Essential re-issue

This recording is not a compilation, as stated, but a straight re-issue of the 1968 Epic release I bought when it was new. Nothing has been changed, except the elimination of surface noise. Listen to the riffs as they were laid down here, before they were imitated into rock cliches. Was Green imitating the great Chicago bluesmen? Of course, but he listened more effectively than most. A raw, beautiful album that has engendered decades of debate as to how he got that tone from his instrument.

Nix on Stevie....vote for the Green party!

This early Mac import album from the Peter Green days was a tough one to track down even during its vinyl heyday (maybe distributors were concerned that pre-Monty Python era U.S. record-buyers would be frightened by the cross-dressed Mick Fleetwood on the cover!). Collectors can rejoice that it is now on CD! This 1968 release can be labeled "seminal" just on the basis of two tracks..."Black Magic Woman" and "Albatross". "Black Magic Woman" obviously inspired Carlos Santana, who not only covered it, but followed the original guitar arrangement almost note for note, which shows the kind of respect Green had from some higher profile musicians. And then there's the sublime "Albatross"... at least one of the Beatles has stated that "Sun King" was inspired by Green's memorable instrumental (listen to the two songs back-to-back sometime). The rest of the album is dominated by Green's authentic blues tone and great slide playing. While several compilations (of varying quality) of the Peter Green-led Mac are currently available, "English Rose", along with the domestic "Then Play On" are your best bets.

White-Bread British Blues

"English Rose" is fairly unexceptional, competent '60s British blues. The overall sound - as might be expected - is extremely similiar to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, with a touch more emphasis on guitars. It does include the original "Black Magic Woman" - but otherwise, the only foreshadowing of Peter Green's "Then Play On" greatness is the instrumental "Albatross."

Not a bad album, but not essential either.