John Mayall Three For The Road

Limited six CD set. Colosseum came together in 1968, the brainchild of virtuoso drummer Jon Hiseman and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith (who had played together in the Graham Bond Organisation and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers). Teaming with bass guitarist Tony Reeves and keyboard player Dave Greenslade, the line-up of the band was completed with the recruitment of guitarist and vocalist James Litherland. Their debut album, 'Those About to Die Salute You' was was one of the first successful attempts to fuse jazz, blues and rock reaching number 15 on the UK album chart. Their second album, 'Valentyne Suite', was the first release on the Progressive Vertigo imprint and spent nine weeks on the UK album chart, peaking at number 15. The album's focal point was the three part 'Valentyne Suite' which earned the band critical praise and is now regarded as a milestone in early Progressive Rock. In the USA and Canada the album appeared in different form in 1970 as 'The Grass is Greener' remixed and featuring new member Dave "Clem" Clempson (guitar, vocals), who replaced James Litherland in the group. The album also featured a series of songs unreleased in the UK. Released on the Vertigo in December 1970, 'Daughter of Time' heralded another line-up change within the group, featuring new recruits Mark Clarke (bass) and the distinctive lead vocalist Chris Farlowe. The album spent five weeks in UK Top 30. A series of UK concerts were recorded in 1971 and were issued in June of that year as the double LP 'Colosseum Live', a UK Top 20 hit. Colosseum dis-banded in October 1971, but were to reform in 1994. This Esoteric Recordings release also features studio bonus tracks and an additional CD of further live recordings from 1971.

This release combines two studio albums from the Peter Green Splinter Group 'Time Traders' from 2001 and 'Reaching The Cold 100' from 2003. Peter Green's status as a blues guitarist is second to none. With first John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and then Fleetwood Mac, he created an extraordinary body of work which established his reputation. Time Traders and Reaching The Cold 100 were the last studio recordings by the Peter Green Splinter Group, which operated from 1997 to 2004 and in contrast to their earlier albums they feature entirely original compositions by members of the group. These are two great albums worthy of inclusion in any fan's collection.

Peter Green was regarded by some fans as the greatest white blues guitarist ever, Eric Clapton notwithstanding. Born Peter Greenbaum but calling himself Peter Green by the age of 15, he grew up in London's working-class East End. Green's early musical influences were Hank Marvin of the Shadows, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Freddie King, and traditional Jewish music. He originally played bass before being invited in 1966 by keyboardist Peter Bardens to play lead in the Peter B's, whose drummer was a lanky chap named Mick Fleetwood. The 19-year-old Green was with Bardens just three months before joining John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, whose rapidly shifting personnel included bassist John McVie and drummer Aynsley Dunbar.

This anthology bringing together four CDs reviews everything the blues has produced that is essential. With an average of two to three titles per selected artist, this intelligently put together compilation offers good quality sound for recordings sometimes dating from the turn of the century. All periods up to the British Blues (Delta Blues, Texas Blues, Louisiana Blues, Rhythm&Blues.) are represented; you will find most of the great artists often with their flagship title and sometimes even rarities. Alongside John Lee Hooker's colossal Boom Boom, don't hesitate to listen to Big Mama Thornton's Hound Dog or other even rarer titles. With the hundred titles present, you should be spoiled for choice.

This anthology bringing together four CDs reviews everything the blues has produced that is essential. With an average of two to three titles per selected artist, this intelligently put together compilation offers good quality sound for recordings sometimes dating from the turn of the century. All periods up to the British Blues (Delta Blues, Texas Blues, Louisiana Blues, Rhythm&Blues.) are represented; you will find most of the great artists often with their flagship title and sometimes even rarities. Alongside John Lee Hooker's colossal Boom Boom, don't hesitate to listen to Big Mama Thornton's Hound Dog or other even rarer titles. With the hundred titles present, you should be spoiled for choice.

Collection includes 11 studio albums and 4 live albums by American blues-rock guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa.