OK, so I got hold of Penguin...

[Neb-Maat-Re]

...so, remind me - what's so bad about this album?

I do find some aspects of the mix a bit odd, but otherwise I'm enjoying it.

[foxyluva]

Great album isn't it!!

I don't think I have ever heard a fan say a bad thing about "Penguin" - it just seems to be the reviewers...

My favourite's are "(Im A) Road Runner" "Did You Ever Love Me" and "Revelation"

I would definately recommend "Heroes Are Hard to Find" if you don't already have it...

[macfan 57]

...so, remind me - what's so bad about this album?


In my opinion, Dave Walker's songs. Other than those 2 songs, I like the album.

My favorite songs are all of Christine's songs & "Caught In The Rain", which is one of my favorite FM instrumentals.

[chiliD]

In my opinion, Dave Walker's songs..

The only song on the album that I don't like is "Road Runner"...I like the song, I just don't like that particular performance/recording of it. It sounds like they settled on a rough take rather than taking the time to really work out a good arrangment. Over the past 33 years I've grown to really like "The Derelict".

Other than that...I think the album is great. Christine was hittin' her stride songwriting wise, as was Bob Welch.

My biggest criticism of the album is that even for LP timing standards, it is a short album. They could've included a couple of more songs, if they'd had them.

My favorite part of the album...listening for Peter Green's guitar playing on "Night Watch"...it takes a bit to hear him the first couple of listens through, but once you pick him out, he seems to JUMP right out of the mix.

[Neb-Maat-Re]

I don't think I have ever heard a fan say a bad thing about "Penguin" - it just seems to be the reviewers...

It's seems to be labelled "lowest point" or "weakest effort".

I wish I'd been in a band where Penguin was the "weakest effort".

I would definately recommend "Heroes Are Hard to Find" if you don't already have it...

Yes, Heroes, Mystery and Future Games are on my "next gets" list.

[Neb-Maat-Re]

"Caught In The Rain", which is one of my favorite FM instrumentals.

I guess it's been said before, both "the other Bob" seems to have been short-changed.

I guess he wasn't the last one that who had that happen.

[Neb-Maat-Re]

"Road Runner"...
It sounds like they settled on a rough take rather than taking the time to really work out a good arrangment.

Yes, it sounds to me like a competent run-through rather than an inspired effort - given it's relative length not much was done with it.

My favorite part of the album...listening for Peter Green's guitar playing on "Night Watch"...it takes a bit to hear him the first couple of listens through, but once you pick him out, he seems to JUMP right out of the mix.

I'll keep listening for that.

Having had a couple of listens on headphones the thing I've noticed is that some parts really do to JUMP right out of the mix.

Looking forward to a decent blast on the stereo - once the wife's thesis is finished!

[Gailh]

In my opinion, Dave Walker's songs. Other than those 2 songs, I like the album.

My favorite songs are all of Christine's songs & "Caught In The Rain", which is one of my favorite FM instrumentals.

the Penguin was the first newly released FM album I ever bought so it will always have a place in my heart.

I agree that apart from Dave Walker's songs (I cant see what he was doing in FM - bit like Dave Mason) most of the other stuff is fine.

Christine was just beginning to develop her song writing skills.

Nighwatch is my favourite.

Gail

[chiliD]

(I cant see what he was doing in FM - bit like Dave Mason)

I guess if your name is "Dave", Fleetwood Mac isn't the band for you to be in. :laugh:

[HomerMcvie]

I guess if your name is "Dave", Fleetwood Mac isn't the band for you to be in. :laugh:

:mad: :mad: :mad:
There goes my last hope.....

[Gailh]

I guess if your name is "Dave", Fleetwood Mac isn't the band for you to be in. :laugh:

Yes that must be it.

Fleetwood Mac should be a five piece band with no Daves! :laugh:

Gail

[aleuzzi]

I love Penguin. I remember first listening to it and being genuinely excited by the quality of the songs, especially "Remember Me" and "Night Watch." I also think it's mixed better than Mystery--a little more echo and some distance from the microphones, maybe?

The band and critics tend to dismiss the album because no one wants to discuss Walker or why he was ever in the band. I suppose it's easier to write the whole thing off than consider the LP song by song which, when done, is actually quite a collection.

Yeah "Road Runner" stinks--but is it's presence there enough to bash the entire record?

I agree with chilD that the one genuine complaint here is the record's too short. If the band were short on material, I simply don't see why Chris couldn't have used one or two of her backlogged songs (We now know, for example, "Spare Me" was written one or two year prior to its being recorded on Bare Trees..."It's You I Miss" and "Gone Into the Sun" from Madison Blues set could be likely candidates) to fill in some spots.

[chiliD]

:mad: :mad: :mad:
There goes my last hope.....

Just tell Mick your name IS "Homer". ;) :D

[HomerMcvie]

Just tell Mick your name IS "Homer". ;) :D

God knows, I could sell HIM on it!:p

[Gailh]

God knows, I could sell HIM on it!:p

Especially if he needed the money :lol:

Gail

[DavidMn]

Revelation and Nightwatch are my favorites.:nod:

[chiliD]

Yes, Heroes, Mystery and Future Games are on my "next gets" list.

I'd suggest in this order:

1) Future Games
2) Mystery To Me
3) Heroes Are Hard To Find

(or, in other words, in chronological order of release)

But, idealistically, get them all at the same time. ;) :thumbsup:

[HomerMcvie]

IMO, Mystery To Me is the greatest thing FM has ever done.
If you must start with just one, start with MTM.

[Dreamz19]

...so, remind me - what's so bad about this album?

I do find some aspects of the mix a bit odd, but otherwise I'm enjoying it.

I liked Penguin a lot. It was the first Pre-Rumours album I listened to. But MTM is still my favorite from that lineup.

[nicepace]

There were only five albums from the Bob Welch/Christine McVie-led lineup. It won't break anybody's budget to purchase them all. Although there (surprisingly) seems to be some consensus that Mystery To Me is the best of the lot, all five are very strong albums and include a lot of very good songs. I don't think anyone should pay too much attention to what anyone else says about this group of albums; it's best to hear them all and decide for yourself. I personally enjoy the music from this period in the history of the Mac more than what followed after Bob left the group.