Destiny Road

AS ANYONE who witnessed his recent Dublin gig will testify Peter Green can cut a sad and lonely figure up on stage. The ravages of time, coupled with a long history of depression and disillusion with the music business have all taken their toll on this once vital guitarist and songwriter.

All the more surprising then that this album sounds as fresh and worthwhile as it does. Destiny Road has all the laid-back, late-night feel and atmosphere of any of Clapton’s or Robert Cray’s recent albums – and much more.

The opener ‘Big Change Is Gonna Come’, a Hammond organ-driven workout, sets the pace for what follows. Band member and keyboardist Roger Cotton supplies several of the originals, including the terrifically authentic slow burner ‘You’ll Be Sorry Someday’, the soulful ‘Heart Of Stone’ and the eerie instrumental ‘Hiding In Shadows’.

Of the blues standards included Elmore James’ ‘Madison Blues’ boogies along energetically with Green’s voice suitably ragged and his guitar playing fluid and subtle. The album closes officially with Steve Winwood’s tender ballad ‘There’s A River’ and there’s the added bonus of a “hidden” track – a newly recorded instrumental version of Green’s ’60s masterpiece ‘Man Of The World’.