Sheryl Crow is joining Fleetwood Mac!!!

[David]

Originally Posted by michelej1

As for Stevie's reaction to SYW, both during and after the making of the album she had great praise for Lindsey's production of her songs. She talked about how they had fought constantly, but seemed to think the finished product was worth the battle. We could see from some Destiny Rules promos that she was mad that Lindsey didn't want to use one of her songs. Then, after the production was over, when the tour first kicked off, she still seemed to be mad at him and he was complaining about the other band members going to Hawaii and Stevie not thanking him. So, they were not happy with each other, but from what came out, I got the impression that their album fights were about the which songs would be used, album length, sequencing (and single selections), all those issues that came up at the time, and not about the quality of her songs. Those complaints came out later.

I wonder how many Fleetwood albums she contributed to she actually does like a lot.

And how much of SYW does she not like? Sometimes Stevie gets a bee in her bonnet about something in particular, & then over time that single bee grows into an entire hive, & the next thing you know, we're all being attacked by killer African bees.

[Angel69]

Originally Posted by michelej1

You might not compare him to Laurie Anderson, but I would and I know she inspires Lindsey, so if she were joining the band, I'd have a lot less trepidation about what it would do to him.
Michele

Now that would be interesting.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by skcin

You still listen to the band?

Every now and then, but mostly for just one or two songs here or there at any one time. I was really digging "Tusk" and "Say Goodbye" the other night.

Yes, most of my listening these days has been Guided By Voices. It's a Dayton thing, you wouldn't understand. Actually, most people in Dayton don't understand, either.

[StreetAngel86]

i saw this heading here the other day and thought it was a joke
but then it made my newspaper yesterday


i dont know
i dont think im happy at this


i like her music and stuff
but with FM? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[StreetAngel86]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

-Sheryl had better keep a low profile ala Christine. There is only room for ONE diva in FM. This means man-tailored suit jackets and jeans ONLY.

no no
Sheryl is restricted to man suits
Linds is the only one allowed to wear jeans
or tight black leather pants if he wants to jazz it up

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by David

I wonder how many Fleetwood albums she contributed to she actually does like a lot.

And how much of SYW does she not like? Sometimes Stevie gets a bee in her bonnet about something in particular, & then over time that single bee grows into an entire hive, & the next thing you know, we're all being attacked by killer African bees.

Well, I think it's safe to say she likes Rumours, except I think she is mad at IDWTK. She has made Lindsey thinks that she likes Tusk now. I don't know if she does. I do know that if the McVies came up to him and said that they also really love Tusk, he would probably just skip the act of dying and ascend into heaven, he'd be so pleased with himself.

In that 5 words thread, I was thinking how Angel is so superb, because I wanted to quote every line of the song. And it's kind of funny to me that Stevie has not really seemed to love Angel as much as her fans do. She doesn't dislike it, but she doesn't seem to take it that serioiusly. I know that she is proud of Sara, but I don't know that she thinks Angel is exceptional. Overall though, I think she's proud of her Tusk songs, if not the whole album.

I guess she likes Mirage. Don't think she likes Tango. As for the White Album (although, to soothe Chili's woes, I think that I will also call it Fleetwood Mac '75), I think she doesn't feel fully represented on that album and Crystal was old to her by then (that meddlesome John), so that's probably not her favorite either.

Hmmm. SYW. I don't know if she likes any of it. I'd like to hear her talk more about the songs in detail, but Thrown Down is one of her greater triumphs IMO. When she points out how Lindsey was feeling up her leg and telling her he was awed by Ilume, she didn't add that she felt like smacking him silly for ruining the song, so she might like that one. Is it a sign that she thought about doing DR and RTTG live that maybe those are among her favorites?

I don't really know how Stevie feels. SYW was the single because it was most pop. But does Stevie like it? People say that SYW (the song) is not really her, but I think she wrote it that way on purpose to fulfill Christine's role and I appreciate that, her ability to write "as needed." I also think the lyrics are piercing, if not opaque. "Something in you brought out something in me that I've never been since." Whoa. My heart is all tied up. Plus, I wasn't exactly impervious to the way she and Lindsey got nose to nose during the live performances of that tune.

And the lasso dance -- well, the song that brought us that must be revered.

Michele

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by StreetAngel86

no no
Sheryl is restricted to man suits
Linds is the only one allowed to wear jeans
or tight black leather pants if he wants to jazz it up

Hey, with Sheryl there, we might get a real music video, along the lines of Sorcerer and not one of those taped performance videos. Leather, lace, red lipstick, guitar poses. It could be kind of steamy.
Michele

[SandyMac]

Originally Posted by michelej1

So, my concern is already how far Lindsey was ready to go to make this work. When someone says, "You can't have me unless you take my BFF,"

Michele

Reading this about you can't have me unless you take my BFF actually reminded me of Lindsey's ultimatum to FM about bringing in Stevie into the band. It was a package deal. I kind of see the same type of similarities here in a way.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by SandyMac

Reading this about you can't have me unless you take my BFF actually reminded me of Lindsey's ultimatum to FM about bringing in Stevie into the band. It was a package deal. I kind of see the same type of similarities here in a way.

Yes, except Lindsey had no previous relationship with FM, let alone one that pre-dated his relationship with the BFF. You know, I never liked the story about them asking Christine if she could get along with another woman in the band. Obviously, I think Christine had to be consulted before Lindsey and Stevie joined, but I never liked the notion that Mick assumed that Christine would have more trouble with Stevie joining than with Lindsey, as if women might automatically have a problem. That annoyed me. He should have asked Lindsey if he had any plans on sleeping with Jenny, because that is, apparently, a deal breaker for him and the 2 men might have as much conflict as the 2 women. Anyway . . .

Still, I bring it up because I think you raise an interesting point about that time in the band. There, Mick was not the one making the ultimatum. He, Christine and John were together no matter what. The question was who would join them. Here, it's a little different. Last we heard, Stevie was saying that she, Mick, Lindsey and John were NOT going to be together, unless they did something that she wanted. So, that's the contrast. Mick was consulting with his bandmates to expand the band and Stevie was telling the guys she isn't even going to be part of the band unless it expands.

Still, Sheryl's involvement can be a little less than band member. She did mention singing on FM songs, but she also said "collaborate." If she was going to be a part of FM maybe she would have used a different term that implied a merger or partnership. A collaboration seems like something that is less than totally uniting the artist with the band. Although, come to think of it, Lindsey has described himself as collaborating with Stevie (on Gypsy) so . . . I don't know.

I wonder if Sheryl thought her comment would be carried on all the wires and mentioned in 100s of newspapers -- not to mention analyzed -- across the world or if it was just a casual aside and she didn't even realize people would have inquiries about it.

Michele

[bucklind17]

I do know that if the McVies came up to him and said that they also really love Tusk, he would probably just skip the act of dying and ascend into heaven, he'd be so pleased with himself.

Michele, this made me LOL!

Imagine if all Sheryl had to do is go, "Hey Lindsey! LOVE Tusk, especially love..." and then go on to name all nine of his songs, grin, slap him on the back and walk away. They would be golden.

[Moz]

Originally Posted by Sanne2

I HATE Sheryl Crow and I think this is a very bad idea

Join the club.

[Tango]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Sheryl's involvement can be a little less than band member. She did mention singing on FM songs, but she also said "collaborate." If she was going to be a part of FM maybe she would have used a different term that implied a merger or partnership. A collaboration seems like something that is less than totally uniting the artist with the band. Although, come to think of it, Lindsey has described himself as collaborating with Stevie (on Gypsy) so . . . I don't know.

I wonder if Sheryl thought her comment would be carried on all the wires and mentioned in 100s of newspapers -- not to mention analyzed -- across the world or if it was just a casual aside and she didn't even realize people would have inquiries about it.

Michele

That's exactly what I was referring to back in post 163--Steuart Smith was used by the Eagles in that same manner. He isn't "an Eagle" any more than I suspect Sheryl Crow would be a member of FM on this NEW Fleetwood Mac album. This said, I suspect Sheryl will at least get a picture in the insert of the cd, maybe not the cover, and she'll probably be paid better than Steuart, because she's got a large following of her own and will help fill seats. Poor Steuart got a paycheck, a mention on the cd, including writing credits, but no pic. He has been playing and touring for them since 2001 and he still hasn't gotten wings. With all this news, with all the hand wringing and concern about the impact Sheryl could have positively or negatively on unique balancing act of the band, I think it's AMAZING that now there is finally talk of a new album coming out, rather than just a fairwell tour.


Ditto on the Sheryl Crow comments to the media. If she wasn't authorized for this stuff to come out, her comments spread like wildfire across the internet. Makes you think people are already excited that something NEW is coming, even if it's only one internet website coping the info from another.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by michelej1

. . . I made the comparison between Mick and Lindsey's Destiny Rules conversation and this Crow situation on the board last night. It wasn't really Lindsey's decision to issue a single album, because if he didn't Stevie wasn't going to do a full tour. So, I think she made the final ultimatum on that issue as well and that's why he said he couldn't afford to do the double album because he couldn't pay for the extra songs (over 12) if he wasn't going to be getting tour money to cover it.

. . . .

No one, not even Lindsey, ever said that Stevie refused to do a full tour if it was released as a double album. In fact after Lindsey agreed to take a financial hit if necessary, it seemed that the entire band were far more comfortable and agreeable with the idea.

What Lindsey did say in Destiny Rules was "if there was even a chance" that Stevie might not want to tour beyond the initial 40 dates, then he couldn't afford it. He stated that, in order to be able to recoup his losses, the band would have to do a "much longer tour" and record another album and tour again. He never said she wasn't going to do a full tour, it was a "what if" scenario.

Also - for all we know, when they came together initially, their managers or they negotiated the 40 city tour as part of the package and then once the idea of a double record came up, that "deal" was revisited.

In the end, it is all speculation on our part. And, even if they (all of them) say something, people tend to disbelieve it and insert their own beliefs. But, it is fun to talk about.

[David]

Originally Posted by michelej1

You know, I never liked the story about them asking Christine if she could get along with another woman in the band. Obviously, I think Christine had to be consulted before Lindsey and Stevie joined, but I never liked the notion that Mick assumed that Christine would have more trouble with Stevie joining than with Lindsey, as if women might automatically have a problem. That annoyed me.

I'm with you somewhat. My band experience is that men are equally likely to rub one another the wrong way. But this wasn't really Mick's notion -- it was Christine's herself. She said in that old radio interview: "Mick came up to me & said, 'How do you feel about another woman in the band?' It could have been catastrophe if we'd not got on." So Chris, apparently based on her experience or perhaps what she witnessed in another band, seems to have been the one who thought that two women (specifically) had better like each other before they join the same band.

[Serrart]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

But don't you think that Sheryl is in a perfect position to play the intermediary ala Christine? She has the musical chops and the producer/songwriter/engineer chops that Lindsey has, yet she also speaks from a feminine point of view. Plus, she seems like a very likeable, down-to-earth person (as long as she can keep her trap shut when it comes to politics). And because she has her own successful career, she really has no skin in the game, so she can walk away if things become too tense for her liking. As such, everyone will have an incentive to be respectful of each other and on their best behavior. I guess the big unknown is what will happen when you put an alpha female like Sheryl and an alpha male like Lindsey in the same room? It's either going to be phenomenally successful or disastrous. I think it could spur some healthy competition as well as an opportunity to learn from each other.

I agree that they don't have anything left to prove. That's why I think it's great that they are thinking of new ways to reinvent themselves, rather than just resting on their laurels and trotting out another Rumours tour.

I'm not sure she'd play the intermediary, but at least now Stevie doesn't look like a clandestine in a boys club. I think having Crow in the Mac is a very good news, Stevie now might feel more encouraged to write for the band, since she knows she could have a stronger support in the production phase.

Besides, I'm sure this must have been the condition to have Stevie back (clever girl ).

Romy