Still think Stevie is going to do the FM album?

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by olive

Because they don't want to play theaters and clubs ? or be Foghat's opening act

Isn't that the truth!

I don't understand why so many have to be so damned bitter about Stevie's success and her role in Fleetwood Mac. It is what it is. They aren't going to kick her out because she is the bread and butter anymore. Sorry, but it is the truth. Christine is amazing and a huge celebrated draw for this tour, but Fleetwood Mac wasn't having trouble selling tickets without her.

I'd love a new FM album as much as anyone, by the way.

Everyone is so quick to blame Stevie for no new album (yet), when the fact is they aren't even signed to a label. Are people expecting what will likely be their *last* album ever to be released independently like that half-assed EP? No label = no album, and that's not Stevie's fault.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by olive

Because they don't want to play theaters and clubs ? or be Foghat's opening act

Because that would totally happen with two people who combined had TWELVE of seventeen of Fleetwood Mac's top 40 singles still in the band. As a personality, Stevie is hands down the biggest name in the band, however, she's not bigger than the band. What's next for La Nicks? Another straight to the cut-out bin album produced by Dave Stewart followed by stints as a "special guest" in Tom's band or Don's band or opening for Rod Stewart?

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I don't understand why so many have to be so damned bitter about Stevie's success and her role in Fleetwood Mac. It is what it is. They aren't going to kick her out because she is the bread and butter anymore. Sorry, but it is the truth.

It depends. If Lindsey and Christine say "she's in or she's out, and if not, we're out," then what's Mick going to do? Do you think he'd choose to go on without Lindsey and Christine over Stevie?

Christine is amazing and a huge celebrated draw for this tour, but Fleetwood Mac wasn't having trouble selling tickets without her.

But, not to this degree. This tour is unlike anything they've done in decades. They were doing okay, but this is a whole different beast.

Everyone is so quick to blame Stevie for no new album (yet), when the fact is they aren't even signed to a label. Are people expecting what will likely be their *last* album ever to be released independently like that half-assed EP? No label = no album, and that's not Stevie's fault.

OR...

We have an album that is finished, and now we're shopping for a label.

A Fleetwood Mac album with the classic lineup AND not having to pay an advance so it can be recorded?

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

We have an album that is finished, and now we're shopping for a label.

Indeed, the new material is what you offer to the interested labels or to drum up interest. We saw that with Destiny Rules.

Michele

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Because that would totally happen with two people who combined had TWELVE of seventeen of Fleetwood Mac's top 40 singles still in the band. As a personality, Stevie is hands down the biggest name in the band, however, she's not bigger than the band. What's next for La Nicks? Another straight to the cut-out bin album produced by Dave Stewart followed by stints as a "special guest" in Tom's band or Don's band or opening for Rod Stewart?

I agree wholeheartedly that when it comes to FM, that the sum is far greater than it's parts. But if we dissect the band, that doesn't mean the parts outlay equally. Even though Christine was the hit maker of the band, she couldn't even partially fill theaters 30 years ago at the height of her fame. With some exceptions, Lindsey is in the same boat. Stevie has been the only one who could ever tour amphitheaters solo, although that boat seems to have slipped away from her this past decade. Combine all of the venues that Chris, Lindsey, and Stevie can sell on their own, and they still wouldn't equal half of what FM can do total.

So yes, Stevie is the largest draw- but FM is still far more than the sum of it's parts. The band has tried all sorts of combinations without Lindsey, without Chris, without Stevie & Lindsey, etc and it's the Rumours 5 that take this band to the next level, period.

Regarding Stevie's press gag on a new FM album, there are some very valid reasons why that could be in place. Is Stevie reticent to say there will certainly be a new album because John's continued good health may not be a given? Maybe she's worried about Chris bolting after the drama that is the road. Perhaps she's afraid that she herself may encounter too much drama on the road with the band, and will want a break afterwards. Maybe she just wants to write some new material and get it into demo form after the tour so she'll have something fresh to bring to the table. The possibilities are endless.

That being said, it IS Stevie who is holding up a new album, any way you slice it. Whether her intentions are noble, or she's dangling her participation as leverage isn't clear. I just hope something comes out of this drama, and in a timely fashion.

[MikeVielhaber]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I agree wholeheartedly that when it comes to FM, that the sum is far greater than it's parts. But if we dissect the band, that doesn't mean the parts outlay equally. Even though Christine was the hit maker of the band, she couldn't even partially fill theaters 30 years ago at the height of her fame. With some exceptions, Lindsey is in the same boat. Stevie has been the only one who could ever tour amphitheaters solo, although that boat seems to have slipped away from her this past decade. Combine all of the venues that Chris, Lindsey, and Stevie can sell on their own, and they still wouldn't equal half of what FM can do total.

So yes, Stevie is the largest draw- but FM is still far more than the sum of it's parts. The band has tried all sorts of combinations without Lindsey, without Chris, without Stevie & Lindsey, etc and it's the Rumours 5 that take this band to the next level, period.

Regarding Stevie's press gag on a new FM album, there are some very valid reasons why that could be in place. Is Stevie reticent to say there will certainly be a new album because John's continued good health may not be a given? Maybe she's worried about Chris bolting after the drama that is the road. Perhaps she's afraid that she herself may encounter too much drama on the road with the band, and will want a break afterwards. Maybe she just wants to write some new material and get it into demo form after the tour so she'll have something fresh to bring to the table. The possibilities are endless.

That being said, it IS Stevie who is holding up a new album, any way you slice it. Whether her intentions are noble, or she's dangling her participation as leverage isn't clear. I just hope something comes out of this drama, and in a timely fashion.

It would seem odd for those things to keep her from even mentioning it considering Lindsey and Christine are fine to talk about it.

[jbrownsjr]

The reason I want Stevie on board is because I would love to see new music with these five people. Even though Mirage and Tango were primarily written by Christine and Lindsey, we still got Gypsy, That's All Right, Straight Back, Seven Wonders. And her harmonies on the other two writers' tunes.

Lindsey is right, it's a band of chemistry and while she can be insufferable with her bloviating. She is huge in the chemistry of the band. Plus, she's singing better than I've heard since the Dance. All 3 of them are. (not to mention finances are good with her there, just like with Christine or Lindsey)

So that's why I want her on it.

If she doesn't do the album and they fire her. We might get a solid album and then see them in small intimate venues. (I'm not mad about that either.)

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

The reason I want Stevie on board is because I would love to see new music with these five people. Even though Mirage and Tango were primarily written by Christine and Lindsey, we still got Gypsy, That's All Right, Straight Back, Seven Wonders. And her harmonies on the other two writers' tunes.

You could say that same statement on all their fab 5 albums; Fleetwood Mac, Rumors, Tusk all feature Stevie the least. Buckingham and McVie always have more songs.

[Andy Man]

Does anybody think that, in part, all the continued "drama" talk from the members of Fleetwood Mac is simply to add to a larger narrative? It's great for business to constantly be discussing the relationships and "craziness" that is the band as it is what grabs headlines. I do not for one second think that Stevie and Lindsey are anywhere near being best friends, however I do think that both are very good at heighthening their neutrality towards each other in order to keep the Fleetwood Mac saga going within the public; the ongoing troubles of Fleetwood Mac is what keeps many interested in the band.

[nicepace]

If [Stevie] doesn't do the album and they fire her. We might get a solid album and then see them in small intimate venues. (I'm not mad about that either.)

That would be a dream come true.

I like Stevie and I like her songs, but I like Christine's and Lindsey's songs and their collaborations better. I liked Say You Will but never shook the feeling that it was a Lindsey solo record and a Stevie solo record on shuffle.

In my opinion, an album with Lindsey and Christine (without Stevie) would sound more like a band album than Say You Will does. Those two know how to collaborate, and have a long history of producing splendid songs together. I want to hear more of those. Stevie's harmonies on them would be good, but musically unnecessary. Two, or three, or four solo songs by Stevie, shoe-horned into a Fleetwood Mac album, would serve to satisfy the public's craving to have the 5 Rumourmacsters together again, but they might not fit too well into the work that Lindsey and Christine will put into the recording (or already have put into the recording).

[BlueDenimLamp]

And the self promotion continues.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by MikeVielhaber

It would seem odd for those things to keep her from even mentioning it considering Lindsey and Christine are fine to talk about it.

You are right- this whole thing boils down to Stevie pounding her chest and posturing. She's holding out for something- be it money, power, or simply just because she wants to see Lindsey squirm. I still just don't get it, though. She's gotten her most profound wish: Christine's return against all odds to buffer her & Lindsey. John's won his battle with cancer from what we can gather. Lindsey has long agreed to an outside producer. Stevie has admitted she farted out 24k Gold to brush off a contractual obligation. WTH does Stevie feel she isn't getting?

[David]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

WTH does Stevie feel she isn't getting?

I think that ol' devil age is to blame.

You lose your dad, you lose your mom, you lose several of your colleagues, and your brain starts to do weird things (like suddenly remembering incidents decades ago while forgetting what you ate for lunch three hours ago).

The stuff you could easily toss off at age 30 becomes a lot more rankling thirty years on when it happens again.

"I've been tolerating their crap for five years" is a lot different from "I've been tolerating their crap for thirty-five years." The latter makes a stentorian ring in the soul, like an enormous bell.

Your boundaries—the cajolery or mistreatment you agree to tolerate from others—get stronger with age, not weaker. At age 30, you're a lot more likely to look back with self-annoyance at something you grudgingly agreed to than you are at age 60. By that point, very few people are going to do anything they really don't want to do.

[Macfanforever]

I can fall into that dept on loosing love ones and friends.

I even settle for a FM holiday album.I would except it for new music from FM along with Stevie rerecording Silent Night with FM .

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by David

I think that ol' devil age is to blame.

You lose your dad, you lose your mom, you lose several of your colleagues, and your brain starts to do weird things (like suddenly remembering incidents decades ago while forgetting what you ate for lunch three hours ago).

Sometimes I look up and make myself remember what I'm wearing today, without looking down.

I used to say, "take that to work with you tomorrow," and I'd remember no problem. Now, I have to start leaving things RIGHT in front of my door if I want to remember to take it out with me.

But certainly I'm at a point where I'm going to take a lot less guff from anyone. I just don't care anymore and I can understand Stevie feeling that way too, but instead of playing games she should just walk away. As you get older, most people are LESS inclined to play games than they were 35 years ago, but Stevie seems more so. She's giving the same baiting interviews that she was giving in the eighties. And yes, Mick and Lindsey still talk to her in the media as well.

I'm not surprised that they're fed up with each other. I am surprised that they're still acting this way. It should be easier to walk away now than it was then.

Michele

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by David

I think that ol' devil age is to blame.

You lose your dad, you lose your mom, you lose several of your colleagues, and your brain starts to do weird things (like suddenly remembering incidents decades ago while forgetting what you ate for lunch three hours ago).

The stuff you could easily toss off at age 30 becomes a lot more rankling thirty years on when it happens again.

"I've been tolerating their crap for five years" is a lot different from "I've been tolerating their crap for thirty-five years." The latter makes a stentorian ring in the soul, like an enormous bell.

Your boundaries—the cajolery or mistreatment you agree to tolerate from others—get stronger with age, not weaker. At age 30, you're a lot more likely to look back with self-annoyance at something you grudgingly agreed to than you are at age 60. By that point, very few people are going to do anything they really don't want to do.

that's what Karen's there for…. I recall reading in various interviews of the last decade or so: Stevie couldn't remember how to turn the disco ball on -- "Karen!!" Another time with another journalist she couldn't remember how to turn her projector tv on -- "Karen!!" In the SYW doc she was fiddling with the singing fish and there's Karen hovering literally ready to jump in and take over.

Don't be surprised when Stevie finally departs this earth and her will is unveiled…. everything is left to Karen…. "Just sign this document, here, Stevie…oh, it's nothing, just an autograph for a fan……"