Discovering Tango in the Night with fresh ears

[jeffd8382]

I wanted to share a deep dive into the Tango in the Night album by two guys that are either casual fans or less familiar with Fleetwood Mac’s music. It’s a fun watch/listen. If you enjoy it, consider subscribing to their channel on YouTube. I am also part of a Discord group they run, which has some nice people sharing their love of music, anything from AꓭBA to funk to prog to metal music:

https://youtu.be/VIgDEsGNKlA?si=jtbI6ZJBBMvUrson

[Macfan4life]

I did not listen to the entire thing but skipped around. Its interesting to hear reviews not from fans. These guys don't know much about Fleetwood Mac. I had to laugh after Seven Wonders the guy said her voice sounded like someone that had a very hard life

But they see the consensus of the album with Christine's songs as the favorites. Yes they agree Isn't It Midnight is a masterpiece and IMHO should of been the lead single. It would have dragged the album into the top 5. Just like they said "Wow, this is Fleetwood Mac." The bubble gum pop songs could have all been released after. After 5 years waiting for a new Mac song, IIM would have blown everyone out of the water. Everyone always says its one of the best if not THE best song on the album.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I did not listen to the entire thing

I didn't either, but from the video comments in YT, the one about WISYA caught my attention. So I skipped to that part.

Mike said he liked the song (though no crazy about it). Since he says he is Mr. Ballad, then it shouldn't surprise us. Yes, it could have been a good contrast to go from the energy of IIM to a sad ballad like this, but to me it wasn't a good ballad. I don't find an amazing voice in WISYA (she wasn't in her best shape), although it does express feelings. And yes, a ballad with sad lyrics can be captivating, but IMHO she went too far with the excessively repetitive wattamata baby.

Only now, listening to these guys, do I realize that it could have been a beautiful song, but that the whattamatas ruined it so much that they blocked that possibility in my mind.

It was an interesting review of When I See You Again so I'll watch the entire video later.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Villavic

I didn't either, but from the video comments in YT, the one about WISYA caught my attention. So I skipped to that part.

Mike said he liked the song (though no crazy about it). Since he says he is Mr. Ballad, then it shouldn't surprise us. Yes, it could have been a good contrast to go from the energy of IIM to a sad ballad like this, but to me it wasn't a good ballad. I don't find an amazing voice in WISYA (she wasn't in her best shape), although it does express feelings. And yes, a ballad with sad lyrics can be captivating, but IMHO she went too far with the excessively repetitive wattamata baby.

Only now, listening to these guys, do I realize that it could have been a beautiful song, but that the whattamatas ruined it so much that they blocked that possibility in my mind.

It was an interesting review of When I See You Again so I'll watch the entire video later.

This is the song I think Lindsey did the most secret things to. There is a Stevie interview while on the road in 1986 where she is asked directly about the Fleetwood mac record and she says its going good and she just mailed the band a "Landslide" kind of song. I think this was the song she mailed to the band while on the road. My hunch is because of her absence and craziness Lindsey used the original vocal from her mailed in tape. He put it to his music and it did not have an ending and Lindsey added his vocals to end the song. That would make 2 out of 3 of her Tango songs are pre-rehab and they have the most raspy vocals. It sounds like she's in a coke hole and that is because she was in a coke hole and mailed Fleetwood Mac this song in the summer of 1986.

[mitzo]

Originally Posted by Villavic

I didn't either, but from the video comments in YT, the one about WISYA caught my attention. So I skipped to that part.

Mike said he liked the song (though no crazy about it). Since he says he is Mr. Ballad, then it shouldn't surprise us. Yes, it could have been a good contrast to go from the energy of IIM to a sad ballad like this, but to me it wasn't a good ballad. I don't find an amazing voice in WISYA (she wasn't in her best shape), although it does express feelings. And yes, a ballad with sad lyrics can be captivating, but IMHO she went too far with the excessively repetitive wattamata baby.

Only now, listening to these guys, do I realize that it could have been a beautiful song, but that the whattamatas ruined it so much that they blocked that possibility in my mind.

It was an interesting review of When I See You Again so I'll watch the entire video later.

I always was fascinated with the song. I love incoherent weepy Stevie and this fits so well.

[Villavic]

Definitely they are not die hard fans cause the guy at the left didn't remember Gypsy by the title. But he was right to say that Stevie's voice sounds older and weathered compared to previous albums. And yes, I agree SW is a beautiful song. It's even Mark's Stevie fave song, though they don't observe about it's not fully written by Stevie.

WOW!!!! When he said the title track is Lindsey's Comfortably Numb, I didn't see that coming!! Yes, I definitely agree!! It's an incredible song and got everything. They just failed to mention that this song could have been the replacement for So Afraid at the Tango Tour concerts, if Lindsey hadn't left the band.

Classic like crusing 80s tunes, Mike said about IIM, a great song in a "solid album". Say no more!

In general, very cool video. I liked their analysis. It made me listen the entire album again today.

[Mr Scarrott]

Originally Posted by mitzo

I always was fascinated with the song. I love incoherent weepy Stevie and this fits so well.

Yes, Stevie is in danger of being banal in this song; she's clearly not in a good place, but Lindsey in some fashion or other rescues her. There are moments of beauty in it and I've never joined in the hatred. WTTRS, however, is unsalvageable.

[mitzo]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

Yes, Stevie is in danger of being banal in this song; she's clearly not in a good place, but Lindsey in some fashion or other rescues her. There are moments of beauty in it and I've never joined in the hatred. WTTRS, however, is unsalvageable.

Agree about WTTRS. Although it does fit in the category of a number of rambling bizarre stream of consciousness Stevie "songs" like Mabel Normand, No Spoken Word, and Thousand Days.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by mitzo

Agree about WTTRS. Although it does fit in the category of a number of rambling bizarre stream of consciousness Stevie "songs" like Mabel Normand, No Spoken Word, and Thousand Days.

Yes it went right over everyone's head including mine. All these words about Tara and Scarlett. Had no idea what Frontline was back then either. During the Greatest Hits Rockline segment a fan called in and asked Stevie directly what the song was about. The only thing she said was "if you listen really carefully to the song you will figure it out."
I guess no one or few got her subtleness so on TOSOTM she had to be more direct and blunt with Escape from Berlin.
Put me in the camp of not liking any of the Stevie songs on Tango. I suppose Seven Wonders bothers me the least. However to think Stevie sang someone else's song on a Mac album. That never happened before.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Put me in the camp of not liking any of the Stevie songs on Tango. I suppose Seven Wonders bothers me the least. However to think Stevie sang someone else's song on a Mac album. That never happened before.

Though she was far from her finest hour during Tango, I like 2 of her songs, but what you say makes me wonder... If she was lack of creativity in 1986-87 (for obvious reasons), why didn't she include any of her old unreleased songs on Tango? Smiile At You, Planets of the Universe, If You Were My Love, or any from her previous solo albums that were a good option. I'm sure Lindsey and Richard would have made them fit the Tango sound. The sum of those songs would have better reflected her contribution.

[Villavic]

And today it's the 39 anniversary of the album release. Happy birthday Tango in the Night.

[WalkAThinLine.]

Lindsey has mentioned that Tango in the Night was his most difficult recording experience, and he has never touched any of his own songs from this album with the exception of "Big Love". There's quite a bit to appreciate on Tango in the Night, and Lindsey was certainly instrumental in getting this album across the finish line along with Christine. I was listening to "Family Man" earlier today and was impressed with the clarity of the instruments on the track. Most of the tracks still hold up well today even with the signature 80s stamp.

[bombaysaffires]

I wish he had done the song TITN live... that guitar at the end shreds and would have been fantastic live. Lindsey, if your team is reading, please consider adding it in....(if he ever tours again and can rip it up onstage)

edited to add similar things could be said about Isn't It Midnight live.....another lost opportunity...

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

I wish he had done the song TITN live... that guitar at the end shreds and would have been fantastic live. Lindsey, if your team is reading, please consider adding it in....(if he ever tours again and can rip it up onstage)

edited to add similar things could be said about Isn't It Midnight live.....another lost opportunity...

I don't think there's any way he could sing it now. Not and have it even resemble the original.

[Macfan4life]

Musician magazine reviewed Tango In The Night in 1987 and called Lindsey's crashing guitar on the title track as dramatic as Led Zeppelin's The Ocean. I think that is quite a stretch but that is an incredible comparison. When the guitar comes crashing in The Ocean is really something.