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Артист: Peter Green Splinter Group Альбом: Splinter Group & Destiny Road, 2003 Издатель: Snapper Music Group / 466 Жанр: Blues Rock Формат файла: Eac wavpack Ссылка: CD 69 clicks Нахождение: eDonkey/Kademlia

Splinter Group/Destiny Road is a remarkably good value for anyone interested in the comeback of Peter Green. Combining the self-titled debut of the Splinter Group along with Destiny Road, this two-fer offers a good snapshot of the man's return. He's not the guitar god he once was, which is only to be expected, really. And the band never sounds as inspired as old Fleetwood Mac. But Splinter Group is very serviceable, with both "Homework" and "The Stumble" comparing favorably against the originals -- although it's not always easy to tell which guitar is Green and which is cohort Nigel Watson. Destiny Road, from 1999, showcases a more cohesive unit, and a more relaxed Green. His guitar work still doesn't have the sharpness, nor the unexpected turns of yore, but it's still very pleasant, especially "Madison Blues" and "Hiding in Shadows." In many ways the mere fact that Green was back recording is reward enough. And this time he doesn't sound as tortured by the blues as he was in his heyday.

Peter Green Splinter Group (1997)

Peter Green tentatively returned to performing and recording in 1996, and The Peter Green Splinter Group is the first fruits of that comeback. The very fact that Green is performing again is encouraging, but the album sadly falls short of high expectations. A collection of blues covers, the record is filled with standards like "Going Down" and "Dark End of the Street," delivered professionally and without much flair. Green himself plays competently, but there are only a handful of times where his playing is unexpected and inspired. That might seem like a disappointment, but it's reassuring to have any flashes of brilliance, and they suggest that he could record a full-fledged return to form if given some time.

Destiny Road (1999)

In the late 1960s, Peter Green was one of a handful of British lead guitar heroes who were turning the music industry upside down. As a member of the original version of Fleetwood Mac, Green's tortured lead work was on a par with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page and many championed him as the top of the heap. Unfortunately, Green's promise came crashing down quickly, as drugs and his involvement with the occult drove him from the band and public life. He sold his beloved Les Paul guitar to become a grave digger and severed all ties to show business. Over the years, he has slowly eased himself back into it, making surprise appearances at other stars' concerts and starting to play regularly again. While his legions of true believers wait for him to find his way back to full recovery, we have this album, recorded after a successful American tour with his regular band, the Peter Green Splinter Group. So how does Green fare on this outing? Well, there's no original material here, but his guitar playing definitely shows flashes of the old brilliance in spots. His voice, although a tad rusty in reaching for the high notes, has generally aged well, never gaining full roar and totally laid-back, much like the slower items in the early Fleetwood Mac songbook. Restraint is the operative word here and those expecting guitar fireworks like the old days had better turn to their old Fleetwood Mac records. Green's not a basket case on these sides, but those heralding this disc as a full-fledged return to greatness should listen a bit harder. There's some great music aboard but you'll have to search for it on an album that never really gets out of second gear. Laid-back only begins to describe this one.