Tango Liner Notes

[sorcerer999]

Originally Posted by dreamsunwind

Thank you so much sharing! I love reading these.

You're most welcome! I appreciate the gratitude. Over 200+ views since I posted and you're the only person to say "thank you". Sometimes I wonder why I even bother with this forum.

Transcribing took quite a long time and I wouldn't have even bothered had I not loved this band or the Ledgies here (well, most of them... )

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Stevie does look rough here. But I like the realness of these pics. You see them without gloss. Notwithstanding Christine's 80s hair, I think the rest look cool. And I LOVE LB's jacket!

Everything in the 80's was "big hair and frumpy clothing". Everyone seemed to benefit, even if you had put a few pounds on. I'm looking at YOU, Stevie! And yes, I also love Lindsey's jacket!!!

[button-lip]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

So do I. He was right on point with his mid 80's fashion there.

Exactly! Those were the 80's. Lindsey's jacket, Christine's hair, Stevie's clothes. They are all dressed according to the decade's fashion.

Except for John, who is, well, John.

[KenB]

I posted this on another thread, too, but: Don't you wonder why the photo from the back of the original CD's traycard isn't included in the reissue?

[jbrownsjr]

Thank you so much for posting!!! This made my Saturday morning!!

[Neal]

Originally Posted by KenB

I posted this on another thread, too, but: Don't you wonder why the photo from the back of the original CD's traycard isn't included in the reissue?

I wondered the same thing at first, but then decided it's the worst of the bunch. It should have been an outtake, and one of the others used on the original release.

However, that shot is probably most representative of how they all felt once they were done recording...

[Andy Man]

I must say that the packaging of the Tango reissue is stunning. A very fitting visual for the sonic beauty of the album.

However, with regards to the liner notes...

I have noticed that throughout each of the reissues, much like throughout all the press the band has received since 1975, Christine McVie's role and importance is seriously under appreciated.

I am a big fan of the album, and I have come to really appreciate Lindsey's tracks on it. I have even been a greater fan of Stevie's material than the majority of those on this forum (however, it is unquestionable that this is her weakest album in the FM catalogue). Yet if it were not for Christine's songwriting, and the specific Christine-penned/focused songs that were selected for this album, Tango would not have been anywhere nearly as successful as it was. Period. Undoubtedly she has the best material here and, I would argue, that "Everywhere" is in fact the best song on the album when you consider the sheer melodic joy that is released through the speakers when listening to this composition.

The liner notes, again, focus almost entirely on Lindsey, with such specific detail given to his "state of mind" and "life choices" at the time. I, of course, recognize his role as producer and the fact that he is a genius when it comes to studio craftwork. However, I feel as if all of these reissues have been tailored to stroke Buckingham's ego (why, I am not sure). Ditto for Stevie. Now, for whatever reason, Christine has not been interviewed for these reissues (at least not for the liner notes) so it is inevitable that Buckingham/Nicks will have the most focus. However, I think that the various writers that Rhio has hired for these projects could of at least given Christine more credit for her roles. There was very little analysis, comparatively, on her songs for the Tusk release. While Tusk is certainly a Buckingham-based album, Christine's songs are extraordinary on that album and are, at times, what keep the audience engaged between the esoteric Lindsey material and the very long compositions penned by Stevie. Without a doubt, Christine is what gives Tango it's highest moments. Besides a very nice remark from Stevie in regards to Christine being the "hit maker", Christine's role as a musician, writer, performer, and arranger on Tango and other albums has been treated with very little regard in the overall Fleetwood Mac reissue project.

Luckily, Christine does not seem to be the type of person that needs this sort of validation. However, as someone who has gained immense respect for her musicianship and songwriting over the years, it is too bad that the official band documents do not spend more time on the person that, I believe, is the basis for the Fleetwood Mac classic line up. Just listen to Say You Will...without C.M. the Mac is just not the Mac.

(And don't even get me started on the fact that John McVie's playing is hardly noted at all in these reissues...talk about an oversight!)