Thoughts on Thoughts on a Grey Day

[bretonbanquet]

So whose idea was it to tape the batty old lady reading her poem, and who decided it would be a good idea to put it on "Bare Trees"? Has anyone ever heard a good reason for it, or should we guess who was behind it? My money's on Mick I can't imagine that Bob or John would have cared, and I doubt that Danny or Chris would have considered it a great idea.

So hands up who skips the old crone when they play the album... personally I usually play it I'd rather hear Mrs Scarrot on a 24-hour loop than listen to "When I See You Again" or something

[chiliD]

Before the invent of CD's, it played when I played the LP. But once CDs were invented and I could program it out, VOILA! Sayonara, Mrs Scarrot.

[jbrownsjr]

I like it!! Leave Mrs Scarlett alone!!!

[HomerMcvie]

Just say NO!

Yeah, it was Dick....err, I mean Mick's idea. He's just full of.............










good ideas, huh?

[macfan 57]

Mick did mention in his book that he loved it on the album, so I'm sure it was his idea. I don't hate it & whenever I listen to the album, I don't skip it. The best thing you can say about it is it isn't very long. I would have liked to have had one of Christine's terrific songs from the Madison Blues box set instead. I think "Gone Into The Sun" would have sounded fantastic as the album closer.

[ThePenguin]

Originally Posted by macfan 57

Mick did mention in his book that he loved it on the album, so I'm sure it was his idea. I don't hate it & whenever I listen to the album, I don't skip it. The best thing you can say about it is it isn't very long. I would have liked to have had one of Christine's terrific songs from the Madison Blues box set instead. I think "Gone Into The Sun" would have sounded fantastic as the album closer.

As usual I agree w/ pretty much everything you wrote. I don't hate it either... I actually think the words are sort of nice. I'm a sap for poetry.

'...pregnant sweet... love is tender.' kinda pretty.
And the bickering between the couple at the end always makes me laugh.

That said, I'd have LOVED to have Gone Into the Sun close that album!!

-Lis

[P90pup]

It was just as relevant as the little girl that did the recitation on Traffic's
"Hole in My shoe"...then...those were the days, kids. It was a special time.
Some even liked "Oh Well" part 2. Some....

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by P90pup

It was just as relevant as the little girl that did the recitation on Traffic's
"Hole in My shoe"...then...those were the days, kids. It was a special time.
Some even liked "Oh Well" part 2. Some....

I flew on the back of a giant albatross...

See, it all comes full circle

[wondergirl9847]

Originally Posted by P90pup

Some even liked "Oh Well" part 2. Some....

I freakin' LOVE Oh Well, Part 2. Feels like it should have been used in a great western.

[P90pup]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

I flew on the back of a giant albatross...

See, it all comes full circle

Yes!
We'll tell our grandchildren about what our kids ignore.
We lived in a sort of...bliss conscienceness. Great music
was coming at us like a machine gun. It was the best of times.

[David]

Originally Posted by P90pup

Yes!
We'll tell our grandchildren about what our kids ignore.
We lived in a sort of...bliss conscienceness. Great music
was coming at us like a machine gun. It was the best of times.

Tom, you are the coolest guy -- bar none -- on the ledge.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by bretonbanquet

So whose idea was it to tape the batty old lady reading her poem, and who decided it would be a good idea to put it on "Bare Trees"? Has anyone ever heard a good reason for it, or should we guess who was behind it? My money's on Mick I can't imagine that Bob or John would have cared, and I doubt that Danny or Chris would have considered it a great idea.

So hands up who skips the old crone when they play the album... personally I usually play it I'd rather hear Mrs Scarrot on a 24-hour loop than listen to "When I See You Again" or something

I wish it weren't on the record for a number of reasons. Most importantly, it's a lousy poem. (Daft might be the right word.) And "Dust" is such an excellent, perfect song, that it should rightfully close that record.

But I agree with you: I'd rather hear "Thoughts" fifty times over "When I See You Again."

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by macfan 57

Mick did mention in his book that he loved it on the album, so I'm sure it was his idea. I don't hate it & whenever I listen to the album, I don't skip it. The best thing you can say about it is it isn't very long. I would have liked to have had one of Christine's terrific songs from the Madison Blues box set instead. I think "Gone Into The Sun" would have sounded fantastic as the album closer.

Chris was frustratingly reserved on her first two Mac records. She could clearly write and sing any number of songs but, for whatever reason, chose to contribute only two to each. And even then, she seemed content with being a side player. This is inexplicable to me since she clearly possessed (and possesses) the best voice among the Kirwan-McVie-Welch trumvirate. Why the band didn't exploit her talent more is beyond me. I'm imagining SHE was her own worst enemy and chose to remain under the proverbial radar.

And then when it was just she and Bob fronting the band,, I don't know why she chose to contribute four songs for each record. Why not split the writing and singing chores for half the record? Herf voice at this point was fully evolved and she was capable of nailing a wide range of stlyes.

[macfan 57]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

Chris was frustratingly reserved on her first two Mac records. She could clearly write and sing any number of songs but, for whatever reason, chose to contribute only two to each. And even then, she seemed content with being a side player. This is inexplicable to me since she clearly possessed (and possesses) the best voice among the Kirwan-McVie-Welch trumvirate. Why the band didn't exploit her talent more is beyond me. I'm imagining SHE was her own worst enemy and chose to remain under the proverbial radar.

I think your last sentence says it all. At that point, she was content to stay in the background. I don't think she was very sure of herself. She has said that Mick had to keep telling her that she could actually sing & write. I also don't think she was at all prolific. Still, I think she had a few great songs left over from the Christine Perfect band sessions that could have been included on those first two albums.

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

And then when it was just she and Bob fronting the band,, I don't know why she chose to contribute four songs for each record. Why not split the writing and singing chores for half the record? Herf voice at this point was fully evolved and she was capable of nailing a wide range of stlyes.

I agree. I have no idea if she even had written any other songs that didn't make those records. Plus, Bob had more or less taken over the band at this point. It wasn't until the White Album & Rumours that she wrote & sang the most songs on a Fleetwood Mac album. Coincidently(or not), those two albums turned out to be the most successful Fleetwood Mac albums ever.

[Gailh]

Originally Posted by macfan 57

At that point, she was content to stay in the background. I don't think she was very sure of herself. She has said that Mick had to keep telling her that she could actually sing & write.

It wasn't until the White Album & Rumours that she wrote & sang the most songs on a Fleetwood Mac album. Coincidently(or not), those two albums turned out to be the most successful Fleetwood Mac albums ever.

I think at this stage of her career she didn't have too much confidence. But once she got more sure of her own abilities then we really saw what she can do.

Ms Nicks may be the most well known member of FM (post Peter Green era)and Lindsey is acknowledged as being a fine producer but you can't get away from the fact that Christine came up with the hits.

Gail