Why Hasn't Stevie Been Asked About The New FM Record?
 

Stevie has been to various events the past few weeks - including the BMI awards last night.

Though it was mentioned that Fleetwood Mac is recording, why has no one directly asked her if and when she will record with them and what kind of material she's been working on, etc?

It's downright bizarre, isn't it? The only thing I can think of is Stevie's publicist Liz Rosenberg is squashing any talk of Stevie's involvement in the album. Liz is known to be pretty ruthless & adept at keeping a lid on absolutely anything she doesn't want the press to publish, and at preventing reporters from asking non-approved questions of her clients.

Because the new FM record is now a new Stevie Nicks record...

Yes, the silence is more ominous than any words she might say about it. It means, once again, that Mick and the remaining crew (whoever that happens to be at any given time) has to do a little dance and create a situation that is as comfortable and accommodating for the loose thread--in this case, Stevie. I'm pretty disappointed that this is the track she has taken, as are most FM fans.

I know there are Stevie fans who would prefer a new all-Stevie record, and that's understandable. What I don't understand is how she is essentially dampening this potentially momentous occasion with what is ultimately a selfish move. Sorry, just the way I see it.

Who knows, maybe she is subconsciously reveling herself on Christine for 15years of absence. I'm only half-kidding.

I'm not the disappointed. We are getting a solo album from her. The most exciting thing about the new album is Chris and Lindsey working together. I'm sure they hit it out of the park.

I think you are wrong...Have you considered the fact that Stevie may owe WB a record??? Stevie may be throwing together this record and putting it out this year in order to free up her schedule so she can do FM next year which would mean that Stevie is being totally unselfish and going out of her way to accommodate the band...

Nice hypothetical. Of course, there no evidence to suggest any of it. I really don't think Stevie's doing this for Fleetwood Mac's benefit. I don't think the band has anything to do with her decision to do this album. I also doubt that Stevie owes WB a record within a certain time frame considering she's been signed to this contract for decades. She may be putting it out now because she knows the FM tour will prevent her from doing it in the near future and it's something she wants to do, but I don't think it has to do with a potential FM album.

New Stevie Album vs. New FM Album
 

From my general knowledge of the music business (not an expert by any means), there is not a whole lot of money in the album/CD business these days. The real money is touring with FM (especially for this Rumours line up). If Stevie's solo album helps bolster the tour receipts, everyone in FM is better off financially. When LB took a three year break from FM about eight years ago, there might have been some faint hope that album sales would provide some income. When WB/Reprise would not sign him, that must have been a clear signal that the music business has changed and that there is not much money in album sales from aging rockers. However, he might also have wanted to leave a legacy of music for his children. A musical legacy could also be Stevie's motivation, which I would think that LB can appreciate and understand that desire. I am hopeful that we will see at least one more FM from the Rumours lineup (with LB producing) for, if nothing else, the legacy of the group.

If that were the case, Stevie would definitely say so, an issue the thread's title addresses. In 1987, she said:

She'd normally be discussing similar logistics required to finish up her solo work to segue into FM today or alternate between the two today.

Michele

I hope I am wrong.

But whatever the case, as a die-hard Mac fan, my wish is to see these people together making an album. Even after decades of solo projects from various members, I do not see any of these artists working at their best on their own. All Mac-member solo stuff (well, most) pales in comparison to their collective efforts. This is why I am so disappointed with the timeline of a new. Mac record, a timeline for which it appears Stevie is in large part responsible.

I may not be realistic or even rational when I say the prospect of a new Mac album with all five Rumours-era members involved should have meant all parties dropped whatever they were doing to commit to the cause. But this is how I feel.

To me, it's a real blow when we life-long fans are kept on hold this way. If the band members were young, I'd say, okay, let's wait. But they are all 70 or nearing 70 and time is of the essence.

Someone said Stevie is heading to the studio to add vocals to 8 of the cut Fleetwood Mac songs. She will be on the record. Don't think this is unusual for how they recorded some songs in the past.

Don't remember seeing this

She will. But no one has given any indication that she is doing this before the tour in the fall.

While they have worked this way in the past, it is now 2014, many, many years since their last studio record with these five people, and the delay is ridiculous.

I don't see any drama here.
Everything seems to be going great with the
new Fleetwood Mac album; and they're recording
it just like they always do - first without Stevie, then with her.
She's done several solo projects while Fleetwood Mac
albums were being made.
I think it's just that our instant access to a 24 hour news cycle
makes a lot of us fill in blanks and create drama when there really
isn't any.
Everyone in this band has always had busy lives.
It's not a reality TV script - it's just 5 people in a huge
band making music like they always have.

I think it's because of the way the band members have talked about Stevie in regards to her to her involvement. At no point have they made it sound like everything is hunky dory right on schedule. If they had, and they've had every chance to, then there absolutely would be no drama from any of us, I think. They consistently have made it sound like they don't know what her plan is and they just assume she'll join eventually. In Lindsey's latest interview, the first confirming any sort of agreement with Stevie, he uses the words "she has assured us that she will be ready" to work after the tour. Which is good, but even that makes it sound like they need assurance from her, likely because of her reluctance in the past decade to record with the band. We can only wait and hope she follows through.

And one of those band members has serious health issues too.

I'm not getting any younger either. I just want to hear the new Lindsey/Christine Fleetwood Mac album, with or without Stevie.

As for the upcoming tour, I'd like to see a Fleetwood Mac show with a few new songs that Chris & Lindsey have been working on, not any solo songs that have nothing to do with Fleetwood Mac.

I'm actually happy this album will be a lot of Buckhingham/McVie. The less Nicks lead vocals the better.

Exactly!! It's fun to watch people get so worked up for nothing

I agree!!:cool:

Not nothing. Stevie has refused to cooperate with the band for recording for over a decade. She hasn't given them a new song since Say You Will and she still hasn't. Just because she's worked like this before doesn't mean it's the same thing. They also never went on tour without recording an album when that was happening. Now they've done it 3 times in a row and largely because of her. Combine that with comments from the band which make it seem that nothing's changed in her attitude toward recording with the band and there's justifiable cause for concern and skepticism.

:blob2::blob2::blob2:

exactly!

this access makes a huge difference. we can choose to think that what we can glance from this current access is something to be ignored and that we know better from the past... or we can choose to think that this access is giving us a window into what may have been happening in the past too, but we couldn't see it because we didn't have that access.

or we can choose to think what's really happening is somewhere in between and there's a lot of deliberate publicity involved in both what we learned in the past and what we learn via social media now - as things usually are. :) :shrug:

definitely fun to read between the lines, even if everyone seems to choose or completely ignore different lines. :laugh:


i also thought Brett Tuggle's recent interview posted on youtube was interesting and somewhat revealing of the priorities and roles of different band members. and Brett should know - he's been touring not only with FM, but also as a member of LB's solo band and SN's solo band.

Baloney. When Stevie has worked on solo material she was always quick to point out that she was going right back to Fleetwood Mac when she was done. This time around there are nothing but awkward reassurances from everybody but her.
Fleetwood Mac was 24 news cycle before TMZ was even a glimmer in Harvey Levin's eye. Back then you could only fill in the blanks by listening to what they were saying to each other in their music. The fans haven't suddenly become gossip mongers. This is the way it has always been with them.

Actually, we've waited decades for a new album by these five people. I, for one, am pretty irritated that the prospect of one is put on hold. I'm sure in the end it'll all work out but my irritation is real. And there's a real reason to be irritated. Hard core Mac fans have waited and waited and waited and instead of rewarding us with a record this year, we have to wait until 2015--at best? Nothing my foot.

Sure, it'll happen in time. I just think they're all too old to be playing the same games they played when they were 40. Do a friggin' record already. Make it THE priority. None of you would have achieved any fan base if it didn't start with the. Mac.

Screw them. It's not Stevie's fault that Lindsey left the band for 10 years and then Christine left for like 15 years. Nicks has used her brains to keep Fleetwood Mac in the minds of people while others were doing their own thing. Give her break! And people need to Give Lindsey a break too! Jesus!!!!!

Lindsey and Christine quit the band. Oh, and by the way, so did Stevie. They all have. In all instances the band went on and recorded without them. Stevie could quit the band if she doesn't want to record with them...that's the considerate thing to do.... but instead she's keeping them hanging on hoping she'll join them to make an album. Who cares if she keeps the Fleetwood Mac name out there if they don't put new music out (and it's her fault)? I'd rather she be in the studio.

Again it's Stevie's choice not to record with FM...On the other hand it's quite inconsiderate of FM to keep the fans waiting 10 years for an album because they as grown men are afraid to issue an ultimatum to the one member of the band preventing a new record from coming out...It's obvious that Mick, Lindsey and John care more about their bank accounts than they care about giving the fans new music "The Boys"would rather do highly profitable oldies tour after oldies tour instead of issuing an ultimatum ( on recording )and risk Stevie not being involved in future "Cash Grab" tours...To put it simply the entire band is to blame for FM's lack of output not just one member...

Thank you!

Yes, they could do that and it would serve the purpose of getting an album out with or without her. However, I think they're trying to be diplomatic about it. Maybe 30 years ago they would've done that, but at their age now they probably would like to preserve the personal relationships they have with each other. So given that, it puts Stevie in the power position where they have to persuade her to cooperate. So while they may all have some share of the blame I would place the majority of it on Stevie.

The real stumbling block regarding the upcoming Mac album is the imminent band tour. There seems to be no conceivable reason for touring at this stage (so soon after the previous one and without any new product due to be released), other than a cash-grab. Yes I've read the spin about welcoming Christine back into the fold, but that's just nonsense. If the band truly wanted to get the album completed and issued, then the tour would not be occurring at this stage.
I am somewhat disappointed by Stevie's (perceived) lack of enthusiasm for a Mac album, but even if she had been available from March to April (when the recording sessions occurred), there still wouldn't have been a finished album.
It might be argued that Lindsey and Christine have ceased recording for the time being due to Stevie's lack of involvement, but it's equally possible that they don't wish to continue at this stage for other reasons. Christine has spoken about wanting to return to the UK before the tour rehearsals begin in July and perhaps Lindsey wishes to spend time with his family during the interim period (somebody here recently mentioned him usually vacationing at this time of year). There is also John's medical condition/treatment to consider - none of us know exactly what his current situation is.
I have said this before and still believe that Stevie had intended to record a solo album this year, prior to Christine's decision to re-join the band. Undoubtedly, she and Dave Stewart would have planned the Nashville sessions some time ago, with Blackbird Studios and the 'wrecking crew' of musicians having been booked some time in advance.
Dave is constantly working with all manner of artists and just to pin him down for a few consecutive weeks would be a challenge in itself. He has previously mentioned collaborating with Stevie on new compositions over the last couple of years and so they obviously have maintained a working relationship since the In Your Dreams album/tour/documentary ran it's course.
Stevie has spoken about locating the 'vault' demos for her latest album on Youtube and I suspect this was undertaken some time last year. In order for these 17 or 18 songs to be knocked out so quickly in the studio, sufficient time would have been required to become familiar with them and pre-determine arrangements etc. Therefore, I do honestly think Stevie was committed to this solo project before any firm plans were hatched for a Mac album.
As frustrating as this all might be to fans, this band always takes it's sweet time in getting anything done and this next album will be no exception. One could argue that Stevie is disinterested and non-committal; Lindsey is dictatorial and tactless; Christine might be capricious; John has been ill and Mick has been stirring the proverbial pot... who knows? There's no point apportioning blame as this won't alter the situation. We just need to hope that age doesn't wither these individuals and that eventually new music is bestowed upon us.

they had 6 full months. they could have easily finished the recording if everybody's been on board. and maybe that was their initial plan. maybe start of the tour was giving them a deadline to work towards.

seems like a very reasonable timetable actually - you record for 6 months and finish recording, get into rehearsals while the album is being mixed and mastered, and the publishing takes place during the tour.

i really don't see how people can rationalize Stevie starting an album in April and putting it out in October, and in the same breath saying that with 8 previously recorded and almost done songs, FM couldn't have finished recording an album in 6 months they had before their summer vacations, and putting it out at the start of the tour in October. :shrug:

yes, and now some of the reasons for them "taking their sweet time" seem to be coming out, yet many people choose to rationalize those reasons away.

elle, I find it absurd that you would possibly think 6 months was sufficient for this band to complete an album. Are you kidding?
That said, some artists are capable of recording an album in 3 weeks... :laugh:

PS Don't rule out the possibility of this next Mac tour being extended into early 2015 and beyond. That will further delay the proposed album.
Consideration should also be given to the fact that Stevie intends upon releasing her solo album whilst Fleetwood Mac are on tour - ie she will not be interrupting proceedings by embarking upon a solo tour. Surely this demonstrates some degree of commitment to the band?

see now i know you must not be serious and you are just finding justifications for whatever you want to say at the moment. which is fine, however absurd that may be. :laugh:

plus, aren't we going in circles here?? ;)

some artists are capable of recording an album of all new songs in a week.

i find it also interesting how everybody's conveniently forgetting how long (i.e. short!) it took to record, finish and put out the EP. you remember what the longest part was? band member negotiations whether or not to put some songs out before the tour. that part lasted a few months, from what we know. recording, mixing and mastering took much shorter time.

if SN wanted to be a team player she could have spent the time in studio with the band in march, before she went to work on her solo stuff in april. and you can't argue that maybe she did, because band is talking along the lines of Stevie assuring them she will finally be ready to give a bit of her time to the band after their On With The Show tour. if she already worked with them, they wouldn't be insinuating she hasn't.

yes, can you twist that knife a bit harder??

SN fans are happy, they are getting what they wanted for so long. i'm happy for all of you.

yet you all, instead of feeling generous in your exuberance and understanding why many FM fans, and basically all LB fans are feeling like they are getting the short end of the stick, all SN fans choose to do is twist the knife harder and deeper. :distress:

Not ALL of us. I don't have a knife. :p
Yeah, I'm happy, but I get your frustation. This whole thing is weird the way it went down.

true, i was thinking i should correct that.

yeah, agree.

also i don't want to speak for Christine fans; i would suspect they have mixed feelings - happy that unbelievable has happened and Christine is actually back, while frustrated it seems they won't get to hear her new FM music any time soon.

But according to Lindsey, the " team " wasn't planning on recording and releasing an album prior to the tour. :shrug: