In my opinion, things will progress the way they've always progressed in regards to Stevie's involvement with the band since the "Mirage" era. 90% of the studio work will be done without her, including the instrumentation on whatever "vault" songs she might have given them.
She will then come in and spend a month or two laying down the vocals on her vault songs and harmonies on Linds and Chris' songs. She will probably bring in 2 or 3 new songs that they will work on during this period as well.
If they bring in a filmmaker to document the reunion of the complete "Rumours" lineup, they'll film tidbits here and there at the beginning, but for the most part will do a majority of the filming during Stevie's studio time in an effort to show ALL FIVE members at play.
I have mixed feelings over a new studio album, especially after the last one. If the pieces can come together and the "magic" is there...if the quality of the songwriting can still strike emotional chords after all this time...and if EVERYONE brings their "A Game" with an understanding that this could very well be the LAST F. Mac studio record, then of course we'll all be overjoyed, not only the die-hards like us, but the casual Mac fan as well.
If they're just going through the motions to make money...if the songs make me want to puke (a la "Silver Girl" or "Red Rover")...if the chemistry between the band members is painfully stale, then it will be a bomb and a disappointment with EVERYONE and will be that final nail in the coffin, album wise.
Touring, as we all know, won't be affected. They'll probably do that for years and years. Just my opinion...but I really hope that a new, bad ass classic album comes to fruition, despite record sales. I've always been about the quality! I know they can do it!
