Fleetwood Mac ... with a symphony orcherstra? [Archive]

Sahara

09-20-2005, 01:24 PM

Lindsey Jr.

09-20-2005, 01:27 PM

Hmm ... bit of an odd one this.

Considering so many groups / singers have done concerts with symphony orcherstras -- Elton John, Meat Loaf and Metallica, all with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, spring to mind -- does anyone else think it would be cool if the Mac did one? Or is it just me...?

I've heard bits and pieces from The String Quartet Tribute to the Mac and I thought the classical instruments sounded really good, I'd love to hear them with an orchestra behind them ... any thoughts?

Yes, I also agree on this one (I'm very easy you know ;)) any tribute to this great band is more than good. So, what are your "wish" songs ?

I'd love to hear silver springs & go your own way with a s.o. ;)

shackin'up

09-20-2005, 01:51 PM

blerghhh...to each his own..no prob. But I feel a major vulcanic outburst coming up from my stomach when I think about it. Besides, didn't they tour for 18 months with a symphonic orchestra as backingband?

No just the four of them and if really necessary: one guitar/keyboardplayer extra. And then rock out like "Clapton, Baker and whoever played the bass"
did when they were Cream.

If Jack Bruce ever hears that Stevie-quote he will go out and slaughter a goat. Ritually.

Lindsey Jr.

09-20-2005, 02:02 PM

[QUOTE=shackin'up]blerghhh...to each his own..no prob. But I feel a major vulcanic outburst coming up from my stomach when I think about it. Besides, didn't they tour for 18 months with a symphonic orchestra as backingband?

No just the four of them and if really necessary: one guitar/keyboardplayer extra. And then rock out like "Clapton, Baker and whoever played the bass"
did when they were Cream.

Ja, dat zou uiteraard ook super zijn (they've got the power to do that)

Maar ik bedoelde a tribute, niet met hen derbij ;)

Sahara

09-20-2005, 04:35 PM

So, what are your "wish" songs ?

I'd love to hear silver springs & go your own way with a s.o. ;)

Hmm. The Chain is number one, I think. Also, Go Your Own Way, Tango in the Night [Tango in the Night live AT ALL would be to die for :blob2: ] um ... Come, if that's even conceivable. Also, Everybody Finds Out. Purely because of those cool violins at the end!!

And of course, you don't need anything but the four/five of them. I just think it would be ... nice. :o

Think it'd ever happen?

Sahara

09-20-2005, 04:36 PM

Besides, didn't they tour for 18 months with a symphonic orchestra as backingband?[/SIZE]

Hang on. Did they? :shrug: When was this? And why haven't I heard about it?!

chiliD

09-20-2005, 04:57 PM

Hmm ... bit of an odd one this.

Considering so many groups / singers have done concerts with symphony orcherstras -- Elton John, Meat Loaf and Metallica, all with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, spring to mind -- does anyone else think it would be cool if the Mac did one? Or is it just me...?

I've heard bits and pieces from The String Quartet Tribute to the Mac and I thought the classical instruments sounded really good, I'd love to hear them with an orchestra behind them ... any thoughts?

Yes...

...Mick? Lindsey? Are you listening? Don't go near this idea.

shackin'up

09-20-2005, 05:16 PM

Hang on. Did they? :shrug: When was this? And why haven't I heard about it?!

from may 2003 until september 2004

catinthedark

09-20-2005, 08:22 PM

Hmm ... bit of an odd one this.

Considering so many groups / singers have done concerts with symphony orcherstras -- Elton John, Meat Loaf and Metallica, all with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, spring to mind -- does anyone else think it would be cool if the Mac did one? Or is it just me...?

Mmmmm.... nothanksverymuchanyway.

I'm not big on these symphonic cheese fests. I believe I am the only Stevie fan around here who is shuddering at the idea of her performing with a symphony in Australia (there's discussions over on the Stevie forum; I'm a technophobe and can't link ya. Sorry).

Sahara

09-21-2005, 12:08 PM

Yes...

...Mick? Lindsey? Are you listening? Don't go near this idea.

Ah go on. You know you want to!! :thumbsup:

Lindsey Jr.

09-21-2005, 01:24 PM

Hmm. The Chain is number one, I think. Also, Go Your Own Way, Tango in the Night [Tango in the Night live AT ALL would be to die for :blob2: ] um ... Come, if that's even conceivable. Also, Everybody Finds Out. Purely because of those cool violins at the end!!

And of course, you don't need anything but the four/five of them. I just think it would be ... nice. :o

Think it'd ever happen?

We'll never know, it's possible :shrug:

mylittledemon

09-21-2005, 02:00 PM

Hmm ... bit of an odd one this.

Considering so many groups / singers have done concerts with symphony orcherstras -- Elton John, Meat Loaf and Metallica, all with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, spring to mind -- does anyone else think it would be cool if the Mac did one? Or is it just me...?

I've heard bits and pieces from The String Quartet Tribute to the Mac and I thought the classical instruments sounded really good, I'd love to hear them with an orchestra behind them ... any thoughts?

I dont particularly like the idea. Certain bands have pulled it off surprisingly well (Metallica for example)...but I think you need some overly dramatic tunes to pull that one off. Which, the Mac doesnt have. I think "I'm So Afraid" could be done some justice, but that's about it.

mylittledemon

09-21-2005, 02:02 PM

. Also, Everybody Finds Out. Purely because of those cool violins at the end!!

Those are keyboards or synth or MIDI...

Lindsey Jr.

09-21-2005, 02:14 PM

Those are keyboards or synth or MIDI...

See, you MUST be a close friend of him or the band! Or, wait a minute.. are you THE man ? ;)

David

09-21-2005, 02:14 PM

Mmmmm.... nothanksverymuchanyway.

I'm not big on these symphonic cheese fests.They really are cheese fests. And in Fleetwood Mac's case, it would be truly egregious because the achievement of their work isn't necessarily in the songwriting; it's in the plastic properties of the track itself -- the layering, the arrangement, the electronic treatment -- & you lose all of that when you push the skeleton of the song (the lyrics & chords) into a situation, like a symphonic arrangement, that has to be built from the ground up.

If this happened, I'd be interested in it only for novelty's sake. You would never get an artistic achievement out of it to equal the achievement of the band's work on its own arrangements & production.

To put it as simply as possible: Fleetwood Mac are better pop-rock producers & arrangers than anyone affiliated with a symphony orchestra, marching band or other massive logistical enterprise.

David

09-21-2005, 02:16 PM

Those are keyboards or synth or MIDI...Yeah, it's more than likely a string patch on a synth or sampled strings on a workstation. Fleetwood Mac didn't hire violin & viola players & a conductor to record (although that kind of thing is common on rock albums -- Stevie even did it once or twice).

Bumperke

09-21-2005, 02:42 PM

Sahara

09-21-2005, 02:53 PM

Those are keyboards or synth or MIDI...

*shrugs* Yeah, I know. But I've always thought they could be violins. When I thought about it a bit more and checked the credits on the sleeve I knew they weren't ... but still! :D

Yeah, nobody really seems to like the idea ... ah well. I'll just continue to lose myself in little daydreams about it... *contented sigh*

Although I must say, the Elton John with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra record was BRILLIANT. :blob2: I could go on and on about it but I'd probably get kicked off the board... :sorry:

Angelick Witch

09-21-2005, 04:21 PM

Although I must say, the Elton John with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra record was BRILLIANT. :blob2: I could go on and on about it but I'd probably get kicked off the board... :sorry:

You definitely would. I don't know how to do it, but I'd just have to find a way.

I've been thinking about the whole orchestra thing, and I think if they did it _right_, really, really right, it'd probably be class, but I wouldn't take the risk, if I'd to choose between a "normal" concert or that. Sorry!

*

sodascouts

09-21-2005, 04:59 PM

*shrugs* Yeah, I know. But I've always thought they could be violins. When I thought about it a bit more and checked the credits on the sleeve I knew they weren't ... but still! :D

Maybe they punched the number for "violin" on their little electronic keyboard. ;)

chiliD

09-21-2005, 05:50 PM

And in Fleetwood Mac's case, it would be truly egregious because the achievement of their work isn't necessarily in the songwriting....

You're so right, in fact, it has NOTHING to do with their music (especially from the Rumours crew)...it is in the soap opera story of their lives. If Lindsey & Stevie, along with Christine & John, were all happy campers, there never would have been a Rumours. Which, come to think of it, would've been just hunky dory with me. Hate that album with a passion.

Although I must say, the Elton John with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra record was BRILLIANT.

A symphony works fine for Elton's material. It would fail miserably with Fleetwood Mac's. However, if you want to satisfy your Jones for an orchestra on a Fleetwood Mac track, listen to "Oh Well, Part 2".

bretonbanquet

09-21-2005, 06:08 PM

There is a disc with FM songs. Performed by the London Symphonic orchestra & Guest. Non of them people played in it.

Tracklist: Albatross, Black Magic woman, Don't Stop, Dragonfly, Future Games
Green Manalishi, Hypnotised, Jigsaw Puzzle BLues, Man Of The World, Need Your Love So Bad, Oh Well (P.1) and Oh Well (P.2), Sentimental Lady, Tusk

Will

It's a lot better than you might think too - the older songs work very well, particularly Green Manalishi and Dragonfly, but the BN-era ones just don't. Many of the older songs are able to be pushed and pulled around, rearranged and reworked and they still come out brilliantly - I think a lot fewer of the BN-era songs could stand up to it. Maybe some of Chris's could.

estranged4life

09-22-2005, 12:39 AM

have played with orchestra's that sound fine to my ears:

Steve Vai & The Dutch Metropole Orchestra-The Aching Hunger (Not officially released...Yet??!!)

Yngwie Malmsteen-Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra in E flat minor Op.1 (Strictly an orchestra piece instead of doing known rock songs with the orchestra backing)

Metallica-S&M (Only because the late/great Michael Kamen was involved...)

If Rumours era Fleetwood Mac and/or Stevie Nicks did a recording with an orchestra I wouldnt be a fan of it...Their music, to my ears (Excluding Beauty & the Beast), just would not transfer live in that environment.

Mari

09-22-2005, 04:43 AM

Oh, there's a killer version of U2 with probably that same Dutch orchestra playing 'Please'. On a bside of one of their Pop singles.
Some musicstyles work great with orchestra's.
Others... Eurovision songfestival, anyone? Eek!

Angelick Witch

09-22-2005, 11:57 AM

If Lindsey & Stevie, along with Christine & John, were all happy campers, there never would have been a Rumours. Which, come to think of it, would've been just hunky dory with me. Hate that album with a passion.

Firstly, you're so right, the music would've been nothing like what it was if they'd been happy. Or even just not watching their lives go up in flames.

Secondly, even if you don't like that album, and I guess I can understand that (even if I happen to disagree with a passion), they mightn't have gotten anywhere if Rumours had been different, they might have decided it wasn't worth it, Stevie & Lindsey might've left again, God know what might have happened!

chiliD

09-22-2005, 12:16 PM

Firstly, you're so right, the music would've been nothing like what it was if they'd been happy. Or even just not watching their lives go up in flames.

Secondly, even if you don't like that album, and I guess I can understand that (even if I happen to disagree with a passion), they mightn't have gotten anywhere if Rumours had been different, they might have decided it wasn't worth it, Stevie & Lindsey might've left again, God know what might have happened!

You can't disagree that I don't like the album...I don't like the album, that's "fact", not "opinion"...you can't disagree with "fact".

My main dislike/hate/loathing of the album is due to overkill...overkill from radio airplay...overkill from the band basically promoting it for 30 years...overkill from FM message board fans professing it is the greatest album of all-time...overkill that it is the "be-all, end-all" benchmark of Fleetwood Mac's career...overkill that it is perceived that the members who created it are the "be-all, end-all" incarnation of the band. There was a time, oh so long ago, that I actually LIKED Rumours, LIKED Lindsey & Stevie, LIKED that Fleetwood Mac was so famous & popular, etc. But, over time, I just have gotten ILL from the whole Rumours phenomenon.

If there was no Rumours, and Lindsey & Stevie left the band, Fleetwood Mac would've done what they always did, get new people & carry on making good music.

golddustwoman77

09-22-2005, 05:10 PM

IMO, I would love for them to go the total opposite way. I wish they would tour, and the only band members that were on the stage were Stevie, Mick, Lindsey, John, and Christine. I long for an old school concert from them. The band stripped down--no over production---just them.

I think that bands sometimes think that bigger is better. I disagree. I saw Paul McCartney on Tuesday night, and it was terrific! The only thing on that stage was Paul, Wix, Rusty, Abe, and Brian. It was just a basic band and still totally awesome.

I wish for that day for the Mac, but alas I doubt I'll see it. :(

DavidMn

09-22-2005, 05:11 PM

No thanks. Just the musicians and their instruments for me please :nod:

Jyqm

09-23-2005, 08:39 AM

I think that bands sometimes think that bigger is better. I disagree.

Bit of a silly blanket statement, though, isn't it? I agree that it makes for a good general rule for most rock bands, but there are exceptions, even within the realm of Fleetwood Mac. Surely I'm not the only who thinks "Tusk" and "Don't Stop" from The Dance are pretty spectacular performances, with the whole marching band up there and all?

golddustwoman77

09-23-2005, 04:55 PM

Bit of a silly blanket statement, though, isn't it? I agree that it makes for a good general rule for most rock bands, but there are exceptions, even within the realm of Fleetwood Mac. Surely I'm not the only who thinks "Tusk" and "Don't Stop" from The Dance are pretty spectacular performances, with the whole marching band up there and all?

I agree that there are times that a spectacular performance does come out of all that "over production," such as your two examples. I was just saying in recent years, bands (especially during concerts) have been getting away from just having the regular musicians in a band playing music and going for a much larger band and a lot more production. I was just saying that I would like for Fleetwood Mac to do a tour with just the regular band members for a change, not in every situation. :p

Sahara

09-23-2005, 05:11 PM

IMO, I would love for them to go the total opposite way. I wish they would tour, and the only band members that were on the stage were Stevie, Mick, Lindsey, John, and Christine. I long for an old school concert from them. The band stripped down--no over production---just them.

Absolutely! I think that'd be cool too ... although I must say that it'd be tough to pull off. I think the versions of a lot of the songs on Rumours [The Chain mostly] are very skeletal and sound much better when backed up as on The Dance or Live in Boston. Just my opinion though.

Of course the band members themselves are all you need. I just think the orchestra backing would be a very interesting sound to hear.

Alexbt

09-24-2005, 07:21 PM

As for Everybody Finds Out, it is easy for me to tell that it's a keyboard patch. It's pretty good though, and I'm willing to bet you that it's Lindsey who played it.
Stevie played a sample based sounded piano patch on Say You Will.

For a FM song with a real string section, try Why.

LongBlackScarf

09-24-2005, 08:36 PM

I'd love to hear them with an orchestra behind them ... any thoughts?

It's like being stuck in a GIANT elevator with Fleetwood Mac. :p

Angelick Witch

09-25-2005, 07:37 AM

You can't disagree that I don't like the album...I don't like the album, that's "fact", not "opinion"...you can't disagree with "fact".

My main dislike/hate/loathing of the album is due to overkill...overkill from radio airplay...overkill from the band basically promoting it for 30 years...overkill from FM message board fans professing it is the greatest album of all-time...overkill that it is the "be-all, end-all" benchmark of Fleetwood Mac's career...overkill that it is perceived that the members who created it are the "be-all, end-all" incarnation of the band. There was a time, oh so long ago, that I actually LIKED Rumours, LIKED Lindsey & Stevie, LIKED that Fleetwood Mac was so famous & popular, etc. But, over time, I just have gotten ILL from the whole Rumours phenomenon.

Alright, alright. I disagree with your _opinion_ on Rumours.

And I don't get the overkill because I live in Ireland and I have _never_ heard any Fleetwood Mac on the radio or anything. And the fact is it was an incredibly popular album, so it's only to be expected. You can't disagree with fact, right?

IMO, I would love for them to go the total opposite way. I wish they would tour, and the only band members that were on the stage were Stevie, Mick, Lindsey, John, and Christine. I long for an old school concert from them. The band stripped down--no over production---just them.

I totally agree. I think that'd be absolutely class, I'd _love_ to see them do that.

But to go back to the Symphony Orchestra thing for a minute, there's a CD of a tribute to Fleetwood Mac by a String Quartet and I listened to some samples of it and that is pretty damn cool, so that whole idea could work, I think.

*