The Ledge - Solo work keeping Fleetwood Mac guitarist busy

Solo work keeping Fleetwood Mac guitarist busy

By ED CONDRAN
Bucks County Courier Times
Phillyburbs.com

Before the release of Lindsey Buckingham's 2006 album, “Under The Skin,” the veteran vocalist-guitarist had crafted just a pair of solo albums in 21 years.

However, much has changed over recent years. Buckingham has turned into a prolific performer by his lonesome.

The Fleetwood Mac mainstay is back with “Gift of Screws,” which dropped three weeks ago. The reason Buckingham, who will perform Saturday at Trump Taj Mahal and Oct. 18 at the Keswick Theatre, has become such a busy solo artist of late is due to a moratorium issued to his Fleetwood Mac bandmates.

“I told the band that I had to put up a boundary,” Buckingham said while calling from Cleveland. “I needed a three-year period where they couldn't come knocking on my door. In 2002 I was working on some songs that I was going to put on a solo album, but the band came calling and they got the songs. I just needed this three-year break. That allowed me to follow through on two albums.”

“Under the Skin” is comprised of primarily pretty, delicate introspective numbers. However, “Gift of Screws” finds Buckingham back crafting some of his most rocking numbers. The gifted player delivers catchy tunes throughout the disc, which is enlivened with glorious guitar solos.

“It wasn't as if I intended to rock with this album,” Buckingham said. “It just happened. I was very happy with the last album, which is so different than this album. What was happening when I made this album was that it was leading me. I had no idea that I would be playing these solos. It all happened organically.”

“Gift of Screws” is the most inspired work Buckingham has released in a generation.

Some of the songs, such as “Treason” and the title track, are flat-out anthemic. “It was great that I had another album like this in me,” Buckingham said.

Buckingham, 59, admits that his wife, Kristen, who co-wrote a pair of songs with her husband, and his three young children, who are 10 and under, inspired him.

“They reinvigorated me,” Buckingham said. “I think I have been more creative since I've had these children and watch them grow up. It certainly has had an effect on me.”

Buckingham's elder children, a 10-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter, are starting to understand that their father is an iconic rocker. “When they're on the playground other parents talk and mention Fleetwood Mac,” Buckingham said. “They're getting what I'm about and been about. They've been to the shows and see me perform.”

Expect Buckingham to deliver a track or two from “Under the Skin” and render much of “Gift of Screws.” Of course, he'll deliver a number of Fleetwood Mac classics such as “Go Your Own Way,” “Tusk” and “I Know I'm Not Wrong.”

“There's certain songs I have to play and I'm fine with that,” Buckingham said. “It's great how enthusiastic the fans are when they hear those songs.”

Expect Buckingham to reconnect with Fleetwood Mac in early 2009. “We're talking about having rehearsals in January for a tour, which should start in March,” he said. “But we're going to be sensible about it. There's going to be time off for family and for Stevie Nicks' voice.”

After the jaunt, Buckingham expects to work on a Fleetwood Mac disc. “Hopefully the tour will spark us to make a record,” he said. “I love being in that band. We have such great chemistry. It's nice that I can go back with them after I have the opportunity to make my solo albums. I'm in a great position. I have my solo career, Fleetwood Mac and most of all, my family.”

Lindsey Buckingham appears Saturday at Trump Taj Mahal, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. Tickets are $38.50 and $48.50. Show time is 8 p.m. He returns to the area Oct. 18 at the Keswick Theatre, Glenside and Easton avenues, Glenside. $45 and $35. For more information on the Atlantic City show, call 609-449-5150. For the Keswick, call 215-572-7650.