An Official Fleetwood Mac Album Debate

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by shackin'up

... HE has to push the limits on the artistic side, simply because the commercial side is "over-present" in the band. It .

Oh, yeah...when was the last "overly commercial" Fleetwood Mac album? Oh, yeah...40 years ago. I think Lindsey's pendulum is a bit stuck in the "artsy" side...I think it is time he just pulled all the stops and went (in the words of Frank Zappa) "totally commercial".

[shackin'up]

Originally Posted by chiliD

Oh, yeah...when was the last "overly commercial" Fleetwood Mac album? Oh, yeah...40 years ago. I think Lindsey's pendulum is a bit stuck in the "artsy" side...I think it is time he just pulled all the stops and went (in the words of Frank Zappa) "totally commercial".

Don't you remember the Dance? Blocked it out huh?

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by shackin'up

Don't you remember the Dance? Blocked it out huh?

"Hits" albums always sell well, which is basically what The Dance was/is. Didn't hear any of the "new" songs get radio airplay. If it weren't for their archaeological work in dredging up a long-forgotten Rumours outtake, I doubt the album would've sold that well. As is, the whole thing was fueled by good marketing. If they'd just released the album without the MTV video, would've gone into rigor-mortis by week three.

[shackin'up]

Originally Posted by chiliD

"Hits" albums always sell well, which is basically what The Dance was/is. Didn't hear any of the "new" songs get radio airplay. If it weren't for their archaeological work in dredging up a long-forgotten Rumours outtake, I doubt the album would've sold that well. As is, the whole thing was fueled by good marketing. If they'd just released the album without the MTV video, would've gone into rigor-mortis by week three.

'

Whatever. It sold 4 million copies. You can give me all the backgroundstories you want, but I'd say it was a commercial blockbuster.

Tango was a commercial monster too. Not in the least due to it's first single. Although Christine's songs made THAT a blockbuster and commercially valid album too.

[danax6]

Originally Posted by shackin'up

Tango was a commercial monster too. Not in the least due to it's first single. Although Christine's songs made THAT a blockbuster and commercially valid album too.

Not just 'too', I'd say first and foremost. 'Everywhere' and 'Little Lies' are two of the best known FM songs, not to mention the most played on commercial radio, together with 'Go Your Own Way'. At least here.

[danax6]

Originally Posted by shackin'up

Don't you remember the Dance? Blocked it out huh?

The Dance was done ONLY for commercial purposes. Not an ounce of creativity or artsy fartsy intentions were poured into the Dance. It was created to sell as many copies as possible and make the members as much money as possible.

Still, it was a great endeavor though, you'll never hear me knocking down The Dance.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by danax6

The Dance was done ONLY for commercial purposes. Not an ounce of creativity or artsy fartsy intentions were poured into the Dance. It was created to sell as many copies as possible and make the members as much money as possible.

I have an LA Times article from 1997, speculating on the "upcoming" Mac reunion and discussing the fact that the Fleetwood Mac name had been "diluted" by "replacements and weak musical efforts" after the departures of Lindsey & Stevie.

The journalist, and the music industry insiders he spoke to, all said that 'The Dance' was going to be FM's last big chance to redeem themselves, and that they needed to make people forget about the years between '88 and '96.
In fact, some insiders weren't sure that 'The Dance' would even be successful because of those years.

I'm not saying that I agree with that, but I do think that all involved (band members, managers, record company) felt that Fleetwood Mac needed to remind the general public of all of the amazing songs they had, before they could ever even consider putting out an album of all-new material.

Not to start another argument, but when considering all of the recent accusations levelled at her, it's interesting to note that Stevie was the only one who wrote a new song specifically for the 'Dance,' rather than just pulling out something she had already written.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

Not to start another argument, but when considering all of the recent accusations levelled at her, it's interesting to note that Stevie was the only one who wrote a new song specifically for the 'Dance,' rather than just pulling out something she had already written.

Sweet Girl? Based on the demo from Enchanted, I always figured that it was written earlier. I obviously don't know that for sure, it was just always my assumption.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Sweet Girl? Based on the demo from Enchanted, I always figured that it was written earlier. I obviously don't know that for sure, it was just always my assumption.

No, it was written just a week prior to the band going into rehearsals for 'The Dance.'

From the 'Enchanted' liner notes....

This was the demo I did the last week of March, 1997, to take to rehearsal on April 1st for Fleetwood Mac's version of "Sweet Girl."
I thought you would enjoy hearing it in its first form.
Christopher recorded our friend Big Al playing all the guitars, and me and Lori singing, in our home studio in Paradise Valley.
We didn't have much time, and I wasn't leaving Phoenix without "Sweet Girl."

[MacMan]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

No, it was written just a week prior to the band going into rehearsals for 'The Dance.'

From the 'Enchanted' liner notes....

This was the demo I did the last week of March, 1997, to take to rehearsal on April 1st for Fleetwood Mac's version of "Sweet Girl."
I thought you would enjoy hearing it in its first form.
Christopher recorded our friend Big Al playing all the guitars, and me and Lori singing, in our home studio in Paradise Valley.
We didn't have much time, and I wasn't leaving Phoenix without "Sweet Girl."

Doesn't that mean she just demo'd it (or recorded it as a demo) and not wrote it?... It's possible that it could have been written months prior

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

The journalist, and the music industry insiders he spoke to, all said that 'The Dance' was going to be FM's last big chance to redeem themselves, and that they needed to make people forget about the years between '88 and '96.

What a load of crap. I wonder how much more respected Fleetwood Mac would've been had they told those "music industry insiders" to blow it out their asses?

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by danax6

The Dance was done ONLY for commercial purposes. Not an ounce of creativity or artsy fartsy intentions were poured into the Dance. It was created to sell as many copies as possible and make the members as much money as possible.

Still, it was a great endeavor though, you'll never hear me knocking down The Dance.

For commercial reasons, and just to enjoy the reunion (though it seemed Chris didn't enjoy enough). But who cares? Yes I'd have like some new material, but finally we got SYW (where I missed Christine, but nothing is perfect).

I don't see The Dance as a dissapointment, it was a reunion show and album. And that's it. The band enjoyed it, and people reeeally enjoyed it.

[shackin'up]

Originally Posted by Villavic

(where I missed Christine, but nothing is perfect).

if nothing is perfect, it's still christine.