Real-Music Events

we've promoted a range of events, featuring local bands; bands that don't often play in Shropshire, and we've brought some bigger names too....

• Friday April 21st, 2000
  Splinter Group featuring...
  Peter Green
  A Review... by Rob Davies
  So you're a legendary blues guitarist who has been criss-crossing Europe with your band, and recording in New York;
• your new CD is just released, and you're about to embark on an intensive British tour, co-headlining with John Mayall.
• What do you do to fill the few days of respite in between? Well, you go to Pontesbury, to play the Public Hall (capacity 200)
• and scare a few sheep into the bargain... at least, if you're Peter Green that's what you do!

As for the punters who had gathered at this mid-Shropshire venue, and had their appetites whetted by the
excellent support band (Fabulous Bluehearts), they just wanted that one man,
the man who had once claimed "I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin".
Yet, if they had come to pay homage to their hero, they stayed to enjoy the whole band, because Peter Green
was joined by fellow guitarist Nigel Watson and the rest of Splinter Group.

Throughout an intense 1 hour 45 minute set, the band delivered a comprehensive exploration of the blues
in all it's varieties; interpreting such masters as Freddy King & Elmore James, whilst throwing in self-penned numbers
from both now and the 60's. Having made a statement of intent in the first 5 numbers, which pushed the blues
to it's R&B and funk boundaries, a member of the audience shouted "what about Robert Johnson?"
- "it's funny you should say that..." replied Roger Cotton from the stage, and they proceeded to sit down,
pick up their acoustic guitars, and deliver a splendidly muscular version of "Travellin' Riverside Blues"
followed by "Steady Rollin' Man" (Peter by this time well into harmonica mode)

Such a cross section of material could only have been pulled off with conviction by a band which was cohesive and which
enabled it's musicians to make their individual statements. So Nigel Watson's wizardry and
application of tremolo (a sadly neglected art form!) never got in the way of Peter Green's beautifully crafted blues leads.
The powerhouse of the band, however, remained the 'Splinter' element - Larry Tolfree a driving force on drums;
Peter Stroud, faultless and fretless on Bass; and Roger Cotton choosing his moments to
let rip on Hammond Organ & electric piano.

As for Peter Green, we all hoped he was going to indulge us, and before long, he did - with an instrumental version of
"Man of The World". No, you don't have to tell us about your life, Peter, just play it! Later you could see 200 heads
going into rewind, when the band played Albatross.... and yes, once or twice, Green's guitar
was unleashed to transcend anything else happening on stage.

But this Good Friday evening was not just about Peter Green... it was about the blues, and how it never dies
as long as you have 5 geezers like this to deliver it! And if you didn't get to hear your absolute all-time favourite?
Oh Well, you can't have everything.....

to see photos taken on the night - click HERE

click HERE to visit his record label - Snapper Music

for information -contact RealMusic by eMail by click here