Christine's album - Christine McVie

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by applebucked

It's not flashy like a lot of other piano players, but with her style you feel the piano even if it's mixed down to oblivion at times.

To oblivion is right!!

[applebucked]

That's actually my problem with her last two solo albums. The piano got buried under the polishing and production (1984 album) and the guitar (ITM). Though at least with ITM I could till hear even a tiny bit of that.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by applebucked

That's actually my problem with her last two solo albums. The piano got buried under the polishing and production (1984 album) and the guitar (ITM). Though at least with ITM I could till hear even a tiny bit of that.

Thank goodness for The SMile I Live For

[applebucked]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

Thank goodness for The SMile I Live For

That song is one of the most beautiful things to come from that album. It's such a great album closer

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by applebucked

That's actually my problem with her last two solo albums. The piano got buried under the polishing and production (1984 album) and the guitar (ITM). Though at least with ITM I could till hear even a tiny bit of that.

I agree and the guitar is not even good. We start to get some great piano at the end of Northern Star and it made me wish I could hear that song live or at least hear it with an extended ending on the studio recording.

Michele

[applebucked]

Originally Posted by michelej1

I agree and the guitar is not even good. We start to get some great piano at the end of Northern Star and it made me wish I could hear that song live or at least hear it with an extended ending on the studio recording.

And Chris was complaining about 'a tad too much guitar' on SYW! Well, you do have to tread carefully when family is involved. Northern Star is beautiful. There's quite a bit of piano on Forgiveness and So Sincere too. Also, while Dan isn't the best guitarist or producer (he needs lessons from Lindsey!), his songwriting is top-notch.

[becca]

Maybe someday someone can reissue these '80s recordings with all the studio polishing removed kind of like the Let It Be version before Phil Spector layered his so-called wall of sound on top? I remember hating '80s music in the '80s... Pointer Sisters, Van Halen with David Lee Roth, Billy Ocean, Yes, Roxette, Jefferson Starship, Go-Gos (on Vacation)... everything seemed to get layers of processed crap festooned upon it instead of real playing being allowed to be heard. Maybe it sounded good if you did lines or something? I was into other substances, have never done that stuff and didn't get along with people hyped up on it. We are right back to that now with the auto-tune and voice processing gimmicks applied to freaking everything! Seems like ecstacy is the new coke. I liked early Jamiroquai at the time but didn't care what effects neon colours performed under the influence.

[applebucked]

I would love to see the 1984 album AND Tango in the Night stripped down.

[michelej1]

Monday, January 27, 2014, Martin Maenza Blog

http://mcmaenza.blogspot.com/2014/01...ine-mcvie.html

Christine McVie - Christine McVie

Today (January 27th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Christine McVie, the self-titled solo album from the Fleetwood Mac singer. The 1984 release went to number 58 on the UK charts and number 26 on the US Billboard Album chart. It was her first and only solo album in the 80's; her previous solo effort was 1970's Christine Perfect.


Besides vocals, McVie also played keyboards and percussion. She was assisted by Todd Sharp (guitar and vocals), George Hawkins (bass and vocals) and Steve Ferrone (drums and percussion). Lindsey Buckingham provided backing vocals on three tracks and guitar on three tracks as well.

Side one opens with "Love Will Show Us How"; as the second single it peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song features a bouncy rhythm to it that fully supports the lyrical optimism.

"The Challenge", a song about moving on alone after a life-changing break-up, features Eric Clapton on lead guitar.

"So Excited" has a rousing guitar rhythm, courtesy of Buckingham, and a jaunty piano riff.

"One in a Million" has a nice rock edge to it musically. However, for me, McVie's vocals fall slightly short of that edge. Luckily she has guest Steve Winwood sharing the lead vocal duty here to help it overall. Their two voices work well together.

Mcvie's band mate Mick Fleetwood plays drums on "Ask Anybody", a gentle ballad co-written by McVie and Winwood.

Side two begins with "Got a Hold on Me", the album's first single. It charted at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It opens with a very catchy keyboard melody that carries along the entire track.

"Who's Dreaming This Dream" is next. The rolling mid-tempo tune is a little bland for me; there was not much that stuck with me after the fact.

"I'm the One" is about that person someone turns to every time something goes wrong in his life. McVie comes across though as someone who is tired of being that crutch, and that adds an intriguing element to the song.

"Keeping Secrets" has a different kind of opening, very mysterious. It is a refreshing change-up.

The album closes with the piano ballad "The Smile I Live For".

Back in 1984, I was very familiar with the hit singles from Christine McVie and liked them well enough. The rest of the record is a pleasant, light-rock collection of tunes. This review was my first listen to the entire record. I would have liked a bit more variety but I realize that McVie has a wheel-house she is most comfortable in. These songs represent that area well.

[jbrownsjr]

I need to pull out this album. Been listening to, "Meantime", a lot lately.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by michelej1

"So Excited" has a rousing guitar rhythm, courtesy of Buckingham, and a jaunty piano riff.

Ummm...that "rousing guitar rhythm" would actually be Billy Burnette.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I need to pull out this album. Been listening to, "Meantime", a lot lately.

Good man! It's a very good album. I rarely listen to the whole thing in one shot, but I do listen often to a cluster of songs at a time.

[Dragon]

If I had a working vinyl player, I would be listening to Christine McVie. In general, it is a great LP to listen to. I definitely like the dominant keyboard sound compared to Christine's earlier work on Mirage.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by applebucked

It's not flashy like a lot of other piano players, but with her style you feel the piano even if it's mixed down to oblivion at times.

I completely understand that! She has been quoted that she considers herself as part of the rhythm section, and doesn't play too many "twinkely bits." I get her less is more, but the epic cover of her 1984 self-titled album is so incongruous with the music style it contains.

Observing her sitting at a grand piano in a field, most would think the music might have some classical influences, or at the very least, be very heavy on the keys. The music is the farest thing from either! I enjoy the album, but think it's a bit lightweight. And, as some others noted, large doses of Christine can get tedious for the lack of diversity. I thought In The Meantime was an improvement, as the songs had more meat on them. I hope she brings some strong songs to Fleetwood Mac.

[MacShadowsBall]

I like the album, but it can be kinda bland. It probably could have used a different producer.