Open Letter to The Mac

[WatchChain]

*No New Album
*No OFFICIAL NAME for the "Tour"
*A stage show and set list that (with the exception of the remarkable "Sisters" and two new songs) has been REHASHED for the past 20 years

Call me crazy, but I'm a bit UNDERWHELMED by the whole "effort" (or lack thereof). I have WORSHIPPED Fleetwood Mac since 1977. I have bought EVERYTHING they've ever done and attended EVERY TOUR (and ALL solo member tours, including Chris McVie's only solo tour in 1984). But, I'm on the verge of losing interest.

Artists like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Tom Petty have made some of the best music of their careers AFTER the age of 50 or 60. NOTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC: You can still save this sinking vessel. Get Christine McVie to give up gardening and come back ONE MORE TIME. Hire an amazing producer like Rick Rubin, Ethan Johns, Mitchell Fromme or T-Bone Burnett and get back into the studio to make the greatest ART of your life (like you once did with "RUMOURS" and "TUSK, two of the greatest masterpieces in music history). Who gives a crap about TOP 40 hits or record sales? It's not going to happen anyway. Do you think Dylan and Springsteen are sitting around worrying about getting a TOP 40 RADIO HIT in 2013's market? Then, go out on the road with a revamped show (including the new music) and become ARTISTS again. You might even get critical acclaim and win a GRAMMY.......(RESPECT???)

BUT, I guess you're too busy trying to fill corporate rock arenas with the same tired casual fans and the same set list you've been playing for years. I did enjoy "SAY YOU WILL". While not perfect, it was a FINE EFFORT and you at least tried something different. Keep moving in that direction and I'll be the first to jump on board. For the first time in 35 years, I am considering NOT attending a Fleetwood Mac Tour. Why would I shell out 300 dollars plus parking and 15 dollar drinks to see the same show that I've been watching for years just to keep Mick from going broke for the 10th time. It seems to me that you're not really concerned with exploring the artistic future of this band, but rather just biding time to fill your retirement accounts. If not with the band, let Stevie and Lindsey go back to solo projects where THEY DO try to make some new and interesting art (SEEDS WE SOW & IN YOUR DREAMS). You are considered Rock N Roll Royalty by many and you CAN do whatever the hell you want. In the twilight of your career, why not try to be GREAT again? You are all truly gifted artists, just put it down on paper.

[dontlookdown]

I'm in the same boat - i've seen every tour since Tusk in 79. And I was underwhelmed with the shows I saw during the Dance and Say You Will tours. But that's just me.
I like the old school FM without all the back up musicians and singers.
Unfortunately they won't see this post and they aren't Springsteen or Dylan, etc.
And I doubt Lindsey would have the patience to work with Rick Ruben or Ethan Johns.
T Bone Burnett would be interesting...

One thing I do love and have always loved about this band.
Love them or hate them, people always pay attention to what they're doing. And I think that's great.

[WatchChain]

Originally Posted by dontlookdown

I'm in the same boat - i've seen every tour since Tusk in 79. And I was underwhelmed with the shows I saw during the Dance and Say You Will tours. But that's just me.
I like the old school FM without all the back up musicians and singers.
Unfortunately they won't see this post and they aren't Springsteen or Dylan, etc.
And I doubt Lindsey would have the patience to work with Rick Ruben or Ethan Johns.
T Bone Burnett would be interesting....

You have a point, Lindsey would have issues working with an outside producer. Bring back Caillet and Dashut.....throw us a bone.

I was excited with THE DANCE TOUR because we had Lindsey back after years of absence and that dreaded BEHIND THE MASK NUMBER. THE DANCE was at least reason to celebrate.

With the SAY YOU WILL TOUR, at least we got some brand new material, even if we didn't have Chris.

This whole UNLEASHED and NO NAME 2013 TOUR has got me falling asleep. Honey, put the LEASH back on.....it feels as if you been tied up for years.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by WatchChain

*No New Album
*No OFFICIAL NAME for the "Tour"
*A stage show and set list that (with the exception of the remarkable "Sisters" and two new songs) has been REHASHED for the past 20 years

Call me crazy, but I'm a bit UNDERWHELMED by the whole "effort" (or lack thereof). I have WORSHIPPED Fleetwood Mac since 1977. I have bought EVERYTHING they've ever done and attended EVERY TOUR (and ALL solo member tours, including Chris McVie's only solo tour in 1984). But, I'm on the verge of losing interest.

Artists like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Tom Petty have made some of the best music of their careers AFTER the age of 50 or 60. NOTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC: You can still save this sinking vessel. Get Christine McVie to give up gardening and come back ONE MORE TIME. Hire an amazing producer like Rick Rubin, Ethan Johns, Mitchell Fromme or T-Bone Burnett and get back into the studio to make the greatest ART of your life (like you once did with "RUMOURS" and "TUSK, two of the greatest masterpieces in music history). Who gives a crap about TOP 40 hits or record sales? It's not going to happen anyway. Do you think Dylan and Springsteen are sitting around worrying about getting a TOP 40 RADIO HIT in 2013's market? Then, go out on the road with a revamped show (including the new music) and become ARTISTS again. You might even get critical acclaim and win a GRAMMY.......(RESPECT???)

BUT, I guess you're too busy trying to fill corporate rock arenas with the same tired casual fans and the same set list you've been playing for years. I did enjoy "SAY YOU WILL". While not perfect, it was a FINE EFFORT and you at least tried something different. Keep moving in that direction and I'll be the first to jump on board. For the first time in 35 years, I am considering NOT attending a Fleetwood Mac Tour. Why would I shell out 300 dollars plus parking and 15 dollar drinks to see the same show that I've been watching for years just to keep Mick from going broke for the 10th time. It seems to me that you're not really concerned with exploring the artistic future of this band, but rather just biding time to fill your retirement accounts. If not with the band, let Stevie and Lindsey go back to solo projects where THEY DO try to make some new and interesting art (SEEDS WE SOW & IN YOUR DREAMS). You are considered Rock N Roll Royalty by many and you CAN do whatever the hell you want. In the twilight of your career, why not try to be GREAT again? You are all truly gifted artists, just put it down on paper.

Blah, you are lucky they are still breathing and giving you what they got.

[dontlookdown]

I don't mind the no name tour with no album.
The Grateful Dead did that a lot - as have the Heartbreakers and Bob Dylan.
These guys just want to play (and I can promise you none of them are doing it for the money).

[mitzo]

I find myself losing fanhood too, as well as three friends, all of us longtime diehard fans. We have greeted the current tour with a collective shrug although there are 3 shows within driving distance. Unleashed was a lukewarm experience and now, years later, still the same old.

Too many years of nothing new or creative, and the endless oldies show. FM make it too hard to be a fan.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by dontlookdown

I don't mind the no name tour with no album.
The Grateful Dead did that a lot - as have the Heartbreakers and Bob Dylan.
These guys just want to play (and I can promise you none of them are doing it for the money).

I assume your last sentence was in reference to The Dead, The Heartbreakers, and Dylan because the members of Fleetwood Mac are pretty damn mercenary when it comes to performing. If big money were not in the equation the band would not tour. As a band. This doesn't apply to some of the solo activity and side projects.

Nostalgia can be great, and I think it's cool FM have introduced their (same old) music to younger fans. But 1997-98 should have marked a rebirth of the band not only as a touring entity but as recording artists who would make new, relevant music. One album since then is not cool. They're all getting old but are still pretty resilient, so I'd beg them to please make one more meaty album WITH Christine. It's the obvious thing to do.

Will they? Or will they continue to rerelease Rumours and the farts that were caught on the master tapes?

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

Blah, you are lucky they are still breathing and giving you what they got.

If a tour for purely mercenary reasons is what they currently giving then I'm keepin what I got.

[Josh2003]

Please add:

"P.S. - Not all of your fans feel this way, and some are super happy with the tour. So from them, keep it up...and we can't wait for the new music, even if this tour doesn't have a 'name'!"

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Josh2003

Please add:

"P.S. - Not all of your fans feel this way, and some are super happy with the tour. So from them, keep it up...and we can't wait for the new music, even if this tour doesn't have a 'name'!"

I'm on this side.

[WildHearted]

Originally Posted by Josh2003

Please add:

"P.S. - Not all of your fans feel this way, and some are super happy with the tour. So from them, keep it up...and we can't wait for the new music, even if this tour doesn't have a 'name'!"

Pretty much my sentiments, although I do understand where the frustration comes from. I just don't share it.

[gypsy333]

As a long time fan...(been going to FM shows and Stevie shows since the late 70's)...I can see both sides of this topic...while I am glad they are going on tour and, being a New Orleanian, I get my dream of seeing them at Jazzfest!!! this year...I am thrilled to see them in my home town at an outdoor festival for the first time since 1977. And while I am happy that the setlist contains some gems that I will always love....I wish they would include some older Fleetwood Mac songs from before the LB/Stevie era...I daydreamed of them performing *Hypnotized*, which was the cool FM song we listened to as teens before the Rumours era...and what about another song from Mirage, like Straight Back or Empire State? And Tango in The Night/Say You Will get NO play at all...I also thought it would be cool to hear Stevie do her cover of *Note Fade Away* with The Mac...
But having said all of that, I am happy they are making a stop in my town even though the setlist isn't my dream setlist...I also realize that as I get older...they are even older than me...and getting older by the day...So at this point I am just happy to be able to have the FM experience at least one more time...reading some of the ideas and posts on here, sometimes I think us fans could do a better job managing the band than the actual managers!

[julieannboo]

you have to remember that most people going to the shows are not hardcore fans - they grew up with fleetwood mac and just mainly want to hear the greatest hits.

thats all most fans of old groups want.

i bet if you went into a arena and asked all of the people in there how many owned 'Say you Will' album from 2004 - it wouldnt be a large number.

also everything is about the $$$ nowadays. We are all capitialists.

as long as they get get people to spend $$$$ on tickets to go see them then maybe they dont have to try as hard, eg, new music, new photoshoots, etc, etc.

i am not saying it right but what can ya do?

you can vote with your feet and not go and see the new tour.

other then than there is not much you can do.

[fairydust75]

Originally Posted by Josh2003

Please add:

"P.S. - Not all of your fans feel this way, and some are super happy with the tour. So from them, keep it up...and we can't wait for the new music, even if this tour doesn't have a 'name'!"

Ditto! Give them a chance....jeez.
They Are FLEETWOOD MAC. All ya have to say is I'm going to see Fleetwood Mac.
We all know what year it is, its The Mac who needs to be reminded.