Classic Pop Icons

Fleetwood Mac’s instrumental masterpiece “Albatross” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Albatross” was released on single in January 1969, backed with “Jigsaw Puzzle Blues.” It would later appear on the albums “The Pious Bird of Good Omen” (UK) and “English Rose” (USA).

Fleetwood Mac had been founded by guitarist Peter Green in 1967 after leaving John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. Green recruited former Bluesbreakers Mick Fleetwood (drums) and John McVie (bass) and named the band Fleetwood Mac in reference to their two surnames. Also on board was Jeremy Spencer (guitar) and, several months later, the band’s third guitarist Danny Kirwan.

(Left to right) – Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan & Peter Green

Peter Green had been working on “Albatross” for some time before recording it. He has said that the original idea was sparked by a guitar phrase that Eric Clapton played when he was with John Mayall. He has also cited Santo and Johnny’s excellent “Sleepwalk” instrumental as an inspiration. This makes good sense as, although there aren’t any real melodic similarities, the ambience is very similar, not least when the high pitched slide guitar parts kick in.

“The Pious Bird of Good Omen” album title refers to the Coleridge poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” so it’s a fair assumption that it was the albatross of the poem that was being referenced by Green when he titled the song. However, while Coleridge’s albatross has come to symbolise the struggle of carrying a psychological burden (an albatross around your neck), the mood created by Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross” is anything but stifling or encumbering. Instead, there is a dreamy, hypnotic and comforting quality to the piece, with the cymbals and sliding guitar chords reminding the listener of rolling waves on a calm summer’s day by the sea.

Fleetwood Mac – “Albatross”

Authorship

“Albatross” was written by Peter Green.

Recording date/location

“Albatross” was recorded in October 1968 at CBS Studios, New Bond Street, London.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on “Albatross”:

• Peter Green – guitar and bass guitar.
• Danny Kirwan – guitar
• John McVie – bass
• Mick Fleetwood – drums.

Danny Kirwan had only been with the band for a few weeks when he appeared on the “Albatross” recording. He penned the “Jigsaw Puzzle Blues” B-side, which was also an instrumental.

Band member, Jeremy Spencer, did not play on “Albatross.”

Chart performance

“Albatross” was a chart topping hit in the UK in February 1969, but didn’t even make the Hot 100 in the US.

The song peaked at number two on the UK singles chart when re-released in 1973.

Other notable versions

B-Tribe – “Albatross”

“Albatross” has not been widely covered, perhaps because the original makes such a definitive statement. B-Tribe did a good job with their 1995 cover though, which featured on the album “Suave Suave.” The song begins with an unexpected flamenco guitar, before the familiar rhythm kicks in, overlayed by acoustic guitar, strings and various synth effects. Like the original, the B-Tribe cover has a hypnotic effect.

There will be a new Song of the Week on January 30.

Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross” is available on “The Best of Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac” and on the 4-CD box set “Peter Green – The Anthology.”

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