Post-tour album

[Ench]

Something doesn't quite add up concerning the next tour and album. CMcV is not going to be on the tour. LB said that it was decided that CMcV couldn't be on the album if she wasn't going to be on the tour, e.g. what happens if Christine's songs are chosen as singles. But, if the album is to be recorded and released after the tour, surely that wouldn't matter as much.

[Ulpian]

Something doesn't quite add up concerning the next tour and album. CMcV is not going to be on the tour. LB said that it was decided that CMcV couldn't be on the album if she wasn't going to be on the tour, e.g. what happens if Christine's songs are chosen as singles. But, if the album is to be recorded and released after the tour, surely that wouldn't matter as much.

That ship has sailed. There's no will on either side to participate.

From my understanding, Christine views a return to the band in any capacity as an onerous and undesirable task. Why? Because it would be inevitable that she'd have her arm twisted to tour. Also because it would take her away from home.

From Lindsey's point of view, Christine returning would 'compromise' the sound and atmosphere he has created during and since SYW.

So, really, it's not an issue anymore. And in any case, there would doubtless be some sort of tour to follow up any new album which was recorded, I suspect.

[Villavic]

. LB said that it was decided that CMcV couldn't be on the album if she wasn't going to be on the tour, .

When did Lindsey say that?
If it's true, "WHO" decided, the whole band or some members?

I never read that Christine wanted to record (after the Dance) with Fleetwood Mac but not tour. I always knew that she left the band and lives in England, and that´s it. I never heard that she WANTS to record in the US and go back to her home, or invited the band to record in England. She just left the band and that's it. But maybe there are some news or articles I didn't read.

[Ulpian]

When did Lindsey say that?
If it's true, "WHO" decided, the whole band or some members?

I never read that Christine wanted to record (after the Dance) with Fleetwood Mac but not tour. I always knew that she left the band and lives in England, and that´s it. I never heard that she WANTS to record in the US and go back to her home, or invited the band to record in England. She just left the band and that's it. But maybe there are some news or articles I didn't read.

The whole thing is speculative. Mick said that Christine never made this rumoured offer to contribute songs to SYW (but not tour), and that she was adamant she'd finished. There were rumblings about her recording but not touring from, I think, John and Stevie, but my understanding was that it was just conjecture.

[PenguinHead]

The only instance of Christine recording songs for a Fleetwood Mac album but not touring was with the Time album. But that was a weird time for the band. She was pretty much done with the band. She contributed those songs, presumably, to help make the album more appealing. Most of them included session players. Her songs collectively are like a solo EP...and a very nice one at that!

[Ench]

I read a lot of articles recently, and I may have mixed them up in my head a bit. I've done a search, and I can't find the bit with the word "allowed". I did find the bit saying that she couldn't really be on SYW without participating in the tour, and it's not as I remembered, and obviously it's about SYW not the latest tour and album. But despite mis-remembering the album, I still think there's a hint of possibility that CMcV could return for an album if there wasn't going to be a tour after it.

http://www.fmlegacy.com/InterviewJune03.html


SN: She did. We used some recorded parts she performed in 1996 [for Lindsey Buckingham’s solo album]. She does some ooh-ooh-oohs on one of the songs, and she plays a little keyboard on another. It’s all very subtle. In a million years, she would never have thought that those little parts would end up being on a record in 2003. It was hard for me when I went back in there was no Christine. Did I miss her? Every day. Did I wish she were there? Absolutely. But she did not want to go on the road. It’s not that she wouldn’t have done this record; she would have. But if she couldn’t go on the road [to promote it], what would we have done if her songs had been the singles? We all tried to talk her out of her decision. Each one of us did. But there was a point in time where she looked at me and said, “I don’t want to be a road dog, ever again.” It’s that look in somebody’s eyes, when you know it’s for real. Her eyes said, “I can never go back.” So I said, “Okay. I release you.”


(my emphasis)

I thought I read something even stronger, and bristled at it a bit when I came across the same thing a few times running. But I can't find it now and admit to a poor quality memory.

[Villavic]

What I do remember is an article where Stevie said something like this time we will try to fix some things so Christine would enjoy to be..., but I don't remember if she meant recording or touring. The exact words, I don't remember, it was circa 1999

Looking for that article in the Penguin Archives, I did find these, again it's nothing new, it just confirms it was Christine own decision, looking for peaceful life:

Reuters: Fleetwood Mac Stops Tour (12/09/97)
Poster: Johnny Stew
December 9, 1997: Reuters New Network-- "Fleetwood Mac Stops Tour? The dance is over for Fleetwood Mac. The reunited band is calling a halt to its current tour to promote the album "The Dance." Sources say singer/keyboardist Christine McVie has had enough of the grueling concert schedule.

Mick Fleetwood: "We're Definitely Still A Band" (03/08/99)
Poster: Johnny Stew
March 8, 1999: Mick Fleetwood was interviewed in the February 25, 1999 Star Ledger and stated "We're definitely still a band. We have not broken up, and I'm confident we will be making more music together. Maybe not touring -- Christine (McVie) is really not keen on that, and we don't want to railroad her-- but certainly recording.

RollingStone.com: Fleetwood Mac To Record (04/08/01)
Poster: Johnny Stew
April 8, 2001: RollingStone.com: Fleetwood Mac to Record; Mick Fleetwood says band will be "full tilt" in fall.
The role of singer and keyboardist Christine McVie remains uncertain. McVie didn't play at the group's reunion at the White House on January 6th. "I think it is fair to say that that was sort of an important gig for us, because we did it without Chris," says Fleetwood. "It proved the band could function without her." McVie may contribute to the new album, but Fleetwood is convinced she won't tour again. "She didn't enjoy touring in 1997 [when the band was promoting The Dance]. She just doesn't have a comfort with traveling and performing live any more.

[Villavic]

SN: She did. We used some recorded parts she performed....

I think that's not the article I remember, but it's a very good one, and it looks like it was after the one I read. Anyway, my memory has poor quality about it, too. The truth is Nobody convinced Christine. Bad luck for us, fans. But if she is happy now, bless her.

[LukeA]

re: Chris quitting the band after the tour... I still blame the idiocy of the handful of concert promoters on the Fall '97 tour who booked outdoor amphitheaters for shows on dates where the average nightly temperature is in the low 40's. I'm positive it contributed heavily to her attitude towards touring that it became the last straw (even though the Spring '98 leg would have been all arenas).

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/img/concertGallery/angie_cm_97.jpg

[Ench]

I may be unreasonably optimistic and/or conspiracy theoristic here. But if they were planning a post-tour album with Chris, it might make sense to announce her involvement after the tour has finished. As otherwise it might be bad publicity for the tour that Chris would be absent even though she's still "in the band".

[michelej1]

Mainly, the idea that Christine shouldn't record if she wasn't going to tour (for SYW) came from a Stevie comment that if Christine participated on the album and it was her songs that became hits, then fans would be disappointed if those songs weren't performed on the tour. Thus, Chris shouldn't record if she wasn't going to tour.

Then, Mick and John said something along the same lines. I don't think Lindsey ever said that. He's had other things to say. He just talked more along the lines of 1/3 more room, burned bridges, etc.


John said in his Q & A:

I think Chris might just possibly, maybe, could be, record with the band if there wasn't the need to tour to "work" the album. She just doesn't want to go on the road. I don't see the point in her being involved if she can't promote the project. She's happy being where she is and doing what she's doing.

[vermicious knid]

There can't be an album soon after the tour. Stevie will immediately restart her tireless work on the Rhiannon movie!! I'm sure she is meeting with HBO executives right now to get as much work done as possible before the tour starts. I'm dead certain that she got the script finished during her European vacation last year. Why? Because she said she was doing those things, and Stevie has never steered us wrong before. If Stevie says the project is finally being done this time, then its being done.

The only way there could be a post-tour album is if they completed the entire thing in the recording sessions that she said would begin in October of last year. Maybe then the album could be released the same day that the Rhiannon mini-series makes its debut! YAAAAAAAAY!!!! We're entering a new Fleetwood Mac golden age!!!
http://i39.tinypic.com/315hix5.gifhttp://i39.tinypic.com/315hix5.gif

[michelej1]

There can't be an album soon after the tour. Stevie will immediately restart her tireless work on the Rhiannon movie!! I'm sure she is meeting with HBO executives right now to get as much work done as possible before the tour starts. I'm dead certain that she got the script finished during her European vacation last year. Why? Because she said she was doing those things, and Stevie has never steered us wrong before. If Stevie says the project is finally being done this time, then its being done.


The funny thing is, of all the 1000 things Stevie could say she was working on that would get her fans excited, that Three Bird opera is about the last thing on the list that anyone would want to see. Maybe that's why she keeps saying it, because fans on the street won't bug her about it. If she said, "I'm gonna release The Dealer," people would be hunting her down, accosting her right and left asking her for an ETA. But she can talk about the Rhiannon project all she wants and no one ever gets in her grill about a delivery date.

Michele

[LukeA]

Yes, Stevie thinks all her fans are a bunch of (relatively speaking) ignorant idiots. What else is new?

[Miragex69x]

My friend use to be a personal assistant to the band from 2003-2006. When Fleetwood Mac finally brought the tour to England sometime in 2004, Christine invited everyone to dinner the night before the show. Everyone came except Lindsey(sh*thead). The next night Christine was going to go on stage for the last 3 or 4 songs. At the last minute Christine choose not to go on stage. She spent the whole concert in the sound booth chain smoking cigarettes.

I have been told that Christine and Stevie still talk. However when Stevies dad died Christine did not fly over for the funeral/party. There was no funeral really. There was a party at a hotel that celebrated his life for close friends and family. Lindsey was there, and performed Landslide with Stevie for the private crowd. This event was scheduled weeks in advance.

[DavidMn]

re: Chris quitting the band after the tour... I still blame the idiocy of the handful of concert promoters on the Fall '97 tour who booked outdoor amphitheaters for shows on dates where the average nightly temperature is in the low 40's. I'm positive it contributed heavily to her attitude towards touring that it became the last straw (even though the Spring '98 leg would have been all arenas).

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/img/concertGallery/angie_cm_97.jpgI wasnt there, but I know the outdoor show youre referring to. It was Atlanta, I believe November 15 1997. YOUVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! No way should a show be outdoors that late, even in a place like Atlanta.

[Miragex69x]

I remember Stevie bitching in the media/press that she would not attend the soundcheck for Atlanta 1997 until portable heaters were placed all over the stage.

I grew up in nasty cold weather, so I can tolerate such conditions. I am in Los Angeles right now, and still wear tshirts and shorts everywhere in the winter months. I saw Fleetwood Mac on Fathers Day/June 2004 in Irvine Meadows, and Stevie was wrapped up like it was a winter snowstorm about to hit. She must have low blood pressure.

[Villavic]

, and Stevie was wrapped up like it was a winter snowstorm about to hit. She must have low blood pressure.

and now she is 60. A tour must be hard for anyone at her age

[Ulpian]

My friend use to be a personal assistant to the band from 2003-2006. When Fleetwood Mac finally brought the tour to England sometime in 2004, Christine invited everyone to dinner the night before the show. Everyone came except Lindsey(sh*thead). The next night Christine was going to go on stage for the last 3 or 4 songs. At the last minute Christine choose not to go on stage. She spent the whole concert in the sound booth chain smoking cigarettes.

I have been told that Christine and Stevie still talk. However when Stevies dad died Christine did not fly over for the funeral/party. There was no funeral really. There was a party at a hotel that celebrated his life for close friends and family. Lindsey was there, and performed Landslide with Stevie for the private crowd. This event was scheduled weeks in advance.

Why would Lindsey not go to dinner? I didn't think things were that bad with him and Christine.

I am not so sure about this rumour that Chris was going to do a couple of songs at the December 03 concert. She said she was adamant from the get-go that she wouldn't, and in interviews implied that she was only invited to play on "Don't Stop".

Personally, I think she made the right decision. She bowed out gracefully. I don't think she'll ever record again with them. She's very happy now, retired and living the good life, and we should all be happy for her as she is.

[chiliD]

The only instance of Christine recording songs for a Fleetwood Mac album but not touring was with the Time album. {snip}She contributed those songs, presumably, to help make the album more appealing. Most of them included session players. {snip}

Actually, the album was done while the band was in mid-tour, even submitted to the record company with the title Another Link In The Chain. The powers that be insisted (some say they were contractually bound) that Christine be on the album, so they went back and got her to add her songs. the album eventually retitled Time wasn't even released until the tour was well over. And, "the session players" on Christine's songs was only session guitarist-extrordinaire Michael Thompson. Mick, John, Billy and even Bekka participated in her songs, as well. Chris just didn't want Dave Mason near her songs, apparently (there was mucho bad blood between Chris & Dave from way back in the 60s). And, she appears sparingly, if at all, on the other tunes (which mostly were recorded before she became involved in the project); touring keyboardist Steve Thoma did the keyboard parts on a majority of the non-Christine songs.

re: Chris quitting the band after the tour... I still blame the idiocy of the handful of concert promoters on the Fall '97 tour who booked outdoor amphitheaters for shows on dates where the average nightly temperature is in the low 40's. I'm positive it contributed heavily to her attitude towards touring that it became the last straw (even though the Spring '98 leg would have been all arenas).

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/img/concertGallery/angie_cm_97.jpg

Well, yeah, I can see your point, Luke. Those were really idiotic venues to book at that time of year (I'm surprised many of them were even OPEN for biz during those months!). You've got to remember that Christine has NEVER liked touring to begin with (her 1972 song "Homeward Bound", as a big example...plus her reluctance to join the band in 1970 to begin with, she was pretty much strong-armed into that, as well. And, even as far back as 1969, when she quit the music biz completely, mainly because of the travel). Plus, Christine only committed to the first 40 dates of The Dance tour. When they tried to extend the tour, she flatly said "no".

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, Christine has been out of the band for over 11 years! She's gone, she's not coming back. Get over it.

[Fannymac]

Really, let's lay the whole Christine thing to rest.....it's a moot point! IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!!!

My main concern is that, if there is a new Fleetwood Mac album, it's a little bit more cohesive than SAY YOU WILL, which felt like two solo albums crunched together!

Will we see a Fleetwood Mac album before the Rhiannon story, the Ladybug story, the Standards album, the country album, the Christmas album, the "girl-doing-guy's songs" album that was just mentioned in Rolling Stone?? My guess is.......yeah! Stevie doesn't seem all that hot and bothered to get back into the studio, or at least to follow thru on some of these projects she'd "love" to do!

[michelej1]

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, Christine has been out of the band for over 11 years! She's gone, she's not coming back. Get over it.

She's not going to tour, ever, but if she's still active and they're still active and they're still speaking and they're still selling Rumours, I just don't think you can say never.

As for her joining them in England, when Gail asked John about this in his Q & A he said, John said:

Christine had made it very clear, way before we even got to the U.K. that there was no way she was going on stage.


Michele

[Ench]

She's not going to tour, ever, but if she's still active and they're still active and they're still speaking and they're still selling Rumours, I just don't think you can say never.


True. LB was out of the band for a long time, and he came back. I could see CMcV coming back if the others decided they don't want to tour any more. But I can't imagine JMcV and MF deciding that they didn't want to tour again.

[iamnotafraid]

Personally, I think she made the right decision. She bowed out gracefully. She's very happy now, retired and living the good life, and we should all be happy for her as she is.

Couldn't agree more.