Scotia Bank, Saddledome May 17, 2013

[michelej1]

[Mumford & Sons versus Fleetwood Mac]

Tale of the Tape: Mumford & Sons vs. Fleetwood Mac By Bruce Weir, Swerve

May 16, 2013

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Calgary Herald

Two of the U.K.’s musical exports go head to head this week as the young folk rockers and the band that is living proof of the power of positive thinking (“Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow”) come to town.

Mumford & Sons

Born December 2007 in Jolly Old England, the result of the organizational talents of Marcus Mumford.

What’s in a Name? As the impetus behind the band, Mumford got top billing. The name is meant to be reminiscent of a long-established family business, as in “purveyors of folky pop tunes since 1898.”

Rock ’n’ Roll Apprenticeship None to speak of; success came early for Mumford & Sons. Their first album, Sigh No More, went to No. 2 in the U.K. and the U.S. Babel, the followup released last year, debuted at No. 1.

You Say You Want Some Evolution Mumford & Sons returned to the U.K. to record their second album with producer Markus Dravs. Mumford told the British press that he wanted Babel to be “an evolution, not a revolution.” Duly noted.

What Fans Can Expect to See Banjos and vests—lots of vests.

Side Projects Bass player Ted Dwane sells his black-and-white photos through his website (teddwane.com).

Fleetwood Mac

Born Way back in 1967, also in Swinging England. (Although ’67 was when London was really hip.)

What’s in a Name? The band’s name is a mash-up (although that term didn’t exist in 1967) of the surnames of drummer Mick Fleetwood and bass player John McVie.

Rock ’n’ Roll Apprenticeship Fleetwood Mac was initially a blues outfit (McVie, Fleetwood and founding member Peter Green played with the legendary John Mayall) which had some early success.

You Say You Want Some Evolution The band’s sound gradually shifted from blues to rock as members came and went. Christine McVie joined in the early 1970s. Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham signed on in 1975. The monster album Rumours was released in 1977 and won the Grammy for Album of the Year. It has sold some 50 million copies, a level of success that belies the substance abuse and infidelities that fuelled its creation.

What Fans Can Expect to See The current lineup features Buckingham, Fleetwood, Nicks and John McVie. Also: beads, fringe and more than a few grey hairs.

Side Projects McVie, Nicks and Fleetwood have all released solo albums.

The Last Word Age and guile beat the purveyors of Babel. We’re giving this one to Fleetwood Mac.

Fleetwood Mac: Friday, May 17 at Scotiabank Saddledome, 8 p.m. $60 - $217.25. TM.

Mumford & Sons: Tuesday, May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome, 7 p.m. Sold out. TM.


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/enterta...#ixzz2TVlsHpvZ