Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie” is a distraction Fleetwood Mac cannot afford
 

Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie” is a distraction Fleetwood Mac cannot afford

[Passsionate about something musical that you want to get off your chest? Got a great story to share? Fantastic! Guest posts are welcome at AJoMT. Submit away and we might find space for you. Today’s post comes from hardcore Fleetmac Mac, John Duffy. He has a real problem with Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie peeling away from the Mac to do their own thing, even if it’s temporary.- AC]

If a band can make it to their fifth decade, they have beaten the longest of odds. August 13 will mark the 50th anniversary of Fleetwood Mac’s its debut at the National Jazz and Blues Festival in Windsor, England. Back at the beginning, they were a loud, brash, ballsy British blues quartet, led by a messianic guitarist named Peter Green who sang songs about the indifference of God and the evils of money.

And in the long history of the band—seventeen studio albums, twenty Billboard Top 40 hits, 100 million records sold, addiction, madness, love, betrayal, breakups, religious cults, and numerous stylistic changes—there have certainly been stranger things than this year’s “Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie” side project.

But if anything, this episode is another example of just how fragile the band’s political chemistry has always been.

Just two days before the 50th anniversary of the Windsor debut (neither of them was in Fleetwood Mac at that time) the two finish up a tour in support of what by all measures should have been a new Fleetwood Mac album. Many have asked, “Why wasn’t it?”

As the story goes Christine and Lindsey went into the studio to woodshed a backlog of songs back in 2015. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, the engine room of the band since the beginning, were there too. But they were stuck when Stevie Nicks made it clear that her solo career—these days splitting dates with the Pretenders—was more important.

Instead of proceeding as the “Mac,” or waiting for her contributions to be added later (a la “Tango in the Night”), someone thought it best to release the ten songs that had been worked up thus far as a full album.

Several songs, while well-crafted, are of the quality that wouldn’t have made the cut were there another world-class singer and writer present (one of the secrets to so many hits in their bag). More than one tune is embarrassingly trite.

And while it’s been billed as a duets album, there are almost none of the characteristic harmonies on Buckingham/McVie we have come to expect as a given on Mac songs over the last forty years.

So why isn’t this a Fleetwood Mac album? Are we to believe that minus Stevie Nicks it just doesn’t count? It clearly would’ve been a better album with her presence, but it’s been the rhythm section of the band that has been its core from day one, if not its sexy and sultry face.

But more unsettling than that question is the fact that Fleetwood Mac is running out of chances to make a final definitive musical statement. Since “reforming” in 1997—that’s twenty years, kids—the group has managed to put out one album of new material. One.

“Say You Will” (2003) was better than even the band’s most ardent champions had hoped. It had singable pop songs form Nicks, Lindsey’s deep and brooding studio explorations, and even without Christine, it was a hit. A successful tour followed, then a few others, at least one of them attempted to make the lack of new material to promote seem a virtue (they did pretty much the same set from the last tour anyway).

Then, in 2014, Christine was back, and what did we get? Extended Play, four undercooked songs. It sounded exactly like what it was, the beginnings of a new album that ran out of gas. Oh well, at least there was something to tour behind now.

The longer great bands last, the more difficult it becomes to make music that doesn’t suffer by comparison to their classic work. U2, Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Eagles, Prince, Pearl Jam, even Canada’s Blue Rodeo and Tragically Hip have all in a sense reached this point.

This means that the nearer an act comes to their final bow, the more difficult it is to sound like something other than a well-paid cover band of yourself.

And Fleetwood Mac is quite frankly running on borrowed time. Christine turns 73 this year. John, a lifelong smoker and one-time heavy boozer, had a serious cancer scare a few years ago. And there are only a limited number of times the band can lower the octave so Nicks can land the notes on “Rhiannon” or “Seven Wonders.”

A great band this far in gets increasingly fewer chances to prove its continued validity other than as a jukebox. “Say You Will” made a giant step toward late-career relevancy for Fleetwood Mac. I suppose we should be grateful for “Extended Play” and “Lindsay Buckingham/Christine McVie,” but given the quality we’ve come to expect, they fall well short.

At this rate, does the band have another half decade to burn before they can get their act together once more?http://http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com

I think it's clear that the writer prefers Stevie.


And I don't believe the key for Rhiannon has ever been lowered(has it?). Only the way in which she bleats it.:laugh:

i'm not so sure. the title is click-baity, but then article is actually complaining about FM not recording any new music together and wondering why was BuckVie not released as Fleetwood Mac. so the logical conclusion of the article that also talks about FM changing members is that the member who is not interested in band's new music should be booted for FM to be able to continue as a band instead of as a nostalgia act. :shrug:

I think the article is rather rude and unprofessional

It's a troll disguised as a bad journalist.

Given Stevie's refusal to work on a new Mac record, distractions and side projects are the heart of new music. And what a record! LB/CM is a great record.

Excellent article which I find hard to disagree with. And from seeing the clips of the recent Classic West and East shows, it saddens me to say that maybe this great band should have called it a day after the OWTS tour: after all, this was a REAL reunion with the return of Christine and what could a 2018/2019 tour give us that OWTS didn't? Age, health, voice issues as well as another long tour become more relevant as each year passes.
Incidentally , I was struck recently while listening to some Mirage and 1997 shows how the playing and performance was so much stronger because these were short tours.
Buckingham McVie, while good, is not a duets album, much less a FMac album and I wholeheartedly agree with the positive comments on Say You Will: 14 years later, I love this album as much as ever.
Await with interest what others think about this thread.

*BUZZER*

While it's not a duets album(they were just trying to delicately tell us that Stevie wasn't on it, IMO), it's EVERY BIT as much a FM album as SYW.

BM is a FUN album. SYW was depressing AF. I've not listened to it for probably 5 years now, because it blows. :lol:

[QUOTEBUZZER*

While it's not a duets album(they were just trying to delicately tell us that Stevie wasn't on it, IMO), it's EVERY BIT as much a FM album as SYW.

BM is a FUN album. SYW was depressing AF. I've not listened to it for probably 5 years now, because it blows. QUOTE]

I love "Say you will" except for "come." I never get tired if listening to it.

My cousin's roommate bought the deluxe SYW, and when she got to Come, she HATED it, and gave it to me.

She said, "this album doesn't sound like FM".

She was right. I know what was missing. Don't you?:p

I think it's a pretty good and accurate article..
The one thing I really agree with is the fact that....Buckingham, Mcvie is an average set of songs.
A couple the songs are pretty rubbish, especially the lyrics.
A couple of the songs are pretty good.

It's an okay LP, nothing more.
Would it have been better if ......no I'm not gonna go there.

You already went there by dismissing as "average" the fine NEW work of the remaining four.

I still can't get over all the Stevie fans who resent LB/CM going ahead with a project that has been nothing but positive for them and towards the band.No trash talk. No dismissals of others. Just great new music. They even surrendered the band name to let this happen.

I love this album so much!! The 2 shows that I have attened were fantastic.

The Denver show was a lot better than Vegas. I was blown away in Denver.

Creating is what artists should do. This project has done very well for Christine and Lindsey and they should be proud of it.

I am not dismissing this new work, I am just saying that for me it's not great.
And I am not a Stevie fan particularly, I am a Fleetwood Mac fan.

They will never record a new album. Next year will be the farewell tour; Lindsey will continue his solo efforts (and who knows - there's perhaps a small chance of more BuckVie); Stevie will tour until she's in a wheelchair; Mick will try to think of new ways to make a buck; and John will retire. The end.

🤧🤧🤧 boohooo, sniff, sniff.
But I know what you say is correct.
That's exactly how it will happen.

And Christine will be by Lindsey's side. :nod: They're happy with BuckVie. Very happy. I think FM doesn't do the trick for them anymore.

definitely looks like it!

unfortunately, the time is not on their side. and Fleetwood Mac tour smacked right in the middle of their creative period is not helping one bit. i wish the FM tour is fragmented into little pieces in between which they can all do what they actually really want to do - kinda like this year's activities, with different band members and combinations doing what they love, and then coming together as FM here and there for people who want to see the whole band.

instead, we will probably have a massive mammoth 2 year FM tour going throughout 2018-19.

many other bands alternate between touring solo, and with different bands and combinations - so considering how little time they have left, that should definitely be something FM should consider. 2014-15 OWTS tour really threw a wrench into many individual (and together!) band members' creative and touring efforts for basically 3 years.

That would make a lot of people happy, starting by some members of the band. Time is not on their side, I agree, so they should make a decision quick.

Maybe the tension in the air during the Classics had something to do with that. Maybe Lindsey is trying to negotiate some solo time between the FM tour, and he's getting nowhere. I really hope he's gonna try because that would work for many of us. :nod:

Yep. This is it. :(

Although I hope Ana is right, and we might get more BuckVie. I'd actually prefer that at this point. Because "THE STAR" can't be bothered. I wish they'd kick her ass to the curb. INGRATE!:mad:

I don't think there will be another Buckingham McVie album. I just don't think it'll happen, I believe it was a one-time thing.

I think they will do a new album. It looks like Stevie and Lindsey have hit rock bottom in despising each other. Only one way to go but up.

That's my theory.

Not factually correct either. EP came out before Christine returned.

:xoxo::nod:

BuckVie's modest success was something I think Lindsey wasn't expecting. And he can't be more happier to have a chance outside FM. :nod:

Her attitude towards BuckVie :woohoo: and towards the two Classic concerts :mad: was sooo different!


I agree. Maybe we will get a new BuckVie album instead of a solo work, although it's a bit earlier for a second BuckVie album.

I also sensed the hate last Sunday. I don't want to sound soap-operish but his main problem was HER. I can't believe how some fans don't find it odd that they didn't even stand next to each other for the bows. Every movement on stage is carefully planned and they decided to spontaneously change the bows? No, something's going on and BuckVie is involved. :nod:

With Lindsey especially, you can clearly see how much more he enjoys BuckVie. They're both relaxed, and clearly loving it being up there together. A complete contrast to when they're up there with OGB.:mad:

It is too early, but maybe another short tour would scratch my itch!

I think it doubled their power and they actually both got there name out there.
It helps that Christine has 2 hits per 1 of the other members.

Example,
SYLM OMHead >>> Rhiannon
YMLV, Don't Stop >>> GYOW Dreams
Little Lies/Everywhere >>>> Seven Wonders Big Love

I think they were a bit surprised by how well it came out. So, here's hoping.

My guess (and I have no idea what I'm talking about) is that the camel's back is broken by Stevie's refusal to do a Mac album.

Same here. Only a guess.. but by the looks on his face... he's done with her and her big bag of bs.

Here's hoping for a UK or an European tour. I'll have to pack and hit the road again! :cool:

I love seeing them so happy! :]

You see their expressions when people don't stop cheering them at every concert. They clearly weren't expecting this positive reaction. :nod:

He threw some daggers at her direction by some comments he made on the Classic East.

I saw her trying to reach to him many times. And he was having none of it. He wasn't disrespectful to her or anything but he tried to stay away from her. I think that's why she said: "We talk sometimes" when she kept talking and talking to him after Landslide and before Glenn Frey's dedication.

What did he say?

He made his usual introduction of "we are like a family: sometimes we hate each other but the love is still there". And then he started talking about how important it is to still explore your creative side. He made circles around that subject. I don't remember the exact words but that was the idea he was trying to communicate, which I found odd because FM isn't exactly doing that.
For a brief instant I thought he was gonna start talking about BuckVie. :D

Haha!! That sounds like him. He is doing a solo album after this which tells me he puts his money where his mouth is.

I would hate if he did an album of his old demos.. blah!

Actually, it's a shame they didn't use this as an opportunity to promote their new album--since the four members who recorded it were all on stage.

Uh, I'm pretty sure Stevie said she didn't think Fleetwood Mac would record another album because it wouldn't be fun and it wouldn't make her enough money...sounds like she didn't want to participate. So Chris and Lindsey were supposed to "wait for a later date." When? Never.

This is actually just kind of funny. In the meantime, (no pun intended), I am loving the Buckingham McVie concerts! I'm going to see them again this month, and I hope it goes on and on. More new music. More concerts that run deeper than the Greatest Hits Show I've already seen--where every interaction is rehearsed to a T (except a few funny moments during the bows when John would do something random--like bringing a hand fan on stage for Chris or wearing a witch hat on Halloween). (Sorry everyone who loves the Sara hug, but...if they play Sara, they're going to hug. I get it) (at $700 a ticket, no less!). If this is a distraction, consider me distracted!

At one point when he was giving his speech, I yelled: "BuckinghamMcVie!" but I was on Christine's side. There was no chance he would listen to me. Trust me, if I was on his side, I would've yelled harder. :D

I don't think they can do that. I'm not into band politics but maybe they all have to be part of a project in order to promote it in any band event. :shrug:

dear penny lane - never met you before but have to say: love ya! :xoxo::nod::thumbsup::angel::cool:

Good job!


Yeah, that's why they do Stand Back(or used to).

NEXT YEAR - they should do TWO songs from BM on the tour. One of hers, one of his. If they don't, they're just money whores. Nothing more than that.

Oh yeah. From things he's said lately and watching these Classic show videos, it seems like Lindsey is done playing nice with her now. The past ten or so years, it usually seemed like Stevie was the one visibly pissed at him while he tried to be sort of neutral and now it's swung the other way around. I think it probably has a lot to do with the album drama.

I'd be shocked if there's another BuckVie album. It was a great one-off that was initially intended to be a Mac album, despite what they tell the press.

There will be more Lindsey solo albums. There may be more from-the-vault Stevie albums. And I do believe -- and certainly hope -- we'll get one more Christine project that pays tribute to her blues roots and/or her songwriting skills.

But since the band will not release an FM album without Stevie, there won't be a Mac album either.