Duster Bennett’s 1968 Debut Album Features Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood!

British blues singer/musician Anthony “Duster” Bennett performed as a one-man band for his debut album “Smiling Like I’m Happy”. He played the bass drum with his foot, blew a harmonica on a rack, while strumming a 1952 Less Paul Goldtop guitar which was given to him by Peter Green. Backed by his girlfriend Stella Sutton and the original Fleetwood Mac on three tracks, the album was well-received among blues fans. The popular blues club player met his early demise at the age of 30 from a car crash in 1976.

“One of the unsung heroes of British blues, this one-man band was a fine harmonica player and singer, a decent guitarist, and a soulful enough singer to make one overlook his distinctly unbluesy high voice. The opening ‘Worried Mind” – just Duster on harp, guitar, voice, high-hat and kick drum – is a marvelously sloppy shuffle romp that holds its own with the Fabulous Thunderbird’s work ten years hence. On other tracks Bennett is backed by three-fourths of the original Fleetwood Mac, who provide simple, effective support without stealing any limelight; solos are kept to a minimum. Originals “My Lucky Day” (with chromatic harmonica) and “Jumping At Shadows” (which Mac would later cover) are absolutely outstanding, and Duster does justice to Magic Sam’s “My Love Is Your Love”.” – Dan Forte, allmusic.com

Musicians:
Duster Bennett
Stella Sutton
Peter Green, guitar
John McVie, bass
Mick Fleetwood, drums