Top Ten Best Mac "Solo" Albums

[TrueFaith77]

We've done lists of fave Mac albums. We've ranked the outputs of individual members. But I thought it would be interesting for people to choose and rank their ten favorite albums by Mac members recorded outside of Fleetwood Mac. I'm particularly interested because I will likely use these lists as guides to explore outside of the narrow collection of "solo" Mac output.

Actual albums are preferred as opposed to compilations, live albums (unless those were the new albums a la Blue Again). Also, though it may be hard to explain, I'm looking for albums where the Mac artist was the primary artistic force behind the album (as opposed to contributing musician).

I haven't included my list yet. It will take some work!

ETA: Here are the members of the Mac and some of their discography as best as I can make out:

Mick Fleetwood - The Visitor (1981), I’m Not Me (1983), Shakin’ the Cage (1992), Something Big (2004), Blue Again (2008)

John McVie - Gotta Band (1992)

Peter Green - The End of the Game (1970), In the Skies (1979), Little Dreamer (1980), Whatcha Gonna Do? (1981), White Sky (1982), Kolors (1983), A Case for the Blues (1984), Peter Green Splinter Group (1997), The Robert Johnson Songbooki (1998), Soho Session (1998), Destiny Road (1999), Hot Foot Powder (2000), Time Traders (2001), Blues Don’t Change (2001), Reaching The Cold 100 (2003)

Jeremy Spencer - Jeremy Spencer (1970), Jeremy Spencer and the Children (1972), Flee (1979), Precious Little (2006)

Danny Kirwan - Second Chapter (1975), Midnight in San Juan (1976), Hello There Big Boy! (1979)

Christine McVie - Christine Perfect (1970), Christine McVie (1984), In the Meantime (2004)

Bob Welch - Head West (1970), French Kiss (1977), Three Hearts (1979), The Other One (1979), Man Overboard (1980), Bob Welch (1981), Eye Contact (1983), Bob Welch Looks at Bop (1999), His Fleetwood Mac Years & Beyond (2003), His Fleetwood Mac Years and Beyond, Vol. 2 (2006)

Dave Walker - ????

Bob Weston - Night Light (1980), Studio Picks (1981), There’s a Heaven (1999)

Lindsey Buckingham - Buckingham Nicks (1973), Law and Order (1981), Go Insane (1984), Out of the Cradle (1992), Under the Skin (2006), Gift of Screws (2008)

Stevie Nicks - Buckingham Nicks (1973), Bella Donna (1981), The Wild Heart (1983), Rock a Little (1985), The Other Side of the Mirror (1989), Street Angel (1994), Trouble in Shangri-La (2001)

Rick Vito - King of Hearts (1992), Pink & Black (1998), Lucky Devils (2000), Crazy Cool (2001), Band Box Boogie (2003), Rattlesnake Shake (2005), Talk That Talk (2006), Blue Again (2008)

Billy Burnette - Billy Burnette (1972), Billy Burnette (1979), Between Friends (1980), Gimme You (1981), Try Me (1985), Soldier of Love (1986), Brother to Brother (1988), Coming Home (1993), Bekka & Billy (1997), All Night Long (1999), Are You With Me Baby (2000), Memphis in Manhattan (2006), The Bluegrass Elvises, Volume 1 (2007)

Bekka Bramlett - Bekka & Billy (1996), What’s In It For Me (2002), I Got News For You (2009)

Dave Mason - Alone Together (1970), Dave Mason & Cass Elliot (1971), Headkeeper (1972), It’s Like You Never Left (1973), Dave Mason (1974), Split Coconut (1975), Let It Flow (1977), Mariposa De Oro (1978), Old Crest On A New Wave (1980), Two Hearts (1987), Some Assembly Required (1987), 26 Letters - 12 Notes (2008)

[Street_Dreamer]

1. Lindsey Buckingham - Out Of The Cradle
2. Christine McVie - Christine McVie
3. Billy Burnette - Gimme You
4. Bekka And Billy - Bekka And Billy
5. Billy Burnette - Try Me
6. Mick Fleetwood's Zoo - I'm Not Me
7. Mick Fleetwood - The Visitor
8. Lindsey Buckingham - Gift Of Screws
9. Billy Burnette - Coming Home
10. Danny Kirwan - Hello There Big Boy!

Matt

[TrueFaith77]

1. Lindsey Buckingham - Out Of The Cradle
2. Christine McVie - Christine McVie
3. Billy Burnette - Gimme You
4. Bekka And Billy - Bekka And Billy
5. Billy Burnette - Try Me
6. Mick Fleetwood's Zoo - I'm Not Me
7. Mick Fleetwood - Try Me
8. Lindsey Buckingham - Gift Of Screws
9. Billy Burnette - Coming Home
10. Danny Kirwan - Hello There Big Boy!

Matt

Awesome! thank you! One question: by #7? Did you mean something else?

[TrueFaith77]

This is a snapshot in time. I'm sure it will change eventually.

1. Buckingham Nicks (1973), Buckingham Nicks
2. Law and Order (1981), Lindsey Buckingham
3. Gift of Screws (2008), Lindsey Buckingham
4. Flee (1979), The Jeremy Spencer Band
5. Go Insane (1984), Lindsey Buckingham
6. Hello There Big Boy! (1979), Danny Kirwan
7. Under the Skin (2006), Lindsey Buckingham
8. Out of the Cradle (1992), Lindsey Buckingham
9. The Visitor (1981), Mick Fleetwood
10. Bella Donna (1981), Stevie Nicks

[ButterCookie]

I desparately want to participate in this but I can only get to 3 and then... well yeah. I think you all guessed which 3 :eek:

[HomerMcvie]

I don't have everything, but I'll list the ones I have:

#1 Bella Donna
#2 Christine McVie
#3 Law and Order
#4 In The Meantime
#5 I'm Not Me(I just recently STARTED listening to INM, and it's a kick ass album!)
#6 The Wild Heart
#7 Out Of The Cradle
#8 The Visitor
#9 Go Insane
#10 Gift of Screws

Feel lucky that I had enough titles to get to 10, because I refuse to put refuse, on my list(OSOTM, and Rock a Little). Hey, she got my #1 slot, so suck it up, Nancy. :laugh::laugh::wavey:

[sjpdg]

Out of what I actually have and/or have heard in the past, here's my list:

1. Blue Again.
2. Rattlesnake Shake.
3. Out of the Cradle.
4. Splinter Group.
5. Christine McVie.
6. Rock A Little.
7. Gotta Band.
8. Coming Home.
9. Pink & Black.
10. King of Hearts

[Artemis]

I've only heard the Stevie, Lindsey and Christine solo albums, so my list will reflect that (as well as being incredibly biased towards Stevie ><)

1) Bella Donna
2) Wild Heart
3) Law and Order
4) In The Meantime
5) Buckingham Nicks
6) Trouble In Shangri-La
7) Under The Skin
8) Gift Of Screws
9) Christine McVie
10) Out Of The Cradle

[chriskisn]

To fill in the "?" for Dave Walker, he has two solo albums:

Dave Walker and the Ambulators - Mostly Sonny (A Tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson) - 2005

Dave Walker - Walking Under Water - 2007


There was also an unreleased 1979 Dave Walker Band album that saw a limited release a few years back via their website, but given that wetcamelfood and I are probably the only people to care about it, we won't bother counting that one. :lol:

Oh and you missed out a Billy Burnette album - Billy Burnette (1980). Why he has three self titled albums is anyone's guess!

EDIT

Also for Bob Welch you could add the two Paris albums: Paris - 1976 and Big Towne 2061 - 1976

Sorry for being picky! :lol:

[chriskisn]

This is actually too hard to rank them, it is like picking a favourite child, but here goes:


Dave Walker - Walking Underwater
Rick Vito - King of Hearts
Bekka Bramlett - I Got News For You
Mick Fleetwood - I'm Not Me
Stevie Nicks - Trouble in Shangri La
Bob Welch - Three Hearts
Dave Mason - 26 Letters 12 Notes
Billy Burnette - Coming Home
Jeremy Spencer - Jeremy Spencer and the Children
Peter Green - Time Traders

[Street_Dreamer]

Awesome! thank you! One question: by #7? Did you mean something else?

Yeah, I meant to put The Visitor there. Fixed it so it says that now. :)

Matt

[aleuzzi]

I haven't heard David Walker's solo material, nor have I heard the first two Bob Weston records, but here's my list, based on hearing the rest at some point or other:

1. Out of the Cradle

2. In the Meantime

3. Law and Order

4. The Wild Heart

5. Bella Donna

6. Trouble in Shangri-La

7. Christine Perfect

8. French Kiss

9. Christine McVie

10. Under the Skin

(I almost put The Visitor in #10).

[chriskisn]

I haven't heard David Walker's solo material, nor have I heard the first two Bob Weston records,

Well you can't rate it if you haven't heard it, so here goes:

For anyone who wants to hear the Bob Weston stuff, all long since out of print, here they are:

http://rapidshare.com/files/152358540/Studio_Picks.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/152358539/Nightlight.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/144385246/There_s_A_Heaven.rar

You'll need WINRAR to unzip them...

Oh and while we are at it, here is the 1979 Dave Walker Band album that was never officially released

http://rapidshare.com/files/258720096/Dave_Walker_Band.rar

Thanks to Wetcamelfood for the first two Bob Weston and the Dave Walker Band. The other Bob Weston is from the CD that was sold on the ledge many years ago.

[Miss Vicky]

1. Lindsey Buckingham: Gift Of Screws
2. Bekka and Billy
3. Billy Burnette: Between Friends
4. Bekka Bramlett: What's In It For Me
5. Buckingham Nicks
6. Lindsey Buckingham: Under the Skin
7. Billy Burnette: Try Me
8. Bekka Bramlett: I've Got News For You
9. Stevie Nicks: Bella Donna
10. Rick Vito: King Of Hearts

Honorable Mention: Christine McVie (1984)

BTW: Billy Burnette's Between Friends was 1979 and you missed his 1980 self titled solo album.

[holidayroad]

I have to do a 'Top 15'!

1.Out of the Cradle
2. Go Insane
3. Buckingham Nicks
4. Under the Skin
5. Trouble In Shangri-La
6. Gift of Screws
7. Rock a Little
8. Christine McVie
9. John McVie's Gotta Band
10. Wild Heart
11. Bella Donna
12. Law and Order
13. French Kiss
14. I'm Not Me
15. Hello There, Big Boy

[aleuzzi]

Well you can't rate it if you haven't heard it, so here goes:

For anyone who wants to hear the Bob Weston stuff, all long since out of print, here they are:

http://rapidshare.com/files/152358540/Studio_Picks.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/152358539/Nightlight.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/144385246/There_s_A_Heaven.rar

You'll need WINRAR to unzip them...

Oh and while we are at it, here is the 1979 Dave Walker Band album that was never officially released

http://rapidshare.com/files/258720096/Dave_Walker_Band.rar

Thanks to Wetcamelfood for the first two Bob Weston and the Dave Walker Band. The other Bob Weston is from the CD that was sold on the ledge many years ago.

I don't have WINRAR :(

[CreepingDeath]

In no particular order-

1. Buckingham Nicks
2. Bella Donna
3. The Wild Heart
4. Rock a Little
5. Trouble in Shangri-La
6. Christine Perfect
7. Christine McVie
8. In The Meantime
9. Go Insane
10. Out of the Cradle

[chriskisn]

I don't have WINRAR :(

Then go and download it :)

http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

download free trial (and if you wish, just keep using the free trial rather than paying for it)

[aleuzzi]

Then go and download it :)

http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

download free trial (and if you wish, just keep using the free trial rather than paying for it)

I have Mac osx and the application (via the link you suggested) is apparently not free. Yet the order form doesn't stipulate how much it is. I'm not trusting this. Maybe I'll go to apple and find out. In the meantime, if anyone has those files formatted for I-tunes, I could open those...

[chriskisn]

I have Mac osx and the application (via the link you suggested) is apparently not free. Yet the order form doesn't stipulate how much it is. I'm not trusting this. Maybe I'll go to apple and find out. In the meantime, if anyone has those files formatted for I-tunes, I could open those...

Well the trick with WINRAR is that you just download the 30 day trial version (not sure about the Mac version but the trial version doesn't cost anything to download and use for 30 days). The standard Windows version then throws up a reminder every time you use it after 30 days that you should register, but doesn't actually stop you using it.

It costs about $29 to buy (which is I think US $).

Can you unzip .zip files? If so I could make some and send them to you...

[holidayroad]

I don't have WINRAR :(

I've opened them with JZip before

http://www.jzip.com

[chriskisn]

Well given that I'm not particularly happy with rapidshare right now given all the changes they are introducing, here are a couple of .zip files

Studio Picks - http://www.sendspace.com/file/8n50le

Nightlight - http://www.sendspace.com/file/7mmxep

There is a Heaven - http://www.sendspace.com/file/butyp3

Dave Walker Band (1979) - http://www.sendspace.com/file/6rqffr

[chiliD]

This changes minute to minute, so as of my typing at the moment, this is the list:

1) Lindsey Buckingham - Out Of The Cradle
2) Peter Green Splinter Group - Time Traders
3) Rick Vito - Pink & Black
4) Mick Fleetwood's Zoo - I'm Not Me
5) Paris - Big Towne 2061
6) Christine McVie - (1984)
7) (tie) Bob Welch - French Kiss & Peter Green - In The Skies
8) Danny Kirwan - Midnight In San Juan
9) Mick Fleetwood - The Visitor
10) Buckingham Nicks

The "second ten"

11) (tie)Bob Welch - Three Hearts & Rick Vito - Crazy Cool
12) (tie) Peter Green Splinter Group - Destiny Road & Billy Burnette - (1980)
13) Jeremy Spencer Band - Flee
14) Rick Vito - Bandbox Boogie
15) Christine McVie - In The Meantime
16) Stevie Nicks - Trouble In Shangri-La
17) Jeremy Spencer - JS & The Children
18) Rick Vito - King Of Hearts
19) Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
20) Peter Green Splinter Group - Blues Don't Change

And, ones that are just bubbling ever so close under those:

Bekka Bramlett - What's In It For Me
Billy Burnette - Gimme You
Bob Welch - Eye Contact
Stevie Nicks - Rock A Little
Peter Green - Little Dreamer


DISCLAIMER: Since Dave Mason was already an established star before joining Fleetwood Mac, I didn't consider his albums for this list.

[michelej1]

DISCLAIMER: Since Dave Mason was already an established star before joining Fleetwood Mac, I didn't consider his albums for this list.

Ha. Well, now I don't know whether I can list Christine Perfect's album or not.

Michele

[billwebster]

1) Billy Burnette - All Night Long
2) Billy Burnette - Coming Home
3) Lindsey Buckingham - Gift Of Screws
4) Lindsey Buckingham - Out Of the Cradle
5) Christine McVie - In the Meantime
6) Lola Thomas - John McVie's Gotta Band With
7) Bekka & Billy
8) Stevie Nicks - Street Angel
9) Billy Burnette - Are You With Me Baby
10) Stevie Nicks - Trouble in Shangri-La

[PenguinHead]

Well you can't rate it if you haven't heard it, so here goes:

For anyone who wants to hear the Bob Weston stuff, all long since out of print, here they are:

http://rapidshare.com/files/152358540/Studio_Picks.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/152358539/Nightlight.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/144385246/There_s_A_Heaven.rar

You'll need WINRAR to unzip them...

Oh and while we are at it, here is the 1979 Dave Walker Band album that was never officially released

http://rapidshare.com/files/258720096/Dave_Walker_Band.rar

Thanks to Wetcamelfood for the first two Bob Weston and the Dave Walker Band. The other Bob Weston is from the CD that was sold on the ledge many years ago.

Much appreciation to you for providing these downloads. Thanks!

[aleuzzi]

Well given that I'm not particularly happy with rapidshare right now given all the changes they are introducing, here are a couple of .zip files

Studio Picks - http://www.sendspace.com/file/8n50le

Nightlight - http://www.sendspace.com/file/7mmxep

There is a Heaven - http://www.sendspace.com/file/butyp3

Dave Walker Band (1979) - http://www.sendspace.com/file/6rqffr

You rock--and roll.

[aleuzzi]

I've opened them with JZip before

http://www.jzip.com

I will try downloading this. Thank you!

[aleuzzi]

I haven't heard David Walker's solo material, nor have I heard the first two Bob Weston records, but here's my list, based on hearing the rest at some point or other:

1. Out of the Cradle

2. In the Meantime

3. Law and Order

4. The Wild Heart

5. Bella Donna

6. Trouble in Shangri-La

7. Christine Perfect

8. French Kiss

9. Christine McVie

10. Under the Skin

(I almost put The Visitor in #10).

If I were making the list again, I'd probably swap in Becka and Billy somehwere (great record, consistent sound!), and either P G's Into the Skies or Little Dreamer. And remove...

[chriskisn]

You rock--and roll.

You might not think this after you have heard the first two Bob Weston albums :lol:

[aleuzzi]

You might not think this after you have heard the first two Bob Weston albums :lol:

I have heard them and actually like them. He can't sing particularly well (but the neither can Clapton) but the guitar work is often stunning.

I had already heard There's a Heaven before. Going to get to the Dave Walker one today.

[Dodfather]

Does anyone have a link to the John McVie's Gotta Band With Lola Thomas album? I'm assuming it's not commerically available so here would be my best bet?

[chriskisn]

Does anyone have a link to the John McVie's Gotta Band With Lola Thomas album? I'm assuming it's not commerically available so here would be my best bet?

I'm pretty sure that it isn't commercially available, but correct me if I'm wrong:


http://rapidshare.com/files/150454468/John_Mcvie_s__Gotta_Band__with_Lola_Thomas.rar

Picked up a second hand copy of this many years ago on CD and it is the only copy I have ever seen for sale in Australia... So hard to buy CDs in the days before the internet was commonly used.

I remember how excited I was when I first discovered cduniverse many years ago - amazing how things change!

Great album by the way!

[chriskisn]

Going to get to the Dave Walker one today.

Sadly there is a reason that the 1979 DW album never saw commercial release. I suggest chasing down his two recent solo albums or some of his Savoy Brown work to hear Dave how Dave was meant to sound.

(Dave was not meant to sound like Billy Joel)

When asked why this album did not get released, Dave apparently replied "Drugs". :shrug:

[chiliD]

Oh, yeah...Bob Weston's There's A Heaven. The weirdest thing, my CD just erased itself one day (it used to be in "heavy rotation" in my car's CD player. After not listening to it for a while, I tried to play it in my car, got a "DISC ERROR" message....took it in to play in the house, "CAN'T FIND DISC" error message....put it in the computer to try to load it onto iTunes, "DISC BLANK" error message. Really odd.

Thanks for posting it, Chris, I'll download it again when I get home. Because I haven't heard it for so long, it was "out of ears, out of mind"....it would definitely have found a place somewhere in my Top 20, if not Top 10.

Absolutely would make Top 10 FMac Solo Album COVER ART list!

Ok, subtopic list:

TOP 10 FMac solo album cover art:


1) Buckingham Nicks
2) Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
3) Danny Kirwan - Midnight In San Juan
4) Lindsey Buckingham - Go Insane
5) Jeremy Spencer Band - Flee
6) Bob Weston - There's A Heaven
7) Mick Fleetwood Blues Band - Blue Again (UK cover)
8) Peter Green - Little Dreamer
9) Bob Welch - Eye Contact
10) Billy Burnette - (1980)

[Erin]

I'm pretty sure that it isn't commercially available, but correct me if I'm wrong:


http://rapidshare.com/files/150454468/John_Mcvie_s__Gotta_Band__with_Lola_Thomas.rar

Picked up a second hand copy of this many years ago on CD and it is the only copy I have ever seen for sale in Australia... So hard to buy CDs in the days before the internet was commonly used.

I remember how excited I was when I first discovered cduniverse many years ago - amazing how things change!

Great album by the way!

Thanks for posting this! I can't wait to listen to it.

[aleuzzi]

O
Ok, subtopic list:

TOP 10 FMac solo album cover art:


1) Buckingham Nicks
2) Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
3) Danny Kirwan - Midnight In San Juan
4) Lindsey Buckingham - Go Insane
5) Jeremy Spencer Band - Flee
6) Bob Weston - There's A Heaven
7) Mick Fleetwood Blues Band - Blue Again (UK cover)
8) Peter Green - Little Dreamer
9) Bob Welch - Eye Contact
10) Billy Burnette - (1980)

Here's a fun game, too: Top Ten Worst of the solo album cover art

1. Jeremy Spencer and the Children of God
2. Jeremy Spencer (1970)
3. French Kiss--Bob Welch
4. The Other Side of the Mirror--Stevie
5. Street Angel--Stevie
6. Bob Welch (1981)
7. All Night Long--Billy Burnette
8. Coming Home--Billy Burnette
9. Studio Picks--Bob Weston
10. Hello There Big Boy--Danny Kirwan

[HomerMcvie]

4. The Other Side of the Mirror--Stevie

Really???




:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[iamnotafraid]

The only ones I really listen to anymore are:

Wild Heart
Bella Donna
Out Of The Cradle
Under The Skin

[Hawkeye]

1. Wild Heart
2. Gift of Screws
3. Bella Donna
4. French Kiss
5. Christine McVie
6. Alone Together
7. Street Angel
8. Trouble in Shangri La
9. Law and Order
10. Rock a Little

[chriskisn]

Here's a fun game, too: Top Ten Worst of the solo album cover art

4. The Other Side of the Mirror--Stevie

I always loved this cover


6. Bob Welch (1981)

Yep got to agree with this one though...

[ButterCookie]

These are the only ones I actually listen to. I have been known to play Christine Perfect 10 times in a single evening.

1.Christine Perfect
2. Christine McVie
3. In The Meantime
4. Bella Donna
5. The Wild Heart

[chriskisn]

These are the only ones I actually listen to. I have been known to play Christine Perfect 10 times in a single evening.


so you are a masochist then? :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[Macfanforever]

This is very hard,I cant rate any because they are all high on my list.but,Every ledgie on here can guess whats on top of my list ,if I make one.

[ButterCookie]

so you are a masochist then? :laugh::laugh::laugh:

:eek: How rude! :laugh: It seems I'm enjoying it on behalf of most people here in my 5-8 play sittings of an evening :p

[chriskisn]

:eek: How rude! :laugh: It seems I'm enjoying it on behalf of most people here in my 5-8 play sittings of an evening :p

Personally (and hey lets be honest I'm not a CM fan) I really don't like the Christine Perfect album. I didn't mind her 1984 album, I didn't mind her pre-rumours stuff, and I liked about three songs from the Rumours era (Songbird, Isn't It Midnight and Heart of Stone), but that first album really doesn't appeal to me.

Oh well I'm glad you love it... :)

[OldTimer]

TOP 10 FMac solo album cover art:

1) Buckingham Nicks

Hmmmmm, now why on earth would that album cover be your favorite?
:shocked: :lol:

[Richard B]

1) The Wild Heart - Stevie Nicks
2) Lindsey Buckingham - Law & Order
3) The Visitor - Mick Fleetwood
4) Bella Donna - Stevie Nicks
5) Lindsey Buckingham - Out Of The Cradle
6) Buckingham Nicks - Buckingham Nicks
7) Looks At Bop - Bob Welch
8) Christine McVie - Legendary Christine Perfect
9) Danny Kirwan - Second Chapter
10) Christine McVie - Christine McVie

Honorable Mention:
Rick Vito - King of Hearts