Which Fleetwood Mac member wrote and recorded the instrumental 'Albatross'?

Peter Green wrote and recorded Fleetwood Mac’s instrumental “Albatross.” The track was released as a single in November 1968 and became one of the defining recordings of the band’s early era.

Although Green composed the piece, “Albatross” was a full-band recording. Green and newly joined guitarist Danny Kirwan supplied the intertwined guitar parts, while John McVie played bass and Mick Fleetwood played drums. Jeremy Spencer did not take part in the recording.

Green drew inspiration from Santo & Johnny’s “Sleep Walk,” earlier blues guitar, and the imagery of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The slow, spacious arrangement was unusual for a blues-rock group and gave the piece a calm, almost cinematic atmosphere.

“Albatross” became Fleetwood Mac’s only UK number-one single. Its sound also influenced The Beatles: George Harrison said the group used it as a starting point while developing “Sun King” for Abbey Road. Danny Kirwan’s “Jigsaw Puzzle Blues” appeared on the single’s B-side.