The best music from Chriistine

[Villavic]

Do you think the best Christine songs were written during her "Quintela" era? Some times I do.
I don't underrate songs like Songbird or Hold me, in fact they are among my faves; but listening Everywhere, Skies the limit, As long as you follow.. I think she was well inspired for good music.

But then during the Dance I guess she was already separated. And Temporary One wasn't one of her best gems.
I don't own ITM, but have listened some songs, and still found something is missing.

[macfan 57]

I'm not quite sure when Christine wrote her best songs. I suppose like everyone in Fleetwood Mac they were at their peak during the 1970's. So I guess I'd have to say that era. However, she's been incredibly consistent for 35 years now, far more than any other writer in Fleetwood Mac, in my opinion. I think her best songs of the 1990's were her 2 songs on the Chain Box Set & the Behind The Mask title track. I think many of her In The Meantime songs were her best since the 1980's & some compared very favorably with her best from the 1970's.

[dissention]

Christine has been incredibly consistent in terms of quality, so it's hard for me to say. For every Homeward Bound, there's a Nights In Estoril. For every Oh Daddy, there's a Behind the Mask, etc.

[GateandGarden]

I can't really say for Christine. It's harder for me to pin her down than it is for the others. I think she is more consistent. There are some songs I like more than others from every era but I can't pick one time where she was much better than others and I also really can't think of a time when she was subpar. I think some people would say Mirage was a weak time for her but I would disagree.

[GateandGarden]

Christine has been incredibly consistent in terms of quality, so it's hard for me to say. For every Homeward Bound, there's a Nights In Estoril. For every Oh Daddy, there's a Behind the Mask, etc.IMO, the only thing that's wrong with "Homeward Bound" is the vocals, which are just not her best to me at all. Love the lyrics and music, though. I'm not going to argue with your criticism of "Oh Daddy," though, since I still haven't gotten into that one.

[dissention]

IMO, the only thing that's wrong with "Homeward Bound" is the vocals, which are just not her best to me at all. Love the lyrics and music, though. I'm not going to argue with your criticism of "Oh Daddy," though, since I still haven't gotten into that one.


I think you misunderstood me. I love all of those songs that I mentioned and they're amongst my favorites. :laugh:

[GateandGarden]

I think you misunderstood me. I love all of those songs that I mentioned and they're amongst my favorites. :laugh:Oh! :o :laugh:

:sorry:

[macfan 57]

I can't really say for Christine. It's harder for me to pin her down than it is for the others. I think she is more consistent. There are some songs I like more than others from every era but I can't pick one time where she was much better than others and I also really can't think of a time when she was subpar. I think some people would say Mirage was a weak time for her but I would disagree.

I tried to post in this thread twice this morning, but got an error message both times. Anyway, I think the reason Christine has been so consistent is because she's never been very prolific. If she didn't like a song, she discarded it & started on something else. Anything that she did record, she REALLY, REALLY liked alot. That's why there aren't any "When I See You Again, "The Second Time" or "Empire State" among her songs.

[Gailh]

I think Christine's strengths have always been her consistency and her ear for a fine pop/rock song.

As Mac Fan says she only keeps what she considers to be the best. I'd love to hear the ones that have "stayed on the shelf".

Personally I think that her songs on Tango in the Night are her strongest which is probably why that is one of my favourite FM albums - Everywhere, Little Lies and (my favourite) Isn't it Midnight (who could ask for more?)

But she's proved she's still got what it takes in terms of songwriting and she's not afraid to collaborate either.

We don't appear to have heard much from Mr Quintela in the way of songwriting since their split do we? I wonder why that is?

Gail

[mondaymornin1]

I think Christine's strengths have always been her consistency and her ear for a fine pop/rock song.

As Mac Fan says she only keeps what she considers to be the best. I'd love to hear the ones that have "stayed on the shelf".

Personally I think that her songs on Tango in the Night are her strongest which is probably why that is one of my favourite FM albums - Everywhere, Little Lies and (my favourite) Isn't it Midnight (who could ask for more?)

I love "Isn't it Midnight" too!

I miss Christine. She's always been my "tranquilizer" in the midst of the frenzy that is Stevie & Lindsey! :)


We don't appear to have heard much from Mr Quintela in the way of songwriting since their split do we? I wonder why that is?

Gail

I've wondered what he's doing now. Hmmmm.

[ThePenguin]

I've wondered what he's doing now. Hmmmm.

Hopefully crying in his soup. :rolleyes:

-Lis

[chiliD]

Nope...mainly because he got the "NO SOUP FOR YOU!" from the Soup Nazi.

No Christine, no soup. :D

[ThePenguin]

Nope...mainly because he got the "NO SOUP FOR YOU!" from the Soup Nazi.


hehehe that was such a great episode. I now have a terrific image of Chris snatching stuff from under his nose LOL.

-Lis

[diamondsnake]

I would say that is hard to pin down. I love everything from "I'd Rather Go Blind" to "Friend"...

I will say that In The Meantime is a step down from her previous work. It is a tad bland in some areas. Something just seems missing to me. There are a few songs on that album which I love, but a most of the songs are just such filler material. Her voice is in great shape, but the music leaves a little to be desired and most of the lyrics don't have that signature "Christine hook".

[GateandGarden]

I tried to post in this thread twice this morning, but got an error message both times. Anyway, I think the reason Christine has been so consistent is because she's never been very prolific. If she didn't like a song, she discarded it & started on something else. Anything that she did record, she REALLY, REALLY liked alot. That's why there aren't any "When I See You Again, "The Second Time" or "Empire State" among her songs.That does help! I'm that's how I would be if I were a famous singer/songwriter. My "When I See You Again"s would stay at my house. They would be for my eyes and ears only. Of course unless someone wanted to go and steal them and put them all over the internet. :laugh:

I will say that In The Meantime is a step down from her previous work. It is a tad bland in some areas. Something just seems missing to me. There are a few songs on that album which I love, but a most of the songs are just such filler material. Her voice is in great shape, but the music leaves a little to be desired and most of the lyrics don't have that signature "Christine hook".I wish that album was more piano-driven. (Cue for David to come in and talk about what piano-driven means) :laugh: Actually, I'm not sure, since "The Way I Feel" is not a piano-driven song and I like it more than a few of the tracks on In The Meantime. Maybe it's not necessary to be piano-driven but just to have a more prominent piano than in most of the songs on ITM do.

[macfan 57]

[COLOR=Navy]I wish that album was more piano-driven. (Cue for David to come in and talk about what piano-driven means) :laugh: Actually, I'm not sure, since "The Way I Feel" is not a piano-driven song and I like it more than a few of the tracks on In The Meantime. Maybe it's not necessary to be piano-driven but just to have a more prominent piano than in most of the songs on ITM do.

I don't care what David says, "The Way I Feel" is a piano-driven song. ;) There were lots of those songs on the Bob Welch era albums, especially after Danny Kirwan left. Penguin, Mystery To Me & Heroes Are Hard To Find have lots of piano all over the place. I think her last true piano-driven song was "Hold Me" back on Mirage.

There are plenty of keyboards on ITM, just not piano. The guitars & keyboards kind of work together. I don't think it's a guitar driven album. I wouldn't have minded if there had been more piano, but I'm happy just the way it is. Her song writing is top notch & her voice is the best I've ever heard it. Her vocals really dominate the album.

[SteveMacD]

I don't care what David says, "The Way I Feel" is a piano-driven song. ;)
I'm not sure I totally agree. While it is a song where the piano is the lead, I can't say it's what I'd called "driven." An example of "piano-drive" for me would be something along the lines of "Nights In Estoril" or "I Do." A better example might be the Beatles' "Lady Madonna," where the other instruments are getting their cues from what the piano is doing.

[HomerMcvie]

I used to think The Way I Feel was driven by the acoustic guitar, but the more I've listened to it, it really almost 50/50, guitar and piano in tandem.

[blinker12]

It's amazing now that I think about it, but I like or love practically every single song Christine wrote in the 1970s. The only exception is "Don't Stop," which I find annoying.
I'd say there was a big drop-off in quality in the 1980s. I don't like most of "Christine McVie" ( :sorry: ) or any of her contributions to "Mirage" except the two singles. Her "Tango" songs are OK, but aside from "Little Lies" they don't light my fire.
I'm not familiar with her "Time" stuff (inexcusable, I know), so I can't comment on the 1990s. And while I like most of "In the Meantime," I wouldn't say it holds a candle to her early work.

[chiliD]

I'm not sure I totally agree. While it is a song where the piano is the lead, I can't say it's what I'd called "driven." An example of "piano-drive" for me would be something along the lines of "Nights In Estoril" or "I Do." A better example might be the Beatles' "Lady Madonna," where the other instruments are getting their cues from what the piano is doing.

Ummm...HELLOOOOOOoooo? What about "Say You Love Me"?

[macfan 57]

Ummm...HELLOOOOOOoooo? What about "Say You Love Me"?

And, "Come A Little Bit Closer" & "Wish You Were Here". Of course, "Songbird" is the ultimate piano-driven Fleetwood Mac song. Even "Angel", although she didn't write it. Her electric piano drives that song.

I do agree with "Lady Madonna". That's one of my favorite Beatles songs.

[chiliD]

I guess I'm just finding it difficult in reconciling the term "driven" with ballads. :shrug:

[HomerMcvie]

I guess I'm just finding it difficult in reconciling the term "driven" with ballads. :shrug:
I'm not sure Songbird is "driven". It's more in neutral, just coasting down the road. :rolleyes:

[macfan 57]

OK, what about piano based song? That at least sounds a little better. :shrug:

[SteveMacD]

Ummm...HELLOOOOOOoooo? What about "Say You Love Me"?
Frankly, I've always felt Mick and John were driving that song, especially live. Yeah, the piano starts everything off, but Mick and John quickly take over. And, in the studio version, by the time Lindsey gets to doing his banjo stuff, it's considerably less "piano driven," IMO. Now, YMLF, especially on the 1990 tour, would get a big :thumbsup:

[chiliD]

Frankly, I've always felt Mick and John were driving that song, especially live. Yeah, the piano starts everything off, but Mick and John quickly take over. And, in the studio version, by the time Lindsey gets to doing his banjo stuff, it's considerably less "piano driven," IMO. Now, YMLF, especially on the 1990 tour, would get a big :thumbsup:


I still think Christine drives "Say You Love Me"...John & Mick are the fireman & engineer, but Christine is the train itself.

Totally agree about YMLF, too.