Vinyl of the Week - 26 July 2020

A Hard Road, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers

The world lost a great musician and guitarist this week so this one is dedicated to the memory of Peter Green. Born in London in 1946, his brother taught him his first guitar chord at age eleven and by fifteen he was playing professionally. Best known for forming the band Fleetwood Mac, this record was released a couple of years before when he got an opportunity to play with John Mayall and The Blues Breakers following Eric Clapton’s departure. ‘A Hard Road’ is an album that not only showcases his brilliance as a guitarist but also as a songwriter, penning tracks ‘The Same Way’ and ‘Supernatural’. This was the album that really raised his profile and saw him universally regarded as one of the best guitarists around with peers such as Clapton, Hendrix and even BB King speaking highly of his skills. His guitar also became legend amongst guitarists the world over. The 1959 Les Paul ‘burst had a real difference of tone and a story all of its own, eventually becoming known simply as ‘Greeny’. He sold it to Gary Moore who used it throughout his career before selling it to Metallica’s Kirk Hammett (who still owns it to this day). Peter Green died on the 25th July, aged just 73, and leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. He had a huge impact on anyone who was lucky enough to see him perform and a way of making you feel every note he played. Vale Peter Green and thank you for the music - DS