Jeremy Spencer in Michigan Jan. 15

[michelej1]

Toledo Blade, January 7, 2010

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs...0109820/-1/ART

The 16th annual Anti-Freeze Blues Festival, a benefit for the Detroit Blues Society, takes place Jan. 15 and 16 at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale, Mich. Jeremy Spencer (formerly of Fleetwood Mac) performs with special guests Grand/McCarty/East, the Garfield Blues Band, and John Latini on Jan. 15. Doors open at 7 p.m.; tickets are $25.

[vivfox]

January 10, 2010


The 16th Annual Anti-Freeze Blues Festival returns to the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Friday-Saturday, Jan. 15-16. A major fund-raiser for the non-profit Detroit Blues Society, the festival is a natural fit for the theater.

“When the Magic Bag became more of a music venue, a lot of the acts that came in were blues acts, and the Detroit Blues Society was always very supportive. This is a way to help bring back support to the Blues Society,” said publicity manager Willy Wilson.
“We bring in headline, national acts, and best of the local blues acts like Jim McCarty, and Jeff Grand and Bobby East who have all played in national touring acts…and John Latini who won the Detroit Blues Challenge which is like the best unsigned local act that goes to national competition in Nashville each year.”

One of the original members of Fleetwood Mac, Jeremy Spencer will make a rare live appearance, headlining the opening night of the Blues Festival. The slide guitar blues artist left Fleetwood Mac in the early 1970s to join the Children of God (now Family International), and stayed out of the spotlight for decades. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Spencer performed publicly in 2005 at a blues festival in Norway, recorded his first album in 27 years (Precious Little), and followed up with a three-city tour in the U.S. in 2008. He performed at last year's Chicago Blues Festival.
“We feel very lucky that he's playing here. He hasn't lost any of his chops either. His records sound fantastic,” Wilson said. “We're pretty excited to bring him here. It's kind of a coup for us.”Special guests Grand/McCarty/East, Garfield

Blues Band and John Latini will open for Jeremy Spencer. On Saturday night, local favorites Thornetta Davis and Laith Al Saadi will open for headliners Big Bill Morganfield and Larry McCray.

“McCray is from the Flint area, and he's pretty well known nationally. He's definitely one of the bigger name blues artists from the Michigan area,” said Wilson of the young blues performer who cites the musical influence of the three blues Kings — B.B., Albert and Freddie — on his guitar playing. McCray is a Detroit Blues Society lifetime achievement award-winner

Big Bill Morganfield is the son of blues legend Muddy Waters, and while his latest release is aptly titled Blues in the Blood, his skills as a guitarist and songwriter have made him a major talent in his own right.

“He hasn't played up the father aspect of it. If he wanted to I'm sure he could,” Wilson said. “His records are very good. That's one of the reasons why we decided to bring him in. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing him.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25 each night of the Anti-Freeze Blues Festival. The Magic Bag is located at 22920 Woodward Ave., just north of Nine Mile. The box office is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Visit www.themagicbag.com and www.detroitbluessociety.org to learn more.


http://www.hometownlife.com/article/...0/LIFE/1100313

[vivfox]

Last Updated: January 14. 2010 1:00AM .Bluesman Jeremy Spencer headlines festival

Susan Whitall / The Detroit News
GuitaristJeremy Spencer is ensconced in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Fleetwood Mac in its early, bluesier era, his slide guitar influenced by Elmore James.

In 1971 Spencer left the band abruptly, joining the Children of God (today, the Family International). Spencer, 61, headlines the Anti-Freeze Blues Festival Friday night at the Magic Bag. The interview was by e-mail.

The wave of British music you were part of brought the blues to the attention of young Americans in the '60s. Has it suffered a decline in interest since then, and is another revival needed?

An interest seems to be bubbling under the surface among the youth, especially in Europe... in Norway, Sweden and the former Eastern Bloc. Such a revival isn't something that can be "forced"; you have to watch how the currents of interest and passion are flowing. I'm wondering if the worsening economic crises and so on (in the U.S.) could spark a deeper receptivity to this kind of music.

Is there any talk of a reunion of early Fleetwood Mac, i.e., you, Mick Fleetwood and Peter Green?

So far, we are all still "surviving" although that could be arguable...Personally, I'm not that excited about it because, although I do play blues in my sets -- including a couple numbers that I performed back in Fleetwood Mac -- I have no desire to tread a lot of old musical ground. However, to play with Mick and John -- which we did not so long ago, informally, could be fun.

What are your memories of playing in Detroit?

We in Fleetwood Mac would always heave a sigh of relief when we knew we were playing Detroit, because the crowds always received us with open arms.

A sad downturn to this, however, was some of the later concerts when we had to play for crowds who were wasted on Quaaludes and being subjected to Iggy and the Stooges, who were opening for us at the time. (We should have had a say in who opened for us!) But such concerts aside, we really did appreciate the response in Detroit, Dearborn, etc.

We spent a memorable Christmas and New Years' ('68/'69) here in Detroit. On Christmas night, we stayed here, gave presents to each other and watched "A Christmas Carol" on TV, the Alistair Sim version. Anyway, overall, I have good memories of Detroit and I'm glad to play here again.

http://detnews.com/article/20100114/...lines-festival

[vivfox]

Last Updated: January 14. 2010 1:00AM .
Diversions
What's goin' on in Metro Detroit
Melody Baetens / The Detroit News
Big shows

OUR PICKS
ANTI-FREEZE BLUES FESTIVAL

at Magic Bag


One of the foremost blues events in town, the Magic Bag's two-day Anti-Freeze Blues Festival takes place Friday with former Fleetwood Mac member Jeremy Spencer. He'll be joined by opening acts Jeff Grand/Jim McCarty/Bobby East, Garfield Blues Band and John Latini. On Saturday, catch Big Bill Morganfield and Larry McCray. They'll be supported by Detroit diva Thornetta Davis and stellar guitarist Laith Al Saadi. 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat. $25 each night. 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. (248) 544-3030.

http://detnews.com/article/20100114/...-Metro-Detroit

[sharksfan2000]

Originally Posted by vivfox

A sad downturn to this, however, was some of the later concerts when we had to play for crowds who were wasted on Quaaludes and being subjected to Iggy and the Stooges, who were opening for us at the time. (We should have had a say in who opened for us!) But such concerts aside, we really did appreciate the response in Detroit, Dearborn, etc.

Interesting point from Jeremy - I can imagine the difficulties for any band trying to follow the Stooges onstage! How could you top Iggy?

[dino]

Originally Posted by sharksfan2000

Interesting point from Jeremy - I can imagine the difficulties for any band trying to follow the Stooges onstage! How could you top Iggy?

They should have brought out honorary member Harold from retirement.

[slipkid]

Originally Posted by dino

They should have brought out honorary member Harold from retirement.

Not only that, they should've brought back some of the 50's "altered" numbers they used to play in Amsterdam without punishment. The Stooges weren't half as raunchy in the States as FM were in Europe. Iggy Pop had to use self mutilation for attention. It's obvious after Green's departure, FM didn't want to shock anyone.


On the raunch factor, Peter Green's FM was the best. They sang lyrics in Amsterdam circa 1969 that put Two Live Crew in jail (Miami) twenty years later.

[sharksfan2000]

There's a bootleg of Fleetwood Mac in LA in January 1970 that's about as raunchy as it gets, they go way past those altered lyrics from the Amsterdam show

But you have to admit, this clip of Iggy with the peanut butter is still a classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD_XCECbAEU

[dino]

Originally Posted by sharksfan2000

There's a bootleg of Fleetwood Mac in LA in January 1970 that's about as raunchy as it gets, they go way past those altered lyrics from the Amsterdam show

But you have to admit, this clip of Iggy with the peanut butter is still a classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD_XCECbAEU

Would that raunch be from Whiskey A Go Go? Must check it out.

"That's...peanut butter!"
Whoa, didn't even know there was footage of the original Stooges.
What a nightmare to go on after Iggy and co. Iggy really set the blueprint - stage diving in 1970!

[vivfox]

Jeremy Spencer among headliners at Blues Festival
Published: Friday, January 15, 2010
By Gary Graff, Journal Register News Service

For several decades, ever since he left Fleetwood Mac to join a religious sect in early 1971, Jeremy Spencer's name has usually been preceded by the words "Where is ... ?" Or "What ever happened to ... ?"

These days those questions are moot.

The 61-year-old musician, who's in town as one of the headliners at this weekend's Anti-Freeze Blues Festival at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, talked about his most recent album (2006's acclaimed "Precious Little"), his new music, and, when asked, about the old days.

He is, not surprisingly, wary about the latter. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee notes that he's been "burned" a few times when talking about his association with the Children of God (now called The Family). That includes magazine depictions of him as a "religious zombie," shaved-headed and handing out evangelical pamphlets.

Born in Hartlepool, England, he played piano and found the guitar after becoming infatuated with the early rock 'n' roll of Cliff Richards & the Shadows, among others. But it was the blues — particularly Elmore James — that turned Spencer's life around.

Spencer curried attention with his band, the Levi Set, and in 1967 was recruited by Peter Green, who was planning to leave John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and form what became Fleetwood Mac. The early version of Fleetwood Mac jelled with its blend of Spencer's slide and Green's style, an urbane approach influenced by B.B. King and the Chicago blues of the time. Spencer also was something of a showman, delivering crowd-pleasing onstage impersonations of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and others.

But after seven albums, Spencer became disaffected within Fleetwood Mac — especially after a third guitarist, Danny Kirwan, was brought into the group and left Spencer something of an odd man out.

"I wasn't getting any ideas," said Spencer, who released a solo album in 1970.

"So it was fun up to that point. One thing you can see very clearly in the videos is that when we were playing with the four of us, we were smiling, and after (Kirwan) joined, there was no smiling."

By the time Fleetwood Mac rolled into Los Angeles in 1971, Spencer, who frequently read the bible in his hotel room, "just wanted some space."

His answer came when he met members of the Children of God. Spencer — who brought his now ex-wife, Fiona, and five children with him into the sect — steadfastly denies reports that he was "kidnapped" and "brainwashed."

He's long denied but does not comment further on the reports of child sexual abuse that have dogged the Children of God over the years.

His abrupt departure caused Fleetwood Mac to cancel some shows and recruit Green to return to finish out the tour.

Spencer's music was sporadic after he left Fleetwood Mac. He formed a group with fellow disciples and released an album, "Jeremy Spencer and the Children" in 1972. Another, "Flee," came out in 1979 but was the last studio effort until "Precious Little."

Spencer — who now resides near Guadalajara, Mexico, with Dorothea, his mate of 22 years — is planning his next album. He recorded tracks during his Detroit area stay at Tempermill Studios in Ferndale with a band of local musicians led by guitarist Brett Lucas.

The 16th Anti-Freeze Blues Festival takes place tonight and Saturday at the Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Jeremy Spencer, Jeff Grand/Jim McCarty/Bobby East, the Garfield Blues Band and John Latini perform tonight. Big Bill Morganfield & Larry McCray, Thornetta Davis and Laith Al Saadi play on Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25 each night. Call (248) 544-3030 or visit www.themagicbag.com.

http://www.dailytribune.com/articles...0007333099.txt

[WithoutYou]

I went to the magic bag to see Jeremy Spencer. When I first got there I saw Jeremy with a guitar on his back walking around with his wife whom was the same height as him. I didn't say anything to him, I was far to nervous. I never thought in a million years I would see Jeremy Spencer, Peter Green or Danny Kirwan (expecially Kirwan). So he winked at me as he walked by and disapeared for the rest of the evening until he played.

The Magic Bag is quite a small venue thats somewhat of a hybrid of a bar and a venue that amounts to the size of a bigger bar. This was the second time I had gone to the anti-freeze festival (which is a two night line up with about 4 bands each. The second night was Muddy Waters son "Big Bill Morganfield, which I did not attend.) I am from Toledo, Ohio which is about an hour and a half away. Last year we went and saw John Hammond, who was one of my dads heros, so it was fitting that we went together to see Jeremy Spencer one of mine.

It seemd to me that Jeremy had been in or around detroit for a few days and had maybe ran through a set quickly with somewhat local musicians; however they pulled it off pretty nicely aside from a few minor misteps. Jeremy is probably more proficient as a guitar player now then he was in the fleetwood mac days. He has broken off from Elmore James a bit more and has adapted his own style to his music. I was impressed with him and he was probably the best slide guitarist I had eve seen.

After the show, I waited around for a few minutes and got the opportunity to meet him and have him sign my Shrine 69' and Precious Little album.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by WithoutYou

After the show, I waited around for a few minutes and got the opportunity to meet him and have him sign my Shrine 69' and Precious Little album.

This is wonderful. Thank you so much for posting. Because I knew the venue was small, I didn't imagine we'd get a review, much less great pictures. I'm glad you posted.

Michele

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by WithoutYou

Thank you for posting your review and picture! I wish you couldda told him Vivfox said hi.

[OldTimer]

Ditto what Michele and Viv said.

Thanks so much, WithoutYou, for taking the time to share your review and your pics!

[jeremy spencer]

It seemd to me that Jeremy had been in or around detroit for a few days and had maybe ran through a set quickly with somewhat local musicians; however they pulled it off pretty nicely aside from a few minor misteps. Jeremy is probably more proficient as a guitar player now then he was in the fleetwood mac days. He has broken off from Elmore James a bit more and has adapted his own style to his music. I was impressed with him and he was probably the best slide guitarist I had ever seen.






A good, succinct commentary on my performance that night.