Search - Danny Kirwan :: Second Chapter

Don't Open This Book!

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 11/24/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Danny Kirwan, was lifted into Fleetwood Mac by Peter Green in 1968, and was a member of one of Britian's most popular bands for the next four years. Danny, played lead guitar, wrote and sang haunting beautiful songs, and never wanted the lead role of the frontsman of Fleetwood Mac. To define the emotional nature of Danny Kirwan, find a photograph of him during his stay in Fleetwood Mac, he won't be smiling in one of those pictures!



Three years after Danny was fired from Fleetwood Mac, he created his first solo recording entitled: "Second Chapter". Gone are the lonely and haunting guitars and dreamlike vocals that emerge from the mists...that Danny, has been replaced. The results of Danny's transformation are crawling all over this record from 1975.



The new Danny Kirwan, is now happy and cannot decide on a musicial style to fit his needs. Does Danny, want to sound like a forth-rate Fairport Convention: {Ram Jam City}, Chad & Jeremy: {Silver Streams} Herman's Hermits: {Best Girl In The World} or the Hollies: {Mary Jane} ???



These arrangements wouldn't have gotten over in 1966, so why are they being thrust upon the world in 1975? Danny, has penned some great songs in his past; "Woman Of A Thousand Years" & "Sands Of Time", greatness hasn't found a home on; "Second Chapter". After thirty minutes of this music, Paul Williams, is going to sound like Beethoven!



Danny, always had problems with being in the spotlight, and he wasn't fond of being under the stage lights. He would not tour with a proper band, ever again, and that is our loss because he could have been a wonderful performer if was a part of a decent group such as Wings or Frampton's Camel.



Not all of these songs will stink up your parlor, some are pretty good. If Bob Welch, could have helped Danny in composing: "Second Chapter" it would have been presented in a much better fashion. "Silver Streams" comes close to what Danny is really about, this arrangement fails the song so much, it's still all too upbeat...that is not the mood of Danny Kirwan. "Cascades" the album's closing number, is another one that could have been, this sad song is trying it's hardest into being happy...not my Danny...NO!!!



Look, I went into this listening experience with an open mind. I wanted to hear the music that I knew Danny could produce, the kind of music that defines him as a musician and as a person. "Second Chapter" indeed...it's like the guy's that brought you: "The Monkees" are at it again!



I'm going to be kind here...

1.5 Stars."

A Lost gem

Roger G. Williams | VA | 09/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're here, you know why. I won't go on about the Mac, Danny's alcoholism, etc. Danny's talent was in writing such melodic, beautiful, often melancholy music centered around fluid playing. "Earl Grey" (Kiln House), most of Future Games and Bare Trees provided my first taste of mood or 'chill' type of music in the 70s.

True, there are some duffs on here, but "Second Chapter" "Cascades" "Silver Streams" are just gorgeous and make me think of a solo artist composing away in his cottage on a rural English river bank. I've always mixed this music with Nick Drake, early Durutti Column, Grant McLennan's Go Betweens work, etc.

It perfectly accommodates. Wish he had continued to create. A truly remarkable mood maker."

Only for the Danny Kirwan fans , but buy it anyways

lonesome crow | ca, | 01/03/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have to agree a tiny bit with Phillip's comments on this album , but this is only released for a limited time , so if you are a Danny Kirwan fan from his fine days in "Fleetwood Mac" buy it before it's too late. It was really sad to see him decline mentally and this album was the start, however I do think some songs on this album were good , like Ram Jam City,

Second Chapter , and Falling in love with you. But the music on this album is very outdated , would only be appricated buy , Kirwan fans or those who have extreme music appriciation, (which is rare nowadays), but even they would not have thought that his solo efforts come even close to how he was in his F.M. days. But like Syd Barrett , he fell to a point of no return."