Best Era Of Fleetwood Mac

[Fleetwood Jack]

So, I thought of an interesting question. What do you think is the best all around time period for Fleetwood Mac. Now, for this question to be answered you have to consider the following (to quote that blasted Science Guy, for the era that you chose.

-Did it have (in your opinion the best album), it has to have no filler or next to no filler.
-Do you think that's when they gave their best live performances, (if any).
-Were the B-Sides/Outtakes good?
-This one is just kind of a side note. Did it have their best interviews and promotional/music videos.
-Do you like the solo albums that were released from around that time. Like how Go Insane, Rock-A-Little, and Christine McVie are almost a part of the Tango In The Night era.

My vote might have to be the Mirage Era. Although, (controversial opinion) Tango In The Night is my favorite album from that line-up, I think the live performances from then are rather lacking. I think Mirage was their peak for live performance, just watch the Mirage Tour video! I love the three music videos and the interviews that they gave. I also think that after hearing the reissue it has some of their finest outtakes.

I'm really curious to hear what you guys and gals have to say.

[HomerMcvie]

Mystery To Me,1973. The best album they ever made!

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Mystery To Me, 1973. The best album they ever made!

I'm glad someone else thinks this was a high point in Mac history. Though I'd widen it to 1973-1974 to include 3 albums: Penguin, Mystery To Me, and Heroes Are Hard To Find. MTM definitely was the standout album of the era, and really, one of the top 5 albums the band ever released. I love Penguin & Heroes too. These 3 albums represent when Bob Welch really came into his own. There's just something about him I've never been able to pinpoint. He's got the mysticism of Stevie Nicks, the storytelling of Peter Green, the pop chops of Christine McVie, and eccentric sonic sensibilities of Lindsey Buckingham. Bob's story is such a tragedy, too. He left Fleetwood Mac just as he was hitting his stride, he wasn't included in the RRHOF, and his death was just heartbreaking. It really bothers me his FM albums aren't available on streaming mediums like Spotify, either. This pretty much guarantees future generations will never hear Bob's FM music.

I also love 1979-1980 in an entirely different way. Tusk is my all time favorite album by any band. Stevie Nicks really flexed her muscles during Tusk, stepped out of the shadows, and became a star. The tour was this giant monster, too. I love the snapshot in time that the Live album is. When I think of the definitive era of Fleetwood Mac, this is it.

[Macfanforever]

1970's and 80's was my favorite.

[kathykit]

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

1970's and 80's was my favorite.

Me too! Personally love 80's more

[Macfan4life]

I love 1974. Heros are hard to find is an amazing album. Christine really shines with her songs and you get a premonition of what a huge hit maker she was to become. I love the harmonizing between Bob and Christine.
I also love 1982. Its a quick blip and short tour but its like eating one potato chip. I just cant get enough. It was the end of an era for the band. Everyone was at their peak beauty and it was the last time before drugs started to impact performances (Stevie). It also was the early video era and the band made 2 of the best videos ever so you can imagine how ground breaking they were in 1982. No backup singers or fancy sets. It was basic arena rock which is when they are at their best IMHO.

[SisterNightroad]

Probably 1975-6 for me.
I've always thought that the white album is almost on a par with Rumours, and almost all of the best performances of my favourite songs are from this tour: Green Manalishi with Stevie's wails, I'm so afraid with Stevie still on the chorus, Hypnotized with Stevie and Lindsey's harmonies and, most of all, those unrivalled Rhiannon performances.
Unfortunately there aren't many outtakes leaked, beside a very sweet version of Warm Ways from the tour rehearsals that makes me wish for more.
Interviews and music videos were still pretty much secondary, and solo careers were still just a distant thought.
The live video performances we have from that time are very good, the Largo show and the Capitol Centre one, but the Santa Barbara show that was partly filmed for the Rosebud documentary is from this period too and that seems peerless; I really would like to see more footage from that concert.

[olive]

i wish there would have been more with Rick and Billy

[AlexD]

I always thought that the Say You Will Era could've been the best with Christine, but everyone hates that album haha

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by AlexD

I always thought that the Say You Will Era could've been the best with Christine, but everyone hates that album haha

If Christine were present, Say You Will would have been a 21st century Tusk. The album really would have benefitted from Christine's presence in multiple ways- she would have bridged the chasm in between Stevie's and Lindsey's songs, and her presence would have meant cutting out some of the dead wood present on the album. As it stands, SYW is still the most artistically pure thing the band has done since Tango. Yeah, it's flawed- but it's honest, and a genuine attempt at forward movement without being trapped by the past.