Thoughts on Christine's return
 

The time seems right for Chris's return to Fleetwood Mac.
And after hearing how great the band was playing on last year's tour, it would only make sense that a new album also becomes part of the plan.

I'm curious how people think Chris will change things musically. Although I love all of her music through Behind The Mask, most of her contributions since then have been spotty.
I found In The Meantime to be forgettable and mostly un-listenable. Same for her tracks on Time. And although I loved The Dance, I felt like her performances were the weakest in the bunch.

I'm excited for what's next and I think her addition can only add to Fleetwood Mac's momentum -- but I'm hoping she also finds a way to re-work her music and make it interesting again. It's been a long time...

This is why I think we need a new studio album. Lindsey will work his magic as he always has done with her music 1975 -1987. The live performances is a completely other question. I have seen them live since the Rumours tour and I will say that live, Christine was the one that would go off tune at times. However, their live concerts have always been "Hearing" a different band IMO.

I am very excited by this and I think the next step is definitely a new album. We need new songs. LOL

I thought there was a general confidence and optimism in Christine's voice in her radio interviews. The fact that she seems so enthusiastic and happy about these new songs, has left me feeling confident that the songs are good. I'm really excited to see how they turn out. I also think Christine will inspire Lindsey, and give him a much needed creative boost. :blob1:

Its about time.

^^^ I love that tune!! :thumbsup:

Maybe they could sing a couple bars of Welcome Back theme onstage when Mick introduce Christine onstage.

Controversial, but I think "don't Stop" should now be the opening song.

Ironically, it was written by a guy who once sang "Do You BELIEVE IN MAGIC?"

Bring back The Chain as opener.

I think that's a natural. It would stand as a proclamation.

Michele

I don't think it's controversial at all. In fact, it's a great idea. For the first tour with Christine back in the band, THE OPENING SONG must be a Christine McVie tune. It would only make sense. I do, however, think it will be "Say You Love Me". They've opened with that tune a number of times, most recently on the second leg of the "Shake The Cage/Tango In The Night" Tour in 1987.

"Don't Stop" would be a GREAT OPENING SONG for the new tour. I don't think they've ever opened with that, so it would definitely give the set a fresh start. Here's my suggested set list:

Don't Stop
The Chain
Dreams
Blue Letter
Everywhere
Angel
What Makes You Think You're The One
ACOUSTIC SET Tusk
Say You Love Me
Big Love
Landslide
Rhiannon
Little Lies
Don't Let Me Down Again
Gold Dust Woman
Hold Me
You Make Loving Fun
I'm So Afraid
Sara
Come A Little Bit Closer
World Turning
Go Your Own Way
Songbird

This is sacreligious, but I've never liked
Don't Stop. Not in 1977 and not now.
It's always been the only Fleetwood Mac
song I hate.

Don't Stop doesn't seem like an opener to me.

It doesn't say "Hi. We're here!" It just feels like it belongs at the end to me. The message seems like a goodbye message, though I realize Clinton used it for his intro.

Michele

You're not alone... it may just be my least favorite Fleetwood Mac song as well. So corny. And it's completely lacking in that Fleetwood Mac element of the mystical, which is present through all incarnations of the band since 1977. The sentiment of the song is incredibly sweet, but it'll just never be a song I'll care for.

I've never associated the mystical thing with Christine. Her stuff was always straight forward.

Songs like Prove Your Love & Why definitely have a tinge of the mystical. Christine even wore shawls pre 1975. Her songs may not be as overtly mystical as say Stevie Nicks or even Peter Green's or Bob Welch's, but she definitely was a part of that aura, even if it was in a far more subtle way. Not just her songs, but her smokey backing vocals definitely added to the ethereal sound Fleetwood Mac has always exhibited.

If we're looking at post 1975 & solo work, don't forget songs like Behind The Mask and Friend, just to name a couple. Chris definitely dabbles in the mystical in her own way.

and don't forget that the nice little acoustic guitar solo in the middle of Behind the Mask (the title track) is Lindsey Buckingham.

Re Post-Rumours, I wouldn't say that Heart of Stone is mystical, but it's got a nice contrast of light (verses) and dark (chorus). The "heart of stone" lines have a definite umber edge.

Michele

I think Everywhere has a nice dreamy mystical vibe to it.

Well I'm thinking she is going to knock it out of the park. Listening to the acoustic version of Friend, she hasn't lost it. That is an excellent song. I'm thinking that is Stevie is finally going to have break out Three Birds of Rhiannon, as well as come up with some tunes with Dave Stewart to keep up with her. God only knows how many songs Christine McVie hasn't used.

Lindsey is as artistic today as he was in the 70s. His songs have gotten better in some respects.

And "Hollywood" is haunting and ethereal. Totally mystical, totally out there. Chris is a space cadet.

I've always felt a mystical vibe in Christine's tunes. Bob's too. Stevie recognized this when she was about to join FMac. I believe Stevie liked most of Chris' material pre white album.

Hope they make a kick ass album. Finally i can get back into the Mac.

Mick

And there is the matter of her voice, which is lovely, unusual, and eerie....like a lonely voice in wilderness. It's her voice that lends Hypnotized that extra edge of the mystical. It's her voice that makes Keep on Going and Bad Loser sound so damn eerie and wonderful.

Her voice made the later version of Sentimental Lady, in my book.

Michele

Her "who who who who who" in the Tango in the Night Bridge are extremely haunting..

411mania.com, Fact or Fiction?

http://www.411mania.com/music/column...ggcecution.htm

5) You're glad that Christine McVie has rejoined Fleetwood Mac.

Jeff Modzelewski: FACT. Absolutely. Hopefully I'll be able to see them without being destroyed by ticket prices. Christine McVie added a more traditional female voice to the group, and I'd be very excited to see the best lineup of this band back together. Frankly I've always thought they were an underrated band anyways. Buckingham is an excellent guitarist, and Fleetwood/McVie are a top-notch rhythm section. Add Stevie Nicks and her amazing voice along with Christine and her pretty voice, and you have a hell of a group. Can't wait for a chance to see them.

Mark Radulich: FACT. Sure, it's always good to have original members back in a band and I look forward to see what comes from Fleetwood Mac over the next year.

Score: 3 for 5
Read more at http://www.411mania.com/music/column...E7rhS8qfxX0.99

I'm going to assume that's Lindsey altering his voice in the studio.

Some of them are LB, but I can hear her in there as well.

I agree. Absolutely haunting.

She has backing vocals everywhere on Mirage that are bone chilling.

"Don't Stop" is no less not mystical than, say, any of her "Penguin" songs, the song HAHTF, OMH, SYLM, "Sugar Daddy," "You Make Loving Fun," "Think About Me," "Love Will Show Us How," "Got A Hold On Me," "Everywhere," or even "I Do." Her voice can be deep and haunting when needed, but she's like the Paul McCartney of Fleetwood Mac. For the most part, she's the one who writes the lighter poppier songs. And, for me, that does not equate to mystical.

"Oh Daddy", has the mystic I speak of. So does "Mystified". lol

I would still love for her to record an album of standards. Just her at the piano.

I want a blues album.

I love her voice on Sentimental Lady. She enhanced the song the same way that Stevie enhanced Midnight Wind.

I guess that's not what I'd consider "mystic," per se. "Mystified" sounds like a '50's jazz number.

The Fleetwood-McVie BluesBand: Mick, John, Christine, and Rick Vito.

They opened with Say You Love Me on the first leg of the Shake The Cage Tour as well. I saw the 3rd and 4th shows and that's what they opened with. I think it's a great opener and we should all say we love her.

But I do think Think About Me would be a great surprising opener or Love In Store or even Hold Me

This maybe just the opportunity that Reprise has been needing in order nudge them into remastering the rest of FM's catalogue. Rumours has been done to death.