R.I.P. former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan

[Miles Archer]

Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan has died of unknown causes at the age of 68, according to an announcement from band leader Mick Fleetwood.

"Today was greeted by the sad news of the passing of Danny Kirwan in London, England," Fleetwood revealed in a post on the band's official Facebook page. "Danny was a huge force in our early years. His love for the blues led him to being asked to join Fleetwood Mac in 1968, where he made his musical home for many years."

Kirwan was a member of the group between 1968 and 1972, and made major songwriting and performance contributions to four of their studio albums: 1969's Then Play On, 1970's Kiln House, 1971's Future Games and 1972's Bare Trees.

Already a highly respected guitarist in his teens, the Peter Green-worshiping Kirwan pretty much willed his way into Fleetwood Mac. "He used to come hang at the Nags Head in Battersea, which is where we played a lot," Fleetwood explained to Music Aficionado. "He would always be sitting in the front row, staring."

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/danny-kirwan-fleetwood-mac-dead/

[cos dem]

1. If you want a treat, look for the Live in Boston series.

Basically the "Then Play On" lineup, before Peter Green left and Kirwan was still in top form.

So much tragedy in the early days of FM. I guess I know what's going on the playlist tonight...

[Miles Archer]

3. I have it, it has long been a favorite

I had the original double vinyl album, which was issued under a number of different names. One was "Cerulean." The jacket was blue, hence the name. Sounded terrible, even though the performances were undeniably hot.

Then it came out for the first time in "remastered" format. This was the late 90s or so, when it was released as "The Boston Box." 3 CDs, which were also released individually. What a DIFFERENCE...it was now clear as a bell.

A couple of years ago it was released again on CD as simply "Boston." but I can't hear a major difference in quality over "The Boston Box."

The highlights for me are the two 25-minute performances of "Rattlesnake Shake." I was more accustomed to the 3-to-4 minute tracks of their early albums, and the slightly longer songs of "Then Play On."

I've always been of the belief that Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton were all of equal footing. They all came from the same general stomping grounds, they all had their embryonic periods, they all went on to bigger projects. Taylor never "belonged" in the Stones as one of the boys. Musically, he transformed the band. But he was never going to be a buddy to Keith, like Ron Wood. He worked here and there but largely became a recluse. Peter Green simply couldn't handle stardom. But I truly believe that both Green and Taylor could have ascended to the same heights as Beck, Page, and Clapton. The human beings behind the music just weren't equipped for climbing that mountain.

[cos dem]

4. I picked up the first CD in the series, and like you, was blown away by Rattlesnake Shake.

Then, I thought about the lyrics, including "I know this guy, his name is Mick, he don't care, when he ain't got no chick."
Lightbulb comes on, oh... that's what it's about!

Second CD comes out, with an even better take, and confirms my "discovery".

[MrScorpio]

2. He was never married to another member of the band, right?

May he rest in power.

[Number9Dream]

5. Especially liked his work on "Future Games" & "Bare Trees"