John McVie Appreciation Thread
 

Just thought I'd start a thread to show appreciation for the backbone of Fleetwood Mac right from day 1 since I didn't see one already.

Many bassists in rock bands are pretty bland or unidentifiable, but John McVie's is something special. A great many of his bass lines just a joy to listen to on their own. (I think they should have kept the bass line that is on the demo of Second Hand News instead of changing it that he is just playing the root note of the chords since it's way cooler and is really catchy)
Add the fact the McVie and Fleetwood have worked together forever and you get the rhythm section that fits together so well it's magic.

So anyone who's glad we have had this wonderful musician let's hear it :thumbsup:

Hear Hear :blob2:

Apart from his phenomenal musical talent, I'm grateful for the way in which he's held it all together over the years. There must have been so many times in the past when it would have been easy to just throw it all in and go off and do something else. Without that stickability from John (and Mick of course) we would have missed out on so much. I reckon he's been a big factor in keeping Mick sane as well :laugh:

John's bass parts are always tasteful. Also there is an understated power to his playing especially in a live setting. One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac moments occurs just after Angel, when Stevie yells "baby" and YMLF starts and John's playing just takes over the song. WOW.

John would probably say, "What else would I do? I play bass!" :D

I agree that Mick and John were an amazing partnership... of course musically , and also professionally/personally in just pushing ahead during the tough times and not being afraid of change. Although I think Chris was a big factor in that also...those 3 were tight like glue. :p

-Lis

My favorite John McVie bass lines were played during:

I Loved Another Woman
Watch Out (the "Blues Jam At Chess" version)
Miles Away
Hypnotized
Forever
Somebody
Bermuda Triangle
Angel (Bob Welch's)
Bad Loser
Born Enchanter
Blue Letter
Rhiannon
Say You Love Me
World Turning
Never Going Back Again
Go Your Own Way
The Chain
You Make Loving Fun
Tusk
I Know I'm Not Wrong
Eyes Of The World
Empire State
Big Love (original version)
Isn't It Midnight
Save Me
In The Back Of My Mind
Behind The Mask
Winds Of Change
Sooner Or Later
Smile At You
Steal Your Heart Away
Come

Peestie, in relating to your post, in figuring out the keys and chords of songs-knowing when the bass is playing the tonic root note of the key is exactly how I know what key the song is in. I wasn't very good at it in my teens, but it's something that your ear develops as you progress as a musician. Of course the bass isn't always playing the root of the chord, but eventually you're able to discern when it is. Point being-listen to the bass!
Now, here comes David with a bunch of technical terms....:wavey:

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!


:lol: :lol:

I remember when I was twelve or so, back in the arena-rock climate of the early eighties, and a friend and I were arguing about who was the best bassist in rock. He said Geddy Lee of Rush--a popular choice at the time. I said John McVie of Fleetwood Mac and he laughed at me as if I were some moron who just stepped of the wuss buss.

I told him if he couldn't see what I saw then he was just into flash and conscious attempts at artistry. But John McVie has always been a bassist who is as unpretentious as he is accomoplished. He used to have a great sense of style, too: I'm thinking of his outfit on the 73 Midnight Special show.

I think in his q & a Brett Tuggle said he thought John was "too busy" of a bass player, or something like that. The complaint had to do with playing too many notes. That's crap. John does do a lot of work on that bass, but I always thought the notes were really well placed.

I'd add "Remember me" and "Dissatisfied" to that list.

I think John is incredibly cool and very talented. My favorite is his part on Gold Dust Woman. Besides The Chain and Rhiannon, I can't think of another FM song intro with as much punch as GDW. THANKS JOHN!

Well, he was polite enough to answer my question in the Q&A, so he gets a thumbs up from for that. But he is purely and simply a gentleman.:nod:

I like the list! I'd add Stevie's "Angel," the outro to "Skies The Limit" (which sounds more amazing with each listen), any 1974 version of "Rattlesnake Shake," "Believe Me," and "Over My Head."

Of course, there was his 1992 solo album, which is full of bass goodness!

John Rules!

I have to agree... John has always been one of my faves. His bass playing is so natural and intriguing. That's one thing I love about FM is how the "pieces" both fit together so well and are all extraordinary in their own right.

I would always put him in the category of when he's playing bass, you know the performance is extraordinary... ie, even if the rest of the song doesn't get it, at least you get a clinic in how to play the bass.
Others would probably be John Entwistle, Chris Squire, and probably Tony Levin.

Thanks for the tip man. I'm going to give figuring out the key another go with "Steal Your Heart Away" and "What's The World Coming To" and see how it goes.