Let's Show Some Love For... Tango In The Night!

[jaycee]

Okay, I'm sure most will agree that this album, along with "Mirage", is largely ignored by Fleetwood Mac nowadays, and has somewhat mixed reactions from FM fans. Personally, it's my favourite!.. right after Tusk! :) I even bought a cassette of it a few months ago for listening to in mum's car! Interestingly, when I put it on recently, she asked me if it was a greatest hits album! :nod: I told her it wasn't, it was TITN, and she replied...
"Really? Oh... it's just that there's so many good songs on it!" :p
I love it for the nostalgia it gives me (particularly "Little Lies"), and for its experimental instrumentation - its sound slots into the 80s perfectly!
So, for those who love it, why? And for those who don't... read the thread title! :laugh:

[Fiver]

I like almost every song on the album except for Stevie's songs. Well, I guess I must sorta like Seven Wonders since I find myself listening to it instead of skipping it. Standouts for me are Caroline, Big Love, and Everywhere. And I also have a soft spot for You and I Pt. II. I prefer the Mirage sound to TITN but this's probably a more solid album... so yeah, I do think TITN deserves mo' love!

[mylittledemon]

I think "Little Lies" was one of those tunes I remembered in the 80s, growing up. I had long forgotten that track by 1997, and I was sucked back into the Big Mac with THE DANCE... and I rediscovered this tune, not really ever knowing WHO it was that actually sang it! It was a pleasant surprise.

[tilthefirefades]

i agree that Mirage's sound is better than TITN, but I absolutely love it, from start to finish. The only song on it that I dont like that much is When I See You Again. My favorite is Everywhere, and also Caroline and Tango In The Night.

[louielouie2000]

I still remember the first time I heard Tango In The Night... it was in my back yard as a kid in 1993 :D. I had recently told my best friend and neighbor I'd finally discovered a band I loved... Fleetwood Mac. She was amazed; she had recently discovered them as well, and also loved them! I told her some of my favorite songs (all I had was Rumours and Bella Donna at that point), and she shared some of hers. Neither one of us had heard of each others songs. She brought Tango over (on cassette! :laugh:), and played it for me on her boom box. At first I flatly refused to believe it was the same band. After all... put Gold Dust Woman on back to back with Family Man, and you'll see what I mean! :laugh:

At that time, Tango was everything I hated about pop music... it might as well have been by Paula Abdul or Milli Vanilli. By '93 that kind of music was rendered hopelessly obsolete by the grunge scene. Even as I built up my Mac collection over the years, I avoided buying Tango at all costs. Perhaps because I was introduced to it at the worst possible time: when it was the very antithesis of what was going on in the popular music scene.

I never actually bought Tango... it was given to me as a Christmas gift about 10 years ago by my parents, because they were out of ideas of what to get me. I remember vividly watching The Dance air on MTV in 1997, wondering *WHY* they had to include songs from that album! :laugh:

Some time in the past 5ish years though, I've done an about face on my opinion of this album. Maybe it was when '80s music and fashion started to trickle back in to current trends. Maybe enough time had passed where I could look at the album totally objectively. All I do know is that one random day, I decided to listen to the album. And suddenly I found it to be pure genius! It was such a departure from everything the band had done before... but at the same time it was an evolution. Whereas I found it cheesy and dated before, I now find it surprisingly adult, sophisticated, and worldly. I can just imagine how crisp and modern it must have sounded back when it was new. For some reason I can just see a sophisticated '80s couple drinking wine coolers in their New York loft listening to this album :laugh:.

I don't know... I just really LOVE Tango. It's such a snapshot in time. It's the last great album Fleetwood Mac made. On a song by song basis, and as a pop oriented album... I think it's every bit as good as Rumours. It's an album you can play around anybody: all of the songs are approachable, foot tapping, and fun. It probably has the best sequencing of any Mac album (Mystery To Me might just tie it though). The album just has everything: rocking songs like Isn't It Midnight and the title track, it has bubbly pop songs like Little Lies and Everywhere, and even has more serious songs like When I See You Again. The whole thing is just superbly paced and very high quality. It's everything that it should have been.

Do I have negative things to say about it? Yes. Do I have anything I'd change about it? Yes. Mainly, I'd replace You And I Pt 2 with You And I Pt 1. I probably would have found a way to work in Joan Of Arc, possibly displacing When I See You Again. Though I really would have a hard time getting rid of that song. It may not be pleasant to the ears for the most part, but it's without a doubt one of the most raw, emotive songs Stevie (or the band for that matter) has ever recorded. The whole shared verse with Lindsey at the end is enough to save that song for me... Lindsey's contribution is achingly gorgeous.

And these are some of my non-abridged thoughts on Tango! :D

[HomerMcvie]

While I love all of the non-Stevie songs on Tango, I feel, the album as a whole, doesn't hold up very well(worse than Mirage). The whole thing just sounds so...........computerized! It doesn't sound like a BAND. It sounds like someone, tinkering with every note, in a digital format, until perfection is achieved...... There are no warts on Tango.



Well, except Stevie's songs!:lol:

[louielouie2000]

While I love all of the non-Stevie songs on Tango, I feel, the album as a whole, doesn't hold up very well(worse than Mirage). The whole thing just sounds so...........computerized! It doesn't sound like a BAND. It sounds like someone, tinkering with every note, in a digital format, until perfection is achieved...... There are no warts on Tango.



Well, except Stevie's songs!:lol:

The interesting thing is, I used to think Stevie's songs were the warts on Tango too. And as you well know, I'm a big Stevie fan. I think in time, I realized her very flawed presence on the album is perhaps one of the things that does make Tango so great. Stevie had just gone to hell and back when this album was being written and recorded. She hadn't just gone through rehab for her legendary cocaine addiction: she was committed forcibly! You can absolutely hear that turmoil, pain, and struggling on her songs. Her contributions on the album are the black eye that gives the blindingly polished Tango some character.

Even though it's not pretty to listen to, When I See You Again is probably one of the most revealing, raw songs lyrically that has ever been on a Mac album. Stevie's once beautiful, buttery voice had been reduced to a raspy, coughing sigh. Contrast that with how gorgeous Lindsey's verse sounds, and you see what rock and roll and love can do to one person... but not to the person right next to them. Again, while admittedly not pretty to listen to, I think the song is perhaps more artistically adventurous than most anything Lindsey did on Tusk. I think the song is genius. :nod:

[aleuzzi]

While I love all of the non-Stevie songs on Tango, I feel, the album as a whole, doesn't hold up very well(worse than Mirage). The whole thing just sounds so...........computerized! It doesn't sound like a BAND. It sounds like someone, tinkering with every note, in a digital format, until perfection is achieved...... There are no warts on Tango.



Well, except Stevie's songs!:lol:

I'm inclined to agree. The songs (minus Stevie's) are very strong, as are the performances, but the production is too dated, too...Synthetic. The demo of Everywhere, for example, is infinitely more moving than the final song primarily because there the sentiment of the song rings true. By the time they put all the polish on it, the effect seems dulled. Little Lies might be the exception for me: that song and its arrangement is pretty much perfect. Isn't It Midnight boasts a killer instrumental track but Christine's voice has been speeded up and tampered with in such a way as to mask the passion she delivers in a live performance of the same song.

[jaycee]

It's funny how one person's trash is another's treasure! Not that FM have ever produced trash...
Roxy Music's album "Avalon" is my all time favourite - so, if you know how that album sounds, you'll probably understand why I like TITN so much. Suffice to say, the reasons why some people don't like TITN as much (e.g. probably FM themselves) are the same reasons why I like it! :laugh:
And I think Stevie's songs are gems! "Seven Wonders" was one of the songs that lead me to buy TVBOFM, which, of course, lead me to buy all five from the Rumours line up. "Welcome To The Room... Sara" is excellent imho, even if I can't really justify my liking it. As for "When I See You Again"... well, it oscillates up and down my list of FM song preferences. At the moment it's on an up, but even if it were down I'd still like it, as I do all FM songs!.. except for some of the post-Rumours material...

[Sanne2]

I love this album! It was the first FM album that was released in my lifetime and my parents owned the CD, I remember I was mesmerized by the coverart.
I like all the songs (even Stevie's) except for that big, shiny turd that is Family Man.

[WarmSir3]

I love Tango! Only thing that lets it down in my opinion is the mixing (and When I See You Again/You And I Part 2). If only Lindsey's guitar was higher in the mix! The Little Lies demo is amazing. And I also love the extended remix of Big Love on the 12" single!

[holidayroad]

Tango in the Night was my first Fleetwood Mac album. I bought it in Oct. of 1987. I was 12 and I hadn't known (as odd as it may sound) that Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were ever in a band together. I only knew their solo works. I guess Tango does seem a little 'plastic' and overdone 80s style, but it is a product of its time. It's a great album to me. I still listen to it a lot, never really stopped listening to it. It is mostly a Lindsey product which probably explains my fondness for it. I thought Christine and Lindsey's songs were wonderful. Stevie's......well, they are good, but not great. As some others have said in this thread, 'When I See You Again' is an emotional, raw song. The ending vocal by Lindsey makes it even better. I can listen to Tango much more readily nowadays than I could from 87-96. For too many years, my enjoyment of the album was overshadowed by the fact that it so reminded me that Lindsey had left Fleetwood Mac!!

[MichaelE]

This was the last album I bought on vinyl. For it's time, I thought it was a bit overproduced and busy. I still enjoyed the album, but this was the first album I'd heard that I didn't enjoy listening to Stevie's voice...except on Seven Wonders.

I knew about the drug and alcohol abuse, The Betty Ford Clinic, etc., and figured this is why she sounded the way she did. Broke my heart really.

Still an enjoyable listen from time to time. Top cuts for me are 'Isn't it Midnight', 'Everywhere', 'Big Love', 'Family Man', and 'Seven Wonders'.

[TrueFaith77]

It's funny how one person's trash is another's treasure! Not that FM have ever produced trash...
Roxy Music's album "Avalon" is my all time favourite - so, if you know how that album sounds, you'll probably understand why I like TITN so much.

I probably should have posted this on the MacNuggets thread but I was too lazy. In More Than This: The Story of Roxy Music (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N7W3MQ/ref=oss_T15_product) one of the Roxy bandmates says that Avalon was their biggest hit States-side because it could play on the radio next to Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles. I feel this connects to my theory that "Straight Back" sounds like a Flesh & Blood-era Roxy track. Also, I have to say that I used to TOTALLY NOT UNDERSTAND how anyone could prefer Avalon to Siren!!! Stranded!! Country Life! but after being forced to listen to Avalon for a day (my iPod got stuck on one album in continuous play until it ran out of batteries), while it hasn't risen necessarily in my Roxy esteem, I can now appreciate that if that is your sort of thing--there really isn't anything more beautiful.

[GypsySorcerer]

I love Tango overall. I think it's a perfect 80s time capsule. I also really enjoy the "McBuck" vibe on the album. My favorite songs on the album are "Tango," "Isn't it Midnight," and..... "Caroline." :shocked:

"Seven Wonders" is okay, but Stevie's songs, unfortunately, don't do it for me. I will even concede Louie's point about WISYA adding a raw vulnerability to the album. But to me, WISYA and WTTR...S are just rambling psychobabble.

[skuncles]

I've always liked the album, not too long ago I played it again for the first time in a long time. I think it holds up pretty well, although it has a very 80's feel, it's not so time locked as say "Rock A Little" is. "Little Lies" is a classic and Lindsey's title track is among his best. You can tell that Stevie literally phoned in her parts. In fact everytime I hear "Little Lies" and Stevie's lines come up I'm reminded of the reason for that is because she wasn't originally on the song at all.
I bought the LP when this was released, but it skipped so I ended up getting the cassette, when I got my first CD played in '88 "Tango" was one of the first batch of CD's I got.
I loved that all of the singles had a 12" counterpart with extended versions.

[holidayroad]

I bought the LP when this was released, but it skipped so I ended up getting the cassette, when I got my first CD played in '88 "Tango" was one of the first batch of CD's I got.
I loved that all of the singles had a 12" counterpart with extended versions.

The LP I had skipped like crazy, even though I bought it brand new! Was there a production defect??

[skuncles]

The LP I had skipped like crazy, even though I bought it brand new! Was there a production defect??

Could be!!! As I recall almost the entire second side skipped at least once during every song. As much as I love vinyl, that is one aspect I don't miss at all!!!

For those too young to have any idea of what we are talking about, occasionally with a vinyl record they would skip, that is the song would either repeat one line over and over until you moved the needle or it would just jump over a line. This was most often caused by having a dull needle, but could also have been the way the record was made. When they put more than 15mins per side, the grooves had to be placed closer together so the odds of skipping was greater.

[seekerj]

The LP I had skipped like crazy, even though I bought it brand new! Was there a production defect??

It was the same for me! I bought my first copy of the LP the day it was released, and over the next two days, I had to keep exchanging it. In fact, "Tango" was actually the very reason I bought a cd player! I kept returning copies of the album, and then finally I accepted the fact that I was not going to hear this music if I kept opting for the LP, so I broke down and got the cd.

[MichaelE]

I didn't have any trouble with mine. Maybe it was from another master.

[seekerj]

Okay, I'm sure most will agree that this album, along with "Mirage", is largely ignored by Fleetwood Mac nowadays, and has somewhat mixed reactions from FM fans. Personally, it's my favourite!.. right after Tusk! :) I even bought a cassette of it a few months ago for listening to in mum's car! Interestingly, when I put it on recently, she asked me if it was a greatest hits album! :nod: I told her it wasn't, it was TITN, and she replied...
"Really? Oh... it's just that there's so many good songs on it!" :p
I love it for the nostalgia it gives me (particularly "Little Lies"), and for its experimental instrumentation - its sound slots into the 80s perfectly!
So, for those who love it, why? And for those who don't... read the thread title! :laugh:

This album is a mixed bag for me. I either the love the song to death or hate it beyond words; there isn't any middle ground on this album for me at all.

Much, much, great big love for:

Big Love
Tango In The Night
Mystified
Little Lies
Isn't It Midnight
Welcome To the Room... Sara
When I See You Again

Be kind and kill me instead of making me listen to these:

Seven Wonders
Everywhere
Caroline
Family Man
You And I Part 2

[michelej1]

Suffice to say, the reasons why some people don't like TITN as much (e.g. probably FM themselves)

Oh, except for Stevie, I bet the FM members like TITN a lot more than they like Mirage.

Michele

[David]

I have residual affection for "Tango" but I don't listen to it. It was an interesting -- & pretty -- burst of renewed energy in my Macophilia in 1987, but it's got a sterility to it.

[skuncles]

I have residual affection for "Tango" but I don't listen to it. It was an interesting -- & pretty -- burst of renewed energy in my Macophilia in 1987, but it's got a sterility to it.

This is true plus the hype the album got was amazing "The first new Mac album in 5 years!!" MTV did the entire "Mac Attack Weekend" thing with Mac videos and interviews every hour leading up to the premiere of "Big Love".
The album marked the end of an era for the band. After "Tango" everything changed. As a swan song (it is the last studio album by the Rumours line-up) it's a strong album to go out on.

[PutTheBlameOnMe]

I've got to admit that Tango always has been and probably always will be my favourite Mac album.

It's due to "Everywhere" that I became addicted to the band.
I also love "Seven Wonders", it's one of those songs that I have to unexplainably play LOUD.

I guess it's one of those albums that you either love or hate.

[Dodfather]

.
I also love "Seven Wonders", it's one of those songs that I have to unexplainably play LOUD.

Absolutely! I love Seven Wonders! It's a very strong track and although Stevie didn't write it (one word: "emmaline" so doesn't count!) I think that it's her strongest track on the album. I do agree that her other 2 contributions maybe drag the album down a bit...

The only other song I'm really not too keen on is You and I... otherwise I think it's a great album. Yes, it's very 80s and different for the Mac but it still works. I just wish that they played the title track live, just once! Imagine being able to shout that great TAAAANNNGOOOO at the top of your voice while it's being played right in front of you! Love it!

[mylittledemon]

Absolutely! I love Seven Wonders! It's a very strong track and although Stevie didn't write it (one word: "emmaline" so doesn't count!) I think that it's her strongest track on the album. I do agree that her other 2 contributions maybe drag the album down a bit...



Always wondered how much better that album could've been had Stevie been "on the ball"...

[chazlightyear]

Love it! Tango seemed to do really well over here if i remember rightly and i was only about 12or13 at the time, almost everybody i knew seemed to have a copy and if it wasn't for this album and Big Love i don't know if i'd have ever become a fan as i wasn't familar with any of the earlier stuff, My parents didn't even have a copy of Rumours(Oh the Shame!)

[petep9000]

Contrast that with how gorgeous Lindsey's verse sounds, and you see what rock and roll and love can do to one person...

"What has rock and roll ever done for me? Well, everything!"

[cristochango]

I think "Little Lies" was one of those tunes I remembered in the 80s, growing up. I had long forgotten that track by 1997, and I was sucked back into the Big Mac with THE DANCE... and I rediscovered this tune, not really ever knowing WHO it was that actually sang it! It was a pleasant surprise.

When I had just started being a fleetwood mac fan, I thought it was lindsey singing little lies, not christine :) haha

[PutTheBlameOnMe]

Absolutely! I love Seven Wonders! It's a very strong track...

Imagine being able to shout that great TAAAANNNGOOOO at the top of your voice while it's being played right in front of you! Love it!


I would love to one day see her sing that live :)

It would also be great to see the band do some tracks live from that album (other than "Big Love", but then again that doesn't involve all of them at their gigs at the moment).
I think FM totally need to do a request show, where the audience suggests what they would like to hear the band play :D :p

[vivfox]

I think FM totally need to do a request show, where the audience suggests what they would like to hear the band play :D :p

I can't remember if it was The Wild Heart Tour or the RAL Tour but at one show I attended Stevie jokingly asked the audience if they had any requests. Many were yelled out to her. She said into the mic as she repeated what she had just heard, "Silversprings? Maryland, Connecticut."
Then she continued the show, ofcourse without doing any of the requests.

[fringed n fab]

I love TITN. And Stevie looked so beautiful in the Little Lies video. The whole countryside and barns and fields were artistic imagery I thought. We'll probably never see Stevie in such settings again. I absolutely love the album cover painting. I was thinking a while back what I'd have painted if I ever decided on one whole wall mural, and THAT would probably be it! I just think it's beautiful for some reason and tells a story if you look hard enough.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3669/tangointhenightn.jpg

[louielouie2000]

I love TITN. And Stevie looked so beautiful in the Little Lies video. The whole countryside and barns and fields were artistic imagery I thought. We'll probably never see Stevie in such settings again. I absolutely love the album cover painting. I was thinking a while back what I'd have painted if I ever decided on one whole wall mural, and THAT would probably be it! I just think it's beautiful for some reason and tells a story if you look hard enough.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3669/tangointhenightn.jpg

I agree with all of that. The whole Tango era was a tightly orchestrated, beautifully packaged event. All of the videos were gorgeous. The video for Big Love was especially neat. Definitely foreshadowed at the storms brewing within the wings.

I too love the cover art. It was such a departure for the Rumours kids. The cover said this album was exotic, something different. Something sophisticated. And in it's quirky '80s manner, Tango was all of the above.

[louielouie2000]

I just wish that they played the title track live, just once! Imagine being able to shout that great TAAAANNNGOOOO at the top of your voice while it's being played right in front of you! Love it!

Me and you both! I think the title track was the song that opened me up to the rest of the album. Such a typical rock guitar solo, in a very atypical song package. One of the best guitar solos of Lindsey's recording career, and I think one of his most effectively produced songs within the Mac. I just love this song... it's one you have to really CRANK up when you listen to it! :D

[vivfox]

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3669/tangointhenightn.jpg

Is that supposed to be a UFO in the sky above the elephants?

[michelej1]

I absolutely love the album cover painting. I was thinking a while back what I'd have painted if I ever decided on one whole wall mural, and THAT would probably be it! I just think it's beautiful for some reason and tells a story if you look hard enough.


I do think it makes you think of entropic nights. Safari maybe, netting over the bed, unrelenting heat, humidity making you push aside crumpled bedding. Then I remember, when the moon was full and bright. I would take you in the darkness . . .

Very hot.

I also think the Mirage cover matches the song Hold Me and that it goes nicely with the video Hold Me, which hints of mirages, hallucinations and people who can't quite reach each other, though they grasp.

Michele

[CADreaming]

I also think the Mirage cover matches the song Hold Me and that it goes nicely with the video Hold Me, which hints of mirages, hallucinations and people who can't quite reach each other, though they grasp.

Michele

Thematic, indeed! :nod:

[michelej1]

Thematic, indeed! :nod:

Well, I think the picture inside the SYW liner notes of the 4 outstretched hands fits into that theme as well.

Michele

[CADreaming]

Well, I think the picture inside the SYW liner notes of the 4 outstretched hands fits into that theme as well.

Michele

That one puzzles me.

[louielouie2000]

Is that supposed to be a UFO in the sky above the elephants?

Yes, but you've had the album for over 20 years... I'm sure you knew that? :shrug:

[fringed n fab]

Is that supposed to be a UFO in the sky above the elephants?
That's what I've always thought it was. And the weird rings around the setting sun/moon or whatever is cool. And what look like little eyes peering in the bushes and stuff. I thought the cover went well with the album title and song. I like when they put entire efforts into their albums and music right down to the cover art. Some people might not care or pay any attention to covers and stuff and just rip open the album or cd, but I like the whole package deal, especially when it comes to a Stevie or Mac album. I'm picky :laugh:

[louielouie2000]

Some people might not care or pay any attention to covers and stuff and just rip open the album or cd, but I like the whole package deal, especially when it comes to a Stevie or Mac album. I'm picky :laugh:

I'm the same way. This whole digital revolution is really sad to me because of that. I don't want my only option in the future for new music to be downloading albums off of I-Tunes. I like getting the new album in my hands... opening the package, looking at the cover art, fishing through the liner notes, seeing what design was chosen for the CD, stuff like that. Trouble In Shangri La for instance is one of the most beautifully packaged albums I've ever seen. Someone who simply downloaded the album online would miss so much of the experience of owning that record. :distress:

[GoldDustBoy]

I LOVE IT! Tango has the magic that Mirage lacked. Christine is BRILLIANT on that album. She and Eddy Quintela were great working together. I love Lindsey's songs too. The title track is maybe the best on the entire album. The guitar solo is so dark and powerful. I even really love When I See You again. I know most of the people hate it, but to me it just sounds so sad and emotional. I agree with some other ledgies that You And I II should have been replaced with You And I I, and I would replace Everywhere, Welcome To the Room... Sara, and Family Man, with anything else. WTTRS is probably the worst song Stevie ever recorded with Fleetwood Mac.

[GoldDustBoy]

Is that supposed to be a UFO in the sky above the elephants?

Yup, and there are strange looking eyes glowing from the bushes. Speaking of the album cover, I always hated it. :)

[cristochango]

Yup, and there are strange looking eyes glowing from the bushes. Speaking of the album cover, I always hated it. :)

i agree, the only rumours line up one not to have people on it

[vivfox]

i agree, the only rumours line up one not to have people on it

Tusk? Does the guy's foot count?

[cristochango]

Tusk? Does the guy's foot count?

damn.
i forgot about that one. haha.

I think it was the art of it that i didnt like.
tusk was a picture

[fringed n fab]

I think a lot of time and effort went into making that cover. To me it took more than them simply posing for a picture or something. That cover was no doubt a lot of work. I thought it was beautiful. I guess we all like different things. For most people if they had a big painting of that hanging in their house, it would no doubt be a conversation piece. Not to mention pretty.

[jaycee]

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned this yet! A trustworthy Wikipedia excerpt reveals...
"The cover art for the album was a painting by Australian artist Brett-Livingstone Strong which was hanging in Buckingham's home, a homage to the 19th Century French painter Henri Rousseau, emulating his colourful jungle theme works such as The Snake Charmer and The Repast of the Lion."

[louielouie2000]

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned this yet! A trustworthy Wikipedia excerpt reveals...
"The cover art for the album was a painting by Australian artist Brett-Livingstone Strong which was hanging in Buckingham's home, a homage to the 19th Century French painter Henri Rousseau, emulating his colourful jungle theme works such as The Snake Charmer and The Repast of the Lion."

I didn't realize Lindsey actually owned the painting. I did know it wasn't commissioned for the album, and was sort of an homage to Rousseau. I wonder if Lindsey still has the painting??

[daniellaaarisen]

This is the only album where Christine's songs totally astound me ("Isn't It Midnight" is magic) and Stevie's tracks seriously depress me.

But seriously.... "Isn't It Midnight" is one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs ever and I can't even tell you why. I just love Tango in the Night for completely different reasons than those I have for my love of the other FM albums... its refreshing in that sense.

[GoldDustBoy]

This is the only album where Christine's songs totally astound me ("Isn't It Midnight" is magic) and Stevie's tracks seriously depress me.

But seriously.... "Isn't It Midnight" is one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs ever and I can't even tell you why. I just love Tango in the Night for completely different reasons than those I have for my love of the other FM albums... its refreshing in that sense.


What a magnificent song, and the live versions are amazing too.

[CADreaming]

I didn't realize Lindsey actually owned the painting. I did know it wasn't commissioned for the album, and was sort of an homage to Rousseau. I wonder if Lindsey still has the painting??

I'm sure - along with all the other few hundreds his wife so magnificently grouped together behind the sofa...

Love the painting though.

[holidayroad]

I love TITN. And Stevie looked so beautiful in the Little Lies video. The whole countryside and barns and fields were artistic imagery I thought. We'll probably never see Stevie in such settings again. I absolutely love the album cover painting. I was thinking a while back what I'd have painted if I ever decided on one whole wall mural, and THAT would probably be it! I just think it's beautiful for some reason and tells a story if you look hard enough.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3669/tangointhenightn.jpg

I have also thought of having a mural painted in this style! While I would have preferred a group photo for the album, this cover was a beautiful choice. I agree that Stevie looked beautiful in the Little Lies video. I have to say though that I always hated the dress she wore in the Big Love video!

[vivfox]

I love TITN. I just think it's beautiful for some reason and tells a story if you look hard enough.


I am interested in your version of the story that it tells?

[seekerj]

OK, does ANYBODY besides me like "Welcome To The Room... Sara" and "When I See You Again"???? I mean, really, really love those songs? I loved both from the first time I heard them. I really think I'm the only one on the planet! By the time the second chorus comes around in "Welcome..." (the one where she sings "Sara" twice), tears are welling up in my eyes. Same thing with the "will your very best friend... ooo have been replaced by some other" line in "When".

[michelej1]

That's what I've always thought it was. And the weird rings around the setting sun/moon or whatever is cool. And what look like little eyes peering in the bushes and stuff. I thought the cover went well with the album title and song. I like when they put entire efforts into their albums and music right down to the cover art. Some people might not care or pay any attention to covers and stuff and just rip open the album or cd, but I like the whole package deal, especially when it comes to a Stevie or Mac album. I'm picky :laugh:

The outside references that they use make me see them in little things that have no direct connection to the band. It makes FM's appeal seem all the more intrinsic and universal.

I have a modern interpretation of Matisse's picture on the wall right at the entrance to my house. It's black, gold and silver. Five figures that are more geometrical than human, cavorting around in acrobatic poses. I never would have been drawn to the picture if not for The Dance cover. Likewise, Say You Will made me want to get a print of the Double Suicide poster. I couldn't find one, so I just made my own from the movie DVD cover. I like being able to see them and what I think they represent to each other in outside things.

Michele

[petep9000]

[QUOTE=seekerj;862452]OK, does ANYBODY besides me like "Welcome To The Room... Sara" and "When I See You Again"???? I mean, really, really love those songs? QUOTE]

I like them! Hated them first few listens though.

[starshine]

Well...hope I can still comment here even 'if' I'm not giving any love to Tango.....sorry, this LP/cd just doesn't do it for me at all. From the cover to most of the songs. Not that I don't mind some of them. I guess its just all the techno stuff....plus Stevie's lack of full involvement or in the way she couldn't for all that she was going through at the time. Or how the band wouldn't allow her the opportunity etc. Its not there for me same way that RAL/ isn't there for me in Stevie's solo stuff. I do like some songs : Mystified/Caroline/Tango In The Night/Welcome To The Room...Sara/ ....I don't care for all the extended versions except maybe the Little Lies with Stevie's ending lines put in. It's just too much techno involved & personally I like more lyrics than music.....I think the song gets 'lost' sometimes when its so long...but that's only IMO.....no offence. I'd say yes its cohesive in one way & not in another. Its more a Lindsey & Christine LP than a full band lp even thought yes Stevie is present.....but it doesn't sound like she was welcomed which is sad....would it have been that way if say it had been Lindsey/Christine/John/Mick??(getting treatment that is?)... I wonder.....Not that I'm making excuses for Stevie.....she did have problems but at least she was getting the help she needed than.....To me they ...the 'band' should've aloud her to re-record 7Wonders with the correct lyrics....personally...I like the outtake of When I See You Again with Lindsey at the end. I think its better....but what do I know I'm only a fan......anyway, hope you don't mind my opinion even though its no 'love' for Tango.....but we all like what we like & its ok...it's all good.....I don't hate it but I just don't love it.....heck I haven't listend to it in sometime now or Mask either......Tusk is probably my favorite of the Mac LP's/cds.......like I said it's all good............:shrug::sorry:

[skuncles]

OK, does ANYBODY besides me like "Welcome To The Room... Sara" and "When I See You Again"???? I mean, really, really love those songs? I loved both from the first time I heard them. I really think I'm the only one on the planet! By the time the second chorus comes around in "Welcome..." (the one where she sings "Sara" twice), tears are welling up in my eyes. Same thing with the "will your very best friend... ooo have been replaced by some other" line in "When".

You know I like the songs, I don't think they are among her classics, but they are alright. To me her songs on Tango (with the exception of "Seven Wonders") sounded like rejects from "Rock A Little". At that point Stevie's stuggles with drugs and rehab had become known and the songs have that druggy haze/tired feel to them. You could tell that thing were about to change.

[mylittledemon]

When I see you again is more listenable, to me, than Welcome to the Room. I don't particularly like both of those songs... but I don't hate them, either. ;)

[jaycee]

Well...hope I can still comment here even 'if' I'm not giving any love to Tango.....sorry, this LP/cd just doesn't do it for me at all. From the cover to most of the songs. Not that I don't mind some of them. I guess its just all the techno stuff....plus Stevie's lack of full involvement or in the way she couldn't for all that she was going through at the time. Or how the band wouldn't allow her the opportunity etc. Its not there for me same way that RAL/ isn't there for me in Stevie's solo stuff. I do like some songs : Mystified/Caroline/Tango In The Night/Welcome To The Room...Sara/ ....I don't care for all the extended versions except maybe the Little Lies with Stevie's ending lines put in. It's just too much techno involved & personally I like more lyrics than music.....I think the song gets 'lost' sometimes when its so long...but that's only IMO.....no offence. I'd say yes its cohesive in one way & not in another. Its more a Lindsey & Christine LP than a full band lp even thought yes Stevie is present.....but it doesn't sound like she was welcomed which is sad....would it have been that way if say it had been Lindsey/Christine/John/Mick??(getting treatment that is?)... I wonder.....Not that I'm making excuses for Stevie.....she did have problems but at least she was getting the help she needed than.....To me they ...the 'band' should've aloud her to re-record 7Wonders with the correct lyrics....personally...I like the outtake of When I See You Again with Lindsey at the end. I think its better....but what do I know I'm only a fan......anyway, hope you don't mind my opinion even though its no 'love' for Tango.....but we all like what we like & its ok...it's all good.....I don't hate it but I just don't love it.....heck I haven't listend to it in sometime now or Mask either......Tusk is probably my favorite of the Mac LP's/cds.......like I said it's all good............:shrug::sorry:

I was only joking with the "for those who don't... read the thread title". :lol:
Well, here's a little hate coming from me about TITN... well, that's completely wrong, actually... anyway, I hate the extended singles! They are definitely over-synthesized, and destroy the beauty of the normal-length songs! To be honest, I'm amazed that it was FM that performed and released them! Did they need extra cash or something? :lol:
Another bit of frustration - some of the B-side singles still haven't been released together with the rest of the album! Honestly, how hard could it be for FM to do that?! :shrug: If they're that lazy, I'd let them get away with not remastering the album, but they could at least give us the B-sides! :nod:

[David]

When I see you again is more listenable, to me, than Welcome to the Room. I don't particularly like both of those songs... but I don't hate them, either. ;)I like the former but not the latter.

If you take away the lead vocal on the former (which is what most people apparently dislike), you are left with a beautifully delicate instrumental track, something every bit as heart-on-the-sleeve as "Songbird" or "Crystal."

If you take away the lead vocal on the latter, you are still left with a dud.

[David]

Well, here's a little hate coming from me about TITN... well, that's completely wrong, actually... anyway, I hate the extended singles! They are definitely over-synthesized, and destroy the beauty of the normal-length songs! To be honest, I'm amazed that it was FM that performed and released them! It wasn't really Fleetwood Mac responsible for those. They were toyed with by engineers & producers like Jellybelly Benitez specifically to be thumpy dance tracks. That's why they're called remixes.

[jaycee]

It wasn't really Fleetwood Mac responsible for those. They were toyed with by engineers & producers like Jellybelly Benitez specifically to be thumpy dance tracks. That's why they're called remixes.

Oh, good! :) I'm glad FM isn't responsible! :laugh:

[LiamMcConville]

When I See You Again is one of my favorite FM tracks. :shrug:

[mylittledemon]

It's def not one of my faves, Liam, but I don't hate it. That ending part with Lindsey singing and playing the guitar is choice.

[fringed n fab]

I never had any problem with Welcome to the Room Sara... or any song off the album that I can think of.

[louielouie2000]

OK, does ANYBODY besides me like "Welcome To The Room... Sara" and "When I See You Again"???? I mean, really, really love those songs? I loved both from the first time I heard them. I really think I'm the only one on the planet! By the time the second chorus comes around in "Welcome..." (the one where she sings "Sara" twice), tears are welling up in my eyes. Same thing with the "will your very best friend... ooo have been replaced by some other" line in "When".

Look back at post #7 on this thread, where I relayed my feelings on Stevie's songs on Tango, most notably When I See You Again. I really do like these songs. I think they're some of the most lyrically honest of her career. I think Stevie was pretty gutsy to lay it out there that she was forcibly committed into rehab, and to talk about the depths of her despair in both songs. Neither song may be as lovely to listen to as perhaps Dreams, but they sure as HELL have a of a lot more depth to them.

And I truly mean it when I say When I See You Again is as artistically adventurous and avant garde than any of Lindsey's Tusk tunes. Mainly, because it's so effective at conveying the depths Stevie had sunk to when she wrote and recorded that song. I truly do think it's one of the most artistically successful songs the band has recorded for that reason. It may not be the prettiest, but I am SO glad we have it as a snapshot in time. :nod:

[Nathan]

Look back at post #7 on this thread, where I relayed my feelings on Stevie's songs on Tango, most notably When I See You Again. I really do like these songs. I think they're some of the most lyrically honest of her career. I think Stevie was pretty gutsy to lay it out there that she was forcibly committed into rehab, and to talk about the depths of her despair in both songs. Neither song may be as lovely to listen to as perhaps Dreams, but they sure as HELL have a of a lot more depth to them.

And I truly mean it when I say When I See You Again is as artistically adventurous and avant garde than any of Lindsey's Tusk tunes. Mainly, because it's so effective at conveying the depths Stevie had sunk to when she wrote and recorded that song. I truly do think it's one of the most artistically successful songs the band has recorded for that reason. It may not be the prettiest, but I am SO glad we have it as a snapshot in time. :nod:

What he said.

[David]

Look back at post #7 on this thread, where I relayed my feelings on Stevie's songs on Tango, most notably When I See You Again. I really do like these songs. I think they're some of the most lyrically honest of her career. I think Stevie was pretty gutsy to lay it out there that she was forcibly committed into rehab, and to talk about the depths of her despair in both songs. Neither song may be as lovely to listen to as perhaps Dreams, but they sure as HELL have a of a lot more depth to them. The fallacy that raw emotion equals art. I can stand on a street corner & scream with frustration & rage, but that's not artistic achievement. Art consists in formalizing experience, giving it structure.

And I truly mean it when I say When I See You Again is as artistically adventurous and avant garde than any of Lindsey's Tusk tunes.You may mean it, but it's a daft notion.

I truly do think it's one of the most artistically successful songs the band has recorded for that reason. It may not be the prettiest, but I am SO glad we have it as a snapshot in time. :nod:It's a beautiful song, aching & forlorn & delicate. It gives me chills, sort of. The guitar outro is so simple, so straightforward, but it's perfect. Ahhh.... it's like Buckingham Nicks rising from the grave, 15 years later.

[michelej1]

The fallacy that raw emotion equals art. I can stand on a street corner & scream with frustration & rage, but that's not artistic achievement. Art consists in formalizing experience, giving it structure.

But I think that being able to capture and document raw emotion for posterity is art. If you can encapsulize feeling in music, in words, in a snapshot (like that V-J Day kiss scene where the sailor kissed the nurse), if you've done it in a way that speaks to others who recognize that feeling, then I think you've created art.

Michele

[PenguinHead]

Well...hope I can still comment here even 'if' I'm not giving any love to Tango.....sorry, this LP/cd just doesn't do it for me at all. From the cover to most of the songs. Not that I don't mind some of them. I guess its just all the techno stuff....plus Stevie's lack of full involvement or in the way she couldn't for all that she was going through at the time. Or how the band wouldn't allow her the opportunity etc. Its not there for me same way that RAL/ isn't there for me in Stevie's solo stuff. I do like some songs : Mystified/Caroline/Tango In The Night/Welcome To The Room...Sara/ ....I don't care for all the extended versions except maybe the Little Lies with Stevie's ending lines put in. It's just too much techno involved & personally I like more lyrics than music.....I think the song gets 'lost' sometimes when its so long...but that's only IMO.....no offence. I'd say yes its cohesive in one way & not in another. Its more a Lindsey & Christine LP than a full band lp even thought yes Stevie is present.....but it doesn't sound like she was welcomed which is sad....would it have been that way if say it had been Lindsey/Christine/John/Mick??(getting treatment that is?)... I wonder.....Not that I'm making excuses for Stevie.....she did have problems but at least she was getting the help she needed than.....To me they ...the 'band' should've aloud her to re-record 7Wonders with the correct lyrics....personally...I like the outtake of When I See You Again with Lindsey at the end. I think its better....but what do I know I'm only a fan......anyway, hope you don't mind my opinion even though its no 'love' for Tango.....but we all like what we like & its ok...it's all good.....I don't hate it but I just don't love it.....heck I haven't listend to it in sometime now or Mask either......Tusk is probably my favorite of the Mac LP's/cds.......like I said it's all good............:shrug::sorry:
:eek:...................wow!

[PenguinHead]

I recall being very happy when Tango in the Night was released. The album cover was so tropical and mysterious, and the music production was fitting and contemporary for its time. It put Fleetwood Mac back on the map in a big way.

'Welcome to the Room Sara' was (and still is) my favorite Stevie song from the album. In hindsight -- now knowing it was written about her Betty Ford stint -- the title and lyrics have more clarity to them.

'Big Love' was such a departure soundwise, but I grew to love it. I agree that 'You and I, part 1' would have been a better choice than version 2. Christine's songs, as usual, were all solid.

I really liked 'Seven Wonders' at the time. But since then, it has bothered me because it could have been much better. The verses are very clunky and could have been written better, and her delivery is a tad shrill. "When I See You Again' screams "B-side!" The inclusion of 'Joan of Arc,' if further developed, would have been a vast improvement. (Although, the repetitive "Turn it to wall" vocal lines might have ventured too close to the "What's the matter baby, baby, baby" vocal lines of 'When I See You Again.")

I wish they would re-release this (along with Mirage) with the same treatment of Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk, with all the b-sides:

You and I, part 1
Book of Miracles (what would have been 'Juliet'!)
Down Endless Street
Others? Perhaps the extended remixes, though I don't think the band members had any involvement with those.

P.S. I wish Lindsey would perform 'Tango in the Night,' and 'Big Love' with a full band (the acoustic version, although amazing, is getting really tired).

[PenguinHead]

I recall being very happy when Tango in the Night was released. The album cover was so tropical and mysterious, and the music production was fitting and contemporary for its time. It put Fleetwood Mac back on the map in a big way.

'Welcome to the Room Sara' was (and still is) my favorite Stevie song from the album. In hindsight -- now knowing it was written about her Betty Ford stint -- the title and lyrics have more clarity to them.

'Big Love' was such a departure soundwise, but I grew to love it. I agree that 'You and I, part 1' would have been a better choice than version 2. Christine's songs, as usual, were all solid.

I really liked 'Seven Wonders' at the time. But since then, it has bothered me because it could have been much better. The verses are somewhat clunky and could have been written better, and her delivery is a tad shrill. "When I See You Again' screams "B-side!" 'Joan of Arc,' if further developed, would have been a vast improvement. (Although, too many "Turn it to the wall" vocal lines would venture to close to the "What's the matter baby, baby, baby" vocal lines of 'When I See You Again."

I wish they would re-release this (along with Mirage) with the same treatment of Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk, with all the b-sides:

You and I, part 1
Book of Miracles (what would have been 'Juliet'!)
Down Endless Street
others?

[Black_Moon]

Tango in the Night is my second favourite Fleetwood Mac album after Tusk. I think the nostalgia element definitely helps, because it was constantly played as I was growing up and it's my mam's favourite album. There are only two songs I can't abide of this album - Caroline and Family Man. Like many others here, the Stevie songs on this album are not my favourites but I do love them all. They add character to a really polished piece of work. Of course, you can almost tell what month it was made, it's that dated, but it's a piece of musical history. I think Christine is the strongest on this album; she really was at the top of game in the 80s.

I too wish the title track would be played live, it's my favourite song off here along with Big Love, although I wish Lindsey would stop playing an acoustic version of it.

[WarmSir3]

I too wish the title track would be played live, it's my favourite song off here along with Big Love, although I wish Lindsey would stop playing an acoustic version of it.

Yes yes yes a thousand times yes! (Either that or Go Insane!)

[skuncles]

I wish they would re-release this (along with Mirage) with the same treatment of Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk, with all the b-sides:

You and I, part 1
Book of Miracles (what would have been 'Juliet'!)
Down Endless Street
others?

The other b-side is "Ricky" which is not a great song, but was the b-side to "Little Lies". That's another thing I liked about "Tango", each single had a non album b-side.

[PenguinHead]

The other b-side is "Ricky" which is not a great song, but was the b-side to "Little Lies". That's another thing I liked about "Tango", each single had a non album b-side.

Yes! 'Oh Ricky won't you come out tonight.' Such a strange song, with Chris singing!

[michelej1]

Yes! 'Oh Ricky won't you come out tonight.' Such a strange song, with Chris singing!

You can hear Lindsey's personality in the song. Those opposites coming together, even in zaniness, is very satisfying.

Michele