FLEETWOOD MAC "THEN PLAY ON" Original 1969 12-track U.S. Reprise gf LP- MINT

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FLEETWOOD MAC "THEN PLAY ON" 1969 original 1st pressing U.S. Reprise stereo gatefold LP. RS 6368. The classic 3rd album from Fleetwood Mac featuring great guitar from Peter Green. 12 tracks w/"Coming Your Way", "Show Biz Blues", "Rattlesnake Shake" & "Before The Beginning" but w/o "Oh Well". M-/M

This Peter Green-led edition of the Mac isn't just an important transition between their initial blues-based incarnation and the mega-pop band they became, it's also their most vital, exciting version. The addition of Danny Kirwan as second guitarist and songwriter foreshadows not only the soft-rock terrain of "Bare Trees" and "Kiln House" with Christine Perfect-McVie, but also predicts Rumours. That only pertains to roughly half of the also excellent material here, though; the rest is quintessential Green. "Rattlesnake Shake" is a down-and-dirty, even-paced funk, with clean, wall-of-sound guitars. Choogling drums and Green's fiery improvisations power "Searching for Madge," perhaps Mac's most inspired work save "Green Manalishi," and leads into an unlikely symphonic interlude and the similar, lighter boogie "Fighting for Madge." A hot Afro-Cuban rhythm with beautiful guitars from Kirwan and Green on "Coming Your Way" not only defines the Mac's sound, but the rock aesthetic of the day. "Closing My Eyes" is a mysterious waltz love song; haunting guitars approach surf music on the instrumental "My Dream"; while "Although the Sun Is Shining" is the ultimate pre-Rumours number someone should revisit. Blues roots still crop up on the spatial, loose, Hendrix-tinged "Underway," the folky "Like Crying," and the final outcry of the ever-poignant "Show Biz Blues," with Green moaning "do you really give a damn for me?" Then Play On is a reminder of how pervasive and powerful Green's influence was on Mac's originality and individual stance beyond his involvement. Still highly recommended and a must-buy after all these years, it remains their magnum opus.

12 tracks- Coming Your Way, Closing My Eyes, Fighting For Madge, When You Say, Show-Biz Blues, Under Way, Although The Sun Is Shining, Rattlesnake Shake, Searching For Madge, My Dream , Like Crying & Before The Beginning.

Gatefold cover is intact & retains its original look & sheen with no writing or split seam. There is negligible ring wear on the back & barely noticeable ring wear on the lower front plus minor edge wear on the top & bottom but it still looks great- we will give it a near MINT grading. The record has received very little play w/no scratches or scuffs. It looks & sounds fantastic- rated MINT. . The beige & orange Reprise "Steamboat" labels are also in near MINT condition w/a few very faint spindle marks. This is an original U.S. stock pressing from 1969 of the classic British Blues Boom LP featuring one of Rock's best guitarists- Peter Green. It is the original U.S. 12 track edition featuring 2 Danny Kirwan songs which were later dropped in favor of "Oh Well" on later pressings.