He has the sweetest tone I have ever heard; he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats.”
B.B. King
B.B. King was talking about Peter Green when he issued this compliment. Very high praise indeed. This version of Ted Tocks Covers will focus on one of the many songs that guitarists point to when they express their appreciation for Peter Green. Within the post you will get a short glimpse at how he was influenced by the blues, and who he went on to inspire with his carefully crafted style of playing. This will focus mainly on the music, using ‘Black Magic Woman’ as the backdrop.
Peter Green’s emergence on the British music scene began in 1965 when he became part of a band called Peter B.’s Looners. It was in this band that he met a lanky drummer named Mick Fleetwood. At this time musicians were always looking for the next best gig, so Fleetwood and Green moved on to form Shotgun Express with Peter Bardens (Peter B.) and an aspiring singer named Rod Stewart. This group was short-lived because soon after its formation Peter Green was invited to play with a British blues legend, who had a vacancy. Here is producer Mike Vernon’s recollection of his conversation with John Mayall shortly after Peter Green joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
As the band walked in the studio, I noticed an amplifier which I never saw before, so I said to John Mayall, “Where’s Eric Clapton?” Mayall answered, “He’s not with us anymore, he left us a few weeks ago.” I was in a shock of state [sic] but Mayall said, “Don’t worry, we got someone better.” I said, “Wait a minute, hang on a second, this is ridiculous. You’ve got someone better? Than Eric Clapton?” John said, “He might not be better now, but you wait, in a couple of years he’s going to be the best.” Then he introduced me to Peter Green.
Mike Vernon
After about a year with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Peter Green formed the first incarnation of Fleetwood Mac with Mick Fleetwood, and eventually John McVie. Obviously, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie remain to this day, but it was Peter Green who helped to establish the earliest version of the legendary band we all know today. Peter Green’s songs still remain as an important part of the band’s setlist. Here is a brief example of how the influence unfolded.
When Peter Green was with the Bluesbreakers, he was drawn to the music of Otis Rush. Mayall was a teacher, and every recording session was like a lesson in blues history. Here is ‘All Your Love’ by Otis Rush. Listen closely and you will hear the beginnings of the ‘Black Magic Woman’ sound.
Out of the ‘All Your Love’ cover by John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, that actually featured Eric Clapton on guitar, Peter Green produced his own creation called ‘I Loved Another Woman’ and brought it to the early Fleetwood Mac sessions. Once again, the sound evolves.
For comparison, here is the studio version of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Black Magic Woman’ from 1968. Note the very similar sound.
‘Black Magic Woman’ hit the U.K. top 40, but it became more prominent for how it managed to inspire. While Fleetwood Mac was touring the United States west coast Carlos Santana was captured by Peter Green’s style. He was particularly moved by the band’s rendition of ‘Black Magic Woman’, and the band recorded it, and included it on their classic album ‘Abraxas’.
Ever the visionary, Santana opted to blend ‘Black Magic Woman’ with the incredible jazz and Hungarian folk stylings of Gabor Szabo and his own Latin rhythm influence. This came out in the medley that included ‘Gypsy Queen’ bookending ‘Black Magic Woman’. Here is Gabor Szabo and his instrumental ‘Gypsy Queen’ that went on to add so much to the Santana version.
Over 50 years later ‘Black Magic Woman’ exists as a Santana favourite. At the time of its release, it rose to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and ‘Abraxas’ hit #1 on the album charts. The combination of Carlos Santana’s guitar work, the eclectic Latin rhythms plus Gregg Rolie’s keyboards and melodic voice is captivating.
As you read and gather the names, the list becomes more intriguing as the lineage unfolds. Otis Rush inspired John Mayall, who shared the sound with Eric Clapton, who left it for Peter Green who presented a sound to Carlos Santana, who then merged it with a combination of Latin sound and Hungarian Jazz/folk. Music is so much about artistic vision and every one of these names took the best of what came before and built something so impressive it is still revered today.
Let the covers continue.
So often, I begin a post with one thing in mind, but then I am led on a world of discovery. Here is a band called Button Down Brass featuring Ray Davies. This grabbed my attention because I immediately thought it was a side project of Ray Davies of The Kinks. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This Ray Davies was a highly regarded Welsh trumpeter and band leader who, in addition to his work in the big band and easy listening genre, managed to cross over into the pop scene where he worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry. His projects included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Petula Clark (see ‘Downtown’), just to name a few. Here is their unique version of ‘Black Magic Woman’. It speaks to the range of possibilities.
One of Peter Green’s best friends in the music industry was Terence ‘Snowy’ White. White is renowned for his studio and live work with Pink Floyd. He also enjoyed stints with Thin Lizzy and Mick Taylor as well as being an integral part of Roger Waters and the Bleeding Heart Band. He has even recorded with rap superstar Meek Mill. Here is Snowy White and the White Flames doing ‘Black Magic Woman’ in the 2005 release ‘The Way It Is’. This is all ‘Black Magic Woman’. There is no visit from the ‘Gypsy Queen’. The feel is right there though. Quality playing from Snowy White, and the band is top notch.
As I continue to write Ted Tocks Covers and research the origin of great songs and present cover versions, I see names come up frequently, and they are universally regarded. In this case I refer to Steve Lukather. Listen to this version of ‘Black Magic Woman’ that is presented as part of Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band. This is the most recent incarnation of the band which for the purposes of this post features Gregg Rolie on keyboards and ‘Luke’ on lead guitar. Watch the interplay between Rolie and Lukather as the guitarist wails on the soulful sound. This is just a special moment that needs to be shared.
I am going to end this post with a little ‘CanCon’. This is in the form of an impressive guitar talent named Ayla Tesler-Mabe who caught my eye on YouTube because of her clear commitment to her craft and devotion to some of the finest guitar players ever. Once again, it all speaks to influence and that lineage seems to be moving on to new generations. Here, Ayla plays along with the Carlos Santana lead and nails it. It is fun to watch this recording from four years ago. She suggests her focus for the future will be concentrating on her own writing. At the time of this video, she was 16. She is now 20 and in a band called Ludic. Out of curiosity I looked her up and she is featured in the July, 2021 edition of Guitar World Magazine. Here is the article.
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/ludic-ayla-tesler-mabe
And here is her guitar cover of ‘Black Magic Woman’.
Sadly, on July 25, 2020, the music world lost the great Peter Green. For many years the enigmatic guitarist moved in and out of the public eye as he struggled with mental illness and financial challenges. His talent and unique ear were never in doubt. The list of guitarists who cite Peter Green as an influence is both long and impressive. Today’s reflection is only a beginning, using one song as the root source. Explore on your own.
Ted Tocks Covers 