The space of time between albums featuring Buckingham/Nicks/McVie

[PenguinHead]

The trio of Lindsey, Stevie and Christine define the most enduring and high-profile configuration of Fleetwood Mac. Despite their lasting impact, they weren't as prolific as they might seem. If you strip away the two live albums, the box set, two greatest hits albums, and the reissues, they made only five albums together (six, counting Say You Will).

Solo careers, big egos, soured relationships and the departures & returns (Lindsey/Stevie/Christine) resulted in vast spans of time between them. Out of the gate they had momentum, but it diminished over time.

One year between Fleetwood Mac & Rumours
One year between Rumours & Tusk
Three years between Tusk & Mirage
Four years between Mirage and Tango in the Night
Fourteen years between Tango and Say You Will (sans Christine)

Another fourteen years has gone by like a strand in the night. Will we be so lucky to get a final album from the five fireflies? If we hope and and if we pray, it might work out someday, and there will be no fearsome divorce in the night. If there is, don't blame it on Stevie, blame it on her wild heart.:(

[FuzzyPlum]

Sorry to be picky but isn't the gap 2 years, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years and 16 years?

or, if you are counting the year in-between;
1 year, 1 year, 2 years, 4 years, 15 years

???

btw: sans-Christine?- why not sans-Lindsey & Stevie?...

1 year, 1 year, 2 years, 4 years, 2 years, 4 years, 7 years....11 years.
hmmm, there's almost a Fibonnaci sequence or something in there.

[SisterNightroad]

If we want to be picky then we shouldn't round off the months:

"Fleetwood Mac" date release: 11 July 1975

"Rumours" date release: 4 February 1977

"Tusk" date release: 12 October 1979

"Mirage" date release: 18 June 1982

"Tango in the night" date release: 13 April 1987

"Say You will" date release: 15 April 2003

"Extended Play" date release: 30 April 2013

So:

Fleetwood Mac-Rumours= 19 months

Rumours-Tusk= 32 months

Tusk-Mirage= 32 months

Mirage-Tango in the night= 4 years and 9 months

Tango in the night-Say you will= 16 years

Say you will-Extended Play= 10 years

[Macfan4life]

Everyone on this site is nit picky LOL :)

And don't forget the Tusk tour was 16 months or something. That really added time between Tusk and Mirage. Its not like they were not working together during the time between those albums.

[SisterNightroad]

Everyone on this site is nit picky LOL :)

And don't forget the Tusk tour was 16 months or something. That really added time between Tusk and Mirage. Its not like they were not working together during the time between those albums.
That's true also for Rumours-Tusk since there was the 1978 summer tour.

[RockawayBlind]

This is one of the biggest problems I have with this band. They have done very little to maintain the following they still have. Really, they are to this day still riding the success of one smash album. Even if arguably Tusk has inspired a younger generation of musicians more than any other FM album, the fact is this band has been very stingy with output. Compare the measly five albums with the Rumours lineup over the same 40-year period to the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty or even to artists such as Sheryl Crow or Smashing Pumpkins, which have been around only since the early 90s.

[Andy Man]

This is one of the biggest problems I have with this band. They have done very little to maintain the following they still have. Really, they are to this day still riding the success of one smash album. Even if arguably Tusk has inspired a younger generation of musicians more than any other FM album, the fact is this band has been very stingy with output. Compare the measly five albums with the Rumours lineup over the same 40-year period to the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty or even to artists such as Sheryl Crow or Smashing Pumpkins, which have been around only since the early 90s.

This, in my opinion, is the biggest detriment of the band. It's all well and good for Lindsey to give his long winded speeches during concerts about how Fleetwood Mac has been a band with a tumultuous history and how it will prevail, however the amount of creative collaboration that the band has actually taken part in is minimal. When you consider that the most recent song in the On With The Show setlist was released in 1987, it is actually quite embarrassing. However, people are willing to pay much money to see them so I guess the joke is on us!

I adore the band and believe that their most prolific time (1975-1980) created some of the best pop/rock music in history. They still put on a brilliant show, and when all 5 are performing together it is magic. However, it is near impossible to consider the band totally relevant and/or innovative with such little studio work behind them.

As a side note, the flip side to this argument is the fact that one album (Rumours) has had such a lasting legacy. This is actually an incredible feat, and something that even many of the most prolific of bands cannot claim.

[BlueDenimLamp]

This, in my opinion, is the biggest detriment of the band. It's all well and good for Lindsey to give his long winded speeches during concerts about how Fleetwood Mac has been a band with a tumultuous history and how it will prevail, however the amount of creative collaboration that the band has actually taken part in is minimal. When you consider that the most recent song in the On With The Show setlist was release in 1987, it is actually quite embarrassing. However, people are willing to pay much money to see them so I guess the joke is on us!

I adore the band and believe that their most prolific time (1975-1980) created some of the best pop/rock music in history. They still put on a brilliant show, and when all 5 are performing together it is magic. However, it is near impossible to consider the band totally relevant and/or innovative with such little studio work behind them.

As a side note, the flip side to this argument is the fact that one album (Rumours) has had such a lasting legacy. This is actually an incredible feat, and something that even many of the most prolific of bands cannot claim.

That's because the band has been endlessly promoting this record for the past 30+ years.

[Andy Man]

That's because the band has been endlessly promoting this record for the past 30+ years.

That is true, in part. However, I think that even without the bands constant promotion this album has stayed on radio and in the public consciousness due to its own merits. Many of the new generation that has found inspiration from Rumours have probably never seen the Mac, were not musically engaged during The Dance, or have much knowledge of the previous tours.

[SteveMacD]

If we want to be picky then we shouldn't round off the months:

"Fleetwood Mac" date release: 11 July 1975

"Rumours" date release: 4 February 1977

"Tusk" date release: 12 October 1979

"Mirage" date release: 18 June 1982

"Tango in the night" date release: 13 April 1987

"Say You will" date release: 15 April 2003

"Extended Play" date release: 30 April 2013

So:

Fleetwood Mac-Rumours= 19 months

Rumours-Tusk= 32 months

Tusk-Mirage= 32 months

Mirage-Tango in the night= 4 years and 9 months

Tango in the night-Say you will= 16 years

Say you will-Extended Play= 10 years
If SYW (3/4 of the classic band) is included, BTM (also 3/4 of the classic band) should also be included. And really, "The Dance" should be on there, too, since it was the big hit "reunion" album.

Behind The Mask: 10 April 1990

The Dance: 19 August 1997

So:

Tango-Mask= 3 years

Mask-Dance= 7 years and 4 months

Dance-SYW= 5 years and 8 months.

SYW-EP= 10 years

[joe]

the fact is this band has been very stingy with output. Compare the measly five albums with the Rumours lineup over the same 40-year period to the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty or even to artists such as Sheryl Crow or Smashing Pumpkins, which have been around only since the early 90s.

True, but to be a devil's advocate, you're forgetting about the countless solo albums that have been released during the hiatus periods of FM. None of those mentioned artists or any band i can think of has had as numerous members as FM release multiple solo albums throughout the career of the band. Make sense?

[Andy Man]

True, but to be a devil's advocate, you're forgetting about the countless solo albums that have been released during the hiatus periods of FM. None of those mentioned artists or any band i can think of has had as numerous members as FM release multiple solo albums throughout the career of the band. Make sense?

Good point.

Also, Fleetwood Mac is really a "Supergroup." When you have that many songwriters and singers, it is less of a 'true band' and more of a 'creative gathering' of superb musicians and performers.

I still to think, though, that the band tends to oversell their creative collaborations; they do not have nearly enough studio work.

[SteveMacD]

Being generous, I counted 38 releases (band, solo, and albums with other incarnations) with new material between the five of them. That includes compilations that only had one or two new songs.

I guess that could be impressive to some people.

[wetcamelfood]

Being generous, I counted 38 releases (band, solo, and albums with other incarnations) with new material between the five of them. That includes compilations that only had one or two new songs.

I guess that could be impressive to some people.

Perhaps I'm bring a greedy fan :) but being used to artists releasing more than 1 album per year as had been the case in the 70's, I guess 38 "albums" in 40 years is still below average output. The crux of this seems to be that we keep being told they (particularly Stevie) have "so many songs" and I'm sure many fans would be quite happy if they just recorded these live in the studio and released them as is but due to some self appointed perfectionism, this is why we must wait, and wait...and wait I guess. It is them that have decided that recordings of that nature would not be acceptable to the fans, don't know why.

John

[SteveMacD]

Perhaps I'm bring a greedy fan :) but being used to artists releasing more than 1 album per year as had been the case in the 70's, I guess 38 "albums" in 40 years is still below average output. The crux of this seems to be that we keep being told they (particularly Stevie) have "so many songs" and I'm sure many fans would be quite happy if they just recorded these live in the studio and released them as is but due to some self appointed perfectionism, this is why we must wait, and wait...and wait I guess. It is them that have decided that recordings of that nature would not be acceptable to the fans, don't know why.
I'm not at all impressed, but then again, I work for somebody who is dangerously close to releasing his 100th album in a nearly 30 year timeframe

[wetcamelfood]

I'm not at all impressed, but then again, I work for somebody who is dangerously close to releasing his 100th album in a nearly 30 year timeframe

Hey, as long as it sounds good... :)

John

[FuzzyPlum]

And don't forget the Tusk tour was 16 months or something. That really added time between Tusk and Mirage. Its not like they were not working together during the time between those albums.

Yes, and you could argue a case for including 'Live' as output in that time-span too.

[SisterNightroad]

If SYW (3/4 of the classic band) is included, BTM (also 3/4 of the classic band) should also be included. And really, "The Dance" should be on there, too, since it was the big hit "reunion" album.

Behind The Mask: 10 April 1990

The Dance: 19 August 1997

So:

Tango-Mask= 3 years

Mask-Dance= 7 years and 4 months

Dance-SYW= 5 years and 8 months.

SYW-EP= 10 years
Yes, we should include all the albums released by the band on the timeline but then the thread originally talked about albums with Stevie/Lindsey/Christine so I thought we were talking about albums in wich there was at least one of the three hitmakers...
But then again if we take it literally we should just count albums in which all of them were present, so no Say you will nor Extended play.
This is becoming confusing.

[SisterNightroad]

True, but to be a devil's advocate, you're forgetting about the countless solo albums that have been released during the hiatus periods of FM. None of those mentioned artists or any band i can think of has had as numerous members as FM release multiple solo albums throughout the career of the band. Make sense?
I totally agree with you, if you think that both Stevie and Lindsey were working on their firsts solo efforts while they were also working on Mirage, those 32 months between Tusk and Mirage seem very short since there were also the tours for Tusk and Bella Donna and the making of Stevie's and Lindsey's albums Belladonna and Law and order.

[chiliD]

Everyone on this site is nit picky LOL :)
.

No. We're ACCURATE. ;) We don't subscribe to presenting "facts" in the mode of "Fox News".

[SteveMacD]

so I thought we were talking about albums in wich there was at least one of the three hitmakers...
Using that standard, "Time" (10 October 1995) should also be included since Christine had five of thirteen songs.

[SisterNightroad]

Using that standard, "Time" (10 October 1995) should also be included since Christine had five of thirteen songs.
Oh yeah!

So now it should be:

"Fleetwood Mac" date release: 11 July 1975

"Rumours" date release: 4 February 1977

"Tusk" date release: 12 October 1979

"Mirage" date release: 18 June 1982

"Tango in the night" date release: 13 April 1987

"Time" date release: 10 October 1995

"Say You will" date release: 15 April 2003

"Extended Play" date release: 30 April 2013

So:

Fleetwood Mac-Rumours= 19 months

Rumours-Tusk= 32 months

Tusk-Mirage= 32 months

Mirage-Tango in the night= 4 years and 9 months

Tango in the night-Time= 8 years and 6 months

Time-Say you will= 7 years and 6 months

Say you will-Extended Play= 10 years

[APerfectLie]

That is true, in part. However, I think that even without the bands constant promotion this album has stayed on radio and in the public consciousness due to its own merits. Many of the new generation that has found inspiration from Rumours have probably never seen the Mac, were not musically engaged during The Dance, or have much knowledge of the previous tours.

I think The Dance was actually the catalyst for their resurgence with the new generation. Our parents dug out their old Fleetwood Mac records when The Dance came out and introduced their young children to their music at a very impressionable time in their lives. And then we all grew up with Fleetwood Mac playing somewhere out in the back of our minds.

[vivfox]

those 32 months between Tusk and Mirage seem very short since there were also the tours for Tusk and Bella Donna/Law and order

I don't recall a Law & Order Tour.

[SisterNightroad]

I don't recall a Law & Order Tour.
True, I wrote wrong...
I replied yesterday late at night and I also did a major arithmetic error but fortunately nobody realized!

[RockawayBlind]

This, in my opinion, is the biggest detriment of the band. It's all well and good for Lindsey to give his long winded speeches during concerts about how Fleetwood Mac has been a band with a tumultuous history and how it will prevail, however the amount of creative collaboration that the band has actually taken part in is minimal. When you consider that the most recent song in the On With The Show setlist was released in 1987, it is actually quite embarrassing. However, people are willing to pay much money to see them so I guess the joke is on us!

Indeed. I, however, will not pay this band a penny to go to a show as long as they continue to put on nostalgia shows, which interestingly, is what Lindsey accused the band of doing when it toured with Bekka and Dave Mason. Of course, at the time the band had a new album, which made Lindsey's comment terribly unfair.

[Andy Man]

Indeed. I, however, will not pay this band a penny to go to a show as long as they continue to put on nostalgia shows, which interestingly, is what Lindsey accused the band of doing when it toured with Bekka and Dave Mason. Of course, at the time the band had a new album, which made Lindsey's comment terribly unfair.

Strong stance. I, admittedly, have paid to see the band on each of the last two tours and last week with On With The Show in Toronto. Seeing Christine McVie reunite with the band at the O2 was definitely worth the price of admission; last week was one of the best concerts I have been to. Seeing the full lineup for an entire show was a moment to remember.

So, as a live act they are incredibly strong. However, if we get another tour in a couple years time that is just "the hits" I will not attend. My favourite band is U2. Although Bono and the boys get a lot of flack (some of it deservingly) they are a band that has never toured without moving forward. Each tour has been in support of a new album with new music, and that is a massive achievement.

I by no means would compare U2 and FM on any artistic/musical level as they are completely different bands. However, as productively creative units bands like U2 far outweigh FM.

[RockawayBlind]

True, but to be a devil's advocate, you're forgetting about the countless solo albums that have been released during the hiatus periods of FM. None of those mentioned artists or any band i can think of has had as numerous members as FM release multiple solo albums throughout the career of the band. Make sense?

This sounds like rationalizing. In one sense, it doesn't matter whether individual members release solo music from the band's stand point because the band doesn't play that music, with two exceptions that I can think of. Second, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger and plenty of other artists have released albums with and without their main bands. Increasingly these days you see guys like Jim James, Marcus Mumford, Conor Oberst and countless others release solo, band and collaboration albums. David Lowery of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven in the last four years has had two albums with Camper, one solo and now a double album with Cracker. He's also a college professor, producer and now a strong advocate for artists' rights.

You simply cannot begin to compare the output of these hard-working musicians out there with that of Lindsey, Stevie &co.

[RockawayBlind]

I think The Dance was actually the catalyst for their resurgence with the new generation. Our parents dug out their old Fleetwood Mac records when The Dance came out and introduced their young children to their music at a very impressionable time in their lives. And then we all grew up with Fleetwood Mac playing somewhere out in the back of our minds.

Without The Dance, FM would have been relegated to the dust bin of rock history. It just so happened that this comeback coincided with an emerging strong culture bent on co-opting all things vintage, including cars and fashion. The comeback also was timed perfectly to the whispers of praise FM had been getting by newer artists such as Billy Corgan and Courtney Love. Once The Dance happened -- and oh how exciting it was -- it became cool to like FM again, and a bunch of artists started openly admitting they were fans. Unfortunately, the band, being as lame, petty and inept as it has proven itself to be, decided to capitalize on this by focusing on nostalgia rather than proving it could still be a viable creative entity.

[RockawayBlind]

Strong stance. I, admittedly, have paid to see the band on each of the last two tours and last week with On With The Show in Toronto. Seeing Christine McVie reunite with the band at the O2 was definitely worth the price of admission; last week was one of the best concerts I have been to. Seeing the full lineup for an entire show was a moment to remember.

Of course, I don't bregrudge anyone the joy of going to a live show. I've made a personal decision to not support a band that seems interested only in the money grab. I'll go see Lindsey solo because he continues to put out new music, but I sat out the One Man Band show for two reasons: I objected to him having no new music but, primarily, I didn't like the concept of a guy standing there by himself playing to recorded music. Struck me as pretty lame. I've heard some tracks from those shows and was decidedly unimpressed, so I feel I made the right decision.

[Mr Scarrott]

Indeed. I, however, will not pay this band a penny to go to a show as long as they continue to put on nostalgia shows, which interestingly, is what Lindsey accused the band of doing when it toured with Bekka and Dave Mason. Of course, at the time the band had a new album, which made Lindsey's comment terribly unfair.


Well, as we're nit-picking, or being accurate, Time wasn't released until 10 October 1995, and the last date on the 1995 tour was on 30 August so the album wasn't out at that point. Another stroke of genius.... They only ever played Blow by Blow and Dreamin the Dream to plug the forthcoming release, as far as I can make out.

Even on the most optimistic timeframe, if a new Mac album were to be released in Autumn 2015, are they really going to immediately launch into another mammoth tour to promote it?

[RockawayBlind]

Well, as we're nit-picking, or being accurate, Time wasn't released until 10 October 1995, and the last date on the 1995 tour was on 30 August so the album wasn't out at that point. Another stroke of genius.... They only ever played Blow by Blow and Dreamin the Dream to plug the forthcoming release, as far as I can make out.

Even on the most optimistic timeframe, if a new Mac album were to be released in Autumn 2015, are they really going to immediately launch into another mammoth tour to promote it?

The point is they were playing new music. Are they doing that now? And as for whether they tour after a 2015 release, it wouldn't matter to me. I'd rather get the new music.

[wetcamelfood]

Well, as we're nit-picking, or being accurate, Time wasn't released until 10 October 1995, and the last date on the 1995 tour was on 30 August so the album wasn't out at that point.

That was messed up by WB since they rejected the done album and had Christine come in to add some songs and have others dropped, hence the delay. What was FM going to do? Say "we're going to cancel all shows, sit at home then book new dates when the album comes out"? They were probably getting strung along by WB saying "we'll put it out soon, don't worry, keep touring".

John

[Mr Scarrott]

That was messed up by WB since they rejected the done album and had Christine come in to add some songs and have others dropped, hence the delay. What was FM going to do? Say "we're going to cancel all shows, sit at home then book new dates when the album comes out"? They were probably getting strung along by WB saying "we'll put it out soon, don't worry, keep touring".

John

Apologies for veering this off-topic but I wonder about this. I can remember Christine saying somewhere that her participation in Time was a contractual obligation. Then there's this online chat transcript from 1995 which indicates that she had been working with Mick and John maybe from 1993

Chrstine McVie Cybertalk Transcript

OnlineHost : Welcome to CYBER-TALK!
CYBER-TALK (TM) is Warner/Reprise Online's weekly interactive talk show. Each segment of CYBER-TALK (TM) features a different music persona.

OnlineHost : Christine McVie will be available to chat with fans regarding Fleetwood Mac's upcoming album, 'Time,' from Warner Bros. Records. Time will be released October 10th.


JBatman95 : Do you still interact with other members of Fleetwood Mac?

Christine: Very much so, I have not seen Stevie in a while. I have been recording with John and Mick for the last couple years, and just ran into Lindsey at a club a couple weeks ago and had a good chat.

Gre1440: Give us your perspective on this most recent
incarnation of Fleetwood Mac.

Christine: I find it a bizarre combination of people, but Mick chose Dave Mason... I don't think he is a bad guitar player, but I just don't know how he fits in with Fleetwood Mac... Great guitar player he is, he would not have been my first choice.

see

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/fwm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=844&Itemid=195

This is the "contractual obligation quote in the context of a 1997 Mojo article

“It was fine,” says drummer Mick Fleetwood. The beanpole who once seriously considered giving his coke dealer a sleeve credit on Rumours ("unfortunately, he got snuffed - executed! Before the thing came out," his book wryly recalls) is talking about the last days of the Bramlett/Mason Mac. “It was an experiment in true Fleetwood Mac tradition, that me and John have always kept going. The reason Stevie and Lindsey were in Fleetwood Mac is because we kept going and didn't say, Oh, it's over now that Bob Welch has left the band. What'll we do? We haven't got a lead guitar player and a songwriter...

“It's what I've done for 30 years, so it was very normal behaviour. And we made a really good album that didn't do diddley****. We went out on the road, and we did OK. But without a hit album, and a reaffirmation with new members on radio, we didn't stand a chance. It was a good band, with the wrong damn name.”

“I was sad to see it go,” agrees grizzled penguin-lover John McVie. “But it was necessary. It started getting financially tough to run. You couldn't support yourself on the gigs; basically you were going out and playing for nothing.” And when it ended? “I said, OK, I'll sit on a boat for a while. Which I did.”

Also appearing on Time was one Christine McVie, who politely notes that her appearance, “was something that I had not volunteered to do; it was contractual. I don't like to harp on it very much, but I thought the music was starting to get a little strange, the choices a little funny. I wasn't really enjoying that particular incarnation of the band, and I left.” At that point, the former Miss Perfect's plans included moving back to England - she's had a home in Kent for five years - and pursuing the hobbies one would expect of a former member of Chicken Shack: "Painting, illustration, I'd like to write a book, I'd like to go to cooking school. I know it sounds utterly absurd, but I really love cooking and I take it very seriously.” Plus a solo album “sometime before the next millennium”.

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/fwm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=616&Itemid=195

[wetcamelfood]

Apologies for veering this off-topic but I wonder about this. I can remember Christine saying somewhere that her participation in Time was a contractual obligation. Then there's this online chat transcript from 1995 which indicates that she had been working with Mick and John maybe from 1993

Chrstine McVie Cybertalk Transcript

OnlineHost : Welcome to CYBER-TALK!
CYBER-TALK (TM) is Warner/Reprise Online's weekly interactive talk show. Each segment of CYBER-TALK (TM) features a different music persona.

OnlineHost : Christine McVie will be available to chat with fans regarding Fleetwood Mac's upcoming album, 'Time,' from Warner Bros. Records. Time will be released October 10th.


JBatman95 : Do you still interact with other members of Fleetwood Mac?

Christine: Very much so, I have not seen Stevie in a while. I have been recording with John and Mick for the last couple years, and just ran into Lindsey at a club a couple weeks ago and had a good chat.

Gre1440: Give us your perspective on this most recent
incarnation of Fleetwood Mac.

Christine: I find it a bizarre combination of people, but Mick chose Dave Mason... I don't think he is a bad guitar player, but I just don't know how he fits in with Fleetwood Mac... Great guitar player he is, he would not have been my first choice.

see

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/fwm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=844&Itemid=195

This is the "contractual obligation quote in the context of a 1997 Mojo article

“It was fine,” says drummer Mick Fleetwood. The beanpole who once seriously considered giving his coke dealer a sleeve credit on Rumours ("unfortunately, he got snuffed - executed! Before the thing came out," his book wryly recalls) is talking about the last days of the Bramlett/Mason Mac. “It was an experiment in true Fleetwood Mac tradition, that me and John have always kept going. The reason Stevie and Lindsey were in Fleetwood Mac is because we kept going and didn't say, Oh, it's over now that Bob Welch has left the band. What'll we do? We haven't got a lead guitar player and a songwriter...

“It's what I've done for 30 years, so it was very normal behaviour. And we made a really good album that didn't do diddley****. We went out on the road, and we did OK. But without a hit album, and a reaffirmation with new members on radio, we didn't stand a chance. It was a good band, with the wrong damn name.”

“I was sad to see it go,” agrees grizzled penguin-lover John McVie. “But it was necessary. It started getting financially tough to run. You couldn't support yourself on the gigs; basically you were going out and playing for nothing.” And when it ended? “I said, OK, I'll sit on a boat for a while. Which I did.”

Also appearing on Time was one Christine McVie, who politely notes that her appearance, “was something that I had not volunteered to do; it was contractual. I don't like to harp on it very much, but I thought the music was starting to get a little strange, the choices a little funny. I wasn't really enjoying that particular incarnation of the band, and I left.” At that point, the former Miss Perfect's plans included moving back to England - she's had a home in Kent for five years - and pursuing the hobbies one would expect of a former member of Chicken Shack: "Painting, illustration, I'd like to write a book, I'd like to go to cooking school. I know it sounds utterly absurd, but I really love cooking and I take it very seriously.” Plus a solo album “sometime before the next millennium”.

http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/fwm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=616&Itemid=195

Yes, so I think Warners got legal (when they felt the original version of Time wasn't going to have that "familiar" sound) to make it sound more that way by forcing Christine to get some songs in there to make it more to what they felt the public would accept as FM (which is a shame). Don't know why they bothered since they didn't get behind it anyway.

John

[nodmod]

That was messed up by WB since they rejected the done album and had Christine come in to add some songs and have others dropped, hence the delay. What was FM going to do? Say "we're going to cancel all shows, sit at home then book new dates when the album comes out"? They were probably getting strung along by WB saying "we'll put it out soon, don't worry, keep touring".

John

Did the original track list ever leak, I don't recall reading about this?

[wetcamelfood]

Did the original track list ever leak, I don't recall reading about this?

ChiliD came across a T-shirt which had a list, not to say that's slam dunk evidence but it's the closest we've come as I recall it included The Bigger The Love which has been in discussions all along as one of the tracks that was removed to make room for a CM song. Hopefully he can enlighten us with more here soon. :) I could swear he typed it out before but after doing a search I couldn't find it, maybe it was so long ago it's been archived now and therefore not searchable or on another board?

John

[nicepace]

Plus a solo album “sometime before the next millennium”

Hmm! Christine was actually thinking of a solo album as early as 1995? That is a new twist (for me) on her retirement. I always assumed that when she started to back away from Fleetwood Mac, it was her intention to back away from music altogether, but this suggests that she was at least entertaining thoughts of a post-FM solo career.

Of course, she did wind up recording another solo album (In The Meantime), and its release date wasn't too far past the start of the millennium.

[WayOfTheDragon]

the former Miss Perfect's plans included moving back to England - she's had a home in Kent for five years - and pursuing the hobbies one would expect of a former member of Chicken Shack: "Painting, illustration, I'd like to write a book, I'd like to go to cooking school. I know it sounds utterly absurd, but I really love cooking and I take it very seriously.” Plus a solo album “sometime before the next millennium”.

I wonder if she still intends to write that book.

[SteveMacD]

I’m still not buying that Christine wasn’t involved from the beginning. She may have quit at some point (maybe when Richard quit the project), but, she was definitely there from the start.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/SteveMacD/FM94.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/SteveMacD/Mac951.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/SteveMacD/media/Mac951.jpg.html)

http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=1048&c=2


(10/2/92)

Goldmine: Would you ever consider doing some more solo work?

Christine McVie: Yes, I am, I’m definitely going to do another solo project down the line some time, But first of all I think there’s another Fleetwood Mac studio album to do, after this boxed set, some time next year.



http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=6543&c=18

(7/4/94)

"It's gonna be different, but the only thing I can say is the
emphasis is the same as the Peter Green era - it's very
song-oriented, melody and words and that great rhythm section. It
doesn't sound like the Buckingham/Nicks era at all. "
The band, which founders Fleetwood and bassist John McVie decided
to re-form last fall, is working on a studio album that will probably
not be out until next summer. Which puts the members of the current
band (the McVies, Fleetwood, Mason and vocalist Bekka Bramlett,
daughter of Bonnie Bramlett of Delaney and Bonnie fame) in the odd
position of recording together without having played much live.

The band's summer tour dates are the only opportunity they will
have before finishing the record. That tour stops in Dallas today as
the band plays with Foreigner and the Doobie Brothers as part of
Freedomfest '94. For the tour, Steve Toma takes Christine McVie's
place, and Mac vet Billy Burnett adds second guitar.
(Does this sound to anybody else like Billy Burnett wasn't considered a member of the band at that point?)


--


http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=5943&c=18

(7/7/94)

Singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks has left the band. Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham has decided not to return. Keyboardist Christine McVie is participating, but only in the studio and not on tour. Two new members, guitarist Dave Mason and singer Bekka Bramlett, are trying to find their niche alongside drummer Fleetwood, fellow founding member and bassist John McVie and guitarist Billy Burnette, a holdover from the most recent version of the group.

--

http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=896&c=18

(7/22/94)

Vocalists and guitarists Dave Mason and Billy Burnette are also along with Fleetwood and John McVie. Christine McVie, former wife of John, has become a sort of "artistic director emeritus" of the band, says Fleetwood of the group's longtime song writer and vocalist. "She'll wander in and out. She's earned the right to do that. She has a very real creative input in the studio." And she will work on the new album, although she is not making the tour.

--

http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=6827&c=18

(8/11/94)

Actually, Fleetwood Mac is touring with only two longtime members, the bassist John McVie and Mr. Fleetwood, who plays drums. Though she's still a member of Fleetwood Mac, the singer and keyboardist Christine McVie did not go along. She will help the band complete a new album after the tour.

--

http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=6541&c=18


(8/28/94)

True enough. And some of that is still bankable. Fans of Christine McVie's harmonious pop -- songs like You Make Loving Fun, Little Lies, Heart of Stone -- will be cheered that she'll remain a recording member of the band and has contributed four songs to its forthcoming CD, due in 1995.

"Christine's free to come and go within the boundaries of Fleetwood Mac," Fleetwood says. "She's earned that right. She's very involved on . . . the album, but she doesn't want to tour anymore.”

--

http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=275&c=12

8/13/95
Today, the group consists of Fleetwood, the McVies (now divorced), Billy(Burnette, Dave Mason (former solo star and a member of Traffic) and Bekka(Bramlett (daughter of singing duo Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett). Christine McVie does not tour with the band.

[SteveMacD]

ChiliD came across a T-shirt which had a list, not to say that's slam dunk evidence but it's the closest we've come as I recall it included The Bigger The Love which has been in discussions all along as one of the tracks that was removed to make room for a CM song. Hopefully he can enlighten us with more here soon. :) I could swear he typed it out before but after doing a search I couldn't find it, maybe it was so long ago it's been archived now and therefore not searchable or on another board?

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TS1zZrJKuZU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

But, there were a few songs that got cut for this album.

[SteveMacD]

The point I'm trying to make, if Christine McVie ever left Fleetwood Mac during that period, it was a pretty big secret. Even to the rest of the band, apparently.

[BellaSoprano71]

Everyone on this site is nit picky LOL :)

And don't forget the Tusk tour was 16 months or something. That really added time between Tusk and Mirage. Its not like they were not working together during the time between those albums.
Word!!! I think that is why a lot of us don't post. One slight wrong date or time and we are done for! "Off with their heads" ;)

[wetcamelfood]

The point I'm trying to make, if Christine McVie ever left Fleetwood Mac during that period, it was a pretty big secret. Even to the rest of the band, apparently.

If the "WB getting legal" deal is right then it must've been a case of CM being there originally, then "not liking the direction" and leaving, then WB not liking the album not including her songs so they got her back to do those that were included on the album, then she was out anyway since it was known from day one she wouldn't tour with them (if she had changed her membership in 1990 to only include recording and not touring this is probably how WB was able to make her record and not tour, maybe her leaving due to the direction earlier was informal, and therefore, "secret" to the band?) so this could make sense. The quote leading us to believe Billy wasn't there makes sense as well since he did leave for a while then came back himself. However, since it's clear from the album liner notes (regardless what Billy said at the Penguin Q&A) her songs were done separate from the rest (Michael Thompson etc.) those must've been the ones done when WB made her come back otherwise the same credits as the others would've applied. It does make you wonder if she cut anything with them before she left though. Yeah, I remembered there were other tracks cut from the album other than Bigger The Love but can't remember what they were, if only we could find that T-shirt with the original album tracklisting... :)

John

[wetcamelfood]

Word!!! I think that is why a lot of us don't post. One slight wrong date or time and we are done for! "Off with their heads" ;)

I think some of us just care about what happened during that time frame is all and we're just trying to figure it out. I don't think anyone is trying to jump on anyone about anything being inaccurate. :)

John

[Mr Scarrott]

If the "WB getting legal" deal is right then it must've been a case of CM being there originally, then "not liking the direction" and leaving, then WB not liking the album not including her songs so they got her back to do those that were included on the album, then she was out anyway since it was known from day one she wouldn't tour with them (if she had changed her membership in 1990 to only include recording and not touring this is probably how WB was able to make her record and not tour, maybe her leaving due to the direction earlier was informal, and therefore, "secret" to the band?) so this could make sense. The quote leading us to believe Billy wasn't there makes sense as well since he did leave for a while then came back himself. However, since it's clear from the album liner notes (regardless what Billy said at the Penguin Q&A) her songs were done separate from the rest (Michael Thompson etc.) those must've been the ones done when WB made her come back otherwise the same credits as the others would've applied. It does make you wonder if she cut anything with them before she left though. Yeah, I remembered there were other tracks cut from the album other than Bigger The Love but can't remember what they were, if only we could find that T-shirt with the original album tracklisting... :)

John

Isn't it possible that Chris, John & Mick laid down most of the work on her 5 tracks from Time even before Dave & Bekka joined and whilst Billy was away (hence Michael Thompson), she then did the odd bit of overdubbing later on the others' tracks when the whole Time band was put together, resulting in her comment of the music was starting to get a little strange, the choices a little funny. I wasn't really enjoying that particular incarnation of the band, and I left. . It might account for her comment that she worked with John and Mick for a couple of years prior to the release of the record. For part of 1993 and part of 1994, there would have been no Dave, Bekka and Billy. Just my hypothesis...

[wetcamelfood]

Isn't it possible that Chris, John & Mick laid down most of the work on her 5 tracks from Time even before Dave & Bekka joined and whilst Billy was away (hence Michael Thompson), she then did the odd bit of overdubbing later on the others' tracks when the whole Time band was put together, resulting in her comment of the music was starting to get a little strange, the choices a little funny. I wasn't really enjoying that particular incarnation of the band, and I left. . It might account for her comment that she worked with John and Mick for a couple of years prior to the release of the record. For part of 1993 and part of 1994, there would have been no Dave, Bekka and Billy. Just my hypothesis...

Yeah I guess that's possible, maybe I'm too much of conspiracy theorist but I'd be surprised if the whole Christine/Dave thing had nothing to do with Thompson being there.

John

[jbrownsjr]

Yeah I guess that's possible, maybe I'm too much of conspiracy theorist but I'd be surprised if the whole Christine/Dave thing had nothing to do with Thompson being there.

John

The more I read about this, the more I think you're correct.

[SteveMacD]

My theory has always been that Christine was there from the beginning, but started pulling back after Dave Mason joined. I think the only songs she wasn't on were the album version of "Blow By Blow" (as in I think she was on the 1994 "Soccer Rocks the Globe"version) and "These Strange Times" because the operative word on the album was "additional".

How tired was Christine of the other "new" members of the "Time" band? So tired that the closing track of her 2004 solo album was cowritten with and featured Billy Burnette. We've known for years that Christine wasn't happy with Dave Mason. However, we've just learned that Bekka wasn't happy with Dave, nor was Richard Dashut, in the past year.

Why the hell they kept him around is beyond me. A tour with Mick, John, Bekka, Billy, Neale, and Brett would have been great.

[aleuzzi]

no matter how murky the backstory to Time may be, I do think it is, by and large, a far superior album to Behind The Mask. The sound is cleaner, more organic (minus the tinny keyboards) and Bekka and Billy sound great together. Christine's songs are an unexpected treat. Her voice is fantastic on all of them. With the exception of "All Over Again," the songs are strong and, given proper arrangements and editing, would have made great contributions to a Rumours-era album. As they stand, "Hollywood" and "Nights in Estoril" are already excellent.

[michelej1]

I think some of us just care about what happened during that time frame is all and we're just trying to figure it out. I don't think anyone is trying to jump on anyone about anything being inaccurate. :)

John

I couldn't find old posts on the subject either John, but in 2009 there was a discussion about it and what might have been on Another Link.

http://www.ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?p=845579&highlight=link+tracklist#post845579

[wetcamelfood]

I couldn't find old posts on the subject either John, but in 2009 there was a discussion about it and what might have been on Another Link.

http://www.ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?p=845579&highlight=link+tracklist#post845579

Thanks Michele. :)

John