keep On Turning (Peter Green song) [2:29 minutes]

12. Got To Move (Homesick James Williamson cover) [3:21 minutes] (End of Side 2)

But this "Box Set" version runs to almost twice the length of the ordinary CD reissue (63:39 minutes):

1. My Heart Beat Like A Hammer (Take 2 Master Version with Studio Talk) [3:33 minutes]

2. Merry Go Round (Take 2 Master Version with studio Talk) [4:20 minutes]

3. Long Grey Mare (same as 3 above)

4. Hellhound On My Trail (Take 1 Complete Master Version/Remix) [2:06 minutes]

5. Shake Your Moneymaker (Master Version with Studio Talk) [3:14 minutes]

6. Looking For Somebody (same as 6 above)

7. No Place To Go (same as 7 above)

8. My Baby's Good To Me (same as 8 above)

9. I Loved Another Woman (same as 9 above)

10. Cold Black Night (same as 10 above)

11. The World Keep On Turning (same as 11 above)

12. Got To Move (same as 12 above)

BONUSES

13. My Heart Beat Like A Hammer (Take 1 - Previously Unissued) [3:43 minutes]

14. Merry Go Round (Take 1 - Previously Unissued/Incomplete) [0:57 minutes]

15. I Loved Another Woman (Takes 1, 2, 3 and 4 with False Starts - Previously Unissued - Incomplete) [6:09 minutes]

16. I Loved Another Woman (Takes 5 and 6 - Previously Unissued/Incomplete) [5:10 minutes]

17. Cold Black Night (Takes 1 through to 5 with False Starts - Previously Unreleased - and Take 6 which is the master version) [5:30 minutes]

18. You're So Evil (Take 2 - Previously Unreleased Jeremy Spencer Track) [3:07 minutes]

19. I'm Coming Home To Stay (Jeremy Spencer song, Previously Unreleased Track) [2:29 minutes]

Why so different? In November 1999 Sony issued the stunning 6-disc box set "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions 1967-1969" by FLEETWOOD MAC to universal acclaim. Mike Vernon, the label's producer, had taken the unusual decision to re-sequence the track line-ups of ALL 5 UK albums (one was a double) to feature outtakes, studio chatter, false starts and so on. This was of course fine and dandy on a comprehensive box set.

But this June 2004 singular CD re-issue of "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" by FLEETWOOD MAC on Sony/Blue Horizon 516443 2 (Barcode 5099751644323) mimics that release - when it really should have been reverted to the 12 track original LP run and added the outtakes on as bonuses at the end. It sort of does, of course, but the downside is that when you play "My Heart Beat Like A Hammer" for the first time - the studio chatter and buggering about in the studio is quaint - but when you want to actually hear the track and album proper - it becomes a major pain. You can of course edit it with iTunes to play the 12 tracks as 1st released, but that's more work than should be necessary.

On the upside are two stunning previously unreleased Jeremy Spencer tracks at the end - "You're So Evil" and especially the raucous Elmore James clone "I'm Coming Home To Stay" - fantastic stuff and genuine bonus tracks. Completists would have enjoyed this disc having both the MONO and STEREO mix of the album - as initially released - and just the two unreleased on the end - but that's another day's work. And hearing raucous Blues Rock joy like "Shake Your Moneymaker" and "The World Keep On Turning" on the original album is never going to be anything less than thrilling.

As it stands Fleetwood Mac's 1968 first album is still one of the great rocking blues offerings in any configuration and only makes you pine for more. I'd say BUY IT anyway and then go for 2 to 5 listed below as well...they're all magical in their own way. "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac" is the kind of album you will return to again and again…

PS: For those wishing for more, the Blue Horizon label Fleetwood Mac UK albums are (all reviewed):

1. Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac (1968) (original album, known as "Fleetwood Mac" in the USA)

2. Mr. Wonderful (1968) (original album)

3. The Pious Bird Of Good Omen (1969)  (compilation of non-album 7" singles, their B-sides, collaborations and other rarities)

4. Blues Jam At Chess (1969)

(Original 20-track 2LP set often referred to as a Various Artists compilation. Its full credit is to: Fleetwood Mac, Otis Spann, Willie Dixon, Shakey Horton, J.T. Brown, Guitar Buddy, Honey Boy Edwards, S.P. Leary. Originally a 2LP set on release in the UK, it was broken into 2 volumes in the USA and renamed in May 1970 as “Blues Jam In Chicago Volume 1" and "Blues Jam In Chicago Volume 2". It was also reissued twice thereafter in the USA – 1971 and 1975 as “Fleetwood Mac In Chicago” (both charted). The CD reissues are based on the 1970 releases and names – but are the ‘Expanded Editions’ from the 1999 6-Disc Box set with rejiggered tracks. It is ONLY these singular re-sequenced releases that are available today.)

5. The Original Fleetwood Mac (1971)

(Although released in 1971, this LP has recordings from August 1967 through to October 1968, all of which were previously unreleased at the time)

"The 1968 Memphis Country Blues Festival: The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by BUKKE WHITE [featuring Furey Lewis] (2006 Sony/Blue Horizon CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Baby Please Don't Go…But They Go Anyway!" 

The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions by BUKKA WHITE

UK released 5 June 2006 - this 2CD set is based around two rare and pricey albums issued in 1968 and 1969 by the cult BLUE HORIZON label in the UK - both platters involving the guttural vocals of BUKKA WHITE (and Friends).

Here's how the 2CD set "The 1968 Memphis Country Blues Festival: The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by BUKKA WHITE on Sony/Blue Horizon 82876851232 (Barcode 828768512326) plays out…

Disc 1 (50:21 minutes):

1. Highway 61 [Live] (Nathan Beauregard)

2. Kid Gal Blues [Live] (Nathan Beauregard)

3. Hello Central, Give Me 49 [Live] (Bukka White)

4. Baby Please Don’t Go [Live] (Bukka White)

5. Furry’s Blues [Live] (Furry Lewis)

6. In Heaven, Sitting Down [Live] (Robert Wilkins)

7. What Do You Think About Jesus [Live] (Robert Wilkins)

8. You Don’t Know My Mind [Live] (Joe Callicott)

9. Great Long Ways From Home [Live] (Joe Callicott)

10. My Mother Died [Live] (Bukka White)

Tracks 1 to 10 are the Various Artists live album "The 1968 Memphis Country Blues Festival" issued in the UK in September 1968 on Blue Horizon Records S 7-63210. It was recorded live at The Municipal Shell, Overton Park, Memphis Tennessee on Saturday 20 July 1968.

Tracks 1 and 2 are NATHAN BEAUREGARD on Vocal & Guitar

Tracks 3 and 4 are BUKKA WHITE on Vocal & Guitar accompanied by JIM CROSTHWAIT on Washboard

Tracks 5 is FURRY LEWIS on Vocal and Guitar

Tracks 6 and 7 are REV. ROBERT WILKINS on Vocal & Guitar accompanied by DOUGLAS WILKINS on Vocals, Cymbals & Tambourine with JOHN WILKINS on Bass

Tracks 8 and 9 are JOE CALLICOTT on Vocal and Guitar

Track 10 is BUKKA WHITE on Vocal & Guitar accompanied by JIM CROSTHWAIT on Washboard

Disc 2 (51:36 minutes):

1. Bed Spring Blues

2. Aberdeen, Mississippi Blues

3. Drifting Blues

4. (Brand New) Decoration Day

5. Baby Please Don't Go

6. Give Me An Old, Old Lady

7. Got Sick And Tired

8. World Boogie

9. School Learning

10. Old Man Tom

11. Gibson Town

Tracks 1 to 11 are the studio album "Memphis Hot Shots" by BUKKA WHITE issued 1969 on Blue Horizon Records S 7-63229 in the UK

Tracks 12 and 13 are "Drifting Blues (Master Version Without Reverb)" and "Old Man Tom (Complete Master Version Without Reverb)" by BUKKA WHITE which were originally released on the album "Stars Of The 1969-1970 Memphis Country Blues Festival" on Sire Records SES 97015 in the USA only

The 20-page booklet has a fantastically informational essay on the USA date and later album sessions by label boss MIKE VERNON, there’s a picture of the cool 60ts concert poster, snaps of both the rare album sleeves, black & white photos of NATHAN BEAUREGARD, FURRY LEWIS, JOE CALLICOTT and REV. ROBERT WILKINS and a few of the great man himself BUKKA WHITE – all of it with the usual track-by-track session details and classy outer card wrap.

The original master tapes have been digitally remastered by DUNCAN COWELL at Sound Mastering and considering the live and loose nature of the recordings, the quality of the sound is fabulously clean and clear.  The studio album sounds superb - muscular and live in your living-room.

Disc 1 has the enthusiastic American audience regaled by jokes and banter before each tune – some good, some bad – some of it even incomprehensible! But none of it takes away from the excellence of what’s then played. As the crowd is very quiet and respectful during playing, it gives many of the performances an eerie kind of acoustic blues power. NATHAN BEAUREGARD, JOE CALLICOTT and the gospel sincerity of REV. WILKINS and his brothers are all impressive - while FURRY LEWIS almost steals the show with just one song. It’s lovely to hear their personalities come through on these recordings – upbeat – enjoying it - glad to be in front of an appreciative audience.

The huge sound of the studio album "Memphis Hot Shots" on CD2 make for a perfect compliment to the mostly acoustic nature of CD1. The mysterious HARMONICA BOY wails in the background on harp on almost every tune (we never do quite find out who he is), TREVOR KOEHIER is on piano, BILL BARTH on Guitar, ANCHOR on String Bass (another mysterious pseudonym) with JIM CROSTHWAIT on Washboard and JOE GRAY on Drums. BUKKA WHITE plays guitar and sings – and what a voice he had! Sounding similar to a strangulated version of Howlin' Wolf - Bukka White's vocals are a thing of blues wonder – as real and as grits-ain't-groceries as it can get. When the band is used on "Bed Spring Blues" and "Got Sick & Tired" - the Washboard and shuffling rhythm of the Drums give the songs an almost fun feel – such a tremendous listen. But then to counter that - you're hit with his gutsy lone acoustic blues version of Big Joe Williams' classic "Baby Please Don't Go" where he plays a blinder (the title of this review is the spoken intro by Bukka on the live version of "Baby Please Don't Go" on Disc 1).

I confess to not knowing much about Bukka White – shame on me – but this sneakily brilliant double CD set has changed all that. Another typically superb job done by all the good people at Blue Horizon who respected these cultural giants then - and still do now…

"The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by DUSTER BENNETT (2006 and 2018 Reissue UK 2CD Remasters on Blue Horizon and Floating World featuring Members of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Hard To Resist…"

*** 2006 ORIGINAL and 2018 REISSUE ***

Originally UK issued 26 September 2006 by Sony in the UK as a 2CD set in a card slipcase (Sony/Blue Horizon 518517 2 - Barcode 5099751851721) - this huge two-disc haul made available extremely rare LPs and singles by one of Britain's great-unsung guitar/harmonica players - Anthony "Duster" Bennett. 

The blues-mad 22 year-old from Wales was pointed in the direction of the UK's Blue Horizon label in early 1968 by none other than Fleetwood Mac's PETER GREEN. Greeney was on the money of course and here's the rocking proof. 44 tracks, 3 full albums, 9 non-album singles tracks and 1 previously unreleased cut - yummy. 

What you have here is a July 2018 'copycat reissue' on Floating World Records (part of the Retro World group of labels out of the UK) - but minus the card outer slipcase and pitched at less than mid-price for a 2CD set (I've seen this for less than eight quid). Here are the reissue details...

UK released 27 July 2018 - "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by DUSTER BENNETT on Floating World FLOATM6367 (Barcode 0805772636729) is a like-for-like reissue of the 2006 Sony/Blue Horizon 2CD Remastered Compilation and breaks down in the same way the original 2006 issue did... 

Disc 1 (76:13 minutes):

1. Hard To Resist" - an aborted 1st UK 7" single recorded 15 May 1968, Previously Unreleased 

2. It's A Man Down There

3. Things Are Changing - tracks 2 and 3 are the non-album A & B of a 1968 UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3141

4. Worried Mind [Side 1]

5. Life Is A Dirty Deal

6. Country Jam 

7. Trying To Paint It In The Sky 

8. Times Like These 

9. My Lucky Day 

10. Got A Tongue In Your Head [Side 2]

11. Jumping At Shadows

12. 40-Minutes From Town

13. Shame, Shame, Shame

14. My Love Is My Love 

15. Shady Little Baby 

Tracks 4 to 15 are the album "Smiling Like I'm Happy" issued late August 1968 on Blue Horizon S 7-63208 in the UK in Stereo. Guests include Peter Green on Guitar, Ham Richmond on Piano, Stella Sutton on Second Vocals and Mick Fleetwood on Drums. 

16. Raining In My Heart

17. Jumpin' For Joy - tracks 16 and 17 are the non-album A & B of the 17 January 1969 UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3148

18. God Save The Queen/Introductions/She Live Her Life Too Fast (Live)

19. Just Like A Fish (Live)

20. What A Dream (Live)

21. Just Like I Treat You (Live)

22. Talk To Me (Live)

Tracks 18 to 22 are Side 1 of the LIVE album "Bright Lights..." issued 1969 on Blue Horizon S 7-63221 in the UK. 

Tracks 1 to 6 on Disc 2 are Side 2 of the record - the album is credited to DUSTER BENNETT and HIS HOUSE BAND - most of which is FLEETWOOD MAC

Disc 2 (78:58 minutes):

1. I'm The One (Live)

2. I Wonder If You Know (How It Is) (Live)

3. My Babe/She's My Baby (Live)

4. Honest I Do (Live)

5. Bright Lights Big City (Live)

6. Fresh Country Jam (Live)

Tracks 1 to 6 are Side 2 of the LIVE album "Bright Lights..." issued 1969 on Blue Horizon S 7-63221 in the UK 

7. I'm Gonna Wind Up Ending Up Or I'm Gonna End Up Winding Up With You

8. Rock Of Ages Cleft For Me - tracks 7 and 8 are the non-album A & B of a 11 July 1969 UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3164

9. Slim's Tune [Side 1]

10. I Chose To Sing The Blues

11. Sugar Beet

12. I Love My Baby

13. Vitamin Pills

14. Everyday

15. Act Nice & Gentle [Side 2]

16. Woman Without Love

17. That Mean Old Look 

18. Sweeter Than Sugar

19. On Reconsideration

20. Hill St. Rag

21. If You Could Hang Your Washing Like You Hang Lines

Tracks 9 to 21 are the album "12 DB's" issued October 1970 on Blue Horizon S 7-63868 in the UK and BH 4812 in the USA

22. I Want You To Love Me - the non-album B-side to "Act Nice & Gentle" (on "12db's") - a 1970 UK 7" single on Blue Horizon 57-3179

DUNCAN COWELL digitally remastered the original master tapes in 2005 to stunning effect (this 2018 reissue licenses those), the original 16-page Mike Vernon-written booklet (Blue Horizon label boss and original producer) has been replaced with newly revamped paragraphs by ALAN ROBINSON dated May 2018. MIKE VERNON and TOP TOPHAM (Topham was another one of the label's guitarists and founder member of THE YARDBIRDS) are name-checked, Bennett's three albums are pictured and there are hugely detailed session notes – same as the original issue. Robinson's efforts also update the story from 2006 to 2018 (net references). 

Great guest appearances abound - the superb stand-alone cover of Slim Harpo's "Raining In My Heart" features ALAN SILVESTRI and DAVE BIDWELL of CHICKEN SHACK, while B.B. King's rhythm section GERRY JERMOTT (Bass) and HERBIE LOUVELLE (Drums) feature on the fabulously funky "I Chose To Sing The Blues". Both TOP TOPHAM and PETER GREEN grace the raucous live version of Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights Big City", while JOHNNY ALMOND adds a cool organ intro to the wonderfully slinky "Vitamin Pills". STELLA SUTTON adds lovely harmony vocals to the shuffling "Times Like These" (with Peter Green on Guitar). 

The mysterious HAM RICHMOND piano credit on the debut turns out to be none other than Bennett himself under a pseudonym! In fact many of the tracks feature ALL instrumentation by him alone - mean Harmonica blowing, Electric Piano, Snare and Bass Drums - damn he was talented! 

This is a clever reissue from Floating World – the original Blue Horizon issue having acquired nasty price tags since deletion years back. 

Signed to Zeppelin's Swan Song label by Jimmy Page in 1975, his career was poised for serious renewal, when in March 1976 at the age of only 30, Duster Bennett fell asleep at the wheel of his car on the way home from a gig - and sadly lost his life. 

At least this superb 2CD set is a fitting memorial to him and his musical legacy. 

The original 2006 Blue Horizon twofer did him proud; this 2018 reissue by Floating World of the UK simply apes that and at a cheaper price too. Nice one sons...

"The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by KEY LARGO [including the "Key Largo" LP] (2008 Sony/Blue Horizon CD Reissue & Remaster With Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry…

"...Big Chief..."

"The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by KEY LARGO revolves around the British blues band sole self-titled debut LP for the cult UK blues label 'Blue Horizon' – a hard-to-find £70 to £100 vinyl rarity. This superb 2008 Sony CD Remaster adds on five juicy bonuses too. Here are the key details...

KEY LARGO were:

PAT McAULIFFE on Vocals with LAURENCE GARMAN on Harmonica

LAWRENCE (LOL) SANFORD on Guitar

BOB SAVAGE on Keyboards

TOM STEAD on Bass with KENNY LAMB on Drums & Percussion

Released September 2008 - "The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" by KEY LARGO on Sony/Blue Horizon 88697359862 (Barcode 886973598627) is a CD compilation and breaks down as follows (53:26 minutes):

1. Big Chief (Part 1)

2. Axe And The Wind

3. Give It Up

4. What Do I Do With It (Now I’ve Got It)

5. Stranger In My Own Home Town

6. That Did It

7. Big Chief (Part 2)

8. Medley: (a) Come And Get It, Baby (If You Want It) – Bit One (b) Get It In Together) (c) Come And Get It, Baby (If You Want It) – Bit Two

9. O.S. Blues

10. Wrapped Up In Love Again

11. Biscayne Bug

12. As The Years Go Passing By

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album “Key Largo” issued in the UK in September 1970 on Blue Horizon S 7-63859

Track 13 is “Voodoo Rhythm” - the non-album A-side issued on 7” single 2 October 1970 on Blue Horizon 57-3178 (it’s B-side is the last track on the album “As The Years Go Passing By”)

14. Sweet Home Chicago [by STEAMHAMMER]

15. Soul Survivor [by STEAMHAMMER]

16. So Many Roads [by STEAMHAMMER]

17. Soul Survivor [by STEAMHAMMER]

Tracks 14 to 17 are previously unreleased DEMO recordings of the band credited under their original name STEAMHAMMER - recorded in September/October 1969 in Mono

SIMON WOOD at Dubmaster Studios in Hampshire has transferred the original master tapes while SEAN LYNCH at Torch Music did the digitally remastering and editing – and the usual high standard has been achieved. The album itself sounds clean, but the extras are crude and very hissy. The 8-page booklet has an essay on the album sessions by label boss MIKE VERNON, a detailed blurb on each member of the group and even pictures the A&B of the lone 7” single they produced in its distinctive ‘red’ label bag (they’re usually blue). A card wrap covers the outside – it’s mid-price too – all good - classy as ever.

The music is a strange hybrid of Dr. John’s New Orleans rhythm ‘n’ blues mixed with a slightly Blodwyn Pig feel on the more rockin’ tracks (most songs segue into each other without a break). The album opens with an excellent instrumental version of Earl King’s “Big Chief (Part 1)”, followed by a bluesy cover of Willie Dixon’s “Axe & The Wind” which features superb backing brass. Laurence Garman plays great Harmonica and Jew’s Harp on a very funky and soulful cover of Allen Toussaint’s “Give It Up”.  Given the wads of previously unreleased material we’ve been treated to on almost all of their other BH releases, the extras on this one are a huge disappointment – the demos are very crudely recorded and frankly a bit dull. With just a plodding “Voodoo Rhythm” to comfort us - all of it leaves the album itself – on ok-only white-boy blues album – a little naked and alone.

I’ve loved all the BH releases to date, but this is a good release rather than a great one. Still, for the better album tracks on here debuting for the first time on CD – I’d recommend it.

PS: see also reviews for TOP TOPHAM, GORDON SMITH and JELLYBREAD in this round of September 2008 reissues