JIGSAW PUZZLE BLUES (1968) by Fleetwood Mac featuring Danny Kirwan

Some people might not realise that Fleetwood Mac was a blues band which morphed into a progressive blues rock band before they hit the big time with Stevie Nicks et al. The original band had great guitarists: not only Peter Green, but also Jeremy Spencer and Danny Kirwan.

Danny Kirwan went on to have a significant role in the early evolving Fleetwood Mac: singing, playing guitar, composing and arranging. This is one of his early efforts off the 'English Rose' album. It was also the 'B' side to the single 'Albatross' (at least here in Australia). It was recorded on 6 October 1968, and is a great guitar instrumental (perhaps with some Django influence) which has been very popular with guitarists, as evidenced by the cover versions on You Tube.

This song was adapted from the tune of the same name done by Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti. See my slideshow video of this tune on my channel. In particular check out Jimmy Dorsey's clarinet solo around the 2 minute mark.

I have put this slide show together as a tribute to Danny, the early Fleetwood Mac, and guitarists everywhere.

Comments on the video are welcome.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• fleetwood
• mac
• danny
• kirwan
• peter
• green
• eddie
• lang
• joe
• venuti

[wilsonmcphert]

I have just posted a new video of this tune as done 35 years earlier by Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. See where the Mac version came from and in particular Jimmy Dorsey's clarinet solo which was adapted by Danny Kirwan almost note for note.

[erscott13]

Django influence? Somehow I missed it. Where?

Elisa

[wilsonmcphert]

@erscott13

This tune is not the usual blues done by the early fleetwood mac. It has more of a jazz vibe. In fact the original tune was recorded by Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti, who were often compared to Reihhardt/Grapelli. The guitar work uses jazz chords such as ninth chords and chordal appeggios as favoured by Reihhardt. It's not a copy of Django, but I can hear his influence in parts. What do you think?.

[Reinisen]

Danny Kirwan is and will probably always remain the most forgotten member of the group that called itself The Fleetwood Mac.

[ridgely410]

What pure, natural talent. Still a teenager when he joined FM. Too bad his guitar playing slowly faded into a fog of alcohol and emotional distress. This song brings back memories from long ago. He certainly made his mark with his short time in the limelight.

[RomainChapus]

I'd love to hear you feedback on my cover. I ran many times your video while learning it. Thanks!

[Scroblene]

Absolutely perfectly rounded musical piece.

[bigpaddy1]

pious bird of good omen was my first album superb

[erscott13]

@BettyBoopLover333 I've been a Django fan since 1980, only recently discovered very early FM. Can't get enough. Elisa

[Mattycnw]

@erscott13 Vibrato. Arpeggios. Listen to blues en mineur

[ori431]

epic face epic face epic face ( jizz in my pants ) :DDDD 0:43

[quicktothe4]

This was the "B" side to Albatross!!

[BettyBoopLover333]

@erscott13 django reinhardt's influence permeates danny's "jigsaw puzzle blues", to my ears. i've been a django fan and a early version mac fan for a lot o' years.TEHO (to each his own, no?)

[toti4]

i saw mac just AFTER danny left the band. christine McVie had joined, before nicks and buckingham.  kirwan was one of the reasons fleetwood mac sounded so unique in the beginning