TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Then Play On" - Fleetwood Mac (1969)

"Then Play On" - Fleetwood Mac (1969)

     This isn't the "early" early Fleetwood Mac blues rock, which I never really had an ear for.  However, "Then Play On," the band's third studio album, is an almost spiritual revelation.  There is an overall lysergic dusting that's hard to finger, but it's there.  Guitars are floaty and moody and often beautiful. And when the jamming arrives, the tracks are also welcome and enjoyable.

      Mac doesn't abandon blues rock completely, but they do allow room for new ideas to stretch its legs.  It's like the neighbor from across the street who visits, drops off her tasty green-bean casserole, and leaves.  Only to come back later with some chocolate Oreo pudding.  And I really dig it when the neighbor drops by for a few minutes, and I'm also glad when they bring something different.  It makes for a groovy day.

     Best of all, the album has a timeless feel.  It has aged nicely and exceeded my expectations.  Maybe yours too.  Play either side.  It makes little difference.  Each side gets better with every spin.  This was the first album with 18-year-old guitarist Danny Kirwan.  This was also to be Peter Green's last album with Fleetwood Mac before he started tripping harder on the acid, and the mental illness began seeping in.  But what a nice collaboration to be sure.  It's funny. I avoided this album a lot while hunting.  My bad.  I picked this one up at The Record Ship.

"Then Play On" - Fleetwood Mac (back)

"Then Play On" - Fleetwood Mac (inside gatefold)

Favorites include:
"Coming Your Way" 
"Before The Beginning"
"Searching For Madge"
"Closing My Eyes"

     This is an original 1969 copy on the two-toned original Reprise label.  It is a Terre Haute pressing.  The album contains 12 songs but does not include "Oh Well," which was added later.  The deadwax shows a small letter 'o' stamped in the runout, indicating mastering at Customatrix.  There is a '4' printed on the bottom right of the inner gatefold, indicating Imperial Packing Co., Inc.  

     The song "Underway" appears on the label, but is spelled "Under Way" inside the sleeve.  The label also has "Recording Engineer Martin Birch" and "A Fleetwood Mac Production" on both sides.  Although uncredited, Christine Perfect (McVie) provided piano on the song "Coming Your Way."

Reprise Records

Cat #  
RS 6368
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
30971  RS-6368 A  1B  B 8  o T 1
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
30972  RS-6368 B  1B  B 5  T 1

"Coming Your Way" - Fleetwood Mac / "Then Play On" (1969)

TRACKS:
A1  "Coming Your Way" 
A2  "Closing My Eyes"
A3  "Fighting For Madge"
A4  "When You Say"
A5  "Show-Biz Blues"
A6  "Underway"
B1  "Although The Sun Is Shining"
B2  "Rattlesnake Shake"
B3  "Searching For Madge"
B4  "My Dream"
B5  "Like Crying"
B6  "Before The Beginning"

PERSONNEL: 
Peter Green - vocals, guitar, harmonica, six string bass, percussion
Danny Kirwan - vocals, guitar
John McVie - bass
Mick Fleetwood - drums, percussion
ADDITIONAL:
Christine Perfect - uncredited piano

Good stuff.

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