Jeremy Spencer is back

[vivfox]

September 1, 2009...1:20 am
By Michael Norris

The band Fleetwood Mac began its life in the late 60s as British blues band, following in the wake of success by John Mayall, Eric Clapton, and other icons of the British blues scene. The band was formed by Peter Green, an ex-Mayall guitarist, in 1967, and consisted of Green, drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist Bob Brunning, who was soon replaced by John McVie, and an Elmore James-influenced slide guitarist named Jeremy Spencer. Their first album was a straight-ahead blues effort, and included Spencer’s slide guitar and vocals on the Elmore James tune “Shake Your Money Maker”, as well as other blues standards and songs by both Green and Spencer.

Spencer played and recorded with Fleetwood Mac up until 1971. Then, in one of the many bizarre incidents that have dogged the band’s history, Spencer went out to visit a bookshop in L.A. while the band was on tour, and vanished. Group members searched for days, and finally found him. He had joined a religious cult known as the Children of God, and he informed his band mates that he no longer wished to perform with Fleetwood Mac. Many have claimed that Spencer was abducted by cult members and brainwashed into joining, but Spencer has always maintained that he joined willingly, and he has continued his association with the group to this day, which is now called The Family International. Spencer continued to play music, but he was never again involved in a commercial project the likes of Fleetwood Mac.

Now, Jeremy Spencer is back. Following successful outings at the Notodden Blues Festival in Norway in 2005, Spencer cut his first album in over twenty years on the Blind Pig Label. Entitled “Precious Little”, it features Spencer supported by an all-star cast of Norwegian blues musicians. Spencer then followed up with a three city U.S. tour in 2008. For 2009, he appeared on the Sunday night, June 14th concert at the Chicago Blues Festival, where I caught his act.

Looking more like a college professor now, than a British blues legend, Jeremy Spencer took the stage backed by a fine Chicago blues band, the David Herera Group, augmented by keyboards and bass sax from Buddy Guy’s Legends stalwart Brother John. He kicked into an initial jazzy groove to warm up the band, and then took a request for “Psychic Waste”, a tune from his “Precious Little” album. Spencer has lost none of his bite on the slide, nor has he lost the ability to play beautiful, melodic slide on the slow blues numbers. He still is highly influenced by Elmore James in his guitar playing. His voice remains strong and clear but without the Elmore James affectations of his earlier career.

The band cruised through the standards “It Hurts me Too,” and “A Stranger in your Town,” with Spencer and Dave Herera trading licks, along with tasty organ improvisations by Brother John. The band then mellowed down into a Spanish tinged tune titled “Maria di Santiago”, where Spencer laid down some truly inspired slide licks, proving he still has the old fire. The set ended with the crowd on its feat working out to a rousing “Shake your Money Maker.”

His website, www.jeremyspencer.com, doesn’t indicate any 2009 touring beyond the Chicago Blues Fest, but based on the performance he turned in, I expect to see more of Spencer in the future. Perhaps a reunion with his old band mates Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie? One never knows.

http://billectric.wordpress.com/2009...encer-is-back/

[doodyhead]

thanks for the post and inclusion of Mr Spencers website.
I took the time to read the short stories he wrote . Thank you Jeremy for them. It was a pleasure indeed.

vinnie c
PS: Please come back to play in the New York area someday ( It doesn't have to be in NYC).

[jeremy spencer]

Originally Posted by doodyhead

thanks for the post and inclusion of Mr Spencers website.
I took the time to read the short stories he wrote . Thank you Jeremy for them. It was a pleasure indeed.

vinnie c
PS: Please come back to play in the New York area someday ( It doesn't have to be in NYC).

...the fact that you enjoyed the stories is an encouragement most appreciated. Getting them is my nighttime joy these days. I have many more, long and short which I hope to post someday.
As far as the NY area is concerned, that is up to those who 'bite' (ask)! I'd like to, though, as I used to find the audiences up there quite good.

[wetcamelfood]

Originally Posted by jeremy spencer

those who 'bite' (ask)!

OK, I'm asking for Boston area (or at least New England).

John