by Brian D. Holland.

Precious Little is the new release from British bluesman Jeremy Spencer. His name is far from being unfamiliar to enthusiasts of Sixties British blues, contemporary rock of that era, or especially to fans of early Fleetwood Mac. His slide guitar aptness and subtle piano playing style, along with his dynamically high tonal singing voice, set the stage for the diversity and fullness Fleetwood Mac was to become known for, especially within the astounding range of talent exchanged alongside that of counterparts Peter Green and Danny Kirwan.

Spencer’s emulation qualities in performance, of expressing and imitating just about anyone and anything, was an attribute Mac utilized fittingly, in both the studio and during live shows. His skill was greatly utilized and relied upon, especially by the time Peter Green vacated the band. Even so, Spencer’s last recordings with the band were on the Kiln House album, the record that officially saw the end to Fleetwood Mac’s stint with the blues.

Spencer had other things going on at the time, and still does to this day. While other rockers were sidelined with bouts of alcoholism, substance abuse, and mental instability, Spencer’s shift in lifestyle was a religious calling, one influential enough to draw him away from his successes and accomplishments.

Over the years since, Jeremy Spencer has been involved sporadically in a few different solo projects. However, the new CD on Blind Pig Records appears to be making the biggest splash in the music world, and with good reason. His previous release, 1979's Flee, which, in title alone, sort of described what Spencer had done to Fleetwood Mac, the music business, and his initial fans, was received with only mediocre interest.

Not so for Precious Little.

It’s mostly a blues based album with some contemporary soft rock thrown in. It’s tasteful in quality and diverse in style and technique. Spencer’s blues approach is authentic and precise, just as it was in the early Mac days. His superb slide guitar playing appears to have only gained in competence, as displayed on the album’s opener, ‘Bitter Lemon’, a pleasant shuffle that segues nicely into the railroad bluesy ‘Psychic Waste’. It’s only fitting he’d add a cover of Elmore James’s (his blues hero since the beginning) ‘It Hurts Me Too’ on the record; it’s mellow and easy flowing. ‘Please Don’t Stop’ shows his rockabilly side, and an ageless mannerism, as the song has a youthful and energetic feel. The guitars of both he and Espen Liland are superb on this one. ‘Serene Serena’, a remake of Corrina Corrina’, is pleasant and tuneful.

‘Bleeding Heart’ is a unique slow blues. Spencer gets into some splendid electric slide here, lead guitar also. His singing voice never sounded better. Next is an acoustic blues, ‘Many Sparrows’. Again, there’s some nice slide work going on. There are a couple of pleasing soft rock numbers on the CD as well. Two that come to mind are the Spanish influenced ‘Maria De Santiago’, and the CD’s closer, ‘Precious Little’.

This is a pleasantly listenable CD, and one not to be taken lightly; it’ll be considered a gem to fans of the early Mac sound. The album includes excellent musicians, too, which is always an advantage in producing a perfect CD. It’s nice to hear some new music, genuine and of good quality, come out of the mind and fingers of one of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest original players.

Precious Little Track Listing

1. Bitter Lemon

2. Psychic Waste

3. It Hurts Me Too

4. Please Don’t Stop

5. Serene Serena

6. Dr. J

7. Bleeding Heart

8. Many Sparrows

9. Trouble And Woe

10. Maria De Santiago

11. Take And Give

12. Precious Little

Precious Little was recorded in a Norwegian studio in 2005 during the Notodden Bues Festival. Blind Pig Records has recognized the importance in re-releasing this amazing CD.

Blind Pig Records 2006

Links
Jeremy Spencer
Blind Pig Records
Buy Precious Little on Amazon.com