This is the album to own out of the three volumes, if you only want to try out early Fleetwood Mac. These numbers are incredible, the sound is great, and its simply some of the best blues playing I have ever heard. Comparisons and superlatives about Peter Green being better than Clapton may make a whole lot more sense once you hear this disc.

The strengths of this album are manifold, but there are many reasons why this disc is standout in the three-disc series. You get the original, hypnotic swing of "Black Magic Woman" which will might just make you forget about Santana's version; you get the 25-minute powerhouse jam of "Rattlesnake Shake" - and this has to be heard to be believed - the Mac, encouraged by touring with the Dead, were on their way to becoming one of the first few, and most powerful, jam bands ever. Peter Green and Danny Kirwan had an unbelievable chemistry, its sad to note they broke up so soon after this recording. You get the almost fusion-like, bouncy chording of "Only You" - and here again, Peter Green lights the stage on fire with a powerful, latin-tinged solo over Mick Fleetwood's insistent percussion; you get the harrowing "Jumping At Shadows" which is and indescribably desperate and pained reading of an old blue classic. The greatest gift is "The Green Manalishi", never properly released on album form, 13 minutes of harowing glory, an incredible, frightening, performance which every tortured note drips like blood from Peter's fingertips and sears hot scars on the souls of his listeners. Its awe-inspiring to say the least, and to boot, Peter picks up a six-string bass and does an insane extended solo to end the piece. If you are into british blues, jam bands, or just like really good music, you need this album in your collection. These are simply some of the best blues recordings ever made.

Note : The 2-CD set "Boston Blues" has all of the standouts above from this set, with the same sound, albeit out of chronological order.

This album flat-out rocks. By February 1970, the Mac had expanded its repertoire to include not only blues, but also intricate jams between Peter Green and Danny Kirwan. The centerpiece of this album is "Rattlesnake Shake," which fades at 24 minutes -- who knows how long they really played? The set also includes a killer version of "Black Magic Woman," along with some fine slide guitar from Jeremy Spencer. Great liner notes and wonderful remastered sound complete the set -- it's a sure buy if you like blues-rock, jamming, and great guitar work. This performance was intended to be released as a live album but was shelved when Peter Green left shortly afterward. It's nice to see it re-emerge in proper form all these years later.

If you are even reading this, you need to get all 3 volumes of the "Live In Boston" Series. Peter Green's guitar alone is worth a 10 star rating. Personally, I find Jeremy Spencer's slide guitar becomes a bit grating after awhile. Thank you very much for the skip track button on the cd player. Spencer's obvious Elmore James "schtick", however, it is not enough to drag these 3 great live recordings below 5 stars.

A must have for any blues fan.

If you get this, get all the volumes. This will make you forget that little band from the '70s that sang Go Your Own Way, Rhiannon, and Don't Stop.

This is the original Mac, at its very best live.

Turn it up, and listen to the Mac blown your minds.

It is definately a Mac Attack!!!

If you have never heard anything by Peter Green, or have only heard his lame efforts from recent years and wondered why B.B. King once told Eric Clapton and George Harrison "Sorry, but Peter Green is the best", one listen to this volume will win you over to the Green God.

Greeny had the ability to combine depth, fire and tenderness in his playing, along with an uncanny sense of focus while jamming. Listen to the 24 minute "Rattlesnake Shake", especially to the exquisite "Underway" part a bit more than halfway through. Compare that to Live Cream or Led Zeppelin. Not even close!

Listen to "Black Magic Woman" and see how the second half jam opens up.

Listen to "Jumping At Shadows" and notice Greeny's masterful way of leaving OUT notes that other guitarists would fill and his knack for playing a note slightly after you would expect it, in order to create tension. Green is a Scorpio, the sign associated with depth, intensity and regeneration. His playing exhibits all those qualities, very passionate, sexual music in that there's tension followed by release and bliss. Compare this with Clapton's busy playing, Jeff Beck's even busier and frantic playing, and even Hendrix's excessiveness. All three of those guitarists were or still are great. Green was the best of them and I think it's not even close.

The SHOW BIZ BLUES compilation has a version of "Black Magic Woman" which I feel is even better than the one on this volume, but this is THE best example of Fleetwood Mac at their absolute zenith in the kind of environment they loved to play in with spectacular sound. Live jamming, heart-felt virtuoso playing and just plain musical fun!