(Midday, Bombay, India) Even though he’s played here before, a large section of Indian blues-rock buffs might not have heard Jeremy Spencer. But those who’ve been nourished on 70s supergroup Fleetwood Mac probably adore his bluesy tangy slide guitar. Spencer, who quit Mac way back in 1971, is currently in India for a series of shows. His blues-oriented line-up will be part of a bigger act that’ll include Heart to Heart, a band that does techno, rap, ballads and a variety of dance music. The concerts, whose proceeds will go to the National Association for the Blind, India, will be held at St. Andrews on January 24th, Nehru Centre on January 30th and Rang Bhavan on February 1st. The group will then perform in New Delhi on February 5th. Spencer, recognized by connoisseurs as one of the most stylish slide guitarists on the scene, is quite sure that the Indian audience will respond overwhelmingly. In 1995, he did a series of Charity shows in Mumbai and Delhi and found the crowd very appreciative. On that visit he also developed a taste for Indian food. Earlier this week, Spencer and other Fleetwood Mac members (Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Danny Kirwan, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "Since I’ve been in India, I’ve told Mick Fleetwood to collect it on my behalf," he says. Fine. But what initially attracted Spencer ot the slide guitar? "As a kid I heard Hank Marvin, who used to play for Cliff Richard. But in those days I couldn’t afford a guitar. Later I heard blues slide guitarist Elmore James, and I decided I wanted to be like him," he replies. Once, after breaking his leg, Since I couldn’t move about for weeks, I took the opportunity to learn the songs of that record, besides carefully understanding Elmore’s slide guitar technique," he recalls. Having mastered the nuances Spencer joined Fleetwood Mac. Among the albums he did with the band, English Rose and Kiln House received encouraging reactions. In the 80s, Spencer suddenly dissappeared from the headlines, and there stories that he’d stopped playing. "All these were rumors," he clarifies. "I have been very much involved in music, and I’ve now settled in Brazil. I’ve been recording and writing songs for various labels. In 1995, I even jammed on stage with Fleetwood Mac in Tokyo." Spencer says he recently acquired the guitar he had longed for all this while – a custom-made Paul Reed Smith. For the past 20 years, he had been using a 1960 model Les Paul SG. Surprisingly, he doesn’t know why fewer people take to slide guitar than lead guitar. "I don’t find it difficult to play. So I don’t know why others should find it tough," he reasons. Among guitarists, Spencer cites Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, Otis Rush and B. B. King as favourites. "Knopfler is classy, whereas the other two are more laid back. I’m not too fond of heavy metal or anybody who creates too much noise on his guitar," he says. On his current visit to India, Spencer has recorded two songs (‘Psychic Waste’ and ‘Bleeding Heart’) with Heart to Heart and other Mumbai based musicians. He’s planning to record some of his live concert song to produce a blues CD. On the Mumbai shows, Spencer will be accompanied by guitarist, Vas Myers, vocalists Christie Gibson, Lara and Sunny James, keyboard player Mike Creswell and rhythm/lead guitarist Mac Nobuka. The crowd should have a fabulous time.
|
