I'm really loving...
 

Penguin a lot right now. It was the last of the Bob Welch era Fleetwood Mac albums I only got it less then a year ago, and I thought it was good the day I bought. But just now I've been listening to it and I really love it. So much that I think its my second favorite Welch Mac album next to Mystery To Me. It's maybe Christine's best trio of songs ever. Revelation (songs like the child of Bermuda Triangle and Bad Loser) and Night Watch are probably my two favorite Bob Welch songs next to Hypnotised. The Derilict is an awseome and soothing song. Road Runner is fun. The only song I need to skip is Bright Eyes

Hello Hawkeye: I know what you mean. I avoided "Penguin" for the longest time. I'd heard that the Dave Walker numbers contributed to a "sub-par" Mac CD. But "Revelation" and "Night Watch" are both great! I'm currently in the process of making a four-tape set for my car stereo, and both of these sensational Welch songs will be on it. Although from top to bottom my favorite Welch CD is "Future Games", "Penguin" deserves a second look from Mac fans who have dismissed it. Best wishes, Madelow.

You mean "Bright Fire"? :shrug: It's an ok song, about on par with "The Ghost" on Bare Trees...not Welch's best, but not his worst, either.

Actually, the only tune on Penguin that I avoid like the plague is "Roadrunner". AWFUL cover, just dreadful. Sounds like they just recorded the first take and left it at that...weak track, definitely in Fleetwood Mac's "Bottom 5" of all time.

:eek:Everyone's entitled to their opinion, so here's mine on this subject: This has got to be one of the worst FM performances ever. Christine's songs are the only thing that redeems this album in anyway. This was a "one off" album without doubt. Welch's contributions are weak, Dave Walker is absolutely horrible and it's just plain painful to listen to as a whole. I can only stand to listen to Christine's contributions, and Revelation. Other than that, I can't stand it. I honestly think this album was done because it was required by contract and for no other reason. There's very little life in it at all other than the Christine tracks and Welch's Revelation.

What is it with all the Dave Walker hate in this place? :shrug:

The Derelict is fanastic, one of the best songs on the album, and while I'm A Roadrunner isn't as good it certainly isn't "horrible". Well thats my opinion anyway, although I'm a bit of Dave W fan...go and check out his solo CD "Walking Underwater" - fantastic.

Along with Heroes are Hard to Find, Penguin is one of the best of the post-Peter, pre-Stevie/Lindsey albums.

My advice to anyone who listens to Dave's stuff is that you have to remember that there isn't a specific Fleetwood Mac sound. It is only that Dave didn't get the chance to record more songs that makes his contribution seem so out of place in hindsight. I wish Dave (and Bob Weston) had been given more of a chance in FM.

Here's mine - the only high point is Peter Green's solo on "Nightwatch". It not a good song, but the solo elevates it. McVie is at her least inspired lyrically, and she was never Mac's best lyricist. Welch's song are below average. I actually like Dave Walker's songs the best! He has a really good blues voice. His songs do not sound like Fleedwood Mac, but on this album it's a blessing! I guess it depends if you prefer the "pop-era" Mac or the original band.

Actually I'd go as far as to say that Derelict is probably in my top 12 or 15 FM songs (and I mean 1967 to now)...

Listening to it now....FANTASTIC ;) Third listen tonight after reading this thread...

I guess I must be missing something in the hundreds of times I've listened to all of my FM from P
G's FM to Say You Will. Honestly I cringe when I put Penguin in the CD player. It's like drowning in a cat!! I only listen to a few of the songs and then move on.

The Dave Walker contributions are like an afterthought at best!! It sounds like they said, "Well we've got this guy, we have 2 tracks left for the album, what's he got?" And after the bong was empty and the acid wore off, they realized they actually recorded that crap and sent it to the record company!! "OOOPS!! Too late to stop it now, guess we'll have to live with it."

As far as there not being a specific FM sound, I would agree and disagree at the same time. The original sound was, of course, blues. They tried to stick to that, but Jeremy took them in a more rock direction, as did Danny to a degree. Bob Welch definitely took them in a more rock direction. Dave Walker and Bob Weston also (I guess you could say, although I'm not sure how) also led them there. Welch had a kind of "spiritual" (for lack of a better term right now) quality to his songwriting that was carried on with Stevie and to a lesser extent Lindsey. Peter had it too but with a blues bend.

As far as Dave Walker not getting enough of a chance, I think the Penguin contributions speak for themselves as to why!!

Sorry.

And Rick went back to the blues, Billy and Bekka took them from rock to country...in other words we've done pretty much the spectrum of music (well we are yet to do rap but give them chance).

What I'd like you to do if you haven't already is go and listen to some of the Savoy Brown stuff that Dave featured on (Lion's Share, Hellbound Train, Street Corner Talkin', etc) or perhaps the solo stuff he's done recently (Walking Underwater, Mostly Sonny) and START APPRECIATING THE GUY!!! :lol:

Appreciate nails being dragged across a chalkboard? I just can't.

As far as Bekka and Billy taking FM country, I guess I missed that too. They did a duet country album after leaving FM, but their contributions to "Time" are certainly not country.

My point is that FM has always had an ethereal or otherworldly quality to their music. Evidence a few titles that come to mind just off the top of my head: Albatross, Black Magic Woman, Green Manalishi, Sunny Side of Heaven, Night Watch, Hypnotized, Rhiannon, I'm So Afraid, Crystal, The Chain, Gold Dust Woman, Sisters Of the Moon, Gypsy, Seven Wonders, Welcome To The Room Sara, In The Back Of My Mind, Behind The Mask, These Strange Times, Say Goodbye, and Goodbye Baby.

How on Earth does Dave Walker fit into that short list of songs with that quality? Short/Quick answer, he doesn't.

Honestly, I don't hate the man, believe me. He's got more talent than I've got and I'm not too proud to admit it. He's recorded with a world class band. Have I? Nope. I just don't care for his contributions to FM. That's all I'm saying.

OT: I hope it does happen someday. I loved Jay-Z's rap Remix of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" -- an already great song lifted a couple of notches. I just pray to God that if/when the Mac invite a rapper to contribute to a track that it's not Lindsey's beloved Eminem.

Well supposedly one of Mick's criticisms of Bekka and Billy was that they made FM sound too country...read that in an interview somewhere with either Bekka or Billy?

I guess it is one of the things about FM is that there is something for everyone. Personally I try to appreciate each contribution, although I struggle with Dave Mason but thats the way it goes...

Just a quick question though, have you even tried to listen to Dave's Savoy Brown stuff or his solo stuff? If you haven't I'll even send you some to listen to if you like. I'm not trying to force you to like Dave W. Personally I like him, he's a good blues rocker and I like that quality.

I used to like the Derelict on Penguin but knew almost nothing else about him. Dug up the Idle Race album Time Is after talking with John (wetcamelfood) on here, and then hunted up the Savoy Brown albums, etc. The more I listen the more I enjoy.

You have to be aware though that I'm a big Dylan fan (plus people like Rod Stewart, Springsteen, etc) so the need for an artist to actually hold a tune is optional. Raw would be a good word for Dave W.

Finally I think the mystical quality to FM has certainly existed through Bob Welch and Stevie and perhaps to a lesser extent PG. Three out of thirteen vocalists, although admittedly major vocalists.

Anyway if you don't like him then you don't like him...I could tie you down and force you to listen to the Derelict on repeat but that might just be extreme and I can't afford the airfare right now... :laugh:

Well more than one world class band has been graced by his presence - Savoy Brown, Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath to name those that come to mind. :)

I still find that strange to believe that he nearly took over from Ozzy in Sabbath. Didn't last long tho but would've been a cool CV. Savoy Brown, F.Mac and Sabbath :thumbsup:

Pick the odd one out?

Sjpdg I know you are going to say "Fleetwood Mac". :lol: