Christine on Mirage and Potential Album
 

10 Questions for Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac

The Arts Desk by Ralph MooreTuesday, 20 September 2016

http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music...-fleetwood-mac

The peacemaker of Fleetwood Mac on Mirage, Maui and missing the buzz

heartsdesk meets Christine McVie on a sunny Friday afternoon in September; the Warner Brothers boardroom (with generous hospitality spread) is suitably palatial. We’re the first media interview of the day, so she’s bright and attentive. McVie was always the member of Fleetwood Mac who you’d want to adopt: the most approachably human member of a band constantly at war with itself. Readily admitting that she’s the “peacekeeper’ in the band, the singer/songwriter behind such Mac classics as “Everywhere” and “You Make Loving Fun” is as sweet and serene as you’d hope she would be.

She’s here to promote the new deluxe re-master of 1982 album Mirage – the follow up to the somewhat deranged 1979 Tusk, which was recorded and released as Christine and John McVie, the band's bassist, were divorcing. She quit the band in 1998 after the hugely successful live album The Dance, after which she started a fairly solitary life of her own in the English countryside for the best part of sixteen years. The first four of those, she says, were simply spent working on the house. It was only therapy and the canny, persuasive hand of Mick Fleetwood that coaxed her into returning after a trip to Maui, Hawaii, where Mick lives close to John McVie, his lifelong partner in crime.

The former Christine Perfect had a severe fear of flying that she’s now completely beaten, and as we speak, it’s clear that she’s fairly perplexed for having left the fray for so long in the first place. So what was she doing in all that time exactly? “A lot of people ask me that question!” With a brand new album (their first since 2001’s Say You Will) and a new world tour in the planning stages, it’s clear that the Fleetwood Mac story still has several enthralling chapters ahead. Somewhere near Fleetwood's on Front Street – Mick's fancy restaurant in Maui – the drummer must be feeling pretty smug that the ragged band of brothers and sisters he founded are finally back together.

Ralph Moore: What was the mood of the band post Tusk?

Christine McVie: I remember we did two huge world tours after Tusk. We drove ourselves into the ground physically and obviously there was a lot of drinking and a lot of drugs, and that just about killed us all so we took a lot of time off. There was a long time between Tusk and Mirage. Mick went to Ghana to make an album called The Visitor and Stevie [Nicks] made Bella Donna, which was a huge hit for her. But I think maybe we were under contract so had to make a record at that time, so Mick tried to recreate a similar bubble to Rumours where we were away from our homes and that’s how that started. The mood? I was quite looking forward to it! We recorded at Honky Château [the infamous Chateau d'Herouville, located 20 miles north of Paris in the Val d'Oise]. There was a big piano there that Elton John had left there, so that was great. I seem to remember we did a lot of mucking around, playing table tennis. The guys from the French Open came down to visit us and John McEnroe also came down – I think I actually beat him at table tennis one night! It was a funny time. I don’t remember any particular animosity. I'm sure we were under contract to do another record so that was the basis of it. And from that, from little acorns the oak tree grew and it turned into a much nicer experience with some really good songs on it.

You returned to the band in 2014: had the dynamic changed in the band?

Well, I just couldn’t believe that sixteen years had actually passed! I mean, quite literally, from the moment I stepped on stage in Dublin to rehearse “Don’t Stop” I knew: the eye contact with all the band members, it was like going home. Truthfully. And they felt the same about me. The circle was complete. Had anything changed? Only technically. Vibe-wise, I had Mick looking at me through his cymbals but there was always that gap there on the stage when I left, they hadn’t filled it up with anyone else. That gap when they were touring without me was there every night. It was such a great feeling.

Is it fair to say that you’re the peacekeeper in the band?

I know Stevie always calls me Mother Earth so possibly! How do I put this…. I have always been the most sane one of the lot, more down to earth, but I think John’s probably even more down to earth now. Peacekeeper? Yeah, I like that title. I do tend to meander around in the cracks! And do I have to be a peacekeeper now? Only occasionally. You always get moments with Stevie and Lindsey [Buckingham], that’s part of their make-up, they are each other’s muses and they have not been together for years but they have this love/hate thing that they’ll always have and someone has to gently insinuate in the middle. But Stevie and I are really good friends, in fact I think we’re better friends now than we were sixteen years ago. And it’s a fact, when it's the Buckingham/Nicks show backed by John and Mick, that’s going to cause a lot of tension and stress. But with me in there, it gave Stevie the chance to get her breath back and not have this constant thing going on with Lindsey: her sister was back.”

Is it fair to say that Fleetwood Mac is a democracy, but driven for the most part by Mick?

Yes, but you’ve got to have a degree of flexibility. We’re very democratic. If one person is outvoted, you go with it. Mick always says – I’m a drummer, I can’t just sit in a room and play drums, I need a band. So in Maui, he has his own little band and when Fleetwood Mac’s not touring, he plays with them. It keeps him busy.

In the sixteen years interim, what were you doing and did you see the band much?

I didn’t see them very much. First of all, I never flew anywhere. I saw them at Earls Court a few years back and sat at the sound board and that was a weird feeling. But I had no sense at that time of wanting to rejoin and at that time it was a relief – but I didn’t realize what pleasure I was missing until more recent days when I made the phone call to Mick and asked, what would be it be like if I came back. Fortunately Stevie was dying for me to come back, as were the rest of the band. Lindsey didn’t believe it would ever happen but when I walked back onstage he did and they were delirious.

But when I first left, I was married at that point and spent 4 years restoring the house, a big rambling place with gardens, it was quite a project. But I didn’t write very much and the marriage didn’t work out, and I started to find I was twiddling my thumbs in this huge place, bouncing off the walls. So I thought that I’d do a little solo project. I got together with my nephew who’s a good musician and quite handy with ProTools and I thought, I’ll do a little record because I can’t fly, and I don’t want to tour, so we did that in my garage. And that took a couple of years, because we didn’t have a pressing need to finish it.

And then I sunk into isolation and got in a bit of trouble and sought help, and that was when I called Mick. It was healing and cathartic going back into the band. I missed all that buzz. I was also deluded about some idea of being the country lady with dogs, a Range Rover and Hunter boots, going for long walks, all that. Baking cakes in my Aga! It was not what I wanted in the end.

How did you overcome the fear of flying?

I was starting to realize that I was trapped in England unless I went by train or boat – and that I will never be able to see the world. So I went to a therapist and said I have to be able to get on a plane. And he said where would you most like to go and I said, Maui! And he said, buy a first class ticket. Don’t get on – you have the ticket, that’s the starting point. And as serendipity would have it, Mick said “I am coming to London” and I said “I have a ticket to Maui!” So he said “Stay there! And we’ll go back together.”

So I went back with Mick to Maui and didn’t even feel the plane taking of, that’s how unafraid I was! I had some pretty good therapy, and I love flying now! And I did some songs with his little band there, and that was the start of it all. It’s the best thing we could have ever done. In many ways, I think we sound better and the audience reaction is better than even it was before. It’s unprecedented in rock ‘n’ roll that someone should leave and rejoin 16 years on and all five of us are still alive and healthy – touch wood and whistle!

Let’s talk about the new album.

I love every single track we’ve done, bar none. This's something to me that is really special. Stevie hasn’t come in on it yet because she’s been busy doing something else. Last year, I was in there with Mick and Lindsey and John – John’s healing very nicely now – and nearly completed seven tracks and they’re magic. Seriously, no padding! I’m going to go over again in October to work on it. Stevie’s on tour but we’ve got until next year to finish it because we’re planning a world tour again, for the summer of ‘17. I don’t know if I’m privy to give song titles yet but Lindsey and I have practically co-written everything. Getting the band all together is like herding sheep: to get all five of us in a room is nigh-on impossible. And then somebody will wander out! But it does happen.


And what’s great is Fleetwood Mac is now a genuine, cross-generational experience.

The generation gap is phenomenal! Kids are going ‘we’d better see them before one of them dies!’ The songs endure. I have lots of friend with growing children, even 12 and 11 year olds and some of them are avid listeners, they carry ‘Rumours’ on their iPods! ‘Tango’ is a favourite and ‘Tusk’ is a favourite of some the weird 14 year old boys. The demographic is remarkable.

And you still have the potential to play Glastonbury again.

Yes. I think we have been asked but for whatever reason it hasn’t happened, I don’t know for what reason. Would I love to do it? Love’s a strong word! I wouldn’t mind – so long as we could helicopter in and helicopter out!

Let’s end by returning to Mirage – where does it sit in the Mac canon for you?

If I have to be really truthful, it’s not catalogued as my favourite but on it are some great songs and some really good memories and it hearkens in a vague sense, not to the soul of Rumours but to more commercial roots after Tusk, which was the antithesis of commercial. On Mirage we made an effort to have a few more catchy songs. But it’s still a pretty eccentric record when you listen to it. It’s nuts!

The deluxe edition of Mirage is out on September 23rd on Warner Brothers
by Ralph Moore @ralphusmoorus

So, she plans to come back in October and work on it some more. At least it's a plan.

Michele

So the album will come out next year in some form. There's no possible way that Stevie will let them release it without her on it so she'll go in to the studio after her tour has wrapped up.

I knew they would coincide this album release with the Rumours 40th anniversary and the bands 50th. It's good for publicity.

Thanks for posting.
I love how brash and honest Christine is all the time. I love it every time she says "no padding."
I really love it she acknowledged the incredible fan reactions from the last tour. Lindsey mentioned it too. Its one thing to play before sold out crowds every night. But to have their fans standing the entire show and cheering...is something they have not seen their entire career. They feed off that energy.

Okay so the same stuff that we've seen in every interview for the last two years. I was hoping there would be more about Mirage. Anyway, good to hear about the upcoming tour. I'm starting to save money now.

What a cool interview.

Good stuff, and reassuring to know there is a plan and continued recording enthusiasm.

Fantastic interview. Everything I've been told or suspected is coming to light.

A little subtext in here, as well.

I feel a little better now:)
I've always felt the Mirage box was a warm up to something new:)
Sometimes I wish I was friends with Christine, she was always the coolest IMO.
Love her smoky timbre.

I agree James...2017 makes sense in a Big way marketing wise.

Michele, I told you Christine was inspired by Steven Tyler. Even though she doesn't actually say so, she did mention that it was those Maui gigs that rekindled the flame.
I also liked how she was honest stating Mirage isn't one of her fave albums. Lindsey would have said, "it's the best album we've ever done." LOL j/k
I know he would still say that about Tusk.
I must be one of those weird 14 year old boys because Tusk is still my favorite album after all this time.
Christine sorta gave us hope that there will be a new album released before the tour.

Sounds like there really will be a Fleetwood Mac album next year. They are just waiting for Stevie. I think Stevie is just being coy about recording with Fleetwood Mac. She wants all the attention on 24Karat Gold right now. When the tour is done she will head to the studio. I hope.

Why is this so good? Why do I love her to death? Her tone is so different from Stevie's. I can see why she was so quietly successful with her hits and music. She's authentic. Never forces anything and her art comes from her soul/heart and not her head. Very honest non-pretentious interview. Boy, we needed that.

Plus, she says table tennis vs. ping pong!! :blob1:

Shes way overdo for a solo album.

Still, Stevie says it is all up to the Gods. That's the one who has to commit. If Chris is so sure, why isn't Stevie?

Or Mick? If they all had the same time line they would be believable...

Mick said tour in the fall of 2017 CM now says summer 2017 Stevie says no FM for another 1-1/2 to 2 years so that's summer or fall of 2018...Which is it?

One snippet that was interesting was about being under contract to do another record so they "had" to record Mirage. That explains why Stevie had only a mini tour and her album was still charting when she had to return to the Mac. The timing was always odd to me. I have read both of Mick's book and that part was never mentioned.
In a Todd Sharpe interview earlier this year, he said that Christine was under contract to record a solo album. She confided in him that she did not want to do it. So Chris asked Todd to write and be a partner in it and help establish her solo band.

Little details mean a lot. The Mac was probably under contract to do one more album before 1983 or something. After the Tusk tour, they had a one year break before getting back to the studio. Warner Brothers also had Christine under contract to get a solo album out after the Mac contract expired.

It all makes perfect sense now. It seemed strange the band did not give Stevie the time to enjoy her successful solo album. But Stevie knew the time frame and did all she could during the break and was in France as required under the contract. Loyalty to the band, yes. But also obligated to do it. That part is never mentioned ;)

Stevie doesn't know. She wears boots all summer long and gets her seasons mixed up.

Some great stuff here. I'm so hopeful the material is going to be great- no filler (as if there is ever filler from Christine).
I'm still not convinced Stevie is singing from the same hymn sheet though.

Exactly, but she's not going to throw her under the bus because she's got something very fleeting for Stephanie. Class.

I'd love to believe Christine's timeline is THE timeline, but she's already been wrong. Early last year she said the band would convene in the spring to work on the album. Well, THAT didn't happen.

I am pleased to see Christine is going out to continue working on the nine songs in October. At the very least, her continued work means the material will be released in some form eventually.

Glad she's aware that death is a concern of the fans. And that this project should be driven by factors not considered fifteen or twenty years ago.

she mentioned Bella Donna maybe that will make stevie happy

That was hilarious!!

Yeah--it's that album Christine listened to once 32 years ago.

I love Christine and her positive energy. I feel Stevie will come in and record with them within the next year or so. A 4th quarter/holiday release in late 2017 would be awesome.

Dying... This is an interview to promote the album and she's just being honest about it.:laugh:

I love Christine's diplomacy... I think the interviewer was trying to get some salacious drama out of her a la Lindsey/Mick/Stevie and she just tells it how it is. I'm glad she was chill about Stevie in particular. I remember in Stevie's Rolling Stone cover interview a few years ago Christine was the only FM member who agreed to be interviewed. And calling Stevie her sister is so cute!:xoxo:

Christine makes me SO excited for next year!:nod:

Whether or not anything comes of it, it does my heart good to hear Christine still pushing forward with optimism and determination for new music. Lindsey hasn't said anything about it in the press in some time, Mick has shifted into a noncommittal mode (no doubt in order to keep from angering Stevie), John has never said a word about the new album, and we all know Stevie is teflon on the subject. I tend to think that when Chris puts her foot down about something, it gets done. So I can safely report my despair has turned into dim hope once again.

And I have to say, Christine's way of incapacitating drama while simultaneously doling out piercing honesty and icing it with self-depreciating humor is incredibly deft. Calling the woman a class act is almost an insulting one-dimensional understatement. What a refreshing interview.

Haha! I've insulted her. ;)

Totally different tone!

Yeah I liked that too.

...

I do wish somewhat that she would sell this album more though. Mirage is great!

You are 100% correct and more.
Christine is a pure inspiration. I love her love for her music, creating new music, and wanting to get back on the road. Consider this at her age and where she came from. 10 years ago she was in an isolated farm house refusing to even listen to a FM song, telling herself she was not worthy. Pardon the expression but she really came out of the darkness. I love her new love and zest for life and music. Its hard to overcome depression and the older you get its harder to overcome anything. She is the most amazing person in the world. Her voice, her singing, and her songs have always had a calming effect over me. I would love to see a Mac show where she sings every song ;)

Christine is and always will be the calm of Fleetwood Mac. In all the interviews I have read over the years prior to an album release Christine speaks about the music and not the drama. There was never a doubt in my mind that Stevie wouldn't participate on their up coming release. Even in past interviews prior to Mac releases Stevie never really was the " lead" on giving us the details on the progress etc.. As a singer and not a musician that plays a major part in crafting the songs it makes sense to leave it up to Buckingham/McVie to share the details.

I can't wait to get my Mirage!!

I think Christine is downplaying that she had severe depression, with the fear of flying being a symptom of it. Giving away all your possessions, cutting ties with your loved ones, and isolating yourself are other symptoms, which Christine did back in 1998. (I had my own bout with depression in 2009.) I'm glad she sought help from a therapist, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was treated with antidepressants to quickly get her back on track so she could focus on what was most important in her life....music!

I agree to a point. I think that she covers it with the "I got into a bit of trouble and was isolated."

I personally have suffered from this as well. It's so draining that you don't want to go anywhere. I don't need her to get too personal about how severe it was. (we know how long she was away) But, I agree it was deeper than some fear of flying.

Under Christine's own Ledgie-site--she was on BBC Radio this afternoon.
There is a lovely link to hear the whole interview, thanks to Elliefw.
Christine was her usual open and honest self...

Love hearing her voice.

There's another reason too. Mick was already developing big financial problems by 1981 ~ that's why he moved to Monaco shortly after the Tusk tour ~ so he needed a new FM album to make some good money quick. It was especially urgent since he was not a songwriter, so he didn't earn royalties during downtime like Stevie, Lindsey and Christine did.

Funny, the tour they did for Mirage is very short.

It amazes me how they can never remember what date their albums came out. Christine has a little bit of an excuse. She was on Then Play On thru Dance. But still, how do you promote an album and no know what the original release date was. You have to know that they are going to ask questions.

I really laughed when she said, "You're asking me?"

So great to hear from the most talented female in the group