Huge Fleetwood Mac Update

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by SpyNote

My main problem with SYW is that it didn't sound like a classic Fleetwood Mac album, and that's what I (and I'd imagine many longtime fans) wanted. It sounded like one of Lindsey's solo albums, which would have been fine if this were his album. Christine should have been allowed to record material for it, which I recall she was willing to do.

I believe she was and we have Mick's unfailing greed to thank for her not participating.What could have been the band's finest album since Tusk was not to be thanks to that quality of his .

[Gailh]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

I believe she was and we have Mick's unfailing greed to thank for her not participating.What could have been the band's finest album since Tusk was not to be thanks to that quality of his .

Is there any evidence that Christine was willing to participate on the album? I've seen it discussed here and it is the generally accepted version but I don't recall reading any direct quotes from the lady herself or did I miss them?

Gail

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Gailh

Is there any evidence that Christine was willing to participate on the album? I've seen it discussed here and it is the generally accepted version but I don't recall reading any direct quotes from the lady herself or did I miss them?

Gail

I read none by her as well. Maybe some of the In the Meantime interviews discussed it, but I do not recall that. I do recall La Nicks, Mick, and (I think) LB) discussing her willingness to participate but not go on the road, which was the problem. I understand the band's logic and essentially agree. Then, I hear Steal Your Heart Away and realize logic aside, it was a mistake because that song is pure Rumours era Mac and it is delightful in part because of CM's voice.

In the end, I say if La Nicks is resigned never to having a hit single again due to the reasons she has cited (kids lying on the floor smoking dope waiting for the next FM record ) -- then why not let CM record -- what do they in reality have to lose compared to the potential gain.

But, maybe now CM would not record with them. After all, that was over seven years ago and she officially left in 97.

[Gailh]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I read none by her as well. Maybe some of the In the Meantime interviews discussed it, but I do not recall that. I do recall La Nicks, Mick, and (I think) LB) discussing her willingness to participate but not go on the road, which was the problem. I understand the band's logic and essentially agree. Then, I hear Steal Your Heart Away and realize logic aside, it was a mistake because that song is pure Rumours era Mac and it is delightful in part because of CM's voice.

In the end, I say if La Nicks is resigned never to having a hit single again due to the reasons she has cited (kids lying on the floor smoking dope waiting for the next FM record ) -- then why not let CM record -- what do they in reality have to lose compared to the potential gain.

But, maybe now CM would not record with them. After all, that was over seven years ago and she officially left in 97.

I seem to remember John saying something to effect that if she wasn't willing to "work" the album i.e. tour then there was no point in her recording. It seemed to me that on the last tour they "worked" Rumours more than SYW but hey that's just my opinion.

I don't know that Christine would even be willing to record with them again. It's been 4 years since ITM so perhaps she's had enough of recording as well as touring. I think it's very simple though. If she does want to record with them again she tells Mick exactly what it would take and Mick says "yes Chris"

I have a feeling that she's done with it all now. I do hope I'm wrong but that's my opinion.

Gail

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Gailh

. . . I have a feeling that she's done with it all now. I do hope I'm wrong but that's my opinion . . . .

I do hope she would too. But, she is in her mid 60's and "the call of the wild" likely is not that alluring to her anymore.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by Gailh

I seem to remember John saying something to effect that if she wasn't willing to "work" the album i.e. tour then there was no point in her recording. It seemed to me that on the last tour they "worked" Rumours more than SYW but hey that's just my opinion.

They've "worked" Rumours more than any of their subsequent albums since 1977, that they did it again in 2003 comes as a surprise?

And, that is, IMHO, what has damaged their reputation as much as having two of the main songwriters attempting simultaneous solo careers. Hence my feeling that Fleetwood Mac just should've called it a day on September 2, 1980 (the day after the Tusk tour ended).

[Gailh]

Originally Posted by chiliD

They've "worked" Rumours more than any of their subsequent albums since 1977, that they did it again in 2003 comes as a surprise?

No, no surprise just disappointment.

Gail

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Gailh

No, no surprise just disappointment.

Gail

I tend to disagree. I think SYW had many non-rumours moments on it. From nicksfix.com:

Fleetwood Mac 2003-2004

130 shows from May 7, 2003 to September 14, 2004

The Chain
Dreams Peacekeeper
Eyes of the World
Say You Will
Never Going Back Again
Rhiannon
Gypsy
Come
Running Through the Garden
Big Love
Landslide
Say Goodbye
What's the World Coming To
Destiny Rules
Beautiful Child
Gold Dust Woman
I'm So Afraid
Silver Springs (arguable)
Tusk
Stand Back
Go Your Own Way
World Turning
Don't Stop
Goodbye Baby

*Later shows added Second Hand News and dropped Destiny Rules and Running through the Garden The set list may vary a little through the tour.

So - they played other stuff too and 7/24 from Rumours, though SS was dropped toward the end of the third leg.

Again, I would like to see them haul out otehr hits. But, such is life.

[TrueFaith77]

Originally Posted by SpyNote

My main problem with SYW is that it didn't sound like a classic Fleetwood Mac album, and that's what I (and I'd imagine many longtime fans) wanted. It sounded like one of Lindsey's solo albums, which would have been fine if this were his album. Christine should have been allowed to record material for it, which I recall she was willing to do.

Well Mirage and Tango In The Night, for better or for worse, sounded like Lindsey solo albums, too (natural follow-ups to Law & Order and Go Insane). Say You Will followed the, admittedly, "classic-sounding" a) The Dance materials, b) "Twisted" (not sure what LB's involvement was on that one though), and c) "I Miss You." But Say You Will sounds like. . . Gift of Screws.

1) If Stevie had not wanted an album that sounded like Gift of Screws, she should not have agreed to build a Fleetwood Mac album around it.

2) If Mick had not wanted a double album, he should not have agreed to build a Fleetwood Mac album around Gift of Screws.

3) Presuming speculation about the reason Christine was not involved is true, then, yes, Mick's other blunder was losing not just her input -- an undeniable knack -- but also her songs, which would have necessitated . . . a double CD.

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

I believe she was and we have Mick's unfailing greed to thank for her not participating.What could have been the band's finest album since Tusk was not to be thanks to that quality of his .

By accepting Gift of Screws as the foundation for a Fleetwood Mac album but reneging on the terms, Stevie and Mick betrayed Lindsey's vision and themselves -- but they did not destroy the art. It's still their finest album since Tusk -- because of the degree to which Lindsey was permitted to sustain his vision and to find the common voice, the call and response, in Stevie's songs. What's scary is how much greater -- and more successful and more impactful -- it could have been (with or without Christine). All things that, ultimately, would have served both Stevie's and Mick's interests. In the SYW doc, Lindsey keeps reminding everyone that their success (in all definitions of the word) depends on the band sticking together. That's what bands do. That's what band means. He was betrayed and, caught in a Catch-22, was forced to compromise his vision -- the stated (and audibly presented via GOS) aspirations the band had agreed to participate in -- that he thought they shared.

Consequently, we have a beautiful yet truncated work -- Say You Will -- that spawned two more hybrids (Under the Skin and Gift of Screws).

[Musicman408]

Alright, I'll be short and sweet with this (assuming its true).

I don't want this to be a farewell tour, bottom line. I want to see Stevie/The Mac as many times as I can, since I am a new fan (2003) and missed out on the glory days.

I don't get the whole Sheryl thing. I don't hate her as a musician or anything, but not opening act for the Mac for SYW was amazing. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I don't understand Stevie's anti Lindsey attitude. You know, you listen to interviews and she's always like "I love being in a band. I didn't want to go solo because I wanted to be in a band." Well Rock Momma, you are in an amazing R and R band, so why would you want to change that. I would die to be there.

I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but I do hope that they tour again, and since I will be away in college, perhaps I could go by myself, increasing my chances of getting front row seats......

Much Love,
Ethan

Oh, one thing I forgot. They need to hire me to play Christine's keyboard parts if she decides not to come back...... I mean, obviously....Right?

[David]

Originally Posted by Musicman408

Oh, one thing I forgot. They need to hire me to play Christine's keyboard parts if she decides not to come back...... I mean, obviously....Right?

No. It's not obvious at all. You said a long time ago that you'd post some audio of your keyboard work on Fleetwood Mac songs, but you never did, as far as I know.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by David

No. It's not obvious at all. You said a long time ago that you'd post some audio of your keyboard work on Fleetwood Mac songs, but you never did, as far as I know.

But they might want to consider Liam. He's a very talented piano player, he looks like a young Lindsey Buckingham and probably can duplicate both Stevie and Christines piano playing.