Poll: Ricky

[Dr.Brown]

Hi gang,

The subject of my first poll is that quirky song Ricky which I've always considered to be the bastard child of The Chain and Tusk.

Can you imagine what the public/critics would have thought if this track had not only been included on the Tango in the Night album but was released as the first single (shades of Tusk anyone?)

I know I'll draw a lot of flak here but IMHO Stevie's creative juices with the Mac went nowhere fast in the 80's after Gypsy so I wouldn't have minded seeing just Mick, John, Christine, and Lindsey on TITN with Ricky, Down Endless Street, You and I Part I replacing Stevie's tracks.

I think with the change in band dynamics Lindsey would have stayed on and we would have seen another great Mac album follwing TITN featuring the best of Christine from Behind the Mask (plus Love Shines and Heart of Stone) and Lindsey from Out of the Cradle.

Maybe the band's success without her might have motivated Stevie to detox sooner and we would have seen her rejoin them clear-eyed and healthy for the Mac's triumphant 25th anniversary tour/album.

Let the petty bickering begin...

[macfan 57]

Well, you won't get any flak from me because I agree with most of what you said. I LOVE both "Ricky" & "Down Endless Street", especially. I've actually burned a new Tango CD, getting rid of Stevie's songs & replacing them with those 3 songs you mentioned. When I listen to Tango In The Night, I always play my "revised" CD. I haven't played the original Tango CD in quite a few years. The only thing I would disagree with you is releasing "Ricky" as the first single. I think that song is a bit too quirky for that, even more so than "Tusk" in my opinion.

[Dr.Brown]

Yes, "Ricky" is quite unconventional and would not be the hit the other singles from TITN were but I think it would have a bold statement that this band was reinventing itself and moving forward.

Besides it would have been fun to see the label execs have another Maalox moment

[UndoingTheLaces]

I really love Ricky, but it just would not have worked as a single. But it's so atmospheric and lovely that I wish it would have been on the album. But if it had not been for Seven Wonders I would never have even bought Tango. And Welcome To The Room Sara is so beautiful and heartbreaking. So I disagree with your 'revised' Tango CD.

Why did they leave off You and I part 1? I thought it would have been a nice way to begin and end the album.

[Peestie]

Are these songs from the TITN demos? I've never heard them, so I'm a bit lost lol.

[TheWILDheart]

Originally Posted by macfan 57

Well, you won't get any flak from me because I agree with most of what you said. I LOVE both "Ricky" & "Down Endless Street", especially. I've actually burned a new Tango CD, getting rid of Stevie's songs & replacing them with those 3 songs you mentioned. When I listen to Tango In The Night, I always play my "revised" CD. I haven't played the original Tango CD in quite a few years. The only thing I would disagree with you is releasing "Ricky" as the first single. I think that song is a bit too quirky for that, even more so than "Tusk" in my opinion.

WHAT!? OMG!!! No Seven Wonders? I love 'Seven Wonders' but When I See You Again and WTTRS SUCK!!!!

[SteveMacD]

Let me begin by saying that I don't like "Ricky," but I like the idea of a Lindsey-Christine only album. Though, I would change the name of the album to "You And I." I'd also add "Can't Help Falling In Love" from the "Fine Mess" soundtrack. And, while we're at it, let's kill off "Family Man."

As for Stevie's stuff, I like "Seven Wonders" and WTTRS. But, Stevie would have been better, for her own sake, just being a solo artist at that point. She wasn't bringing her "A" game to Fleetwood Mac, which continued into BTM. So, why even bother? She had to work a lot of things out in her life at that point, and being in a band like that probably didn't help.

You & I, Pt. I
Everywhere
Big Love
Isn't It Midnight
Caroline
Mystified
Tango In The Night
Little Lies
Down Endless Street
Can’t Help Falling In Love
You & I, Pt. II

[macfan 57]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Let me begin by saying that I don't like "Ricky," but I like the idea of a Lindsey-Christine only album. Though, I would change the name of the album to "You And I." I'd also add "Can't Help Falling In Love" from the "Fine Mess" soundtrack. And, while we're at it, let's kill off "Family Man."

You & I, Pt. I
Everywhere
Big Love
Isn't It Midnight
Caroline
Mystified
Tango In The Night
Little Lies
Down Endless Street
Can’t Help Falling In Love
You & I, Pt. II

Hmm...I had forgotten about "Can't Help Falling In Love", which I love. I may have to revise my "revised" Tango CD again.

[David]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Let me begin by saying that I don't like "Ricky," but I like the idea of a Lindsey-Christine only album. Though, I would change the name of the album to "You And I."

Better would be "You & Me."

I'd also add "Can't Help Falling In Love" from the "Fine Mess" soundtrack.

That one's rather tepid, rather watered-down. Nothing terribly special about that track.

As for Stevie's stuff, I like "Seven Wonders" and WTTRS. But, Stevie would have been better, for her own sake, just being a solo artist at that point. She wasn't bringing her "A" game to Fleetwood Mac, which continued into BTM. So, why even bother?

Because the band at that point was still arranging & producing good tracks. It didn't matter whether the song itself was any good or not. All that mattered was whether the treatment was interesting. "Seven Wonders" got a helluva treatment, for those who choose to actually pay attention to it.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by David

"Seven Wonders" got a helluva treatment, for those who choose to actually pay attention to it.

I love this arrangement...

[seekerj]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

As for Stevie's stuff, I like "Seven Wonders" and WTTRS. But, Stevie would have been better, for her own sake, just being a solo artist at that point. She wasn't bringing her "A" game to Fleetwood Mac, which continued into BTM.

Stevie said in an interview (I don't remember from which era) that she brought in other songs to the Tango sessions, like "What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You", but that Fleetwood Mac for some reason opted to use her "stranger" songs instead. (I don't know if she used the word "stranger", but it was something like that.) Anyone remember which interview this is from?

[DavidMn]

I have a confession to make... I've never heard this song, I know...

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I have a confession to make... I've never heard this song, I know...

Haha, don't feel bad, I think I've only heard it once. Here ya go:

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...DDC83A2486A7A2

[DavidMn]

Ok, so I just listened to it. I'm not really sure what to think. This is definitely one that will take a few listens to figure out if I like it or not.