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  #1  
Old 10-15-2018, 07:46 PM
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Netter75 Netter75 is offline
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Default Unpopular Christine McVie Opinions

DownOnRodeo suggested this as an idea in the "Unpopular Stevie Nicks Opinions" thread and I figured it'd be fun to do the same with Christine!

I'll start.

1. I love her vocals on The Dance more than any other era (Rumours, Tango, etc). Despite her "kill me now" expression, the full, deep voice absolutely floors me. Best vocal performances of Oh Daddy, Everywhere, You Making Loving Fun, etc. That voice is like honey to my ears.

2. I don't get the deal with Think About Me. I REALLY want to like the song but I just can't get into it. I like the lyrics and message fine but I hate the way her and Lindsey harmonize on the chorus. It hits my ear as whiny and I kinda get why it didn't do as well on the charts as they may have hoped.

3. She sounds seamless and great when her vocals are blended with Lindsey on most songs but I like it much more when she harmonizes with Stevie. Straight Back, that second verse on live Rhiannon, live Isn't it Midnight, the Oh Daddy and YMLF outtakes, Heart of Stone, Skies the Limit all showcase this very well. There's a huge contrast between their voices and it's great.

4. Heart of Stone is one of my favorite songs of hers.

5. Honey Hi and Never Forget are lyrical wastelands but the music is amazing and I love them.

6. I think that most of her 1984 album is pretty lame. This is with the exception of One in a Million, which is a fine song, and The Smile I Live For, which is up there as one of her master songs. But all the Todd Sharpe songs... ughhhhhhh they're bland man. Strangely I actually like the songs on his solo album with her backing vocals (We Were Lonely, I Dont Wanna Leave You) in a "so-bad-they're'good" sort of way.

7. In The Meantime, as a whole, is one of the best solo albums related to Fleetwood Mac. The songs are simple and not so notable on an individual basis, but the overall feel of the album and song sequence tells such a relatable story and gives more insight into what Christine's personality and what she is really like than any of her other work. You can tell she poured herself into that album and cashed her check on the 1984 album.

8. All of the daddy songs are amazing, especially when played in sequence with the jarring shift in tones . On the other hand, the more popular "Over" songs don't do much for me, though I have been listening to Only Over You a lot more lately.

9. I would want to meet her before any other band member any day.

10. She sounds TERRIBLE for the Mirage tour video. Lindsey and Stevie don't technically sound good either, but they have a certain energy that I like despite their vocal issues. Chris though... I don't know if she was drunk or what but there's a reason most of her songs got axed from the HBO special. The exception to this is her taking Stevie's place on backing vocals for I'm So Afraid. She sounds bad here too much it adds something new to the song and heightens the strain in the angsty lyrics. Her organ playing is also on point.
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"I am just one small part of forever" -Think About It (The song that got me into Stevie Nicks)

"The face of a pretty girl x1,000,000" -Isn't It Midnight (The song that got me into Christine McVie)

"The sun is bright, but not too bright to see. When the darkness comes you've got to fly into the light." -Doing What I Can (The song that got me into Lindsey Buckingham)

"I can still hear you saying you would never break the chain" -The Chain (The song that got me into Fleetwood Mac)
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  #2  
Old 10-15-2018, 09:11 PM
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Sometimes an unpopular opinion can be extreme praise. I think Temporary One is not only far and away the best new song from The Dance but also just about the best song in the entire 1997 show.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:41 PM
Storms123 Storms123 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David View Post
Sometimes an unpopular opinion can be extreme praise. I think Temporary One is not only far and away the best new song from The Dance but also just about the best song in the entire 1997 show.
100% Agree. I adore "Temporary One"
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  #4  
Old 10-15-2018, 09:52 PM
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I love Temporary One as well! Her vocals and Mick's drumming are great and it just has such a light, peppy energy to it. Never understood the hate that song got.
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"I am just one small part of forever" -Think About It (The song that got me into Stevie Nicks)

"The face of a pretty girl x1,000,000" -Isn't It Midnight (The song that got me into Christine McVie)

"The sun is bright, but not too bright to see. When the darkness comes you've got to fly into the light." -Doing What I Can (The song that got me into Lindsey Buckingham)

"I can still hear you saying you would never break the chain" -The Chain (The song that got me into Fleetwood Mac)
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  #5  
Old 10-16-2018, 09:07 AM
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I know Chris would like to pretend she never made the Christine Perfect album, but I think it is a treasure. Chris doesn't like it because she thinks it is underproduced and the music is unadorned, but in my opinion that's what makes it so great. Chris' superb blues piano playing and simple, pleasing vocals are what make this album such a joy to listen to. Her choice of covers as well as her own developing songwriting provide a group of excellent songs to showcase her talents. To this day I prefer this to the 1984 album and still listen to it occasionally.
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Old 10-16-2018, 01:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Netter75 View Post
DownOnRodeo suggested this as an idea in the "Unpopular Stevie Nicks Opinions" thread and I figured it'd be fun to do the same with Christine!

I'll start.

1. I love her vocals on The Dance more than any other era (Rumours, Tango, etc). Despite her "kill me now" expression, the full, deep voice absolutely floors me. Best vocal performances of Oh Daddy, Everywhere, You Making Loving Fun, etc. That voice is like honey to my ears.

2. I don't get the deal with Think About Me. I REALLY want to like the song but I just can't get into it. I like the lyrics and message fine but I hate the way her and Lindsey harmonize on the chorus. It hits my ear as whiny and I kinda get why it didn't do as well on the charts as they may have hoped.

3. She sounds seamless and great when her vocals are blended with Lindsey on most songs but I like it much more when she harmonizes with Stevie. Straight Back, that second verse on live Rhiannon, live Isn't it Midnight, the Oh Daddy and YMLF outtakes, Heart of Stone, Skies the Limit all showcase this very well. There's a huge contrast between their voices and it's great.

4. Heart of Stone is one of my favorite songs of hers.

5. Honey Hi and Never Forget are lyrical wastelands but the music is amazing and I love them.

6. I think that most of her 1984 album is pretty lame. This is with the exception of One in a Million, which is a fine song, and The Smile I Live For, which is up there as one of her master songs. But all the Todd Sharpe songs... ughhhhhhh they're bland man. Strangely I actually like the songs on his solo album with her backing vocals (We Were Lonely, I Dont Wanna Leave You) in a "so-bad-they're'good" sort of way.

7. In The Meantime, as a whole, is one of the best solo albums related to Fleetwood Mac. The songs are simple and not so notable on an individual basis, but the overall feel of the album and song sequence tells such a relatable story and gives more insight into what Christine's personality and what she is really like than any of her other work. You can tell she poured herself into that album and cashed her check on the 1984 album.

8. All of the daddy songs are amazing, especially when played in sequence with the jarring shift in tones . On the other hand, the more popular "Over" songs don't do much for me, though I have been listening to Only Over You a lot more lately.

9. I would want to meet her before any other band member any day.

10. She sounds TERRIBLE for the Mirage tour video. Lindsey and Stevie don't technically sound good either, but they have a certain energy that I like despite their vocal issues. Chris though... I don't know if she was drunk or what but there's a reason most of her songs got axed from the HBO special. The exception to this is her taking Stevie's place on backing vocals for I'm So Afraid. She sounds bad here too much it adds something new to the song and heightens the strain in the angsty lyrics. Her organ playing is also on point.
I agree with all of these.
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  #7  
Old 10-16-2018, 01:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David View Post
Sometimes an unpopular opinion can be extreme praise. I think Temporary One is not only far and away the best new song from The Dance but also just about the best song in the entire 1997 show.
Ditto. I remember being genuinely enthusiastic when I first watched her sing it on the televised special.

Last edited by aleuzzi; 10-16-2018 at 01:58 PM..
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  #8  
Old 10-16-2018, 01:56 PM
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1. Christine is always "good", often very good, but only great when she has imaginative people to collaborate with or spark against. Lindsey and her nephew Dan are especially good collaborators because they both possess quirky, individual approaches to music, and both of them have a vigor she often lacks.

2. The original 1978 studio performances of "Think About Me" and "Brown Eyes" are far superior to the final album versions of those songs.

3. She doesn't try hard enough as a keyboard player. The moments when she distinguishes herself reveal her to be a VERY effective player, someone who has a genuine feel for texture and rhythm. So it's frustrating when she doesn't extend herself beyond her comfort zone.

4. Her live vocals on the TUSK and MIRAGE concert videos are really sub-par, whereas her vocals on THE DANCE are incredible--and by far the best of three singers.

5. "Sugar Daddy" and "Oh Daddy" are among her best songs.

6. "No Road is the Right Road" from her first solo album is better than anything she would write or sing until PENGUIN.

7. She sang better throughout the 1990s than any other era of her career.
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Old 10-16-2018, 03:32 PM
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I think The Christine Perfect album is the best one she's done. Its brilliant.
I don't love the Christine McVie album. It has its high points but too many of the songs are really 'beige'.
I don't particularly like any of the Behind the Mask songs except Do You Know. The song Behind the Mask is one of her weakest songs. Doesn't do it for me.
I'm not a big fan of Hold Me. I like it but I'm not crazy about it like most people seem to be.
Her songwriting skills went downhill from Mirage onwards (when she become the most commercially successful).
She should have reverted to her maiden name after her divorce (actually, I have no idea whether anyone has an opinion on this either way- its just what I happen to think).
Her Songbird is just better than that Eva Cassidy woman's version. No arguments (although I'm sure the vast majority of Mac fans wouldn't argue against that one either).
One More Night is a lost gem- wasted on the Live album (ditto Temporary One, ditto Love Shines).
Heart of Stone is boring. Just never did it for me.
In general I prefer songs she's written on her own to all her collaborations.
Mystified is amazingly good (in part down to Lindsey's guitar work).
She should have done more artwork on more Fleetwood Mac covers. Not necessarily front covers- but it would have been cool to have had more of her art on inner sleeves etc.
Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie is a more satisfying album than Say You Will.
Christine's voice isn't the strongest or the best, but is the most 'listenable'. I just find Lindsey's and Stevie's voices too grating over entire solo albums.
Her very, very best songs were either from 1975 or before.
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Old 10-16-2018, 04:59 PM
TheWILDheart TheWILDheart is offline
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"Sugar Daddy" is a dreadful song.

"Over My Head" is boring.

I really love "Wish You Were Here" but don't like "Only Over You", which is strange since they're pretty much the same song.

"Isn't It Midnight" is her finest moment.

She basically carried the weight of the whole of Fleetwood Mac on her shoulders between 1987 and 1993. She owned TINT and BTM.

I don't think she's a particularly good singer. She has a nice voice, but I wouldn't say it's amazing. She's also not a particularly outstanding song writer. The word I would use to describe Christine's voice and song writing is "SOLID". She's consistent in everything she does which in Fleetwood Mac, is a very important thing - she is the anchor and balance between Lindsey and Stevie's eccentricities.

I get the impression she could be a bit of a snob.

"Hold Me" is 1000 times better than "Don't Stop".

"Tusk" onwards is where Christine really started to shine in the band. Aside from "Say You Love Me", none of Christine's songs on The White Album or "Rumours" really blow me away.

Infact, I think her songs pre-Buckingham Nicks are better than anything she did on the first 2 Buckingham-Nicks Mac albums.

She looked so stunning on the Mirage tour. The 80's were good to her. Unilke Stevie who was a hot mess.

I really like her songs on "Time". It's worth owning the album just for those.
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Old 10-16-2018, 06:24 PM
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I love Heart of Stone too. In my Chris top three with Oh Daddy and Bad Loser (though I love all her white album songs and YMLF too).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Netter75 View Post
DownOnRodeo suggested this as an idea in the "Unpopular Stevie Nicks Opinions" thread and I figured it'd be fun to do the same with Christine!

I'll start.

1. I love her vocals on The Dance more than any other era (Rumours, Tango, etc). Despite her "kill me now" expression, the full, deep voice absolutely floors me. Best vocal performances of Oh Daddy, Everywhere, You Making Loving Fun, etc. That voice is like honey to my ears.

2. I don't get the deal with Think About Me. I REALLY want to like the song but I just can't get into it. I like the lyrics and message fine but I hate the way her and Lindsey harmonize on the chorus. It hits my ear as whiny and I kinda get why it didn't do as well on the charts as they may have hoped.

3. She sounds seamless and great when her vocals are blended with Lindsey on most songs but I like it much more when she harmonizes with Stevie. Straight Back, that second verse on live Rhiannon, live Isn't it Midnight, the Oh Daddy and YMLF outtakes, Heart of Stone, Skies the Limit all showcase this very well. There's a huge contrast between their voices and it's great.

4. Heart of Stone is one of my favorite songs of hers.

5. Honey Hi and Never Forget are lyrical wastelands but the music is amazing and I love them.

6. I think that most of her 1984 album is pretty lame. This is with the exception of One in a Million, which is a fine song, and The Smile I Live For, which is up there as one of her master songs. But all the Todd Sharpe songs... ughhhhhhh they're bland man. Strangely I actually like the songs on his solo album with her backing vocals (We Were Lonely, I Dont Wanna Leave You) in a "so-bad-they're'good" sort of way.

7. In The Meantime, as a whole, is one of the best solo albums related to Fleetwood Mac. The songs are simple and not so notable on an individual basis, but the overall feel of the album and song sequence tells such a relatable story and gives more insight into what Christine's personality and what she is really like than any of her other work. You can tell she poured herself into that album and cashed her check on the 1984 album.

8. All of the daddy songs are amazing, especially when played in sequence with the jarring shift in tones . On the other hand, the more popular "Over" songs don't do much for me, though I have been listening to Only Over You a lot more lately.

9. I would want to meet her before any other band member any day.

10. She sounds TERRIBLE for the Mirage tour video. Lindsey and Stevie don't technically sound good either, but they have a certain energy that I like despite their vocal issues. Chris though... I don't know if she was drunk or what but there's a reason most of her songs got axed from the HBO special. The exception to this is her taking Stevie's place on backing vocals for I'm So Afraid. She sounds bad here too much it adds something new to the song and heightens the strain in the angsty lyrics. Her organ playing is also on point.
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Thanks to Mick and all erstwhile members for the good times.
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Old 10-17-2018, 12:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aleuzzi View Post
3. She doesn't try hard enough as a keyboard player. The moments when she distinguishes herself reveal her to be a VERY effective player, someone who has a genuine feel for texture and rhythm. So it's frustrating when she doesn't extend herself beyond her comfort zone.
Agreed with this wholeheartedly. I started a thread a while back to see if anyone could come up with any songs where her keys really shine and there weren't many people could name, with some of those being a reach for sure. Her comfort zone is definitely in the rhythm section (Dreams, Smile at You, Nights in Estoril, etc.)

I think the only songs where she truly shines as an individual player are on Sara, If You Were My Love, Crystal, Never Forget, Hold Me, and maybe a few others. Really though her keyboard playing is usually buried in the mix and really comes out live (I'm So Afraid, Rhiannon)
__________________
"I am just one small part of forever" -Think About It (The song that got me into Stevie Nicks)

"The face of a pretty girl x1,000,000" -Isn't It Midnight (The song that got me into Christine McVie)

"The sun is bright, but not too bright to see. When the darkness comes you've got to fly into the light." -Doing What I Can (The song that got me into Lindsey Buckingham)

"I can still hear you saying you would never break the chain" -The Chain (The song that got me into Fleetwood Mac)
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  #13  
Old 10-17-2018, 10:13 AM
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Christine Perfect McVie never, ever gets the credit she deserves for being a music pioneer: a woman who wrote her own songs, sang lead, and played an instrument in a popular music band, first a blues band (Chicken Shack), then a rock band (Fleetwood Mac). There are very few women from her era who can make this claim.
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Old 10-17-2018, 10:33 AM
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Only Over You is in my top 5 Christine songs and also one of my favorite FM songs overall.
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Old 10-17-2018, 12:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Netter75 View Post
Agreed with this wholeheartedly. I started a thread a while back to see if anyone could come up with any songs where her keys really shine and there weren't many people could name, with some of those being a reach for sure. Her comfort zone is definitely in the rhythm section (Dreams, Smile at You, Nights in Estoril, etc.)

I think the only songs where she truly shines as an individual player are on Sara, If You Were My Love, Crystal, Never Forget, Hold Me, and maybe a few others. Really though her keyboard playing is usually buried in the mix and really comes out live (I'm So Afraid, Rhiannon)
For me, she's most impressive on: Crystal, Honey Hi, Friend (acoustic version), Oh Daddy, Sugar Daddy, YMLF, Don't Stop, One in a Million, Smile I Live For, and Spare Me a Little (especially the live versions--but including the organ drenched studio version).

She's a top notch Hammond player. A damn good barrelhouse and twelve-bar blues piano player, a reflective and emotive ballad pianist, and a really sparkling electric keyboard player (ie: "Eyes of the World" live, as well as "Loved Another Woman" from 1974 soundboard). But yes, her understatement is sometimes too understated.
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