Fleetwood Mac Then Play On Half-Speed Mastered 180g 2LP

Then Play On is the third studio album by British blues rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on September 19, 1969. It was the first of their original albums to feature Danny Kirwan and the last with Peter Green. The album, appearing after the group’s sudden success in the pop charts, offered a broader stylistic range than the classic blues of the group’s first two albums. The album went on to reach #6 in the UK, subsequently becoming the band’s fourth Top 20 hit in a row, as well as their third album to reach the Top 10. The title is taken from the opening line of William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night — «If music be the food of love, play on».

BMG did everything right with this new version of Then Play On, the third studio album by Fleetwood Mac, and the last record by the band to feature the guitar work of Peter Green. The label returned it to the proper running order, previously only available on U.K. pressings, and stretched the music out over three sides of vinyl. All the better to let 53 minutes of music sound as rich and punchy as it was intended to. To this, the producers also added the two singles released around the same time: ‘Oh Well,’ and the scuzz-psych bliss of ‘The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown).’ Combined with a sharp remaster and a lovingly designed booklet that features remembrances from Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, this re-release is the perfect tribute to Green, who passed away in July. Chances are you’re well aware of this era of the band, but if all you know of the Mac is Rumours, you owe it to yourself to spend some time with Then Play On. It’s a great transition period piece, finding the band moving slowly away from the heavy blues of their first few years and into more ruminative territory.