Peter Green, former Bluesbreaker and founding member of Fleetwood Mac, has pushed the gamut of his Splinter Group with the release of Time Traders. His renown guitar work continues to amaze, his vocals have resonately become virulent, and he also throws in some very compassioned harmonica. With the Splinter Group, Green is formidably in his prime and seemingly performing his music without the pressure of the past.
Peter handles vocals, slide, lead and rhythm axe chores. Nigel Watson, in the second axe chair has lead and rhythm guitar duty also. Roger Cotton is found on the keyboards, Hammond organ, and rhythm guitar too. Peter Stroud provides bass beats on fretted, fretless, and the double bass guitars, and Larry Tolfree throws up the drums and other percussion. Guests include: guitarist Snowy White on a Green instrumental, "Underway"; trombonist and arranger Tim Riggins; saxists Derek Nash and Martin Harmon, and Sid Gauld is heard on the trumpet and flugelhorn. Background vocalists are Joanne Ramsey, Louise Kenny, and Owen Parker.
Cotton, Stroud, Watson, and Green all contribute written material to this disc. It is Cotton's "Until the Well Runs Dry" that opens with a percussive flair and styled harp work from Green. "Real World" bounces in next with stellar guitar, filling organ, a steady drum beat, and the band sounding like a well-oiled machine. The horn-filled, slide guitared "Running After You" follows, only to give way to the rambunctious and infectious beat of "Shadow On My Door". With "Lies", "Temptation", and the rest, you'll be shaking your head in disbelief at the wonderful sounds emanating from your speakers.
Splinter Group and Green have got the grooves throughout this effort. Can't spoil it for you by telling ya about each cut, but you won't find anything weak on this release. This is one you should waste no time in acquiring. Green comes through with some dynamite vocal work, guitar work that shines, and support from kindred musical spirits with this disc. His Splinter Group is the cream de la cream!
Eagle Records; Eagle House; 22 Armoury Way; Wandsworth, London; SW18 1EZ England:
or, www.eagle-rock.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Mark A. Cole, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.