[Matt Lucas]

Hello all---

Regarding non-Lindsey producers, I think Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom are very interesting suggestions. I am a huge fan of Crowded House, and Froom and Blake produced/engineered their first three records. I wouldn't suggest them for another CH album [been there, done that], but for FM, I say yes. They would bring something totally different to the FM sound, but I think it would work well. They already brought a new vibe to other established artists like Bonnie Raitt and Los Lobos, who made their masterpiece, KIKO, with Froom and Blake. And has anyone heard the Crowded House song, "Instinct?" I played it for a friend of mine who's a big FM fan, and he instantly thought it was a new Mac tune based on the intro and the music. Obviously, singer Neil Finn doesn't sound a thing like Lindsey, but the music---produced by Froom---has a great Mac-sounding-yet-swampy-and-different vibe to it.

As for Rubin, I could see that one happening, too. Rubin seems to enjoy working with artists that the music world has written off or forgotten about, like Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, and even the Dixie Chicks. [Yes, we all love Lindsey and FM, but I think the general view in the music world is that they're dinosaurs.]

And let's not forget that Lindsey has worked with Rubin at least once before: Rubin produced the Tom Petty soundtrack for the film, SHE'S THE ONE, on which Lindsey sang some wonderful backing vocals. Granted, it wasn't a long-term project, but I'm sure Lindsey was able to get an idea of how Rubin works.

For what it's worth, I think Sheryl Crow is a decent producer. She's produced some of her own albums, most notably her second one and GLOBE SESSIONS, both of which sound really good. But, as has been noted by others here, she's worked with some great producers and engineers, so I assume some of their tricks have rubbed off on her.

As a potential band member, I think it could work. *Could.* When I first heard the news, I was shocked because she's a well-established solo artist on the level of Stevie in her day. The thought of her joining a band that is a full generation older than her sounded sort of weird, at first. But then, I realized that she could fill the Christine role quite well. Sheryl plays keys, guitar, and bass and sings and writes really well. [And, lest I offend all of the Christine fans out there, let me say that no one can fill her shoes. But it might be good to have another singer to complement Stevie and Lindsey.]

The real question is whether she can accept a role as a *member* as opposed to the main artist or band leader. If she can do that, then I think it could work quite well, because she has the same background [blues-based pop/rock, albeit a little more Stones-influenced than FM].

The bottom line is that it's reassuring that Lindsey wants the band members to be in the same room and be actively involved in the creative process. That's what being in a band is all about, after all.

mattl