One of several compilations of
Peter Green-era
Fleetwood Mac material, this 18-song compilation has the virtue of budget pricing to recommend it, along with a healthy cross-section of material variously attributed to
Green,
Jeremy Spencer, and
Danny Kirwan (as well as
Howlin' Wolf et. al.), though at this stage of the group's history, originality of composition wasn't a virtue. The selection is excellent and the producers have put together a nice, basic package, filled with virtuoso playing -- apart from the lack of liner notes (which, in fairness, could be a bit much to ask for on a budget-priced CD), the only other flaw concerns the mastering of the sound, which, at times, varies a fair amount in volume between the different tracks; it's a minor problem, and easy enough to fix for those who notice, but there's still no reason for it being a problem except carelessness. The music rather speaks for itself, bold, assertive
british blues played about as well as it was by anybody, but lacking either the flashy
pop sensibilities of, say,
Cream, or the presence of a charismatic personality, à la
Jack Bruce or
Eric Clapton, to sell the band successfully in America at the time. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
