Master of Tusk

[strandinthewind]

Was LB the genius behind Tusk?

I say the aswer is yes. In many interviews, the band says yes. I readily admit, the record is not "all LB" because the contributions of CM and SN are significant. But, the concept, the groundbreaking, and the invention are solely LB.

Thus, kudos to him for it!!!!!!!!!

[dissention]

He's the genius behind ever Fleetwood Mac album that he contributes to.

He gave them their sound and when he wasn't with them, the music itself suffered, not just quality. So, Tusk was his album, it was his showcase. He showcased not only his fabulous material, but his skills in producing songs from Stevie and Chris.

[diamondsnake]

I'm going to say no. His songs on Tusk are not genius but are borderline annoying. Christine's songs are okay also. I only care for about half a dozen of her songs and his songs on Tusk combined.

As far as Stevie's songs go I love them all except Angel. Her songs on this record are timeless and beautiful and even though she is given the least amount of songs on the record she clearly steals the show without trying to. Imagine this record without her songs- imagine if it was just a single record with Chris and Lindsey's songs. That, my friend, does not sound too appealing to me.

So, I will say that Stevie is the genius behind a hit or miss record.

[Sugar]

For the record, Stevie gets the most airtime on Tusk...

Of course LB is the genius behind Tusk. When all the band members and people were there say it's true, how can you argue it?

That's not to say the songs Stevie or Christine brought aren't good, that's not how I feel at all. But Lindsey came to the table with a concept, while S & C came in the same way they would have come to any album.

I will also admit that it took me a while to get to the level of appreciation I presently have for Lindsey's stuff, so I empathize with the younger/newer fans. That's not meant to be condescending, it's just the way it happened for me.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by diamondsnake

even though she is given the least amount of songs on the record she clearly steals the show without trying to.

Hers are also the longest.

[Gypsy3]

Stevie's songs on "Tusk" are by far my favorites on the album and most of Lindsey's are borderline annoying as another member said, but I don't think any Fleetwood Mac album would be a Fleetwood Mac album without a Buckingham contribution.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by Lux

It irritates me because Lindsey kept trying (and still does try) to experiment with new ideas but he was surrounded by people who were trying to drag him back down in line. It seems such a bizarre concept for a musician of the time to be discouraged from trying new things and lets face it they were hardly Revolution No. 9, they were still accessible.

But perhaps the reason they were still accessible, was because he was "surrounded by people who were trying to drag him back down in line."

It seems like a good balance... Lindsey kept them from playing it too safe, and they kept Lindsey from going too far afield.

By the way, and I certainly don't mean to lessen Lindsey's significant contributions, but I still say we shouldn't discount the influence of Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut (and, to a lesser extent, Keith Olsen) on the "Fleetwood Mac sound."

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Lux

I was going to say this is a silly question and why bother asking, but evidently there's reason enough to ask. Tusk with Stevie? We'd be without some standard song formulas. Dare we ask what it'd be without Lindsey. Well for the Stevie lovers, in the least we'd be without her hits, not to mention the genius that is.....oh bugger I'm not going to post like Gaius. It irritates me because Lindsey kept trying (and still does try) to experiment with new ideas but he was surrounded by people who were trying to drag him back down in line. It seems such a bizarre concept for a musician of the time to be discouraged from trying new things and lets face it they were hardly Revolution No. 9, they were still accessible. If only he were sounded by people who encouraged this. I feel like a supportive mother, well an incestuous one as I'm still inclined to bump naughties (a well spoken, mature, incestuous and supportive mother obviously).

Well, the Sara demo is puported to be without FM - a lady who sang back up on it said that was her on back up at some non FM recording. That demo is brilliant and VERY close to the CD cut. In fact, many like it better. So, at least Sara could have been a hit

But, in the end, LB was the mind behind Tusk and he along with the band and songwriters made great music - period.