Some thoughts about this band's future pivotal direction points from a young fan (me)

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by elle

i've never heard that Mick has all the power and makes all the decisions in FM the way Bon Jovi does over his band. on the contrary, Mick was fired as band's manager at certain point after the Tusk tour, no? but if you have heard something different, please do share.

My understanding was that Mick and John jointly own the band. Historically, Mick has been the one who's made the personnel decisions and split the band up in 1996.

[elle]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

My understanding was that Mick and John jointly own the band. Historically, Mick has been the one who's made the personnel decisions and split the band up in 1996.

cool, thanks for that info. so Mick would be the one to fire or hire people.

then again he did decide to hire LB back in the 70s. but he consulted others. or maybe he needed to consult others on SN issue, and LB offer was a done deal and decided by just Mick?

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

1. The lack of interaction between Lindsey and Stevie.

Now that Christine is back and eager to make new music, he probably doesn't feel the need to go out of his way to smooth things over with Stevie anymore. He has a partner in the band now. Stevie can be in it or not.

Especially because he was the one least enthused about her return in the beginning.

I don't think he wasn't enthusiastic about her return, I think he was skeptical about it because of how crystal clear she made it to them and everybody else that she was finished. As for anything related to the 2013 tour, I think that was purely business. Once Christine was officially back, I bet he was the most enthusiastic because there was going to be new Fleetwood Mac.

I think all the album drama is just a matter of Stevie wanting to control her own destiny.

The funny thing is that nobody really has control over their own destiny. If something happened to any one of them tomorrow, "Tango In The Night" would be her destiny with the classic Fleetwood Mac. If she's comfortable leaving that be the last statement, so be it.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by elle

cool, thanks for that info. so Mick would be the one to fire or hire people.

then again he did decide to hire LB back in the 70s. but he consulted others. or maybe he needed to consult others on SN issue, and LB offer was a done deal and decided by just Mick?

I'm sure it has to be a group effort on some level, but Peter Green said adding Danny Kirwan was Mick's idea, and we all know how thrilled Christine was to have Dave Mason in the band.

[elle]

Originally Posted by mitzo

Would you be interested in a C. McVie/John McVie and S. Nicks collaboration? Or not so much?
Yes indeed! I think that combo, out from under the shadow of certain people, could really work magic.

yes. bad Mick and Lindsey, always casting their shadows over poor other band members.

Originally Posted by mitzo

Do you think the bass line of songs lifts their atmosphere or do you prefer seeing Stevie and Lindsey on stage alone or with just, Mr Fleetwood?
[I]Bass is vital to FM. And I would like to see Lindsey stick to what he does best .... playing guitars, singing backup, and producing.

why would you not want him to write songs anymore? he definitely wrote some spectacular songs in the last 2 decades, actually.

it's interesting, you seem to be rare SN (?) fan who wants LB producing FM. most of them seem to be up in arms about his production, seemingly cause SN was slamming him over SYW production of her songs.

btw, i loved that part of LB interview on Tavis Smiley yesterday was when he was asked "are you better guitarist now than in FM heyday" and he, without hesitation, responded "oh yeah" "without question".

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by elle

btw, i loved that part of LB interview on Tavis Smiley yesterday was when he was asked "are you better guitarist now than in FM heyday" and he, without hesitation, responded "oh yeah" "without question".

He's a way better acoustic player these days, but he's not as good a lead player as he was. He's a bore these days by contrast. Having all of those extra musicians seems to have made him much less adventurous with the live arrangements as far as his leads go.

[mitzo]

Originally Posted by elle

yes. bad Mick and Lindsey, always casting their shadows over poor other band members.


why would you not want him to write songs anymore? he definitely wrote some spectacular songs in the last 2 decades, actually.

it's interesting, you seem to be rare SN (?) fan who wants LB producing FM. most of them seem to be up in arms about his production, seemingly cause SN was slamming him over SYW production of her songs.

btw, i loved that part of LB interview on Tavis Smiley yesterday was when he was asked "are you better guitarist now than in FM heyday" and he, without hesitation, responded "oh yeah" "without question".

Lindsey is a brilliant producer and musician. He pulls the very best from both Stevie and Christine. He provides the energy and texture with his playing and backup vocals. But his own singing and writing give me cramps. Just one person's opinion.

[nicole21290]

What is your most important project that the band could or "should" work on in its short to mid-term (x2 questions there) future?
Well, honestly, they don't have much a 'long' term future at this point, I don't think - as a working band, anyway. It depends what is meant by 'short' and 'mid-term'. Within the next few years I would hope they do complete a (probably final) album and tour behind it. I would expect a filmed version of one of those shows.

Do you like a certain band member more than another?
Personality-wise? Probably, but not in any massive way - there are aspects I prefer and those I don't regarding both of the two I like most.

Do you like a certain songwriter more than another?
I like two of them on an equal level when it comes to songwriting, though not musicianship.

Would you be interested in a C. McVie/John McVie and S. Nicks collaboration? Or not so much?
Not at all, frankly. My first preference is always Stevie WITH Lindsey (within the FM structure or not), but if I can't have that, her on her own will suffice.

Do you think the bass line of songs lifts their atmosphere or do you prefer seeing Stevie and Lindsey on stage alone or with just, Mr Fleetwood?
Absolutely. Of course. Bass is essential to the band sound, and songs, and I think John is a fantastic player. Since I became obsessed with Paul McCartney about six years ago, bass has been incredibly important to my enjoyment of music. Having said that, I WOULD choose seeing SnL onstage alone over seeing them within the context of Fleetwood Mac. I don't need bass to enjoy music, but for a Fleetwood Mac concert or record, it is essential and absolutely lifts the songs.

Do you believe in this band's collective willpower overthrowing any selective interest groups, or not really?
I don't think there is a collective willpower which always flows in the same direction. I think compromises are made, both because of differences of opinions between bandmembers (and no, I do not think the 'political' divisions or problems are always Stevie vs Lindsey) and because of the pressures of the bigger machine and the legacy they wish the leave.

Do you think that these people are smooth musical operators?
Not quite sure what this means, but I would imagine in some ways, yes, in some ways no.

Or do you think they are a promotors' "worst nightmare"?
No, I don't think they are.

Do you believe in word of mouth or do you favour the Internet and the social media spread of words/written texts?
They're not mutually exclusive. For myself, I'm very reliant on the internet and social media for communication, and sharing of interests and information.

[secret love]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

My understanding was that Mick and John jointly own the band. Historically, Mick has been the one who's made the personnel decisions and split the band up in 1996.

That was always my understanding after I became a bit of an obsessed fan around early 2013 maybe mid 2012 (not sure exactly when I became a bit obsessed).

I would say that I don't obsess over this band nearly as much as I did in the beginning, partly because Mick is so predictable, John too, Stevie -- well it is predictable that she will be stubborn and do her own thing and be hard to predict! Christine is a little more of an enigma. I wondered if her and John ever had that moment in a relationship the kiss a divorcing couple share in court, kind of moment. Don't know but she is somewhat stable in her story about fear of flying and her therapy and dislike of touring even since Homeward Bound.

I believe Mick is the person who ramps up publicity these days with ill-advised comments a la The Playboy interview and announcing in Maui "the worst kept secret in music" Christine McVie's return. (Does she go by Christine Perfect in her personal life I wonder?)

I can imagine quite clearly when I listed to Homeward Bound now that Christine would be sitting at home in a barn in Kent, English countryside on a farm and rocking away in her chair with a glass of coffee, maybe sometimes it's port wine.

She would have loved her time in the English countryside despite what she says now it is clearly true that it was a great time for her, writing and producing a record with her nephew Dan Perfect is a perfect example of that!

It was her much needed break and her family and friends time. She deserved that and she deserved not to be accosted by a paparazzo while walking her dog in the park. What a joke that photographer is, the clown.

Anyway, Mick and John absolutely own the band name and rights to the use of Fleetwood Mac as an artist name for studio and stage records especially after Stretch the fake Fleetwood Mac band.

Mick always looked for new members, except when Stevie tried desperately to get Sheryl Crown in, on the record in studio for Say You Will and even on stage for Unleashed.

Sheryl could and would write a great Fleetwood Mac song for sure and if Christine had not come back, that would have worked - but you could have called it "Special Guest- Sheryl Crow instead and just had her as a feat. (featured) artist on a new record and add her in to the tour as a one time only Fleetwood Mac tours with Sheryl Crow for 9 months - even use the time to promote one of Sheryl's solo records.

Anyway, that ship has well and truly sailed -- Christine is back and back with a vengeance.

[jbrownsjr]

I agree with you on the guitar playing... He has too much help. And so does Christine. They were instrumentally lazy this tour. (Not Mick) Mick picked his game up. But not at all vocally lazy. Very good singing.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I agree with you on the guitar playing... He has too much help. And so does Christine. They were instrumentally lazy this tour. (Not Mick) Mick picked his game up. But not at all vocally lazy. Very good singing.

Mick also has Steve hiding behind the guitar amps. John's the only real hero in the band.

[secret love]

Originally Posted by nicole21290

What is your most important project that the band could or "should" work on in its short to mid-term (x2 questions there) future?
Well, honestly, they don't have much a 'long' term future at this point, I don't think - as a working band, anyway. It depends what is meant by 'short' and 'mid-term'. Within the next few years I would hope they do complete a (probably final) album and tour behind it. I would expect a filmed version of one of those shows.

Do you like a certain band member more than another?
Personality-wise? Probably, but not in any massive way - there are aspects I prefer and those I don't regarding both of the two I like most.

Do you like a certain songwriter more than another?
I like two of them on an equal level when it comes to songwriting, though not musicianship.

Would you be interested in a C. McVie/John McVie and S. Nicks collaboration? Or not so much?
Not at all, frankly. My first preference is always Stevie WITH Lindsey (within the FM structure or not), but if I can't have that, her on her own will suffice.

Do you think the bass line of songs lifts their atmosphere or do you prefer seeing Stevie and Lindsey on stage alone or with just, Mr Fleetwood?
Absolutely. Of course. Bass is essential to the band sound, and songs, and I think John is a fantastic player. Since I became obsessed with Paul McCartney about six years ago, bass has been incredibly important to my enjoyment of music. Having said that, I WOULD choose seeing SnL onstage alone over seeing them within the context of Fleetwood Mac. I don't need bass to enjoy music, but for a Fleetwood Mac concert or record, it is essential and absolutely lifts the songs.

Do you believe in this band's collective willpower overthrowing any selective interest groups, or not really?
I don't think there is a collective willpower which always flows in the same direction. I think compromises are made, both because of differences of opinions between bandmembers (and no, I do not think the 'political' divisions or problems are always Stevie vs Lindsey) and because of the pressures of the bigger machine and the legacy they wish the leave.

Do you think that these people are smooth musical operators?
Not quite sure what this means, but I would imagine in some ways, yes, in some ways no.

Or do you think they are a promotors' "worst nightmare"?
No, I don't think they are.

Do you believe in word of mouth or do you favour the Internet and the social media spread of words/written texts?
They're not mutually exclusive. For myself, I'm very reliant on the internet and social media for communication, and sharing of interests and information.

The "smooth operators" remark in one of my survey questions denotes a band which is good at self-promotion. My personal view is that Fleetwood Mac are absolutely terrible at promoting their music except for touring. Yes touring does raise the profile of their new songs like it did with Extended Play - that's why I firmly believe there will be another say, Extended Play II around May 30, 2015 (1 year 1 month after the latest release).

There were comments of new music releases post-E.P. being "a matter of if, not when" and "it's too profound to" slip through the cracks from Lindsey.

This is my personal bugbear with the band: the absolutely lazy and amateur promotion of things like EP. A seventies super-band like them could copy the U2 Songs of Innocence model of music promotion: put an album out for free on iTunes fro 3 months, everyone is able to see it and download it and then stop the free CDs after the end of the 3 months period. Put up the price of about $20 AUD and everyone realises the value of what they got for free, tells all their friends how good it is and those friends then go and actually buy say, a Vinyl copy not available for free on iTunes or a CD hard-copy that has something extra that iTunes did not include.

The band of course would never do something that clever because despite not being a promoter's worst nightmare, they are very bad at promoting there own work and if they did not tour, they would struggle to sell or raise the profile any new songs at all.

I mean, look how well Agnetha Faltskog's (of ABBA Fame) solo record A did. I heard it in a Blacktown or Parramatta shopping mall in Australia and she is Swedish. It was a huge hit and went straight to top of the downloads charts and stayed there for quite a while. I Keep Them on the Floor Beside my Bed was especially moving and incredibly well sung, played, recorded and mixed.

Oh well maybe one day they will release the new album that already has about 6 Lindsey songs done, at least 2 or 3 Christine songs and oh who is that other singer that likes to dress up as a witch? How many songs does she have ready in the can?

[elle]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I agree with you on the guitar playing... He has too much help. And so does Christine. They were instrumentally lazy this tour. (Not Mick) Mick picked his game up. But not at all vocally lazy. Very good singing.

i don't think help is the problem. i think his "not being adventurous" during most of the songs is the problem. with or without help he can do things at least a bit differently from night to night, improvise a bit.

he has performed ISA almost note-for-note and move-for-move exactly the same for the last 4 years (other than the backup parts and what he had to change doing it completely solo during OMS tour). it's almost like he choreographed it once and is now sleepwalking through it.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by elle

i don't think help is the problem. i think his "not being adventurous" during most of the songs is the problem. with or without help he can do things at least a bit differently from night to night, improvise a bit.

he has performed ISA almost note-for-note and move-for-move exactly the same for the last 4 years (other than the backup parts and what he had to change doing it completely solo during OMS tour). it's almost like he choreographed it once and is now sleepwalking through it.

This album better be good.