Which two albums represent Christine's best Fleetwood Mac work?

[MacShadowsBall]

Moving on the great Christine McVie! I had to combine some Pre-Rumours era albums, as there is a limit of ten choices. Clarify your choice for those combo options.

Pick 2 albums that you feel represent and showcases Christine McVie at her very best!! :cool:

[michelej1]

Well, not Tusk. That's my only vote.

Michele

[Dreamz19]

I am probably in the minority, but I love Christine's Tusk songs.

[Artemis]

Rumours and Tango for me, the same as Lindsey.

[mitzo]

I am probably in the minority, but I love Christine's Tusk songs.

How could anyone not love and celebrate Brown Eyes, Never Make Me Cry, Honey Hi, and Never Forget Tonight?!

[On Ice]

This one didn't flow as naturally as Stevie and Lindsey's work. In the end I chose Mystery to Me and Tusk. Mystery to Me found Christine on the verge of superstardom that unfortunately had to wait another two years. Too bad for us because her work on this album complements Bob Welch's stellar work so well that it almost rivals the fab 3's chemistry. Of any of her pop songs, none has the exciting build up of Believe Me and Why is such an epic listening experience.

Some find her work on Tusk boring and uninspired. I disagree and hear a Christine to that point at her very best vocally and I think song writing wise, hits a pinnacle with Over and Over and Brown Eyes. Think About Me as a pop song I think is better than even the timelessness of her Rumours work. Honey Hi has the best three part harmony that was only reached once more on Tango in the Night. Ending the album with Never Forget was great homage to her pop sensibilities and effectively grounded the wildness of Tusk.


All that said, I'm a big Christine fan and she has not once disappointed me ever as a life long Mac fan, I love all of her work. Miss her gorgeous voice terribly. :nod:

[Ulpian]

How could anyone not love and celebrate Brown Eyes, Never Make Me Cry, Honey Hi, and Never Forget Tonight?!

Tusk has always been one of my least favourite FM albums, and to my ear much of Christine's material on there just feels a bit weak: only Brown Eyes and Think About Me stand out, and I don't much care for either of those songs.

I was torn on this poll. Tango in the Night was a shoe-in, but choosing the second album from the others was tough. In the end, despite a fondness for Bare Trees, Mystery to Me and the 1975 album, I went for Rumours.

[On Ice]

Tango in the Night was a shoe-in

Wasn't she just amazing on Tango? Even with the 80's production, these songs sound fresh to this day and are so well written, arranged and performed that it shows just how important she is to the band.

[redtulip]

How could anyone not love and celebrate Brown Eyes, Never Make Me Cry, Honey Hi, and Never Forget Tonight?!

It's really easy for me not to like those songs. Not one of them appeals to me even in the slightest.

I voted for Rumours and Tango. Much of Christine's material doesn't appeal to me, but these albums have songs of Christine's that I do listen to on occasion.

[MikeVielhaber]

I am probably in the minority, but I love Christine's Tusk songs.

Me too. I voted Rumours and Tusk.

[HomerMcvie]

Rumours, and Mystery To Me!

[michelej1]

How could anyone not love and celebrate Brown Eyes, Never Make Me Cry, Honey Hi, and Never Forget Tonight?!

I like Honey Hi, Never Forget and Think About Me, but Brown Eyes, Over and Over and Never Make Me Cry are so dull I can hardly stand it. They are so stultifying as to almost obscure the value in the other 3 songs.

Michele

[Dex]

Mystery to Me was the no-brainer here. She really came into her own as a songwriter on that album.

Part of me wanted to vote for the Wlech/Kirwan/McVie albums, but much as I enjoy her songs on those albums, I actually think she was the weak link of that songwriting trio, so I find it hard to laud her work too much.

All the rest of her FM albums have a few songs I love and about as many songs I find a little too forgettable. So I really just picked Rumours at random. It's as good an answer as any, for me. But I forgot about how irritating I find Don't Stop to be. Now I kind of wish I could take it back. ;)

For the record, I adore Never Make Me Cry. But I wouldn't say I'm a massive fan of most of her Tusk work besides that. It's all just pretty ok.

[bluefox4000]

I went with Tango and Mystery. And yes......She was weakest on Tusk. Tango is her absolute pinnacle to me.:nod:

Mick

[TrueFaith77]

Tusk!


:xoxo:

[Ulpian]

Wasn't she just amazing on Tango? Even with the 80's production, these songs sound fresh to this day and are so well written, arranged and performed that it shows just how important she is to the band.

Every one of her Tango songs sparkles. I really got into that album when I was in my first year of university, having bought it in a second hand record shop. I remembered it from when I was little and my parents had bought the LP.

Obviously, I knew Little Lies and Everywhere. The revelation was Isn't It Midnight -- what a track! I still love that opening, it cheers me and thrills me when I hear it.

Mystified and You & I are little gems that I have become very fond of, but I know they aren't to everyone's taste. I suppose I love them like some people love Walk a Thin Line or The Ledge (the allure of which, alas, still eludes me).

[mitzo]

I like Honey Hi, Never Forget and Think About Me, but Brown Eyes, Over and Over and Never Make Me Cry are so dull I can hardly stand it. They are so stultifying as to almost obscure the value in the other 3 songs.

Michele

Oh dear.... we don't like "slow" songs here, do we.:distress:

[bluefox4000]

I never got Brown Eyes in particular......shocked it was a fan fav......:shrug: Ah well.

Mick

[AncientQueen]

For me, it's Mystery to me and TITN, but Bare Trees has great Christine songs, too. Her music on Tusk is a bit to slow for me, aside from Think about me, which is a rocking track, they are all dull to me, I fall asleep while I appreciate their beauty.

[michelej1]

Oh dear.... we don't like "slow" songs here, do we.:distress:

I probably don't favor them, but there are plenty of slow songs of Christine that I like, Never Forget is one of them. I also like Only Over You and Wish You Were Here.

I don't like plodding slow songs.

Michele

[GypsySorcerer]

This is hard!

I always thought Christine was weakest on Mirage. "Hold Me" is a perfect pop song, but the others are insipid IMO. "Only Over You" being the absolute worst. I'm *OUT* of my mind....arggghhhhh!

I love her Tusk material. "Brown Eyes" is just sublime. I think there's a lovely vulnerability to "Over and Over" and "Never Make Me Cry." "I may not mean everything, but I'm happy to have your love." "Could you ever need me? And would you know how?" I know exactly how she feels. I even like the maligned "Honey Hi." "Never Forget" is pretty forgettable :laugh:, but it serves its purpose as a closer.

The second choice is a tough between Rumours and Tango. Ultimately, I think YMLF and "Songbird" are superior to "Little Lies" and "Everywhere." "Oh Daddy" is one of my absolute favorites; it's much darker than her usual.

I used to be more enthralled with her Tango songs. I think "Isn't it Midnight" is my favorite. I love the interplay between her and Lindsey.

Honorable mention to Mystery to Me. :)

[jcalzaretta]

This is so hard. I am not a huge fan of Chris' songs from Tango. I just did not love Everywhere or Little Lies. I still don't. The songs I love are (a) Over My Head (b) Oh Daddy, (c) Why (d) Spare Me a Little (e) Hold Me and (f) Come a Little Bit Closer. I don't think two are on the same record. But these are my favorite by Christine.

[Conga]

Glad to see Mystery on here, and I for one love Christine's Tusk tracks especially Over & Over (love the production, guitar twang, the back-up vocals, love everything about it - didn't know some fans didn't actually) and Brown Eyes (much more mystic sounding than most CV tracks and the unmistakable Greeny guitar at the end - aw yeah!).

[Villavic]

I'm glad Tango got the most votes so far, cause it wouldn't be that succesful without Chris contribution.

And my other vote was to Rumours. I can't live without Songbird and YMLF

[On Ice]

Glad to see Mystery on here, and I for one love Christine's Tusk tracks especially Over & Over (love the production, guitar twang, the back-up vocals, love everything about it - didn't know some fans didn't actually) and Brown Eyes (much more mystic sounding than most CV tracks and the unmistakable Greeny guitar at the end - aw yeah!).

Yes! I'm with a Conga. Christine is great on all FM albums but these two are just fantastic and showcase just how important she was to the sound of the band.

[jbrownsjr]

I really love her work on Mystery to Me. Even backing vocals and singing on Bob's tune were awesome moments. Tango is an obvious choice as another great album for her.

Tour wise she stole the BTM tour.

[Blueletter18]

This one didn't flow as naturally as Stevie and Lindsey's work. In the end I chose Mystery to Me and Tusk. Mystery to Me found Christine on the verge of superstardom that unfortunately had to wait another two years. Too bad for us because her work on this album complements Bob Welch's stellar work so well that it almost rivals the fab 3's chemistry. Of any of her pop songs, none has the exciting build up of Believe Me and Why is such an epic listening experience.

Some find her work on Tusk boring and uninspired. I disagree and hear a Christine to that point at her very best vocally and I think song writing wise, hits a pinnacle with Over and Over and Brown Eyes. Think About Me as a pop song I think is better than even the timelessness of her Rumours work. Honey Hi has the best three part harmony that was only reached once more on Tango in the Night. Ending the album with Never Forget was great homage to her pop sensibilities and effectively grounded the wildness of Tusk.


All that said, I'm a big Christine fan and she has not once disappointed me ever as a life long Mac fan, I love all of her work. Miss her gorgeous voice terribly. :nod:

I chose the same two- I agree with your assessment about Tusk- her voice is in its best shape here, and her songs on the album showcase her extreme versatility, from ballads to upbeat pop. And Mystery to Me- LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Why. Believe Me and Just Crazy Love are catchy rockers, and The Way I Feel is so endearing, and provides a nice change of pace on the album.

[Ulpian]

I really love her work on Mystery to Me. Even backing vocals and singing on Bob's tune were awesome moments. Tango is an obvious choice as another great album for her.

Tour wise she stole the BTM tour.

Kinda wish I'd seen the BTM tour. Was she quite energetic? Some Dance reviews say Chris by then looked like she'd checked out, but I get the impression in 1990/91 that she was still pretty into performing.

[jbrownsjr]

Kinda wish I'd seen the BTM tour. Was she quite energetic? Some Dance reviews say Chris by then looked like she'd checked out, but I get the impression in 1990/91 that she was still pretty into performing.

She was very energetic, spoke a lot to the crowd and looked like the leader of the band.

Christine during the Dance show in Cleveland was not as energetic but she was definitely in the game.

[wheart]

I am probably in the minority, but I love Christine's Tusk songs.

Me too! Brown Eyes, Honey Hi, Over and Over, Think About Me, Never Forget Tonight...I love them all.

[wheart]

Kinda wish I'd seen the BTM tour. Was she quite energetic? Some Dance reviews say Chris by then looked like she'd checked out, but I get the impression in 1990/91 that she was still pretty into performing.

Chris was very interactive and present on the BTM tour, I don't really think she had a choice, thought, to step up and take charge. Billy and Rick were the newbies and Stevie was there physically but that's it.

[Ulpian]

Chris was very interactive and present on the BTM tour, I don't really think she had a choice, thought, to step up and take charge. Billy and Rick were the newbies and Stevie was there physically but that's it.

I'm all for John doing some song introductions, as he used to in the early/mid-70s!

[wheart]

I'm all for John doing some song introductions, as he used to in the early/mid-70s!

I never knew he did that! That certainly would shake up their current tour just a little bit!!

[Ulpian]

I never knew he did that! That certainly would shake up their current tour just a little bit!!

I have a few recordings where, for example, he'd introduce Rhiannon. It was nice; I like it when John is involved more.

[thinkaboutme90]

Er...I would write in "In The Meantime" if that were possible.. I know it's not FM, but it's definitely up there as some of her best work, EVER.

Tango In the Night IS Christine's album, she totally owned it. Her vocals, writing, melodies, arrangements are amazing. I especially love "Mystified" and "Little Lies"...the harmonies on both songs during the chorus are to die for... *sighs happily*

I also voted for Rumours because "Oh Daddy" and "YMLF" are probably my two favorite Chris songs. And I couldn't help but vote for BTM..this album is significant because Chris was more or less the creative leader on it, whereas it's usually Lindsey who does that. Her influence is apparent in almost every song. It's just a great album. I especially love "Behind the Mask", what a beauty.

Oh Chris...everything you do is magic :D

[MacShadowsBall]

. And I couldn't help but vote for BTM..this album is significant because Chris was more or less the creative leader on it, whereas it's usually Lindsey who does that. Her influence is apparent in almost every song. It's just a great album. I especially love "Behind the Mask", what a beauty.

Oh Chris...everything you do is magic :D

Nice shout out to her Behind the Mask songs. Save Me is just a good as her Tango songs.

...although I'm going with the same as you Rumours and Tango in the Night. :cool:

[aleuzzi]

I used to think, based on chart performance, that her Tusk songs weren't as strong as the ones from the other four mega-Mac albums. But over the years I have found myself returning very often to her Tusk songs. They have this ethereal quality that is all loveglow or something. Her vocals on the album are outstanding.

I chose her Rumours and Fleetwood Mac (75) songs simply because she was in such great form on those records, but not because I think the other records show a tapering off. If there is any record on which I am disappointed with her overall output it would be Behind the Mask--but there I largely blame the production. The title tune and Save Me would have sounded great in a different context.

Oh, and here's a not-so random shout out for Sugar Daddy.

[Ulpian]

I used to think, based on chart performance, that her Tusk songs weren't as strong as the ones from the other four mega-Mac albums. But over the years I have found myself returning very often to her Tusk songs. They have this ethereal quality that is all loveglow or something. Her vocals on the album are outstanding.

I chose her Rumours and Fleetwood Mac (75) songs simply because she was in such great form on those records, but not because I think the other records show a tapering off. If there is any record on which I am disappointed with her overall output it would be Behind the Mask--but there I largely blame the production. The title tune and Save Me would have sounded great in a different context.

Oh, and here's a not-so random shout out for Sugar Daddy.

I love Sugar Daddy! It makes me very happy :blob2:

[jbrownsjr]

I used to think, based on chart performance, that her Tusk songs weren't as strong as the ones from the other four mega-Mac albums. But over the years I have found myself returning very often to her Tusk songs. They have this ethereal quality that is all loveglow or something. Her vocals on the album are outstanding.

I chose her Rumours and Fleetwood Mac (75) songs simply because she was in such great form on those records, but not because I think the other records show a tapering off. If there is any record on which I am disappointed with her overall output it would be Behind the Mask--but there I largely blame the production. The title tune and Save Me would have sounded great in a different context.

Oh, and here's a not-so random shout out for Sugar Daddy.

Can you imagine LB on the guitar solo of Save Me... uhhhh

Also agree on the Tusk tunes. What I used to skim over I now love to death. There's just something so real about them.

[Chris_Sydney]

'Tango' and 'Mystery' for me too. I actually really like her contributions to 'Mirage' too.


x

[thinkaboutme90]

Lol...I like the random car honk in "Sugar Daddy"...

Christine's songs on Tusk have sort of a less is more, intimate feel to it, which I love. Most of her songs on there just consist of her voice and a couple other instruments, and her lyrics are especially honest and emotional...sorta giving us a rare glimpse of who she was at the time. And God...I love "Never Make Me Cry"!

[bethelblues]

I have to go with Rumours and Tango in the Night, though it's close for Mystery to Me (I should relisten to those songs). On Tango, it's clear Christine was the MVP of the album: two hits with Little Lies and Everywhere, and I love Isn't It Midnight, which is a pretty strong rock song from Chris with great guitar work. And Rumours, it's hard to deny the greatness of You Make Loving Fun. I love Oh Daddy, the intricacies of the sounds of that song, its production. The poignancy of Songbird. Yes, Don't Stop isn't at the same level as the other songs, but Christine was certainly at a career peak for the Rumours album, as were arguably Stevie and Lindsey. There's a reason that album is considered one of the greatest albums ever made (apart from sales and the pop culture phenomenon), everyone brought their A-game. I do wish, like The Beatles or The Stones, the overall greatness of one album could have translated to several more albums of equal or greater quality (that were perceived in that manner when they were released).

[chiliD]

Mystery To Me...that's a definite. "Believe Me", "Just Crazy Love", "Why"...superb! "The Way That I Feel" is kind of so-so; but, she did a GREAT vocal on Bob Welch's "Keep On Going"!!

Future Games..."Morning Rain" & "Show Me A Smile" not too shabby of a debut on a FMac album. With a little editing "Morning Rain" could've been a good single, but it suffered from the era it was recorded, with the whole "jam" mentality. (plus, she probably needed to raise the key a bit. It's just a little bit too low for her range)

Bare Trees..."Spare Me A Little Of Your Love", good, but not great (however later live versions with the BN harmonies improved it quite a bit); "Homeward Bound", suffered from the same things as "Morning Rain", just a little bit too low of a key for her voice.

Penguin...now here's where she starts to take off..."Remember Me", "Dissatisfied", "Did You Ever Love Me?"...GREAT songs.


Heroes Are Hard To Find...a little dip in quality, but still pretty good...the title cut is catchy, why it didn't do better in the charts is a head-scratcher. "Come A Little Bit Closer" & "Prove Your Love" were standard CMcVie fare..."Bad Loser" is off the hook! One of my favorite Christine songs of all-time.

Penguin & Mystery To Me:
1973 was a VERY GOOD YEAR for Christine McVie!

[Neal]

Mirage and Tango.

I'm one of the 4 people who actually like "Only Over You" and "Wish You Were Here"...

[chiliD]

I'm one of the 4 people who actually like "Only Over You" and "Wish You Were Here"...

Counting me, 5 :nod: Just doesn't mean I think Mirage was high on the list of Christine's best work, however.

[Neal]

Nice shout out to her Behind the Mask songs. Save Me is just a good as her Tango songs.


Agreed. All of her BTM songs are great, with the exception of "Do You Know".

Can you imagine LB on the guitar solo of Save Me... uhhhh


Now THAT'S what they should have dusted off for the Dance tour instead of "Everywhere"!

You'd think putting his stamp on a song they recorded after his departure would be right up Lindsey's alley (and by alley I mean ego ;) ).

[Ulpian]

Agreed. All of her BTM songs are great, with the exception of "Do You Know".



Now THAT'S what they should have dusted off for the Dance tour instead of "Everywhere"!

You'd think putting his stamp on a song they recorded after his departure would be right up Lindsey's alley (and by alley I mean ego ;) ).

I think as far as early 90s love songs go, Do You Know is quite lovely. It's one of the few songs on that album I can stand!

[Neal]

I think as far as early 90s love songs go, Do You Know is quite lovely. It's one of the few songs on that album I can stand!

I suppose it's not horrible, but it does put me to sleep without fail every time I hear it... :o

[louielouie2000]

Penguin...now here's where she starts to take off..."Remember Me", "Dissatisfied", "Did You Ever Love Me?"...GREAT songs.


Heroes Are Hard To Find...a little dip in quality, but still pretty good...the title cut is catchy, why it didn't do better in the charts is a head-scratcher. "Come A Little Bit Closer" & "Prove Your Love" were standard CMcVie fare..."Bad Loser" is off the hook! One of my favorite Christine songs of all-time.

Penguin & Mystery To Me:
1973 was a VERY GOOD YEAR for Christine McVie!

I'm so glad someone else is as rabid about Christine's songs from the Penguin & Heroes albums as I am. Christine's songs off those two albums are just flawless :nod:. I've always hated Christine has dismissed those pre '75 Mac songs, because they're every bit as good as anything she's ever done. And the lady never releases anything short of perfection. :nod:

As far as my two favorite Christine albums, I've been chewing on that all week. I'm leaning towards Tusk as my favorite. As utterly perfect as her Penguin songs are, there's only 3 of them... so I guess my #2 will have to default to Tango, simply because there's more goodness to behold. :laugh:

[jbrownsjr]

Mirage and Tango.

I'm one of the 4 people who actually like "Only Over You" and "Wish You Were Here"...

Six, unless you included me already... :nod:

[chiliD]

I'm so glad someone else is as rabid about Christine's songs from the Penguin & Heroes albums as I am. Christine's songs off those two albums are just flawless :nod:. I've always hated Christine has dismissed those pre '75 Mac songs, because they're every bit as good as anything she's ever done. And the lady never releases anything short of perfection. :nod:

As far as my two favorite Christine albums, I've been chewing on that all week. I'm leaning towards Tusk as my favorite. As utterly perfect as her Penguin songs are, there's only 3 of them... so I guess my #2 will have to default to Tango, simply because there's more goodness to behold. :laugh:

:thumbsup: Cool!

As I was frantically searching in vain for a different Fleetwood Mac song of hers, I found an mp3 of a VERY, VERY, VERY early version of "Morning Rain" from a BBC broadcast. It was SO new at the time, that they hadn't even titled it yet and the BBC announcer said that they had to come up with a name for it for the broadcast, so they told him it was titled "Start Again". The lyrics are similar but different from the Future Games track, but musically (instrumentally) it was almost identical.

[chiliD]

Agreed. All of her BTM songs are great, with the exception of "Do You Know".



Now THAT'S what they should have dusted off for the Dance tour instead of "Everywhere"!

You'd think putting his stamp on a song they recorded after his departure would be right up Lindsey's alley (and by alley I mean ego ;) ).

Well, you DO know that Lindsey DOES appear on one track each on both BTM and Time, right??

I think as far as early 90s love songs go, Do You Know is quite lovely. It's one of the few songs on that album I can stand!

The only song from the BTM album (including the outtakes) that I can't stand is "The Second Time" (yes, that even includes "Lizard People"! Which is where I think Mick came up with the intro to "In The Back Of My Mind")

I think if they'd had Richard Dashut engineer/produce BTM instead of Greg Ladanyi (RIP, Greg), it would've sounded a whole lot cleaner & would've probably not gotten as much flak.

[jbrownsjr]

:thumbsup: Cool!

As I was frantically searching in vain for a different Fleetwood Mac song of hers, I found an mp3 of a VERY, VERY, VERY early version of "Morning Rain" from a BBC broadcast. It was SO new at the time, that they hadn't even titled it yet and the BBC announcer said that they had to come up with a name for it for the broadcast, so they told him it was titled "Start Again". The lyrics are similar but different from the Future Games track, but musically (instrumentally) it was almost identical.

I think I've heard this!!!

[michelej1]

Mirage and Tango.

I'm one of the 4 people who actually like "Only Over You" and "Wish You Were Here"...

I adore them. Closed both sides beautifully and made Mirage into a type of lullabye really.

Michele

[MacShadowsBall]

I also love all four of Christine's Mirage songs, I just don't think there her best songs. :cool:

[aleuzzi]

I think I've heard this!!!

Yeah, it was floating around in the pre-rumours forum a while back. Her vocal on it is WAY better than the album version. I think the band chose the final version because of Kirwan's blistering guitar work, as well as Christine's switch from electric to acoustic piano. But they dropped a key and her voice sounds too low on it.

That first versions sounds poppier, more radio friendly, like a Traffic single from the late sixties...

[aleuzzi]

Here is one of the threads for Morning Rain/Start Again:
http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=48408&highlight=morning+rain+start

[Dreamz19]

How could anyone not love and celebrate Brown Eyes, Never Make Me Cry, Honey Hi, and Never Forget Tonight?!

I guess it is just a matter of taste. I personally love those songs and was drawn to Tusk initially because of Lindsey and Christine's songs.

Me too! Brown Eyes, Honey Hi, Over and Over, Think About Me, Never Forget Tonight...I love them all.

:D. Brown Eyes is especially a favorite of mine.

Mirage and Tango.

I'm one of the 4 people who actually like "Only Over You" and "Wish You Were Here"...

Count me in there, I love "Only Over You" and never understood the hate for it.

[Dreamz19]

I found this poll much harder to vote on. Christine was good on so many Mac albums IMO. The only album where I wasn't a huge fan of her songs overall was Mirage.

[On Ice]

Christine's songs off those two albums are just flawless

Penguin and Heroes often get lost in the shuffle. Christine's pre-75 work is just so good that it deserves a lot more attention than it gets. A song as catchy as Did you Ever Love Me ought to have been covered many times over by contemporary artists, it's that good. It's also an utter shame that Bad Loser or Prove Your Love aren't on classic rock frequent rotation. :nod:

[Ulpian]

Penguin and Heroes often get lost in the shuffle. Christine's pre-75 work is just so good that it deserves a lot more attention than it gets. A song as catchy as Did you Ever Love Me ought to have been covered many times over by contemporary artists, it's that good. It's also an utter shame that Bad Loser or Prove Your Love aren't on classic rock frequent rotation. :nod:

I still think Why is one of the best songs she ever wrote. There isn't a song I can think of that captures a sort of melancholy optimism better. It breaks my heart whenever I hear it.

I also have a soft spot for Come A Little Bit Closer, which is superb.

[MacShadowsBall]

Check out the Pre-Rumours forum for Bob Welch's corresponding thread. :cool:

[Ulpian]

No one has voted for Time. It's a ropey album, to be sure, but Nights in Estoril and Sooner or Later are good; All Over Again is lovely, if a little too reliant on synthesiser; I Do and Hollywood are happy, catchy songs. They aren't her best work, but I think they're not far off par with BTM.
:shrug:

[Dex]

No one has voted for Time. It's a ropey album, to be sure, but Nights in Estoril and Sooner or Later are good; All Over Again is lovely, if a little too reliant on synthesiser; I Do and Hollywood are happy, catchy songs. They aren't her best work, but I think they're not far off par with BTM.
:shrug:

I almost wondered if her Tango/BTM/Time songs shouldn't all be under one happy, Eddy Quintela-collab umbrella? If her first three Mac albums are, it makes as much sense that her last three be, too. Those Chris songs are very easily grouped together in terms of sound and songwriting quality.

I think, though, that her Time songs are simply too similar and overshadowed by their (albeit maybe only slightly) superior Tango counterparts to really get any actual votes. Doesn't necessarily mean people are hating on Time (although really, probably a lot of people are ;) )

[MacShadowsBall]

Christine's Time songs are okay and all, but to me they sound more like solo songs that FM band songs. From what I've heard around here, they pretty much are! :cool:

[Ulpian]

I almost wondered if her Tango/BTM/Time songs shouldn't all be under one happy, Eddy Quintela-collab umbrella? If her first three Mac albums are, it makes as much sense that her last three be, too. Those Chris songs are very easily grouped together in terms of sound and songwriting quality.

I think, though, that her Time songs are simply too similar and overshadowed by their (albeit maybe only slightly) superior Tango counterparts to really get any actual votes. Doesn't necessarily mean people are hating on Time (although really, probably a lot of people are ;) )

I think BTM and Time could be lumped together as 'good'-ish, but Tango is sublime. It stands alone. Lindsey's production and collaboration just send some already fantastic Christine songs soaring up amongst her best.

I've never really been sure what Eddy Quintela contributed to, say Little Lies etc. I'd be keen to know. Oh, though Everywhere is hers alone, so there's another reason to leave Tango out from under the Quintela Umbrella ;)

[Dex]

I think BTM and Time could be lumped together as 'good'-ish, but Tango is sublime. It stands alone. Lindsey's production and collaboration just send some already fantastic Christine songs soaring up amongst her best.

I've never really been sure what Eddy Quintela contributed to, say Little Lies etc. I'd be keen to know. Oh, though Everywhere is hers alone, so there's another reason to leave Tango out from under the Quintela Umbrella ;)

Yeahhhhh. I admit I was sort of wanting to take that back a bit, almost immediately after I hit "submit". There are noticeable differences between her Tango songs and the others. But in my head I do tend to group them all together and enjoy them all for very similar reasons.

[jbrownsjr]

Nice to see Mirage getting some love. You could make an argument that this was some of her bet work as well. Some of her backing vocals on Gypsy, Book of Love and even... ack... Oh Diane... really nice touches...

I think Lindsey is under rated on this album too.

[jbrownsjr]

I also love the way Christine says the word, "Mirage". lol :laugh:

[Dragonfly]

Tango was her at her peak I think, Everywhere and Little Lies still sound great today.

Rumours was my second choice as You Make Loving Fun is my favourite song of hers.

[MacShadowsBall]

Where is that article that talks about what Christine said was her favorite three albums? I remember it being posted on the Ledge perhaps a few months back. I'm wanting to say she said, Rumours, '75 Mac, and Mystery to Me. :cool:

[Ulpian]

Where is that article that talks about what Christine said was her favorite three albums? I remember it being posted on the Ledge perhaps a few months back. I'm wanting to so she said, Rumours, '75 Mac, and Mystery to Me. :cool:

That's right, she did. I read it as saying Rumours was third out of three and Mystery to Me was her favourite. The way she says it is ambiguous!

[Dragonfly]

Where is that article that talks about what Christine said was her favorite three albums? I remember it being posted on the Ledge perhaps a few months back. I'm wanting to so she said, Rumours, '75 Mac, and Mystery to Me. :cool:

It was from MOJO magazine and I think you're right about the ones she said.

To be fair I'd probably put FM and MTM in my top 5, along with Rumours, Tango, and Tusk as far as her contributions go.

[gssmith]

I voted for Behind the Mask and Tango because she saved those two albums. With out her they would have been horrible. Otherwise this poll would have been impossible to judge. I think she had done an amazing job at staying consistently good on all the albums even though I find her to be a little too adult contemporary/mainstream pop sometimes. But hey, she was the hit machine and had more of them then the other two. The only album I thought she was weak on is Tusk. Besides Over and Over and Think about me, its just too dull and boring. I do like the three part harmony on Honey Hi.

I first started listing to the band in 1997 when I was 12 and my family drove from Alaska to NC in a motor home. My parents accidently packed up all the cds so we listend to The Dance over and over. Its funny how during an interview around that time she said she hoped kids would pick up the band from thier parents lol. I thought Christine was the weakest link back then, but I appreciate her a whole lot more now that I am a little older. I have actually gotten all her pre rumours FWM albums. they are all really good. especially Mystery to Me. There is a song on Bare trees that talks about her just wanting to go home away from the jett setting/ limelight life. I thought that was pretty funny.

As I already said, she can be a little too easy listing sometimes and its hard to listen to only her songs for too long at a time. (I have her 1984 album and will get In the mean time at somepoint) The best part of FWM- the dynamic between the three singers. You can't get bored listing to them! Thats why I can't figure out how someone could hate one of the band members and still like FWM. favor one over the others yes, but hate one?

[bethelblues]

^^^ I agree with a lot of what you said about Christine. I think she was "a little too adult contemporary/mainstream pop sometimes." And I think she was weak on Tusk. Yes, being easy listening has definitely contributed to a sometimes negative image of the band as being pure pop and not as substantive. But for people who know the band and its history, the dynamic between the three singers is really unparalleled.

[Ulpian]

I voted for Behind the Mask and Tango because she saved those two albums. With out her they would have been horrible. Otherwise this poll would have been impossible to judge. I think she had done an amazing job at staying consistently good on all the albums even though I find her to be a little too adult contemporary/mainstream pop sometimes. But hey, she was the hit machine and had more of them then the other two. The only album I thought she was weak on is Tusk. Besides Over and Over and Think about me, its just too dull and boring. I do like the three part harmony on Honey Hi.

I first started listing to the band in 1997 when I was 12 and my family drove from Alaska to NC in a motor home. My parents accidently packed up all the cds so we listend to The Dance over and over. Its funny how during an interview around that time she said she hoped kids would pick up the band from thier parents lol. I thought Christine was the weakest link back then, but I appreciate her a whole lot more now that I am a little older. I have actually gotten all her pre rumours FWM albums. they are all really good. especially Mystery to Me. There is a song on Bare trees that talks about her just wanting to go home away from the jett setting/ limelight life. I thought that was pretty funny.

As I already said, she can be a little too easy listing sometimes and its hard to listen to only her songs for too long at a time. (I have her 1984 album and will get In the mean time at somepoint) The best part of FWM- the dynamic between the three singers. You can't get bored listing to them! Thats why I can't figure out how someone could hate one of the band members and still like FWM. favor one over the others yes, but hate one?

What a lovely story about listening to The Dance in the motor home! I was the same as you. I really got into FM off the back of that CD. However, conversely I felt Christine was strongest - I suppose because she was able to carry her talent so lightly (unlike the other two) and because she seemed to me to combine first-class musicianship with a voice that could melt your heart. But over the years I have come to appreciate Stevie and Lindsey a little more!

The song on Bare Trees is Homeward Bound and it just shows you how long she stuck it out before she packed her things and retired. All those years in FM, in the back of her mind, she would much rather have been making a roast dinner and doing the gardening. :laugh:

Yep, there were times towards the end of her time in the band where her songs were guilty of being a little too AC. I think maybe As Long As You Follow was the point where she plunged into that category, although I think it's a beautiful song and probably her last really good FM studio track. The AC thing has been used as a stick to beat her with by music snobs, but without her ear for a tune they just would not be where they are today.
:blob1:

[redbird]

For me Mystery to Me is easily her best. I like "Morning Rain", "Homeward Bound" and "Remember Me" a whole lot from her first three, but on MTM all her songs are great.

OTOH Mirage is easily her weakest and she's the weakest leg of the trio on that one, IMO. I agree that she's MVP or perhaps co-MVP of Tango (with Lindsey of course), I think you can make a case for that on one of the 90s albums too (of course I don't even remember them well enough to say which so my opinion of them probably means nothing).

I used to be so bored with "Brown Eyes" but now I've fallen a little in love with it. Still if you show me a list of Christine's songs by album, Tusk wouldn't get me the most excited. They sound great within the album and have an important function there though.

For second place it would be either Heroes ("Bad Loser" is pretty epic), the white album (because I actually like "Sugar Daddy"), or Rumours ("Oh Daddy" is a really unique Christine song). It's hard for me to pick. It's good the poll's closed.

[aleuzzi]

For second place it would be either Heroes ("Bad Loser" is pretty epic), the white album (because I actually like "Sugar Daddy"), or Rumours ("Oh Daddy" is a really unique Christine song). It's hard for me to pick. It's good the poll's closed.

I like the cut of your gib.

[MacShadowsBall]

That's right, she did. I read it as saying Rumours was third out of three and Mystery to Me was her favourite. The way she says it is ambiguous!

It was from MOJO magazine and I think you're right about the ones she said.

Thanks Ulpian and Dragonfly. I was trying to find the thread, but I didn't locate it. I'm suprised MTM was up on her list. I wonder how she feels about Tango in the Night? :cool:

[Ulpian]

Thanks Ulpian and Dragonfly. I was trying to find the thread, but I didn't locate it. I'm suprised MTM was up on her list. I wonder how she feels about Tango in the Night? :cool:

Hm. Good question. She doesn't seem to think TITN is one of her best, maybe because those recording sessions weren't a happy affair by all accounts.

She seems very focused on the early stuff she did with Bob Welch and the 75 album.

[jbrownsjr]

Hm. Good question. She doesn't seem to think TITN is one of her best, maybe because those recording sessions weren't a happy affair by all accounts.

She seems very focused on the early stuff she did with Bob Welch and the 75 album.

I would hope she would be proud of her TITN material. It's some really good stuff.

[michelej1]

Here is the Mojo article in this thread. I scanned the interview:

http://www.ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=51151

Christine said that Rumours is her favorite. The White Album is #2 and Mystery to Me is in distinct third place.

Michele

[michelej1]

Thanks Ulpian and Dragonfly. I was trying to find the thread, but I didn't locate it. I'm suprised MTM was up on her list. I wonder how she feels about Tango in the Night? :cool:

Christine said,

"Well I always had a bit of a penchant for Mystery To Me. I loved a lot of Bob Welch's songs, but I'm afraid it's a distinct third place to Rumours with the White album sitting at second place."

Michele

[Ulpian]

Quote:
"Well I always had a bit of a penchant for Mystery To Me. I loved a lot of Bob Welch's songs, but I'm afraid it's a distinct third place to Rumours with the White album sitting at second place."


Maybe it's a British turn of phrase, but to my ear "I loved a lot of Bob Welch's songs, but it's a distinct third place to Rumours" sounds ambiguous, like she meant Rumours is in third place. :shrug:

[TrueFaith77]

Over and Over is her masterpiece.

Honey Hi!

Think About Me!

Brown Eyes!

Never Forget!

wow

TUSK towers... but then there's Rumours and White... in which she mastered the pop song.

[jbrownsjr]

Over and Over is her masterpiece.

Honey Hi!

Think About Me!

Brown Eyes!

Never Forget!

wow

TUSK towers... but then there's Rumours and White... in which she mastered the pop song.

Over and Over on the LIve album has that amazing crescendo at the end. It's amazing!

[MacShadowsBall]

Hm. Good question. She doesn't seem to think TITN is one of her best, maybe because those recording sessions weren't a happy affair by all accounts.

I would hope she would be proud of her TITN material. It's some really good stuff.

I agree. With two big hits for her Everywhere and Little Lies, she outta be very proud of her work on that album. Her teamwork with Lindsey is great, too.

Here is the Mojo article in this thread. I scanned the interview:

http://www.ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?t=51151

Christine said that Rumours is her favorite. The White Album is #2 and Mystery to Me is in distinct third place.

Michele

Thanks, Michele, didn't think to look down in the Christine forum.

Quote:
"Well I always had a bit of a penchant for Mystery To Me. I loved a lot of Bob Welch's songs, but I'm afraid it's a distinct third place to Rumours with the White album sitting at second place."

Maybe it's a British turn of phrase, but to my ear "I loved a lot of Bob Welch's songs, but it's a distinct third place to Rumours" sounds ambiguous, like she meant Rumours is in third place. :shrug:

It does sound a bit confusing. Maybe she said it differently, but in the article it was worded in a different way. :cool:

[Macfanforever]

I have a tossup between Tango and Rumours and Mirage..I do miss her in the band .


What gets me is those tunes of Christine's should of done better on the charts like Dreams did..

[michelej1]

Maybe it's a British turn of phrase, but to my ear "I loved a lot of Bob Welch's songs, but it's a distinct third place to Rumours" sounds ambiguous, like she meant Rumours is in third place. :shrug:

I think American and British usage is the same on this one. But yes, of course, you're right that interpretation depends on language style and usage for each listener or reader.

To me, when you place second or third TO anything that thing is in the number one position, whether it's a sports contest or beauty pageant. Anything that comes in "to it" is a runner up.

Otherwise, she would have said, "Rumours comes in at distinct third place," if she meant that Mystery to Me was #1.

Michele

[billwebster]

It's surprising nobody voted for "Time" whilst there was still time. I'm sure I would.

[MikeVielhaber]

I think American and British usage is the same on this one. But yes, of course, you're right that interpretation depends on language style and usage for each listener or reader.

To me, when you place second or third TO anything that thing is in the number one position, whether it's a sports contest or beauty pageant. Anything that comes in "to it" is a runner up.

Otherwise, she would have said, "Rumours comes in at distinct third place," if she meant that Mystery to Me was #1.

Michele

I agree. I don't see anything ambiguous about it. Seems pretty clear MTM is 3rd place.

[Ulpian]

I agree. I don't see anything ambiguous about it. Seems pretty clear MTM is 3rd place.

As I say, it's perhaps a turn of phrase in my part of Britain that threw up the ambiguity for me.

[jbrownsjr]

As of now, TITN leads. wow..

[redbird]

Not to say TITN shouldn't be leading (votes are votes) but in fairness, the Rumours-era albums have way more exposure, some of the earlier album (MTM? Heroes?) couldn't even be properly supported because of the fake Fleetwood Mac fiasco.

TITN had, like, 6-7 singles released from it, which is incredible and a testament to its appeal no doubt. But there are also more factors there I think, and maybe things would look different if the catalog had more even exposure. I know my opinion would have been different a few years ago, before I had given myself time to get to know the early 70's albums.

(Not that everyone would love them, but some people might!)

[tabruns]

For each Mac album after Rumours one of the songwriters was weak:

- on Tusk it was Christine
- on Mirage it was Lindsey
- on Tango it was Stevie

[jbrownsjr]

Not to say TITN shouldn't be leading (votes are votes) but in fairness, the Rumours-era albums have way more exposure, some of the earlier album (MTM? Heroes?) couldn't even be properly supported because of the fake Fleetwood Mac fiasco.

TITN had, like, 6-7 singles released from it, which is incredible and a testament to its appeal no doubt. But there are also more factors there I think, and maybe things would look different if the catalog had more even exposure. I know my opinion would have been different a few years ago, before I had given myself time to get to know the early 70's albums.

(Not that everyone would love them, but some people might!)

What were the 6-7 singles? I remember

Big Love
Seven Wonders
Little Lies
Everywhere

were there other 45's?

[redbird]

Well I'm pretty sure "Family Man" was released, its B side was "Down Endless Street". If we trust Almighty Wikipedia "Family Man" charted between 50-100 in both the US and UK. "Isn't It Midnight" hit #60 in the UK (B-side "Mystified") but failed to chart on the top 200/wasn't released in the US (it was top 20 on the US rock chart though). Both were released in parts of Europe too, I think. I'm not sure if "Tango in the Night" was officially released in the US but if it was it failed to chart on the top 200 and probably wasn't released at all in the UK or Europe. It did hit top 30 on the US rock chart though.

Since TITN seems very popular in Europe/UK I just accounted for it all together.

[jbrownsjr]

Well I'm pretty sure "Family Man" was released, its B side was "Down Endless Street". If we trust Almighty Wikipedia "Family Man" charted between 50-100 in both the US and UK. "Isn't It Midnight" hit #60 in the UK (B-side "Mystified") but failed to chart on the top 200/wasn't released in the US (it was top 20 on the US rock chart though). Both were released in parts of Europe too, I think. I'm not sure if "Tango in the Night" was officially released in the US but if it was it failed to chart on the top 200 and probably wasn't released at all in the UK or Europe. It did hit top 30 on the US rock chart though.

Since TITN seems very popular in Europe/UK I just accounted for it all together.

I wonder how Isn't It Midnight might have done if it was released first.

[Ulpian]

Well I'm pretty sure "Family Man" was released, its B side was "Down Endless Street". If we trust Almighty Wikipedia "Family Man" charted between 50-100 in both the US and UK. "Isn't It Midnight" hit #60 in the UK (B-side "Mystified") but failed to chart on the top 200/wasn't released in the US (it was top 20 on the US rock chart though). Both were released in parts of Europe too, I think. I'm not sure if "Tango in the Night" was officially released in the US but if it was it failed to chart on the top 200 and probably wasn't released at all in the UK or Europe. It did hit top 30 on the US rock chart though.

Since TITN seems very popular in Europe/UK I just accounted for it all together.

I love that Family Man charted in the UK, but then so did 'Oh Diane' (indeed higher up the charts) and yet the former was included in UK 1-disc version of The Very Best Of, but not the latter. :p

[MacShadowsBall]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tango_in_the_night

"A total of six singles were eventually taken from the album over a period of 15 months. The album has spent 115 weeks in the Top 75 of the UK Album Chart."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isn%27t_It_Midnight

It hit #23 in Ireland.

[jbrownsjr]

It's all coming back to me now.. (the additional singles.. ) because I bought them for the B sides.

[Villavic]

12 years later, and I still agree with the final result of this poll.

[jbrownsjr]

12 years later, and I still agree with the final result of this poll.

We are so glad you do!!!! :p

[HomerMcvie]

We are so glad you do!!!! :p

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? :lol:

Long live theeee resurrector!

[FuzzyPlum]

Just looking back at tabrun’s comment about Christine being the weakest writer on Tusk….omg!!!!
Brown Eyes, Over and Over, Think About Me, Never Forget, Honey Hi….all gorgeous songs. Even Never Make Me Cry was sweet, if a little under-cooked.
I certainly wouldn’t consider her contributions to be inferior to Lindsey’s.

[WalkAThinLine.]

Just looking back at tabrun’s comment about Christine being the weakest writer on Tusk….omg!!!!
Brown Eyes, Over and Over, Think About Me, Never Forget, Honey Hi….all gorgeous songs. Even Never Make Me Cry was sweet, if a little under-cooked.
I certainly wouldn’t consider her contributions to be inferior to Lindsey’s.

Her Tusk offerings are incredibly strong. "Never Forget" is a very underrated gem and I've been listening a lot to "Never Make Me Cry" recently.

In terms of my picks, I would probably go with Heroes Are Hard to Find first followed by Mystery to Me. In fact, my top four favorite songs on Heroes Are Hard to Find are probably all Christine McVie songs. The title track is a peppy tune with infectious horn licks, "Come A Little Bit Closer" is one of her best ballads, "Bad Loser" is one of the few angry songs in her discography and possesses an incessant tribal tom-tom beat, and "Prove Your Love" is an understated slow-burner.

Surprisingly, I actually think Rumours might be the album with Christine's McVie's worst collective body of work. Of her four offerings (not counting "The Chain") "You Make Loving Fun" is the only one of hers that I really enjoy from her. The remaining tracks, while by no means bad, are ones that I'm most likely to skip, particularly "Songbird".

[Macfan4life]

Her Tusk offerings are incredibly strong. "Never Forget" is a very underrated gem and I've been listening a lot to "Never Make Me Cry" recently.

In terms of my picks, I would probably go with Heroes Are Hard to Find first followed by Mystery to Me. In fact, my top four favorite songs on Heroes Are Hard to Find are probably all Christine McVie songs. The title track is a peppy tune with infectious horn licks, "Come A Little Bit Closer" is one of her best ballads, "Bad Loser" is one of the few angry songs in her discography and possesses an incessant tribal tom-tom beat, and "Prove Your Love" is an understated slow-burner.

Surprisingly, I actually think Rumours might be the album with Christine's McVie's worst collective body of work. Of her four offerings (not counting "The Chain") "You Make Loving Fun" is the only one of hers that I really enjoy from her. The remaining tracks, while by no means bad, are ones that I'm most likely to skip, particularly "Songbird".
You make some great points. This is an impossible question because Chris's songs are always or usually the best ones on the albums. She finds her footing on Bare Trees and then every album she really grows. Heroes is sensational because of her variation of the 4 contributions. They were equally as good on the White Album, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage, etc. She shines on every album so this is an impossible question for me to answer.
My hunch is why her songs on Tusk don't get recognized as much is because she sort of disappears on the album for about 7 songs.
I could never say that her songs are better this album or that album post Bare Trees. I could not agree or disagree that her songs are better on the White album than Heroes. I could not agree or disagree her songs on the White album are better than Rumours either. I could not agree or disagree her Tusk songs are better than Mirage.

[FuzzyPlum]

You make some great points. This is an impossible question because Chris's songs are always or usually the best ones on the albums. She finds her footing on Bare Trees and then every album she really grows. Heroes is sensational because of her variation of the 4 contributions. They were equally as good on the White Album, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage, etc. She shines on every album so this is an impossible question for me to answer.
My hunch is why her songs on Tusk don't get recognized as much is because she sort of disappears on the album for about 7 songs.
I could never say that her songs are better this album or that album post Bare Trees. I could not agree or disagree that her songs are better on the White album than Heroes. I could not agree or disagree her songs on the White album are better than Rumours either. I could not agree or disagree her Tusk songs are better than Mirage.

Yes, I would say this is just impossible to judge. She is strong on certain records but for different reasons.

Objectively I’d say Tango. She had big hits. A couple of her songs on that record have become ‘standards’. But you know what?…. I’ve become rather bored with both Little Lies and Everywhere. Lies in particular is obviously so hooky but lacks any depth.
Her rumours songs are great (even The Chain wouldn’t exist without her foundations for the song). But maybe we are too familiar with them. I’ve heard people call Songbird boring. Well…it’s Songbird. It’s a classic!!! If I’d never heard it before I’d think it was amazing. But yeah, it’s skippable for me now (along with Don’t Stop). So maybe it’s unfair and impossible to objectively judge those songs.
Future Games and Bare Trees shouldn’t really count as she had so few songs on those records.
MTM- A 10/10, a couple of 8’s and a 7.

You know what? I think her 2 best may be from HAHTF, Tusk, White and maybe even….Penguin.

[jbrownsjr]

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? :lol:

Long live theeee resurrector!

It's a line from "Devil Wears Prada" and yes... a slight hint. :woohoo:

[jbrownsjr]

Just looking back at tabrun’s comment about Christine being the weakest writer on Tusk….omg!!!!
Brown Eyes, Over and Over, Think About Me, Never Forget, Honey Hi….all gorgeous songs. Even Never Make Me Cry was sweet, if a little under-cooked.
I certainly wouldn’t consider her contributions to be inferior to Lindsey’s.

I had the same thought. I feel Lindsey's are the weakest and Stevie and Christine sort of save the album.

[Villavic]

I had the same thought. I feel Lindsey's are the weakest and Stevie and Christine sort of save the album.

Yes. but it was Lindsey who was the driving force behind making a completely different album. His songs would then be the most different. If they're the weakest, is it a bit of a contradiction to say it was the right thing to do?

[jbrownsjr]

Yes. but it was Lindsey who was the driving force behind making a completely different album. His songs would then be the most different. If they're the weakest, is it a bit of a contradiction to say it was the right thing to do?

Not everyone believes Lindsey's "force" was driving.

[aleuzzi]

Just looking back at tabrun’s comment about Christine being the weakest writer on Tusk….omg!!!!
Brown Eyes, Over and Over, Think About Me, Never Forget, Honey Hi….all gorgeous songs. Even Never Make Me Cry was sweet, if a little under-cooked.
I certainly wouldn’t consider her contributions to be inferior to Lindsey’s.

Her Tusk songs are excellent. The reason some people think they’re “weaker” is because of (Lindsey’s) decision to pare back on arrangements and create a spacier, sparer sound. Christine and Stevie get one really lush tune each: Sara and Brown Eyes—and according to Ken, a lot of the work for Sara was accomplished by Hernán Rojas. The rest of their tunes sound by turns raunchier (Think About Me, Angel, Sisters) and ultra spare (Storms, Never Make Me Cry).

It’s clear, to my ears at least, and through my study of the songs through sheet music, that Never Forget, Think About Me, Over and Over, and Honey Hi (to pick just four, though all six would work) are entirely comparable to Christine’s Mirage songs. The only difference are the arrangements. And in the case of Never Forget, in terms of craft, the tune ranks pretty high in her overall catalogue.

I have said nothing so far about her voice, which was flawless on Tusk. A pure and potent alto…

[WalkAThinLine.]

Her Tusk songs are excellent. The reason some people think they’re “weaker” is because of (Lindsey’s) decision to pare back on arrangements and create a spacier, sparer sound. Christine and Stevie get one really lush tune each: Sara and Brown Eyes—and according to Ken, a lot of the work for Sara was accomplished by Hernán Rojas. The rest of their tunes sound by turns raunchier (Think About Me, Angel, Sisters) and ultra spare (Storms, Never Make Me Cry).

It’s clear, to my ears at least, and through my study of the songs through sheet music, that Never Forget, Think About Me, Over and Over, and Honey Hi (to pick just four, though all six would work) are entirely comparable to Christine’s Mirage songs. The only difference are the arrangements. And in the case of Never Forget, in terms of craft, the tune ranks pretty high in her overall catalogue.

I have said nothing so far about her voice, which was flawless on Tusk. A pure and potent alto…

Hernan certainly played a key role in championing "Sara" and encouraging the rest of the band to record it. Up through the Rumours album, Lindsey was very involved with the arrangements of Stevie's songs. He even convinced Ken and the rest of the band to record the basic tracks of "I Don't Want to Know" in Stevie's absence. By the time Stevie arrived, one of the only things that needed to be accomplished was the addition of Stevie's vocals, a few more overdubs, plus the mixing and mastering. Starting with the Tusk sessions Stevie began working with Tom Moncrieff and recorded various demos with him, including "Smile at You" and "Sara". Based on accounts from Hernan, Lindsey was one of the final band members to actually listen to "Sara" and overdub his parts - Mick had already recorded his drum track and I believe that John's bass had been added at that point too.

Lindsey certainly exerted his influence on certain tracks, with "Never Make Me Cry" being a prime example where the piano was stripped in favor of several guitars, but songs like "Think About Me" and "Angel" are very much ensemble pieces. Granted, Lindsey still managed to place his stamp on both songs by recording very prominent vocals on the former and replacing the Chamberlin solo originally found on the bridge with a fuzz guitar solo. As demonstrated in the Tusk documentary, he also managed to land a more prominent role on "Angel".

[Villavic]

Not everyone believes Lindsey's "force" was driving.

I still wonder if he was the "force" behind the decision to include 7 versions of I Know I'm Not Wrong in the Tusk Deluxe edition.

[aleuzzi]

I still wonder if he was the "force" behind the decision to include 7 versions of I Know I'm Not Wrong in the Tusk Deluxe edition.

I think he wanted twelve…

[jbrownsjr]

I think he wanted twelve…

He should have produced Thoughts on a Grey Day.