Flee: Jeremy Spencer?

[TrueFaith77]

Does anyone know the story behind Flee, the album released by a band called "The Jeremy Spencer Band"? Was Jeremy actually a member? To what extent was he involved?

[Neb-Maat-Re]

Jeremy is the main performer and writer on this, although one side of the LP was given a disco treatment which Jeremy hated. The other side is said by some to have a similar sound to the Rumours era Mac.

It was released on Atlantic and is currently out on CD on a licenced release through Wounded Bird, a specialist reissue label.

[TrueFaith77]

Thank you for the help!

[chiliD]

Despite Jeremy's feelings on the album, I think the album STILL is VERY good. I'm on my 3rd copy of the LP since its original release (having played the first 2 copies until the pops & crackles were too much to bear). Time to spring for the CD!

At first, the disco-ness of the tracks on side one weren't to my liking, but in retrospect, they are actually quite catchy...even liked the reworking of one of the songs from his previous Jeremy Spencer & The Children album (also which sounds much better to my ears NOW than when I first got it back in 1972)

The title cut itself is worth the price of the album...one of the best single tracks on any Fleetwood Mac member's work outside of the band. "Cool Breeze" almost sounds like it could've been a Stevie Nicks song.

[TrueFaith77]

Originally Posted by chiliD

Despite Jeremy's feelings on the album, I think the album STILL is VERY good. I'm on my 3rd copy of the LP since its original release (having played the first 2 copies until the pops & crackles were too much to bear). Time to spring for the CD!

At first, the disco-ness of the tracks on side one weren't to my liking, but in retrospect, they are actually quite catchy...even liked the reworking of one of the songs from his previous Jeremy Spencer & The Children album (also which sounds much better to my ears NOW than when I first got it back in 1972)

The title cut itself is worth the price of the album...one of the best single tracks on any Fleetwood Mac member's work outside of the band. "Cool Breeze" almost sounds like it could've been a Stevie Nicks song.

Great! Thank you, ChiliD. I knew you would be able to help.

Yeah, I splurged for the cd myself (will arrive on Wed). For those on a budget, if you do iTunes: it's only 6 bucks!! (I think it's also 6 bucks on amazon mp3 download.)

[gman]

The album was originally recorded the way you hear side two. Atlantic didn't like the direction the album was going as Disco was really big at the time and re-recorded side one. They flew Jeremy and Michael to New York to record the vocals and Jeremy played some slide on the tracks as well. Side two is the real album and that is why Jeremy hates side one. -gman

[wetcamelfood]

Originally Posted by gman

The album was originally recorded the way you hear side two. Atlantic didn't like the direction the album was going as Disco was really big at the time and re-recorded side one. They flew Jeremy and Michael to New York to record the vocals and Jeremy played some slide on the tracks as well. Side two is the real album and that is why Jeremy hates side one. -gman

Wow, I didn't know about the re-recording of side 1 tracks angle, I guess I just assumed they remixed the side 1 tracks, shame Wounded Bird coulnd't come up with the original side one recordings as bonus tracks, but I know they've been generally staying away from bonus tracks on their reissues so I guess I shouldn't expect it from them. Well, maybe one day Rhino Handmade...

John

[gman]

Yes it is a shame that side 1 is the way it is. The masters probably don't exist anymore. There were a couple of other songs that I really liked that I felt should have been on the record. Michael Fogarty wrote both of them and had some soulfull slide work from Jeremy. One was called Starlit Skyway and the other was Declaration of Love. Simon Phillips did nice drum work on both. If I could get my hands on the masters I'd remix them myself. So much wasted potential! Take care!
-gman

[TrueFaith77]

Well, all I have to say, after about 15 listens since receiving the cd this week is: WOW. "Flee" is one of the greatest songs of all time. period.

[TrueFaith77]

What a deal folks! If you don't already own it: FLEE is now $4.83 on iTunes!

At the very least, get the song "Flee" now for only $.69!!!

[jeremy spencer]

Originally Posted by gman

Yes it is a shame that side 1 is the way it is. The masters probably don't exist anymore. There were a couple of other songs that I really liked that I felt should have been on the record. Michael Fogarty wrote both of them and had some soulfull slide work from Jeremy. One was called Starlit Skyway and the other was Declaration of Love. Simon Phillips did nice drum work on both. If I could get my hands on the masters I'd remix them myself. So much wasted potential! Take care!
-gman

There is so much behind this disaster that would take a book (almost) to write! The A&R fellows of Atlantic told us originally that after they had signed up Abba (which was huge at the time), that they hated their music and worked on them (hence the Eagle) and wanted to do the same with us!
(Hated their music, and so...? Do I read between the lines?)
Hence the first side. The only redeeming factor was the work with Gene Paul (Les Paul's son) in a second rate studio in LA on some of the second side. He had remarkable sensitivity to where we wanted to go and I was happy with that.
Overall, the album is far from musically fulfilling for me and a work I'd sooner forget. I wish the masters had burned like the 72 album!

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by jeremy spencer

Overall, the album is far from musically fulfilling for me and a work I'd sooner forget. I wish the masters had burned like the 72 album!

Yet for the fans of your music, all of those albums - the self titled one, JS & The Children, Flee and the In Concert '98 are like a fine wine, to be consumed slowly, enjoyed and savoured.

I remember how happy I was when someone gave me a copy of the In Concert '98 album. The thrill of buying of the 1970 album after searching for it for so long (admittedly it's probably a bootleg), the pleasure in listening to JS & The Children for the first time - and so on.

I'm sad that you don't like those albums, it is so common for the artist to dislike their work from an earlier period or from a time when they didn't have creative control.

Just remember though, to those of us who are fans, we treasure each and every one of those albums...

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith77

Well, all I have to say, after about 15 listens since receiving the cd this week is: WOW. "Flee" is one of the greatest songs of all time. period.

Yes it is. (and I'm only about 2 years later replying to that - in my defence I hadn't even re-joined the Ledge 2 years ago!)

[jeremy spencer]

Originally Posted by chriskisn

Yet for the fans of your music, all of those albums - the self titled one, JS & The Children, Flee and the In Concert '98 are like a fine wine, to be consumed slowly, enjoyed and savoured.

I remember how happy I was when someone gave me a copy of the In Concert '98 album. The thrill of buying of the 1970 album after searching for it for so long (admittedly it's probably a bootleg), the pleasure in listening to JS & The Children for the first time - and so on.

I'm sad that you don't like those albums, it is so common for the artist to dislike their work from an earlier period or from a time when they didn't have creative control.

Just remember though, to those of us who are fans, we treasure each and every one of those albums...

Fans like you are to be treasured! Did you hear 'Precious Little' by chance?

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by jeremy spencer

Fans like you are to be treasured! Did you hear 'Precious Little' by chance?

Of course, plus In Session and the DVD

Really liked Precious Little - especially Maria De Santiago which remains one of my favourite songs...