Full-Page 'Very Best Of' Ad in Billboard

[Johnny Stew]

(*** Be sure to check out the 8th message posted beneath this, for the scan.***)



I don't have a chance to scan it at the moment, but I wanted to let everyone know that the current issue of Billboard (Sept. 7th, 2002), has a full-page ad for the 'Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac,' on the back cover.

Text from the ad:
The Year Of Fleetwood Mac
begins October 15, 2002 with the release of
The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac
And it doesn't stop.
Fleetwood Mac's first new studio
album in 15 years arrives Spring 2003

The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac is an all-hits retrospective spanning 1975-1997: 36 classics on 2 CDs featuring "Go Your Own Way," "Don't Stop," "Dreams," "You Make Loving Fun," "Rhiannon," The Chain" and many more.
Enhanced CD includes rare live performances, interviews, music videos, and a link to exclusive footage of the band making their new 2003 album.
National TV campaign begins 3 weeks before release.

All this, AND a 2003 worldwide tour


The center of the ad features the cover of the 'Very Best Of' set, and at the very bottom, right-hand corner of the ad, is the little orange blossom from the cover of 'Greatest Hits,' and the URL, www.fleetwoodmac.com

As expected, it looks like Reprise is really going to go all-out promoting this, in order to build advance notice for the upcoming release.
I know a lot of people are disappointed with all of this, but it makes very sound business sense, and it will work to Fleetwood Mac's best advantage.

I'm sure some people will (rightfully) grumble about the "first new studio album in 15 years" statement, but keep in mind that this compilation only covers songs that feature Christine, Stevie or Lindsey... and the main marketing push is to promote Stevie and Lindsey's presence on the upcoming release.

And fans outside of the US should take note that the ad states the tour is planned to be "worldwide."

(By the way, if you follow the link to www.fleetwoodmac.com, the site has been updated, and features most of the text from the Billboard ad.)


Johnny Stew

[Lisa1769]

I'm so pumped for this!!:blob1: :blob2:

Did ya hear that Pip....."Worldwide"......yeah :] :] :] :]

BTW...I also used the Amazon Link from this site to order "The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac";)

[ShangriLaTroubl]

is this tv campaign gonna be like commercials for the best of album, or stuff for the studio album? any ideas?

chris

[Johnny Stew]

I'd say that the TV campaign will mainly focus on 'The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac,' and will serve as a reminder of how successful they've been, and how memorable the songs on this compilation are.
And then, in a secondary fashion, they'll make note that Fleetwood Mac will be releasing a new album in 2003.
Much like the ad.


Johnny Stew

[wetcamelfood]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
I'm sure some people will (rightfully) grumble about the "first new studio album in 15 years" statement, but keep in mind that this compilation only covers songs that feature Christine, Stevie or Lindsey... and the main marketing push is to promote Stevie and Lindsey's presence on the upcoming release.

Yeah I know and I see what you're saying Johnny but I hate it how these guys at Reprise (or whoever it is making these "ignorings at convenience") wants it both ways. If they REALLY DO want to center on the BN lineup only then they shouldn't have included ALAYF & NQA in the tracklisting. JMHO though. A minor grumble. :)

John

[DownOnRodeo]

I completely agree with you John - the whole 'first album in 15 years' manages to snub the 90's incarnations, yet uses their song in the Greatest Hits thing - it's a bit weird. But good-o cause I like Sky's the Limit!

Thanks for that Johnny Stew!

WORLDWIDE TOUR?!?!?!:blob2:

I am completely surprised! That means Australia, doesn't it!

"Doesn't it...!":nod: :blob2:

[Les]

The previous graphic that was on fleetwoodmac.com had that white button-looking thing that would appear just before the instruments would. I never could quite figure out what that was. I guess maybe it was supposed to be another crystal ball, now that it's been replaced by the bigger white crystal ball from the album cover. Random thought.

[DownOnRodeo]

What is with WB/Reprisal???

They turn down Lindsey's GOS catalogue for being too uncommercial. Now they are puring the mula into ensuring it sees the light of day. Zah?
Can it really just be the Stevie drawcard? Well, 'maybe'.., but, come on. "Old welsh witch just aint what she used to be, aint what she used to be, aint what she used to be." LOL (OMG that was terrible!!);)

Can it be, can it really really be, that execs at Reprise have finally come around to appreciate how much Twist of Fate, Shuffle Riff, Come, Down On Rodeo all rock??

[Johnny Stew]

I was able to scan the ad this evening (and piece it back together!).
Sorry it's so small, but this was the only way that it would upload.
:)


Johnny Stew

[wondergirl9847]

Thanks Johnny Stew!! Cool ad!! YAY!! 2003...The Year of Fleetwood Mac..I like it!! :thumbsup:

[Johnny Stew]

Well... *lol*... by the time I had it re-sized small enough to upload here, it looked absolutely tiny on my photo editing program... but when I just opened the window here to see it, the pic is still fairly big.

Good, because I was worried no one would be able to read the text.
:)

And Joe, about your comments... I know this is not a popular opinion around here, but I do think Stevie's presence makes a difference in the eyes of record execs. She is a proven draw both within Fleetwood Mac and solo, and they respond to that.
Meanwhile, Lindsey's work always achieves a lot of critical acclaim, which makes them happy... but they know he doesn't typically sell a large amount of albums.
So, having a Fleetwood Mac with both Stevie AND Lindsey, is like hitting the mother-load for record execs. Their product will now have commercial appeal AND critical appeal (most likely).

And they will not only sell to fans of FLEETWOOD MAC, but they will sell to fans of LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM, and they will sell to fans of STEVIE NICKS.
And that one-two-three punch means dollar signs!!!
:D



Johnny Stew

[Rainman]

Thanks, Johnny Stew for all your work and attention on this.

I, for one, am not dismayed by the Reprise stance. Hey, it seems they're pulling out the stops to promote it, and that's positive no matter how you feel about their corporate culture. As well, they must like what they hear or they wouldn't be investing so much money. Full page and television ads run into money in a hurry.

Anyway, you'll get no complaints from me.

And about those TV ads . . . where do you think these will run? Strictly on the music stations? Curious.

[tommer]

thanx brain!
worldwide... sounds promising!!!

(let's think.... a european flight & accomodation off season is 400$, a ticket is 150$ and if i wanna invite a friend that's another 150$, merchandize is another 150$, 2 days spending money is 100$... i gotta find a weekend/evening job i'm afraid... for awhile at least... should i go back to DJing...no way... maybe i can stop smoking to save some money?... impossible or not?, maybe they'll come to amsterdam... i do need a reason to go back there... but i wanna visit my friends in london...so much to think about...)

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by wetcamelfood
If they REALLY DO want to center on the BN lineup only then they shouldn't have included ALAYF & NQA in the tracklisting. JMHO though. A minor grumble. :)I'm not trying to be a voice of dissention here, and I definitely understand how you feel. I think it's a shame that the rich history of Fleetwood Mac's ENTIRE career is overlooked so as to focus only on the success of the Buckingham Nicks era.
But still, I see that viewpoint too... as the majority of American fans, and indeed many of the fans worldwide (with England being the most notable exception), see "Fleetwood Mac" as being Mick, John, Chris, Lindsey, and Stevie... and no one else.
So that's what the record company tends to play up... "Look! We have your favorite Fleetwood Mac lineup together again!!!"

I just thought I'd point out that all the songs on the set are written and/or sung by Christine, Stevie and Lindsey.
And even though Lindsey doesn't play on "As Long As You Follow," "No Questions Asked," or "Sky's The Limit," Christine and Stevie sing lead on them, so to the casual listener, there won't be a discernable difference between those tracks, and those that do feature Lindsey as a guitarist.
(Unlike what would have happened had they thrown "Hard Feelings" in there, for example... where some people would have said, "who is THAT singing??")

One upside to all of this... given that Rick and Billy contributed to four of the tracks on this collection, they stand to earn some decent royalties from this too! With Rick making slightly more, since he co-wrote "Paper Doll."
:D



Johnny Stew

[tommer]

johnny stew, i think the explenation is alot simpler, the green greatest hits album is probably going off the shelf to be replaced by the new album, if those 2 tracks won't be included- they will both become deleted tracks for not appearing in any album in the market.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

I am pleased to see that it says worldwide tour... BUT... Stevie's Timespace, Enchanted and TISL tours were all called Worldwide (that's even what it says on the T-shirt of Timespace I think) I will just wait and see

Pip

[DownOnRodeo]

Really? Ah well, thanks for bringing me down to earth. I honestly have never had my hopes up that they'd come to Australia. I guess its just publicity spin ...
Meanwhile it fits with you Americans... "World Series'??? You people are crazy! LOL! :laugh:

[wetcamelfood]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
I just thought I'd point out that all the songs on the set are written and/or sung by Christine, Stevie and Lindsey.
And even though Lindsey doesn't play on "As Long As You Follow," "No Questions Asked," or "Sky's The Limit," Christine and Stevie sing lead on them, so to the casual listener, there won't be a discernable difference between those tracks, and those that do feature Lindsey as a guitarist.
(Unlike what would have happened had they thrown "Hard Feelings" in there, for example... where some people would have said, "who is THAT singing??")

Oh I know, I agree JS that I'm sure you're right that this is why they are "cheating" with CM's material (and I'm sure Tommer is right with the idea that having ALAYF & NQA on here means they can now delete the '88 GH) but I just don't get why, if they're going to "cheat" with CM's stuff (to get people to think it's the same lineup) why they chose to "ignore" her Chain box inclusions, "Time" offerings & ALL of the pre 75 stuff she had done as surely they could've picked better songs (taking in to account what was on offer to them) to "cheat" with for her if this really is to be a "very best" of collection. I know that's more of a matter of opinion but I'm sure if there was a vote of some kind that more than half of the fans asked would have preferred choices from any of the above listed sources over the CM non BN lineup choices they did include, I mean that is, if there is/was any thought to "impress" the general buyer as to how this comp would serve as a "very best of" set. I'd be surprised if the majority of CM fans felt that ALAYF & STL are considered better than any of her other non BN lineup submissions. Oh well whatever, I'm glad we agree anyways! :)

John

[iamstevienicks]

Ooooh its all very exciting, I can barely contain my excitement!!!

[CarneVaca]

It's hilarious that the label won't even acknowledge that the post-Lindsey lineups even existed. And it's extra funny that they are using a 25-year-old picture of the band on the best-of cover. Wait till the band hits the road and concert goers start asking, "Hey, wait a minute, where's the other one, you know the keyboard player? She was the coolest band member." I remember hearing the similar comments when Stevie was missing from that pathetic Time tour. The label boobs are releasing a compilation laden with Christine McVie hits while strongly pushing the Rumours lineup, yet Christine will be nowhere to be seen on tour. The band won't be able to play her songs, except for Don't Stop. What about the people who want to hear You Make Loving Fun, Little Lies, Songbird and Over My Head?

[sulamith]

I'm on my way to Media play to buy this.......tra la la la...

AND I hope the tour is so heavy-laden with NEW stuff they won't have to rely too much on the old. I know Dreams and Rhiannon and GYOW will inevitably be there, but maybe the new stuff will be so good and popular that it won't seem too much like a Christine deficit exits.

Just trying to be optimistic.

[John Run]

Interesting how all of you who are in the "know" spent 6 months discussing how FM had left Warner/Reprise and now that is quite evident that they have not left, you drop that discussion and turn it to what scoundrels they are for making the package commercially viable and promoting it.

[wetcamelfood]

I'm not sure if you are referring to me or not but for the record I would like to say that I never claimed to being "in the know" about what label they will be on.

I had always said when the discussion came up about getting Rhino to rerelease the WB/Reprise back catalog with bonus tracks that "we must wait until the new album actually comes out before we write to Rhino (etc.) as although we may hear rumors about it/them being on (such and such) a label, we simply don't know and won't know until the new album actually comes out what label they will be on".

I won't be buying this "Very best of" album anyways but I just personally don't like those inaccurate statements they make about their history for their promoting ideas (as I don't really care how else they promote it) and just as everyone else here has the right to be happy with (or not happy with) and state their opinions about the "ignoring other lineups" statements by these promoters, I was simply stating what I felt about such statements so now that I have said that, I will leave this topic. :)

John

[CarneVaca]

I second my friend WetCamel. During all the wild speculation about potential label switches, I always pointed out that the discussion was nothing but conjecture. I also have blasted the label repeatedly, so I haven't changed my tune. And, like my friend Camel, I won't be buying this greatest hits either.

Sulasmith, I wish I could be optimistic too. Perhaps the band will surprise us, but one thing I find rather vexing about Lindsey is his refusal to mix up the set lists. You'll see the band playing the same 20 songs throughout the tour if history serves as an indication. And don't expect them to do more than four new songs. It has been Fleetwood Mac policy to keep new songs on tour to a bare minimum. Again, perhaps they'll surprise us. Anyway, stay positive, my friend, and perhaps you'll infect us curmudgeons.

[sulamith]

Well, thanks, I try....

But you are right, Carne, about Lindsey. I have somewhat of a love-hate relationship with him, myself, so I can understand why a certain person by the last name of Nicks would, too. On the one hand he is so fresh and innovative, and on the other he is resistant to change with alot of things.

I'll just wait and see. Maybe he's been attending a few concerts himself lately and getting ideas.

[joe68]

This kind of says to me that the band might be making appearances on Letterman, Leno and shows like that?

Or do you think they will hold off on that stuff until the new album comes out?

Thoughts anyone?

[David]

Originally posted by John Run
Interesting how all of you who are in the "know" spent 6 months discussing how FM had left Warner/Reprise and now that is quite evident that they have not left, you drop that discussion and turn it to what scoundrels they are for making the package commercially viable and promoting it.
Never mind who's in the know; Fleetwood Mac themselves don't even know half the time what they plan to do or how. I don't remember how solidly sure everyone was sounding the past six months that the band had changed labels, but the fact is that Fleetwood Mac -- as of last December -- was shopping the studio album at other labels, with the figure of $10 million being thrown around. I got the information from an extremely reliable industry sheet that gets circulated at all the labels; it's not a gossip sheet. The band's label question was definitely up in the air for a time. It appears that it's been settled.

[Johnny Stew]

(***David and I must have been posting at the same time!***)

The discussions of Fleetwood Mac being dropped by Reprise were based on industry reports that stated the band was shopping around for other labels.

I *think* it was always understood (and I believe I brought this fact up on more than one occassion), that based on the band's existing contract with the label, Reprise *still* had "first choice" on the album... but if they passed on it, only *then* would the band be able to move to another label.

Apparently, in the time since these reports circulated, Reprise's confidence in the marketing potential of this new album must have improved... so obviously they have exercised their "first choice" option.

Personally I don't care if Fleetwood Mac releases their next album on Don't Have A Cow, Man Records... I just want that CD in my grubby little mits!
:D


And yes, Tommer, I do believe you're right... beyond anything else, "As Long As You Follow" and "No Questions Asked" were most likely included so that Warner/Reprise can let 'Greatest Hits' go out of print, while keeping those two songs on the market.
But I also share John's confusion as to why "Love Shines" and "Heart Of Stone" were then not included, when '25 Years - The Chain' is also out of print.
Unless they assume, based on the fact that 'Greatest Hits' has sold something like 6 million copies, that more people would be familiar with "As Long As You Follow" (which, by the way, was a top 40 single.... I know, here i go with chart-placings again! ;)), than "Love Shines," for example.

Quite honestly though, "As Long As You Follow" is one of my all-time favorite Chris tunes... so I'm very happy that it's being included here.
In fact, I really have no major quibbles with the track-listing... though I think I would have swapped "Storms" for "Fireflies," "Never Going Back Again" for "Oh Diane," and "Sky's The Limit" for "Save Me."
But that's just me.



Johnny Stew

[John Run]

Greatest Hits was last certfied at 8 million copies sold in the US and is currently the 3rd best catalog seller for FM behind Rumours and The Dance. So I am not sure if they will stop prodution of the disc or not. However with that said the new double disc will retail for more and which may allow for a larger margin, depending on the cost of the disc. Usually GH packages are not too expensive to produce and recoup large profits if they sell well and even if the don't they easily break even.

[tommer]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
But I also share John's confusion as to why "Love Shines" and "Heart Of Stone" were then not included, when '25 Years - The Chain' is also out of print.

are you sure The Chain is deleted?
i still see this set (in it's 2 disc format tho) in about every second record store here, it's about as easy to find a copy as it is to find a Tusk copy for example.
i think all the previously unreleased tracks from the 4 piece set are in this 2 disc set.

[Hawkeye]

I'm VERY happy reprise promoting FM very well. BUT why are they like ignoring the fact Chris isn't there. Carne Vaca's got a great point. Many people are going to find for the FIRST time that chris has left the band once she ISN'T on stage.

[chiliD]

I think it's been publicized quite well that she's no longer in the band...it's been mentioned in every news item about Fleetwood Mac since they did the Clinton farewell.

By next May or June when they finally come around in concert and somebody STILL doesn't know, then where the hell have they been??

It'd be like somebody turning on a Cheers rerun and being pissed off that Shelley Long isn't on the show anymore.

[BlueGrass]

Oh Woooow.

[David]

None of the promotional stuff has stated that the songs on the "Very Best Of" album will be remastered, but I wonder whether Ken Caillat is involved in this project.

Maybe it was his idea to stuff some extras on the CD. The whole "rare live appearances" verbiage doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard emanating officially from either Fleetwood Mac's management or its label. It almost sounds as if Ken was inspired by the Penguin's Q&A & by the DVD signature petition to dig up a few little goodies to add to the CD.

I think that, in general, Ken was really surprised by the fervent interest in such material among the fans. It might have somehow changed his way of thinking, which in turn might have changed Mick Fleetwood's way of thinking (no small task this).

Of course, no sooner do we perk up at the possibility of a newborn commitment to release the vault than we find out that the "Very Best Of" package contains just ... already released video -- Mirage concert or Tango concert or whatever.

[John Run]

Got to agree with Chili-They are not making any secret that Christine is no longer with the band. It has been in every mainstream and obscure press article or other media mention about the band since early 2001.

If someone is willing enough to shell out 100 bucks for a ticket I would hope they know who is in the band. Does the average fan know who the engineer on Tango in the Night was like many of us do-No, but I think we can give them enough credit to know who is in the band they are going to see in concert.

Oh.....Greg Droman was the Engineer on Tango in the night. He also was involved with the engineering of Out of the Cradle......

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by chiliD

It'd be like somebody turning on a Cheers rerun and being pissed off that Shelley Long isn't on the show anymore.

What!!? Is that true? She left the show?

[sulamith]

Ok, so here's what happened to me yesterday.....

I went Media Play to get the Billboard mag with the ad, and they had already put out the September 13th issue, and no, they diidn't have anymore Sept. 7th issues, those had all been removed by the magazine vendor.....
I checked by the music department before I left, because I wanted to find out how much the new CD was going to retail for, and the guy tells me, "I don't see it anywhere in our system as coming out." Well, I decide that Media Play is not so high on my favorite list of stores right now, so I get in my VW Beetle and crank up "Loving Cup"

AND,

I go to Barnes & Noble, since I had to go anyway for something else, and I find the issue of Billboard I want, but just out of curiosity I check with their music department about the CD. The guy tells me, "I don't see it anywhere in our system as coming out." Knowing I just had this conversation, I said, "Surely they wouldn't announce it with a full-page ad in Billboard if it wasn't being released on Oct 15th." He said, "Yes, that's true, but if we were going to get it by that time it would be in our system by now."
I just told him I would check back later, but I was thinking that I really am not so fond of your "system" Mr. Media Play and Mr. Barnes & Noble!

It IS coming out!!!
I just refuse to believe anything else!
Now, I feel better.

[CarneVaca]

Sulasmith, two things:

First, Barnes & Noble uses Ingram as its distributor. When they look at available titles, releases, etc., they are looking into the Ingram system for that information. Could be that Media Play uses the same distributor, which for whatever reason may not yet have entered the release information.

Second, how do you like your Beetle? I had one for about three years, then I traded it in for a GTI.

[sulamith]

Thanks for the info, Carne, I figured it must be something like that, at least it better be!

I love my Beetle. It is lime green with a diesel engine.
48 miles per gallon! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!
My husband and I fight over who gets to drive it, and now he sees they are finally coming out with the convertible model, so we may be getting another one!

[Barbara]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
And it's extra funny that they are using a 25-year-old picture of the band on the best-of cover. Wait till the band hits the road and concert goers start asking, "Hey, wait a minute, where's the other one, you know the keyboard player? She was the coolest band member."

I was thinking similar thoughts - new fans might not recognize any of them!

Hopefully the "new CD" scheduled to be released next spring before the tour will have current photos (good thing Lindsey's married to a photographer - he won't even have to leave home.) ;)

Barbara

[sulamith]

Where can you see some of her work?
I have looked and can't find any, not even the pictures she supposedly took of Lindsey.

Has she done any major work?

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
And it's extra funny that they are using a 25-year-old picture of the band on the best-of cover.Originally posted by Barbara
I was thinking similar thoughts - new fans might not recognize any of them!Here's to hoping 'The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac' has a generous amount of photos in the liner notes, and more importantly, some recent ones!
:)


Johnny Stew

[nodmod]

Originally posted by David
None of the promotional stuff has stated that the songs on the "Very Best Of" album will be remastered, but I wonder whether Ken Caillat is involved in this project.

Maybe it was his idea to stuff some extras on the CD. The whole "rare live appearances" verbiage doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard emanating officially from either Fleetwood Mac's management or its label. It almost sounds as if Ken was inspired by the Penguin's Q&A & by the DVD signature petition to dig up a few little goodies to add to the CD.

I think that, in general, Ken was really surprised by the fervent interest in such material among the fans. It might have somehow changed his way of thinking, which in turn might have changed Mick Fleetwood's way of thinking (no small task this).

Of course, no sooner do we perk up at the possibility of a newborn commitment to release the vault than we find out that the "Very Best Of" package contains just ... already released video -- Mirage concert or Tango concert or whatever.

I know Ken is remixing the Tusk, Fleetwood Mac and TISL DVD-A's for a 1st quarter 2003 release. Nicely sandwiched between "The Very Best Off" and the new Studio album.

The end of this year and 2003 look very promising.

PS - Thanks Johnny for the scan :nod:

[ricohv]

Although I'm a huge fan of the Rumours line-up, after I really started exploring FM I realized how many of their older songs I was familiar with and liked. I don't mind if this Grtst Hts focuses on the Rumours line up since that's where most of the big hits came from...but I think the box set really should have been more of a career retrospective. It would have been nice to have it in chronological order, too, to see the evolution of their sound with the times, and the evolution of their writing and voices. Again, though, the Rumours line up is what sells so we may never truly get a decent retrospective.

[chiliD]

Since Mick seems to have blinders on when it comes to the 1971-1974 period of the band, we DEFINITELY won't be seeing a decent full history compilation.:distress:

Add to that, the media thinks that "Behind The Mask" & "Time" never existed either (hence the "...been 15 years since their last studio album" comment in the Billboard article)...just makes one want to burn their own pirated compilations and hawk them on eBay. ;)

[Janet]

I just cried ...

I can't stop expressing how much I needed Fleetwood Mac.

That ad is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Stew for that! You made my DAY!!!!!