Been listing to allot of Tusk - Wow John McVie
 

I know Tusk gets really hailed as Lindseys masterpiece more so tied to his heavy involvement in holding onto artistic integrity etc. But I have been listing to it allot lately, and while that all may be true, god damn John's bass parts are amazing on this album. I would dare to say the best that I have every heard him play, and with a strong prominence.

Any thoughts?

I'm right there with you! The title track alone he already has a bouncy solo. Brown Eyes is another great John McVie bass riff throughout (complimented by Peter Green on guitar). And he just plain rocks out on Angel. I love John's playing in general though. It's like a mini symphony. So much more than filler.

It's always been my favorite Fleetwood Mac album.
I still remember they day I bought it in 1979.
Song for song, I think it's easily the creative studio peak for the band.

After buying the album, I remember opening it, trying to get to the the actual record...4 sleeves for two albums! Initially I didn't like many of Lindsey's songs: but they grew on me over time. I'm stilled intrigued by the unusual, sparse artwork and photography. It gives a mysterious visual tone to the music; a bit off the beaten path, some uncharted territory, but true to form.

It's one of their most diverse albums, and it just gets better with age. Critics were so unforgiving when it was released. It threw them (and many fans). They had expectation for something as polished and concise as Rumours, but instead they got something that challenged their perspective.

Lindsey took the brunt of the criticism for the album's ability to reach anywhere near the heights of commercial success Rumours enjoyed. Yet Tusk has aged well, earning more respect and getting more critical acclaim in recent years than when it was initially released.

John is truly amazing on Tusk, but that could be said for every album. If we're talking sheer talent, he easily has the best and most consistent chops of the fab 5. I'm one of the people on the board who bought the album the day it was released and liked it from the beginning. Commercial wise, it may have landed better in 1981 with one more "Rumours" in between. In hindsight, a harder rocking album, reminiscent of their live shows at the time may have gone over better than the sparse sonic masterpiece that landed in October 79.

Tusk really isn't my favourite album. In fact, most of it I could quite happily never listen to again.

That said, John's playing on certain Tusk and White Fleetwood Mac album tracks are what really made me realise what a good bass player can contribute to a song. The man just makes it sound so effortless and integral.

Very annoying packaging. I ended up throwing some sleeves away -- after fighting with them. But of course, when I got deeper into FM, I bought another album so that I would have the whole thing again.

Michele

I love Tusk. It may have thrown me for a loop a little while? I remember having it grow on me, particularly Lindsey's songs. I purchased it when I was...hmm...17? I'm 25 now, and might be the youngest FM fan on here. I think if Fleetwood Mac were to release an album from its catalogue as if it were new, that should be Tusk. It has a modern indie feel, similar to the underground-like position new wave had.

But John's playing on here is amazing. I think it's the album's style that permits him to shine. Some of his best work is pre-White Album. "Keep On Going" is a great example. On Bob's first Q&A, he said that he played bass on "Revelation." I have no reason not to believe him, but does anyone have confirmation on that either way? *That's* one of Fleetwood Mac's best basslines by far.

The discography section elsewhere on this site lists Bob on bass for Rev. I have seen John credited elsewhere where credits are pulled from the album as a whole.

Here you go:

http://discog.fleetwoodmac.net/songs...96&perfid=1359

Thank you. I'm surprised John's not anywhere on the track, though. There are two guitar tracks, so I've been assuming he played the rhythm. Perhaps not, though.

Nevertheless, the "Brown Eyes" bassline is top-5, easily.

So true about Angel. Such a good prominent bass line through out the whole song! :cool:

Here is a bit more info--an old thread with some insight into Johns absence/ the guitar parts.


http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showth...evelation+bass

I play guitar, but I agree: John's bass playing is something of extraordinary. His bass lines are very good, not filler at all. A prominent part of the song structure. Lindsey said, if I remember right, that John always had an indipendent vision on what to play: he played what he felt right, and listening to the record, and, this one in particular, I think he made the right choice.