Peter Green is a genius in the same way that Brian Wilson or Syd Barrett is a genius. Green's genius is so natural--such an extension of who he is--that he can no sooner separate the fact that he has genius from the fact that he has ten fingers...it's just the way it is and it's a part of him. I guess it's only we who don't have this genius that can recognize it in him...it's as if the genius that we don't have is a finger that we are missing.

Peter Green's search for himself has taken him places that few have dared to go, and he's had difficulties since he embarked on this search...alas, a one-way trip. But to hear the music that this man has created gives us a glimpse of his synesthaesic whimsies and wonders.

After departing John Mayall's Blues Breakers with mates John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, Green formed a band that would continue exploration of blues as was going on in the mid- to late-1960's in England with bands like The Yardbirds, The Animals and others. The original Fleetwood Mac could suck in the listener and hold him in the palm of their collective hand. To say that their music had a groove you could fall right into would only be telling half of the story. Do yourself a favor and look up some of their early catalog like "English Rose" or "Then Play On". In particular search for "Chicago 1969", one helluva album!

When Green left the Mac, he was sought after by many other groups, and players would assemble around him just to record. His Splinter Group, too, made some wonderful recordings. This double CD set is a collection of all of Green's early works, and is a great set of tunes to listen to!

Look for Peter Green to pick up his guitar again in the mid-1990's after a long respite. One day he just started playing again, and some fabulous stuff is out there. If you've ever seen B.B. King or Eric Clapton play, you've seen how the guitar is just a natural part of their body...like the music in the guitarist's head just flows right through into and out of his amp. This is what you get from Peter Green.

There are a few collections of Peter Green's early years, and this is a great one. In terms of quality and songs represented I do not think you can go wrong with this album. I am guessing without the benefit of reading the other reviews on this album that one criticism could be that it is on the mellower side, but how many copies of a rowdy rattle snake shake does one need in their collection? Truth is there are never enough. This guy was a legend, and even though I likely own way too much of his music - well there is a reason why, because I can listen to his stuff all day. In all a great collection of his work, and one to own, So if you were on the fence about it- then I hope to persuade you to get off the fence and go and get this. BTW there is another young British player that is out there now and being correctly compared to P.G. and E.C. and that is a fantastic group to be in the company of - a guy by the name of Matt Schofield who may be as close as I get to seeing a young Peter Green live. So remember that name and see him if you possibly can because they are cut from the same cloth - at least that is what I think. MD

This is a great collection with many great Peter Green performances from his time with Fleetwood Mac and his second solo period with PVK (which is very underrated). Would be better if it was in chronological order but still the best collection available. Highly recommended!!