In The Meantime...wats your fav songs and why

[sywlindseyfan]

So this thread is to expand on Chris's soo very hot voice. I still love it, and listened to my cd again the other day after a 1-2 years not listening to it...it sounds as fresh as ever. I really do think Christine has the same voice from the tusk album...or at least live. So what are your favs on this splendid album, and why.

[michelej1]

Calumny is my favorite. I don't think Dan is any good as a producer, but he can certainly put words together in a manner that's achingly evocative and then Christine's voice and phrasing fill all the little wrinkles of the words with meaning and pain. Her tone is so rich and experienced, giving every syllable nuance. It's simply beautiful. I'm a fan of Northern Star too and really like the musical ending. I'd love to see that live.

Those 2 are soulful songs, I think, but they showcase something that has always been present, even in her lighter offerings from the past. In another thread talking about some kind of all-star FM reunion, someone mentioned that initially they looked forward to Chris being gone, to see what Lindsey and Stevie could do without her "bubblegum" sound, but then when he heard SYW he knew how much Chris was lacking.

The thing there is, although I know why a refrain like "tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies" gets the "bubble gum" rap and, I concede, it has hurt FM's rep, that description really doesn't fit Christine, not even on the surface, because I don't know how many bubble gum singers can wring such emotion out of a song. How many have her depth and maturity? Simple does not equal simplistic.

I don't care if a lyric is catchy (as if that's a sin, somehow), when you can still inject a sense of longing and loss into the song, along with a hook, then it's not bubblegum. I hear Neil Sedaka and Paul Anka and they just have love songs, with Christine, even when the tune is upbeat, I always hear the undercurrent. I always hear the hurt that kind of makes the peppy part ironic. It's very layered.

So, when I hear a song like "Don't Stop" it's not just another positive message to me like "don't worry, be happy" or Annie singing, "tomorrow, tomorrow you're always a day away." In Don't Stop I kind of always get the apology part: "I know you don't believe that it's true, I never meant any harm to you." There's always a bit of sorrow with Christine's sweet and that sorrow is featured especially well in Calumny, as the torn petals drop one by one.

Michele

[jbrownsjr]

Calumny is such a beautiful song... I love the way she phrases her beautiful meloncholy voice over the painful words. I love how the title translates to "sweet little lies" The guitar is solid as well.

Bad Journey... with the exception of the chant "Bad Journey" I love the lyrics to this song and how the meaning can either be her experiences of touring, or about the dude she wrote about... Vocally she does some nice changes that convinced me she was doing a solo stint and not a FM song...


You Are... The guitar is beautiful... reminds me of guitar work on Sentimental Lady a tad... The lyrics drive me a little nuts on this one... "Well it took me 1000 years to discover love is fine..." reallY???? 1000??? a tad trite my lady.... I love the chords in the intro.. and the way she flushes them out with her keys gives me goosebumps...

Anything is Possible... The keyboard work is very very solid... her little psuedo call response with George Hawkins and Dan Perfect during the bass solo is GROOVEY!!! And yes a 60 year old woman would like to laid too... Christine.. you naughty little thing you.... lol

Friend... This is classic stuff... My brother said... She sounds more like FM than they do...

that's all....

[Gailh]

As mentioned above Friend - classic Fleetwood Mac song, should have opened Say You Will.

Givin it Back - "I tripped and I fell, got lost for a little while. Then you caught me in your loving arms, rescued me with your smile"

There's not one I actually dislike although Easy Come, Easy Go is one I sometimes skip.

Gail

[jbrownsjr]

As mentioned above Friend - classic Fleetwood Mac song, should have opened Say You Will.

Givin it Back - "I tripped and I fell, got lost for a little while. Then you caught me in your loving arms, rescued me with your smile"

There's not one I actually dislike although Easy Come, Easy Go is one I sometimes skip.

Gail

I skip that one too... it's vanilla

[macfan 57]

My favorite is "Calumny". Dan Perfect wrote 2 terrific songs on this album. I love the lyrics & Christine's vocals. Dan's accoustic guitar is perfect too. My second favorite song is "Friend" for the same reason that Gail gave. I also love "Givin' It Back, also for the same reason that Gail mentioned.;):D It is the perfect album closer. My other favorite is "Forgiveness". I love how that song changes right at the end. I don't dislike any song on ITM. Even "Easy Come, Easy Go" has grown on me.

[sywlindseyfan]

hey all of these reviews are so right, and i will post one too, but for now I just want to do a quick....YES CHRIS does sound like THEEEE original Fleetwood mac....I Love Say You Will , but lindsey and Stevie have been around soo much more than Christine writing songs, and performing, that they grew into the different eras and wrote more modern rock...Chris does the same... but she keeps her style and the classic piano melodies, that just make you want her to sing you to sleep at night....ahhhh (heavy sigh)... I dream too big, haha.

[Gailh]

My other favorite is "Forgiveness". I love how that song changes right at the end.

I always wonder about the lyrics to Forgiveness. "Johnny says come around if you dare"

Could that be her brother John threatening to beat up the man who hurt his sister?

Gail

[jbrownsjr]

I always wonder about the lyrics to Forgiveness. "Johnny says come around if you dare"

Could that be her brother John threatening to beat up the man who hurt his sister?

Gail

wow... that's great gail... i never thought of that....

i suppose some of us can put 2 and 2 together...

[aleuzzi]

Damn, I love this recording! I still can't believe it didn't sell well, considering that it sounds like classic Mac.

My favorites: Gosh, I love em all (even Easy Come Easy Go works for me now). But if I had to choose the top five they would be:

Forgiveness (the song I've been waiting for Chris to write and sing for years and years)
Friend (the greatest hit that never was)
Anything is Possible (so, dare I say, sexy)
Bad Journey (a superb blend of blues with west-coast rock)
Givin' it Back (which is More Mac than anything on SYW)

And a close sixth is Liar...It stings.

By the way, I DO think Dan Perfect can produce. The production on ITM is WAY better than it was on her 1984 album.

[michelej1]

By the way, I DO think Dan Perfect can produce. The production on ITM is WAY better than it was on her 1984 album.

If there's clunkiness in the production of her 1984 album, I see it more as a sign of the time than anything else. The problems I find wrong with that album today, did not strike me when it came out and then you had some things like The Challenge which were superb for any time or Who's Dreaming this Dream, not to mention Got A Hold on Me, which were superb then and now.

With ITMT it seemed like the pieces didn't fit in a lot of songs or more to the point, I could tell that they were pieces, seamed together. Of course, for me Bad Journey and Easy Come, Easy Go were the best examples of this.

Yes, I remember discussing the Forgiveness lyrics on Legacy, with people wondering if Johnny was our John (McVie) but then I figured that it must be John Perfect, as he is the one who has been with Chris most recently and most of the album was about a recent love gone bad, so John Perfect was probably around to comment on the guy who broke her heart.

Michele

[David]

I wish I were more familiar with this album, so I could comment on it here. But what I've heard I like: Christine's singing style has picked up little curlicues & the sound of her voice is as pleasurable as ever it was, even more so in a way because she effortlessly reaches both the lower & the upper ranges & tosses off vocal licks casually & charmingly.

I would wish for more shape to the arrangements (as I do for the 1984 album) & more variety in tempo, dynamics, orchestration, but these are things that are generally brought into Christine's domain from the outside.

[aleuzzi]

If there's clunkiness in the production of her 1984 album, I see it more as a sign of the time than anything else. The problems I find wrong with that album today, did not strike me when it came out and then you had some things like The Challenge which were superb for any time or Who's Dreaming this Dream, not to mention Got A Hold on Me, which were superb then and now.

With ITMT it seemed like the pieces didn't fit in a lot of songs or more to the point, I could tell that they were pieces, seamed together. Of course, for me Bad Journey and Easy Come, Easy Go were the best examples of this.


Michele

Ah, it's a matter of taste, I suppose. I remember being dissatisfied with the thick, glossy production of the 1984 album when I first heard it. Christine sinks under the production. My opinion hasn't changed, really. By contrast, the arrangements on ITM are spare and feature her wonderful voice.

[michelej1]

By contrast, the arrangements on ITM are spare and feature her wonderful voice.

I think many of the arrangements on ITMT are busy, loud and dated, but where I believe the album is wonderful, I find it is just like you described, "spare" with her voice as the focal point. That's what I savor most about Calumny and Northern Star. Much of the background is pulled away and you hear the real heart of the song. The tracks that are the most raw are the most beautiful to me here.



Michele

[aleuzzi]

I wish I were more familiar with this album, so I could comment on it here. But what I've heard I like:

David you need to buy ITM! Somebody has to! :laugh:

Seriously, it's really worth the few bucks from a used cd vendor on Amazon.

[Gailh]

I don't think Dan is any good as a producer,
Michele

I woud like to know how much of the production Dan was responsible for.

I don't know why but I think that Christine was the senior partner in the production due to her greater experience etc.

Gail

[michelej1]

David you need to buy ITM! Somebody has to! :laugh:



David may live in one of those parts of California where they don't allow music. Something ought to be done about it, just like in Footloose! Nobody puts baby in a corner!

Michele

[billwebster]

In the Meantime is a good album. My favourite tune is clearly the album's closer "Givin' It Back", because of the vocal arrangement.
Runners-up are "Sweet Revenge", the only song that comes across as "bubble gum pop" (the album could have used some more bubble gum melodies), "Forgiveness", which finds Chris in blues band mode (more of that and her piano would have been very enjoyable, too) and "Bad Journey" with its perfect bridge.
"Friend", the leadoff track, is a good one, too, but it's here that I miss Lindsey's arranging skills and Mick's tasty drumming the most because it sounds like solo Christine, but that's what it should be, shouldn't it?
Her vocals are always top, but to this listener, the album suffers from too much funk guitar and too less piano. Still, it's a good record.

[David]

David may live in one of those parts of California where they don't allow music. Something ought to be done about it, just like in Footloose! Nobody puts baby in a corner!
:lol::lol:

They allow us only concerti with basso ostinato. :distress:

[michelej1]

Runners-up are "Sweet Revenge", the only song that comes across as "bubble gum pop"

I think Sweet Revenge is really cute too. It's playful and makes me smile.


Her vocals are always top, but to this listener, the album suffers from too much funk guitar and too less piano. Still, it's a good record.

Yah, what is up with that? She's a pianist, isn't she? Or was the fact that she was actually sitting at a piano for the cover of her last album just a joke?

Michele

[nicepace]

There's plenty of keyboards on 'In the Meantime.' It's just that they are typically not that high up in the mix. This is the only thing I'd change about this album, if I had my way -- louder keyboards. Oh, and I'd like a bonus track of Christine singing "Calumny" with grand piano accompaniment -- not a replacement of the song as recorded (which is so tasty) -- but an alternate version.

I like every song on this album. Some of my favorites are "Friend," "You Are," "Calumny," "Sweet Revenge," and "Givin' It Back," but I like them all, a lot, and that includes the sometimes maligned "Bad Journey" and the rare bonus track, "Come Out to Play."

[jbrownsjr]

There's plenty of keyboards on 'In the Meantime.' It's just that they are typically not that high up in the mix. This is the only thing I'd change about this album, if I had my way -- louder keyboards. Oh, and I'd like a bonus track of Christine singing "Calumny" with grand piano accompaniment -- not a replacement of the song as recorded (which is so tasty) -- but an alternate version.

I like every song on this album. Some of my favorites are "Friend," "You Are," "Calumny," "Sweet Revenge," and "Givin' It Back," but I like them all, a lot, and that includes the sometimes maligned "Bad Journey" and the rare bonus track, "Come Out to Play."

Oh yeah.... i forgot about Come Out to Play... i love it

[michelej1]

There's plenty of keyboards on 'In the Meantime.' It's just that they are typically not that high up in the mix. This is the only thing I'd change about this album, if I had my way -- louder keyboards.

One of the reasons I like the ending of Northern Star so much is that I can hear the piano.


I like every song on this album. Some of my favorites are "Friend," "You Are," "Calumny," "Sweet Revenge," and "Givin' It Back," but I like them all, a lot, and that includes the sometimes maligned "Bad Journey" and the rare bonus track, "Come Out to Play."

I think those background vocals on Bad Journey and Easy Come, Easy Go are simply shameful. I cringe. I'm embarassed about it.

Michele

[David]

There's plenty of keyboards on 'In the Meantime.' It's just that they are typically not that high up in the mix. This is the only thing I'd change about this album, if I had my way -- louder keyboards.Yeah but how loud can you crank a Fender Rhodes in a mix? It's not like a bright acoustic presence (like a barrelhouse upright, for example). The Rhodes is supposed to be sinewy, silky & slinky, perhaps even more felt than heard. To blast the gain on it in a mix for a smooth pop song is going to unbalance the equilibrium of the sonic column, & create a soundwave tsunami, swamping shorelines of human & animal ears around the Pacific basin.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/tsunami-formation.gif

[jbrownsjr]

Yeah but how loud can you crank a Fender Rhodes in a mix? It's not like a bright acoustic presence (like a barrelhouse upright, for example). The Rhodes is supposed to be sinewy, silky & slinky, perhaps even more felt than heard. To blast the gain on it in a mix for a smooth pop song is going to unbalance the equilibrium of the sonic column, & create a soundwave tsunami, swamping shorelines of human & animal ears around the Pacific basin.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/tsunami-formation.gif

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

[nicepace]

Yeah but how loud can you crank a Fender Rhodes in a mix? It's not like a bright acoustic presence (like a barrelhouse upright, for example).

Well then maybe Chris should have used a barrelhouse upright on some of the more "pop" songs. I like the way those sound especially when they're a little out of tune. (I think I'm starting the April 1 thread early this year.)

[jbrownsjr]

One of the reasons I like the ending of Northern Star so much is that I can hear the piano.



I think those background vocals on Bad Journey and Easy Come, Easy Go are simply shameful. I cringe. I'm embarassed about it.

Michele

i guess that's a matter of opinion... because as a singer i love them on bad journey... in fact i think they're fantastic.... easy come easy go... they are just vanilla to me... but i don't cringe...:p

[jbrownsjr]

One of the reasons I like the ending of Northern Star so much is that I can hear the piano.



I think those background vocals on Bad Journey and Easy Come, Easy Go are simply shameful. I cringe. I'm embarassed about it.

Michele

Unless you are talking about the chanting of "Bad Journey" ... that does indeed make me cringe.... it's awkward...

[michelej1]

Unless you are talking about the chanting of "Bad Journey" ... that does indeed make me cringe.... it's awkward...

I'm talking about those booming male voices saying, "Bad Journey!"

Michele

[sywlindseyfan]

ROFL you guys are soo funny and soo very right. I was like WTF. The bad journey chant:blob1::blob1: makes me do what the purple guy is doing hahahahaha All of Dan Perfect's background vocals seem to be the same did anyone notice this??

[aleuzzi]

Unless you are talking about the chanting of "Bad Journey" ... that does indeed make me cringe.... it's awkward...

I just don't see it. I love that song--even the chants...

[jbrownsjr]

I'm talking about those booming male voices saying, "Bad Journey!"

Michele

yeah... i dont care for that much either... something a little more creative could have taken up that space....

[mylittledemon]

So this thread is to expand on Chris's soo very hot voice. I still love it, and listened to my cd again the other day after a 1-2 years not listening to it...it sounds as fresh as ever. I really do think Christine has the same voice from the tusk album...or at least live. So what are your favs on this splendid album, and why.

Mine is definitely "Friend"...its just catchy and got a good feel to it. I could see it going on "SYW"...one of those great balance songs that Christine has a knack for.

[Gailh]

Mine is definitely "Friend"...its just catchy and got a good feel to it. I could see it going on "SYW"...one of those great balance songs that Christine has a knack for.

I agree. As I think someone has already said Friend is the best hit FM never had.

I start my In the Meantime Say You Will CD with Friend and end it with Givin it Back. I do include a few songs from those other songwriters (what are their names again?) but Christine starts and finishes it.

Gail

[jbrownsjr]

I agree. As I think someone has already said Friend is the best hit FM never had.

I start my In the Meantime Say You Will CD with Friend and end it with Givin it Back. I do include a few songs from those other songwriters (what are their names again?) but Christine starts and finishes it.

Gail


there names are lindsay nicks and steve buckley

[Gailh]

there names are lindsay nicks and steve buckley


Ah yes I remember now!

I also like that Michael McVie and Jon Fleetwood

Gail

[LukeA]

I agree. As I think someone has already said Friend is the best hit FM never had.

It's a great song, and one I equate with the SYW time period. Ditto "Forgiveness". (Both were played regularly on WXRT in Chicago)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that "Easy Come Easy Go" was rehearsed for possible inclusion as part of the "Dance" video.

[macfan 57]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that "Easy Come Easy Go" was rehearsed for possible inclusion as part of the "Dance" video.

I've never heard that. Where did you hear this?

[Gailh]

I've never heard that. Where did you hear this?

I didn't know that either. I knew it must have been written a while ago because it was co-written with Eddy Quntela but I didn't know they'd rehearsed it for The Dance.

Gail

[macfan 57]

I didn't know that either. I knew it must have been written a while ago because it was co-written with Eddy Quntela but I didn't know they'd rehearsed it for The Dance.

Gail

Chris did mention that she brought 4 or 5 new songs to the Dance rehearsals. They eventually used "Temporary One", but maybe "Easy Come Easy Go" was one of those 4 or 5 songs that she referred to.

[jbrownsjr]

Chris did mention that she brought 4 or 5 new songs to the Dance rehearsals. They eventually used "Temporary One", but maybe "Easy Come Easy Go" was one of those 4 or 5 songs that she referred to.


just imagine... easy come easy go may have been on the dance and temporary one goes to in the meantime...

[michelej1]

and temporary one goes to in the meantime...

Ha, then I would have thought the lyrics referred to FM and it would have made feel all mushy inside.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

Chris did mention that she brought 4 or 5 new songs to the Dance rehearsals. They eventually used "Temporary One", but maybe "Easy Come Easy Go" was one of those 4 or 5 songs that she referred to.

Easy Come Easy Go would not have worked as well live. Of all the new songs that were brought to the Dance show, Temporary One got the most energetic response. That's coz it's a great, driving tune that calls for a lot of vocal participation in the chorus. In other words: classic Christine.

[Gailh]

Easy Come Easy Go would not have worked as well live. Of all the new songs that were brought to the Dance show, Temporary One got the most energetic response. That's coz it's a great, driving tune that calls for a lot of vocal participation in the chorus. In other words: classic Christine.

Classic Christine was what was missing on SYW.

The remaining members all know it too. They pretend they didn't miss her (well all of them except Stevie) but with the talk about "more freedom" and "testosterone" methinks they doth protest too much.

I don't think I'll buy another FM album in this lifetime without Christine, because I tried it once and it didn't work.

Gail

[michelej1]

Of all the new songs that were brought to the Dance show, Temporary One got the most energetic response. That's coz it's a great, driving tune that calls for a lot of vocal participation in the chorus. In other words: classic Christine.


To my ears and eyes, Bleed to Love Her got the best response and the greatest follow-up interest among fans, but I think the famous FM harmonies contributed to that. And Christine's muted presence on SYHA and Bleed to Love Her not only catch the ear on SYW but, I believe, is what caused those particular cuts to make the album, even though they'd already been released elsewhere.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

To my ears and eyes, Bleed to Love Her got the best response and the greatest follow-up interest among fans, but I think the famous FM harmonies contributed to that. And Christine's muted presence on SYHA and Bleed to Love Her not only catch the ear on SYW but, I believe, is what caused those particular cuts to make the album, even though they'd already been released elsewhere.

Michele

It got the best critical response, but I'm pretty sure Temporary One got louder cheers...At least that's what I recall. And as I type this I realize, who cares? LOL.

[michelej1]

It got the best critical response, but I'm pretty sure Temporary One got louder cheers...At least that's what I recall. And as I type this I realize, who cares? LOL.

That's funny how different audiences can be. Whenever I saw the show, Temporary One got few "cheers" at all. Rather, it was one of those moments when I noticed people leaving their seats to get snacks like they did during Come for the SYW tour. I never leave my seat during a concert for any reason, so I didn't join them when they fled. But I didn't like Temporary One. Then, later when my father died in May 2005 and I was looking for words and music to use at his funeral, Temporary One took on new meaning for me and I developed an appreciation for both it and Turn It On that I had never known before.

As for the Dance tour, there's no doubt that the audience absolutely ate up Say You Love Me. It was one of the highlights of the concert and also so wonderful during the RRHOF, achingly so.

Michele

[jbrownsjr]

That's funny how different audiences can be. Whenever I saw the show, Temporary One got few "cheers" at all. Rather, it was one of those moments when I noticed people leaving their seats to get snacks like they did during Come for the SYW tour. I never leave my seat during a concert for any reason, so I didn't join them when they fled. But I didn't like Temporary One. Then, later when my father died in May 2005 and I was looking for words and music to use at his funeral, Temporary One took on new meaning for me and I developed an appreciation for both it and Turn It On that I had never known before.

As for the Dance tour, there's no doubt that the audience absolutely ate up Say You Love Me. It was one of the highlights of the concert and also so wonderful during the RRHOF, achingly so.

Michele


when i saw them in cleveland they went absolutely beserk for SYLM