View Full Version : Lindsey's greatest
Iamwilliame
06-07-2014, 07:30 PM
I was recently reading how many people consider "Good Vibrations" to be Brian Wilson's most fully realized achievement as a producer/arranger for the Beach Boys.
With that in mind, let's debate which FM recording best showcases the studio wizardry of Lindsey Buckingham as the chief architect of the Rumours era sound.
Based on the demos I've heard, I'd have to go with "You Make Loving Fun" or maybe "Sara" depending on the kind of mood I'm in. I also love what he did with "Storms" and "Hold Me". There is also "Gypsy".
Go, Ledgies......
I'll go with Hold Me. It seems Gypsy is the standard answer to this question, and whe his work on it is outstanding for sure, Hold Me is just a perfect pop/rock production. He took Christine's lyrically simplistic trifle and turned it into a masterpiece of instrumental interplay and vocal harmonies. I would love to be able to isolate his and Chrstine's vocal tracks on Hold Me and just listen to them together. The way Lindsey's lines come in just a hair after Christine's in the verses is sublime.
Little Lies is up there as well, for basically the same reasons.
Ken
Iamwilliame
06-07-2014, 08:41 PM
I'll go with Hold Me. It seems Gypsy is the standard answer to this question, and whe his work on it is outstanding for sure, Hold Me is just a perfect pop/rock production. He took Christine's lyrically simplistic trifle and turned it into a masterpiece of instrumental interplay and vocal harmonies. I would love to be able to isolate his and Chrstine's vocal tracks on Hold Me and just listen to them together. The way Lindsey's lines come in just a hair after Christine's in the verses is sublime.
Little Lies is up there as well, for basically the same reasons.
Ken
"Hold Me" is a good example of the chemistry these musicians share. That and there is just the right blend of pop craftsmanship and the quirkiness LB introduced on Tusk. Sublime indeed.
The production of "Little Lies" is a little slick for my taste but there is no denying it is a great pop song.
ViscountViktor
06-08-2014, 07:16 AM
Wow, such a hard one, seeing as he masterminded the production of everything post-Tusk.
I'd go with anything from TITN, which is a typical slick 80s album, with You and I Pt. 2 up there.
Btw, hi everyone, this is my first post on the ledge. Can't wait to discuss and talk about Fleetwood Mac, my favourite band.
Hawkeye
06-08-2014, 10:38 AM
Thrown Down, Hands Down. I know many prefer the TISL outtake, and I like that one, but I feel that the finished harmonies and guitar parts on the chorus turned out perfectly. It reminds me of gyosy, which gets all lindsey's production praise. But I prefer Thrown Down.
I agree with all the above. I would add, Steal Your Heart Away, Bleed To Love Her, Love in Store, Everywhere and Seven Wonders.
"Hold Me" is a good example of the chemistry these musicians share. That and there is just the right blend of pop craftsmanship and the quirkiness LB introduced on Tusk. Sublime indeed.
The production of "Little Lies" is a little slick for my taste but there is no denying it is a great pop song.
Btw, hi everyone, this is my first post on the ledge. Can't wait to discuss and talk about Fleetwood Mac, my favourite band.
welcome Iamwilliame and ViscountViktor - nice to see you here, looking forward to reading more of your posts! :wavey:
although LB seems to think it's Gypsy, i kinda love what he did with Hold Me, in particular.
Let's not forget The Chain.
Let's not forget The Chain.
yes. :nod:
welcomechris
06-08-2014, 04:41 PM
I agree with all the above. I would add, Steal Your Heart Away, Bleed To Love Her, Love in Store, Everywhere and Seven Wonders.
Yessssssss.
Villavic
06-08-2014, 04:46 PM
...and Isn't it Midnight
Jondalar
06-08-2014, 05:17 PM
Gypsy and Gold Dust Woman... His production made those songs special.
PenguinHead
06-08-2014, 05:40 PM
That's a broad, super subjective question.
My answer: All of them; the exception being the recent EP songs.
Gypsy and Gold Dust Woman... His production made those songs special.
yes to GDW too, including glass breaking and everything.
i actually feel almost disloyal for loving and finding Courtney Love's more straight-forward version so great and refreshing, being used to the regular timeless FM recording & version(s) of GDW.
TrueFaith77
06-08-2014, 06:03 PM
Over and Over
Sara
Gypsy
jbrownsjr
06-08-2014, 06:32 PM
Seven Wonders
Hold Me
Love In Store
Tango In The Night
Over and Over
Sara
Gypsy
"Sara" has always been one that I just don't get. (Production-wise, I mean.) To me it's so repetitive, and changes so little throughout its long running time, that it just sounds monotonous. I guess the fact that the song stays so "samey" throughout does lend it a bit of a hypnotic, dreamy quality -- is that where the appeal lies? I'd like to be shown how to enjoy this song, actually, since it's clearly a fan favorite.
Danigirl
06-08-2014, 07:56 PM
The Chain and Tusk!
aleuzzi
06-08-2014, 08:39 PM
The title song of Tusk is a masterpiece. One of my favorite songs period--and entirely original.
His production skills are most notable on Stevie's songs, where the demos are so skeletal as to be almost nothing but a vocal with chord changes. Hence, Dreams and Gyspy are superb examples of his "wizardry."
He has certainly lifted very good Christine songs to greatness, especially on Hold Me, Little Lies (already mentioned), Say You Love Me, and Love in Store. But the end result is not as dramatic as the demos-to-final versions of Stevie's tunes.
There are a few cases where Buckingham's production hurts the songs, I think: the demo for Everywhere is stronger than the end result, and his decision to muck about with Christine's voice on Isn't it Midnight is disturbing. But these are minor exceptions. He was a great producer. Not so certain anymore. Will have to see with the next record....whenever it comes.
Iamwilliame
06-08-2014, 10:00 PM
"Sara" has always been one that I just don't get. (Production-wise, I mean.) To me it's so repetitive, and changes so little throughout its long running time, that it just sounds monotonous. I guess the fact that the song stays so "samey" throughout does lend it a bit of a hypnotic, dreamy quality -- is that where the appeal lies? I'd like to be shown how to enjoy this song, actually, since it's clearly a fan favorite.
I can see your point. It does go on and on. I think the appeal for me is how all those layers of instrumentation and voices subtly build. It took me many years to really appreciate those qualities on several of the Tusk songs. "Storms" and Over And Over" are other good examples of this.
Tango In The Night is the album I have trouble understanding. Don't get me wrong. There are some great moments but to my ears, much of it sounds too artificial and stitched together. I think Mirage sounds better production wise but the songs just aren't as interesting. Mirage does actually sound like a band playing together and I don't hear that so much with TITN. I really have tried to love it. If anyone can help me understand the appeal, please feel free to try.
Wdm6789
06-09-2014, 02:01 PM
"Sara" has always been one that I just don't get. (Production-wise, I mean.) To me it's so repetitive, and changes so little throughout its long running time, that it just sounds monotonous. I guess the fact that the song stays so "samey" throughout does lend it a bit of a hypnotic, dreamy quality -- is that where the appeal lies? I'd like to be shown how to enjoy this song, actually, since it's clearly a fan favorite.
Just close your eyes and listen. Sara is a beautiful song. Don't think about it, just close your eyes and listen.
But back to the topic at hand: I'm going to go with Gypsy, especially the extended version. Hold Me is my favorite song.
Sara is amazing.
I never really liked Tusk, the song, it's kinda weird and random.
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