Peter Green Robert Jonshon

Peter Green is one of the best guitarists of his generation and after a period in the wilderness he re-emerged in 1997 to critical acclaim with the Splinter Group. The material Peter Green recorded with the Splinter Group on five albums for Snapper Music represents a true return to form for the ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist, including the W.C. Handy award winning album The Robert Johnson Songbook. This new vitality was confirmed on the classic limited edition double live album Soho Session (sold out week one), recorded at the world-famous Ronnie Scott's club. Then his first original material since the early '80s was presented on Destiny Road, produced by Cream lyricist Pete Brown.

The Robert Johnson Songbook is Peter Green's first recording made entirely of covers of the music written by the King of the Delta Blues. Unfortunately, though pleasant, The Robert Johnson Songbook lacks the warmth and soulfulness of its successor - Hot Foot Powder. The Robert Johnson Songbook features Green's Splinter Group, plus a guest appearance by Paul Rodgers.

Hot Foot Powder is Peter Green's second album made up entirely of covers of the music by the legendary Delta bluesman Robert Johnson. In fact, with this album and its predecessor, The Robert Johnson Songbook, Green has recorded every song that Robert Johnson is known to have composed and recorded. Where Johnson often played and sang like a man whose life depended on it, Green plays and sings like a man whose next beer depends on it, surprisingly with very nice results. His performance on the title track is marvelously lazy and laid-back throughout this bluesy album, which also features Green's band, the Splinter Group, including Nigel Watson. Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin, and Joe Louis Walker all make guest appearances on the album, along with Honey Boy Edwards, who knew and performed with Robert Johnson…

While it's no secret that guitar king Peter Green is obsessed with Robert Johnson, having done two previous recordings of his music, this box is in essence something else. There are three CDs included here, one of which is Hot Foot Powder, the first album by the Peter Green Splinter Group, which included guest performances from the likes of Otis Rush, Honeyboy Edwards, Dr. John, Hubert Sumlin, and Joe Louis Walker, among others. The second disc by the band, The Robert Johnson Songbook, featured mainly the Green band, though Free/Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers guests on a tune. Fans already have these without a doubt, so Snapper Music - with Green's blessing - assembled a 28-cut collection of original Robert Johnson recordings chosen by Green. Adding them all together in a box with a handsome booklet for a decent price makes it all worthwhile…

Peter Green was discovered by John Mayall and was lead guitarist in the late 60 s Bluesbreakers before leaving to form Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac with Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. After well documented health problems, Green reappeared in the mid 90's, much changed but with his talent and love of the blues still intact, as an integral part of Peter Green Splinter Group. Originally released in 2001 and only available at concerts or via the band's official website, this was their seventh album. The opening track, "I Believe My Time Ain't Long", is a variation on the Robert Johnson song "Dust My Broom". Green had first recorded the track with Fleetwood Mac in 1967 (variously credited to Elmore James or Jeremy Spencer), and it had been released as the band's first single.

Some Peter Green fans might be put off by this 64-song/four-CD collection, owing to the fact that they are likely to already own a significant chunk of what's here (especially the Fleetwood Mac material). (And in fairness, there apparently isn't a lot of – or any – unreleased material to draw on from Green's classic period with the band). But this reviewer had to spring for this four-and-a-half hour showcase of his work, and for one major reason – vitality. Green's virtuosity is a given, and his taste and his insights into blues and what can be done with it – while still leaving it as blues – are well known to anyone who's heard his work.

A massive, 2-disc compilation featuring cover versions of virtually every Peter Green song written during his Fleetwood Mac period, and a few drawn from his mid-80s solo period. While there are some weaker moments in this 39-track collection, the majority of the interpretations feature blues guitar, piano and vocal at their very best. Rather than simply pay tribute to Peter Green by faithfully imitating his material, the artists have chosen to re-interpret these songs and in most cases the results are superb. The power of Green's influence is felt all the more deeply when so many artists use his music as a jumping-off point. A must have item for blues guitar fans.

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…