Original Album Classics

For anyone who started becoming interested in Fleetwood Mac in 1975 at the time Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined the group and started making all those mega-hit songs and albums this box set will be a complete surprise to you. "Original Album Classics: Fleetwood Mac" combines the first three albums released by FM into a box set. The sound and feel of this music they were making when they started recording is totally different from what they are today as a group. Most people may not be aware that the group was formed by Peter Green back in 1967. Peter Green that year left the group John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to form his own group. He wanted to lure the drummer and bassist for the Bluesbreakers, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, away to come along and join his new group by coming up with the name Fleetwood Mac combining their last names together. Mick agreed to join right away. John was a little hesitant at first and in fact Bob Brunning was brought on as the bassist for FM. John would eventually change his mind and team up with the group. The original lineup of the group included Jeremy Spencer along with Peter, Mick and John. All four musicians were influenced by American blues and the original sound of FM was totally blues music. And they became one of the top music groups around in England. Their popularity in the U.S. was growing though not like it would until 1975 when Stevie and Lindsey teamed up. But don't think the group was not popular before 1975. The original Fleetwood Mac was making their mark in the music world. Interesting fact to remember is that in 1969 Fleetwood Mac would sell more albums world wide then The Beatles and The Rolling Stones would combined. By 1969 Fleetwood Mac had released four albums. Three studio albums and one a collection of their singles and other songs that had not been released on their other albums.So what you have in this "Original Album Series" is the blues version of FM. Disc 1, "Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac", is the debut album for FM released in 1968. For anyone not familiar with the early FM this album may be a bit of a shock to hear. This is Chicago style blues on here not the pop/rock music Fleetwood Mac would become known for. But this blues style album rocks make no mistake of that. Peter Green's guitar work on this record demonstrates why he is considered one of the best guitarists of the rock era. There are some who would claim him the best even over greats like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Jeremy Spencer is no slouch on guitar either. He helps give the blues sound to these songs having been inspired by the great blues performer Elmore James. Mick of course shows why he is considered one of the very best rock drummers around on these recordings and I have always felt John was always underrated as a bass player. He and Mick really help to set the beat that gives life to the songs. It is easy to see why when forming the group Green wanted these two as part of the group for the rhythm section. Note of interest. As mentioned previously Bob Brunning was the original bassist for Fleetwood Mac before John decided to join. As a result the group had started doing some recording in the studio before McVie came aboard. So on the debut album John plays bass on eleven of the twelve songs. Bob is heard playing bass on track three of the record, "Long Grey Mare". That should mean this is the only song in the history of Fleetwood Mac that does not have John playing the bass part.Released in the latter part of 1968 "Mr. Wonderful" was the second album by the group. More of the same here with their blues sound. In a couple of songs they even have some horns playing back up. The third album in the set, Pious Bird of Good Omen, was originally released in 1969 as a compilation album. It includes both A and B sides to singles they had released that had not appeared on any of the first two albums as well songs recorded that did not make it on their previous records. This album would also have appear for the first time with the group Danny Kirwan. Two of Fleetwood Mac's earliest hit appear on this album. Released originally as singles "Albatross" and "Black Magic Woman" are on here. Most people will remember Carlos Santana's version of this song but make no mistake, "Black Magic Woman" is a Fleetwood Mac song.For anyone who is a fan of Fleetwood Mac this is a must have to include in your collection of their music. If you are a fan of the group but are unfamiliar with their early years you owe it to yourself to get to know the roots of one of the most important groups in pop/rock history.

The mastering of this music is insanely brilliant.This album is so well produced that I wish I had been able to find this 40 years ago!I went to see them at the Boston Tea Party in Feb, of 1969 and their shows were so amazing I never forgot them and I just ordered the CD of those 3 concerts, but this is the best sounding Peter Green and Danny Kirwan guidtar playing that I have ever heard.

This is a good collection of early, bluesy Mac when Peter Green headed the band. The only minor drawback is that a few tunes are repeated in the collection, but the sound is good considering when these albums were recorded, and early Mac fans can't beat the price. If you have none, or little, of this music, this is a nice buy with lots of great blues.

Some of Fleetwood Mac's best sounds.

At last! Fleetwood Mac’s 1st 3 lps in a 3 cd box priced lower than I’d seen prior here in USA. Arrived promptly - in fine shape. Fleetwood Mac began as a blues band with A-1 blues guitarist Peter Green on gtr & vocals - channeling Elmore James, BB King & adding his own magic touch. A treasure for Green fans & history lesson for latter day Mac devotees!

Cds was in good condition and delivered promptly

I won't try to compare these albums to the later Fleetwood Mac band..How many bands in history can be so great, and then re invent themselves after like 10 albums and be just as great in a different way? None. This music here is about young white English boys ripping out the blues in the late 60s. Blues on steroids. Electric blues.The only thing I can compare these three killer records to is John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers first two albums, for just pure blistering blues. The 1st one with Eric Clapton, and the 2nd one 'Hard Road' with Peter Green..Get this three cd set, and those early Bluesbreakers records too if you don't already have them..And never forget the American side to all this. The Butterfield Blues Bands first two albums from '66/'67, with Mike Bloomfield on guitar..That's about it..Young white boys playing the blues like no one ever did before...

Old blues Peter Green style. The origins of Fleetwood Mac.