The Ledge

Go Back   The Ledge > Main Forums > The Early Years
User Name
Password
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read


Make the Ads Go Away! Click here.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-09-2018, 03:26 AM
golddustboy71 golddustboy71 is offline
Ledgie
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 85
Default Recommend best pre Stevie album for newbie?

I’m a highly aware obsessive of everything 1975 onwards... but I want to begin with the pre era... what’s the best album to start with?
Reply With Quote
.
  #2  
Old 06-09-2018, 10:22 AM
Mr Scarrott Mr Scarrott is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 486
Default

Hi Golddustboy71.

I don't want to sound facetious but I would start at the very beginning, with
Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and do it chronologically. I think they're all pretty much on Spotify.

OK,you might not care for the blues that much but, you'll get a great feel that way for the artistic development of the band; the personnel changes that make it feel like a musical version of La Ronde. Look out for the little almost genetic tweaks that move the changes on, for example Christine's presence on Kiln House and her growing confidence as albums passed by. The quantum shift from Mr Wonderful to Then Play On The lost gems that appear on just about every album make you think this was Fleetwood Mac? The occasional lapses in taste that will make you wonder what you're doing. The gaping hole left by Peter Green. The harmonising of Bob Welch and Christine, the brilliant guitar work of Bob Weston. Listen to She's Changing Me from Heroes and then Say you love me and you'll see how the Mac's 1975 sound was a natural progression. Mash up Black Magic Woman, Rhiannon, Green Manalishi and Sisters of the Moon in your head. Danny Kirwan, Danny Kirwan, Danny Kirwan.

Don't forget the Greatest Hits album of 1972 as you don't want to miss the non-album singles.

Stevie, when she joined the band, went out and listened to all the albums. If she did, so should everyone else.
__________________
There's no use in crying, it's all over
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-09-2018, 11:23 AM
Fannymac's Avatar
Fannymac Fannymac is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 566
Default

I agree with Mr. S. ~ as Stevie said after she went out and bought the entire FM catalog upon her and Lindsey joining the band.....there's a thread that runs through all of them!
That said, if the wallet only allows for one right now....."Mystery To Me!" DEFINITELY "Mystery To Me!"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-09-2018, 02:45 PM
FuzzyPlum FuzzyPlum is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,386
Default

The most accessible will be Mystery to Me, Bare Trees and Heroes Are Hard to Find. Going straight to the beginning can be difficult. It might be easier to work backwards somewhat.
Pre-Stevie??? ...and the other chap???
__________________

'Where words fail, music speaks'
Mick Fleetwood

Last edited by FuzzyPlum; 06-09-2018 at 05:42 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-09-2018, 02:59 PM
Sugar Mouse's Avatar
Sugar Mouse Sugar Mouse is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 423
Default

Bare Trees and Mystery To Me are masterpieces. My favorite Mac albums after Rumours and Tusk.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-09-2018, 05:39 PM
golddustboy71 golddustboy71 is offline
Ledgie
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 85
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott View Post
Hi Golddustboy71.

I don't want to sound facetious but I would start at the very beginning, with
Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and do it chronologically. I think they're all pretty much on Spotify.

OK,you might not care for the blues that much but, you'll get a great feel that way for the artistic development of the band; the personnel changes that make it feel like a musical version of La Ronde. Look out for the little almost genetic tweaks that move the changes on, for example Christine's presence on Kiln House and her growing confidence as albums passed by. The quantum shift from Mr Wonderful to Then Play On The lost gems that appear on just about every album make you think this was Fleetwood Mac? The occasional lapses in taste that will make you wonder what you're doing. The gaping hole left by Peter Green. The harmonising of Bob Welch and Christine, the brilliant guitar work of Bob Weston. Listen to She's Changing Me from Heroes and then Say you love me and you'll see how the Mac's 1975 sound was a natural progression. Mash up Black Magic Woman, Rhiannon, Green Manalishi and Sisters of the Moon in your head. Danny Kirwan, Danny Kirwan, Danny Kirwan.

Don't forget the Greatest Hits album of 1972 as you don't want to miss the non-album singles.

Stevie, when she joined the band, went out and listened to all the albums. If she did, so should everyone else.
Thank you Mr Scarrott... your reply is perfect and most appreciated... you are completely right of course... start from the very beginning.. it’s a very good place to start! At 14 in 1987 I discovered Tango, then Rumours, then Mirage and so on in in a unchronological way. I’m aware and respectful of the pre era but only in a handful of songs...predictably OhWell, Man of the World, Black Magic Woman and Albatross... but that’s where it ends.... so let it begin... downloading Fleetwood Mac 1968... maybe I’ll feedback my thoughts... as a born and bread londoner😊
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-09-2018, 05:53 PM
louielouie2000's Avatar
louielouie2000 louielouie2000 is offline
Addicted Ledgie
Supporting Ledgie
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 6,421
Default

I agree with Sugar Mouse... the most relatable albums will be from the Bob Welch years... 1971-74. Mystery To Me is an especially lovely album... every song is worth its weight in gold. Christine and Bob really shine on Heroes Are Hard To Find and Penguin, too. All 3 of the above albums really have that signature mystical pop-rock sound the Rumours crew was known for. Due to those albums, I fell in love with the music of Bob Welch, too. He was truly the underdog of FM!
__________________
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/louielouie2000/The_Plant_-_Sausalito_-_front_door_2.jpg
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-10-2018, 03:33 PM
Macfan4life's Avatar
Macfan4life Macfan4life is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Somewhere near Key Biscayne, nothing there so I came back
Posts: 6,105
Default

I had all the Stevie/Lindsey era albums before buying my first Pre-Nicks album in 1984 which was Heroes are Hard to Find. Christine has some incredible tunes on the album. Mystery To Me is a slightly better album. I think you can start going backwards from the Nicks era which would be the 1974 Heroes album.
__________________
My heart will rise up with the morning sun and the hurt I feel will simply melt away
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-10-2018, 03:41 PM
SteveMacD's Avatar
SteveMacD SteveMacD is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The Buckeye State
Posts: 8,719
Default

Bare Trees.

It’s a lot like the 1975 album.

Think of Bob as Stevie. Thematically, they were very similar with a paranormal song and a sentimental song. He had The Ghost and Sentimental Lady, while she had Rhiannon an Landslide.

Danny and Lindsey are the driving force on their respective albums, and Christine is Christine.
__________________
On and on it will always be, the rhythm, rhyme, and harmony.



THE Stephen Hopkins
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-04-2018, 11:30 AM
Sugar Mouse's Avatar
Sugar Mouse Sugar Mouse is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 423
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by golddustboy71 View Post
I’m a highly aware obsessive of everything 1975 onwards... but I want to begin with the pre era... what’s the best album to start with?
I'd start with Bare Trees.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-04-2018, 11:55 AM
nicepace nicepace is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Cape Cod, Mass.
Posts: 940
Default

Start with the first album, which is called 'Fleetwood Mac' but commonly referred to as 'Dog and Dustbin' (because of the cover) and work your way forward through time. It's the best way to make sense of the personnel and stylistic changes. If you don't "like" blues or have never really listened to that style of music, be patient and spend some time listening. I think you'll enjoy at least some of the music from that era.
__________________
-Joanne (from Cape Cod)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-06-2018, 06:23 AM
chriskisn's Avatar
chriskisn chriskisn is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 1,859
Default

Can I be the lone voice for the Penguin album? It contains what must be one of my favourite (if not my favourite) FM track of all time - The Derelict.

I list Walker as my second favourite male vocalist of all time after Bob Dylan, but then again, maybe that's just me.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 09-08-2018, 01:16 PM
David's Avatar
David David is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: California
Posts: 14,904
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by chriskisn View Post
Can I be the lone voice for the Penguin album? It contains what must be one of my favourite (if not my favourite) FM track of all time - The Derelict.
You're not the lone voice. I love that album and The Derelict. (See my old posts from the archives. I even posted the song chords at one time.)

Quote:
I list Walker as my second favourite male vocalist of all time after Bob Dylan, but then again, maybe that's just me.
I wouldn't go that far, so that is just you!
__________________

moviekinks.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 09-06-2018, 01:22 PM
aleuzzi's Avatar
aleuzzi aleuzzi is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 5,983
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by golddustboy71 View Post
I’m a highly aware obsessive of everything 1975 onwards... but I want to begin with the pre era... what’s the best album to start with?
It depends on what you're hoping for. If you want smooth, mid-tempo pop expertise, MYSTERY TO ME and HEROES are pretty sophisticated. MYSTERY is usually bright, catchy, and clever. It's only downfall (I think) is the way it was recorded--too close to the speakers with little dynamic shifts. That's probably the result of using the RS Mobile Unit. HEROES is moodier, darker, and honestly more difficult to listen to, in part because Welch was clearly transitioning from folkie mystic to jazz-medal sophisticate. But the actual sound of the recording far surpasses MYSTERY--and Christine's contributions to both albums are excellent.

PENGUIN is spotty and usually dismissed as a transitional record, but what works on it actually has genuine warmth and vitality. All of Christine's songs are really well done, and Welch's hippie mysticism manifests itself as folk (Bright Fire), jazz (Nightwatch) and pressure-cooker jam rock (Revelation). I think both the David Walker songs are well performed but out of place on the record.

BARE TREES and FUTURE GAMES are probably the most consistent and quality recordings from the era, thanks in large part to Kirwan. Christine was still growing (as a vocalist and songwriter) though Welch started with a lot of strength. FUTURE GAMES plays out like one gorgeous sigh across both sides, a gorgeous mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation with a lot of dynamic elements. Kirwan's three songs are lovely; Christine's "Show Me a Smile" is simple and VERY effective; and both of Welch's contributions (the epic, moody, Pink Floyd-esque title song and a hard-rock blues tune) are fantastic. BARE TREES is as fine as FUTURE GAMES though this time the soft, dynamic sound has been replaced with a harder-edged blues rock. All of Kirwan's tunes alternately charge and sting; Christine's "Spare Me" shows her moving towards a more confident pop; and Welch's "Sentimental Lady" is a charming love song. But it's Kirwan's album, really--unlike FUTURE GAME which feels more like a group effort.

As someone already mentioned, of the pre 1971-74 albums, THEN PLAY ON is a universal classic. My personal favorite is KILN HOUSE, which mixes the acid-rock blues of the former with California Sun Sound of the late 50s. It's not for everyone--but I simply love it.

Beyond this, a Blue Horizon package would suffice for the 1967-68 material.

Last edited by aleuzzi; 09-06-2018 at 01:24 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 09-08-2018, 11:01 AM
FuzzyPlum FuzzyPlum is offline
Addicted Ledgie
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,386
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by aleuzzi View Post
It depends on what you're hoping for. If you want smooth, mid-tempo pop expertise, MYSTERY TO ME and HEROES are pretty sophisticated. MYSTERY is usually bright, catchy, and clever. It's only downfall (I think) is the way it was recorded--too close to the speakers with little dynamic shifts. That's probably the result of using the RS Mobile Unit. HEROES is moodier, darker, and honestly more difficult to listen to, in part because Welch was clearly transitioning from folkie mystic to jazz-medal sophisticate. But the actual sound of the recording far surpasses MYSTERY--and Christine's contributions to both albums are excellent.

PENGUIN is spotty and usually dismissed as a transitional record, but what works on it actually has genuine warmth and vitality. All of Christine's songs are really well done, and Welch's hippie mysticism manifests itself as folk (Bright Fire), jazz (Nightwatch) and pressure-cooker jam rock (Revelation). I think both the David Walker songs are well performed but out of place on the record.

BARE TREES and FUTURE GAMES are probably the most consistent and quality recordings from the era, thanks in large part to Kirwan. Christine was still growing (as a vocalist and songwriter) though Welch started with a lot of strength. FUTURE GAMES plays out like one gorgeous sigh across both sides, a gorgeous mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation with a lot of dynamic elements. Kirwan's three songs are lovely; Christine's "Show Me a Smile" is simple and VERY effective; and both of Welch's contributions (the epic, moody, Pink Floyd-esque title song and a hard-rock blues tune) are fantastic. BARE TREES is as fine as FUTURE GAMES though this time the soft, dynamic sound has been replaced with a harder-edged blues rock. All of Kirwan's tunes alternately charge and sting; Christine's "Spare Me" shows her moving towards a more confident pop; and Welch's "Sentimental Lady" is a charming love song. But it's Kirwan's album, really--unlike FUTURE GAME which feels more like a group effort.

As someone already mentioned, of the pre 1971-74 albums, THEN PLAY ON is a universal classic. My personal favorite is KILN HOUSE, which mixes the acid-rock blues of the former with California Sun Sound of the late 50s. It's not for everyone--but I simply love it.

Beyond this, a Blue Horizon package would suffice for the 1967-68 material.
To me this is a pretty much perfect summation...though I'd be one of the people for whom Kiln House isn't for (save for a few songs).
__________________

'Where words fail, music speaks'
Mick Fleetwood
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


Fleetwood Mac John McVie Guitar Pick with Cannon on Back picture

Fleetwood Mac John McVie Guitar Pick with Cannon on Back

$69.00



FLEETWOOD MAC FUTURE GAMES FEAT JOHN & CHRISTINE MCVIE 1971 LP RS 6465 picture

FLEETWOOD MAC FUTURE GAMES FEAT JOHN & CHRISTINE MCVIE 1971 LP RS 6465

$12.00



Rare Scene 1981 Benatar John Denver Christie McVie HUGE ADS picture

Rare Scene 1981 Benatar John Denver Christie McVie HUGE ADS

$12.00



Fleetwood Mac John McVie Guitar Pick 006.6 Vintage picture

Fleetwood Mac John McVie Guitar Pick 006.6 Vintage

$69.00



FLEETWOOD MAC 1971 CLASSIC 8x10 BW MATT PROMO GROUP PHOTO CHRISTINE McVIE MICK picture

FLEETWOOD MAC 1971 CLASSIC 8x10 BW MATT PROMO GROUP PHOTO CHRISTINE McVIE MICK

$12.99




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
© 1995-2003 Martin and Lisa Adelson, All Rights Reserved