October 12, 2009

"Albatross"


Ah! Well a-day! What evil looks
Had I from old and young!
Instead of the cross, the albatross
About my neck was hung.

from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

It would appear Mick Fleetwood needs your love so bad.

From Wikipedia:

"Albatross" is a guitar-based instrumental by Fleetwood Mac, released as a single in 1969, later featuring on the compilation albums The Pious Bird of Good Omen and English Rose. The piece was composed by Peter Green.

The composition suggests a relaxing sea setting, with cymbals imitating the sound of waves and a dreamy solo from Green's guitar. It contains only two chords, Emaj7 and F#m, and could be seen as an early ambient work. It is often assumed that Green used his Les Paul but he said it was his Fender Stratocaster, as there is subtle use of the vibrato bar. The Les Paul that Green used in Fleetwood Mac has a nasal tone like that achieved in the in-between positions of a Stratocaster, and heard in the song.


2 comments:

Retro Hound said...

Very nice. I'm a big fan of the Peter Green years of Fleetwood Mac.

Chris said...

Yes, I like this one a lot. Very relaxing.