LB Says FM: With or Without Sheryl

[face of glass]

Originally Posted by michelej1

That's fine. The question then becomes what is going to happen to FM when Lindsey and the outside producer inevitably lock heads?

If the outside producer is relegated to the role of bringing in drinks and food for the musicians and making sure that they can work in peace, I'm sure it'll be fine. Provided that there's none of that "chop out the third verse and repeat the chorus four more times" malarkey!

[danax6]

Originally Posted by michelej1

That's fine. The question then becomes what is going to happen to FM when Lindsey and the outside producer inevitably lock heads? Will they scrap the FM album, because Stevie doesn't want another repeat of SYW or, by that time, will they be too far invested in the album for the band to back out and will they have to forge ahead with Lindsey? If it's the latter -- then Lindscrafter's Machiavellian plan will have worked and all will be right with the world. If it's the former, then the fans will lose big time.

Michele

I think the man's got a plan. I do not believe for one second that he is giving away creative control to someone else. He probably couldn't stand Stevie's whining anymore and gave in to her 'demands', knowing perfectly well that he will still hold all the reigns until the very end. Now, who do we know that Lindsey's friends with that's also a producer? He will be part of this evil plan.

Okay, I'm half kidding with that last part, but I do think that Stevie twirled her magic wand and wished for certain things to happen. Lindsey, in realizing that the future of FM is uncertain and the end is always near, gave in. Like I said: For now.

I agree that the last thing Lindsey wants is to leave FM. Or have there be no FM at all.

[shackin'up]

I think it's clear what lindsey wants: Sit in a room to give more creative space to the other members. That means that they have to be there. Stevie hasn't been engaged in the creative process of FM since 86. Lindsey HAD to take the lead otherwise there WAS no FM-album. I'm sure he wants to write together again and use an external producer and engineer: Not to use as a songeditor, but as a processcoach and maybe a soundproducer (which would be the hardest part for him). Nothing wrong with that. Why would that be impossible?

[Matt Lucas]

Hello all---

Regarding non-Lindsey producers, I think Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom are very interesting suggestions. I am a huge fan of Crowded House, and Froom and Blake produced/engineered their first three records. I wouldn't suggest them for another CH album [been there, done that], but for FM, I say yes. They would bring something totally different to the FM sound, but I think it would work well. They already brought a new vibe to other established artists like Bonnie Raitt and Los Lobos, who made their masterpiece, KIKO, with Froom and Blake. And has anyone heard the Crowded House song, "Instinct?" I played it for a friend of mine who's a big FM fan, and he instantly thought it was a new Mac tune based on the intro and the music. Obviously, singer Neil Finn doesn't sound a thing like Lindsey, but the music---produced by Froom---has a great Mac-sounding-yet-swampy-and-different vibe to it.

As for Rubin, I could see that one happening, too. Rubin seems to enjoy working with artists that the music world has written off or forgotten about, like Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, and even the Dixie Chicks. [Yes, we all love Lindsey and FM, but I think the general view in the music world is that they're dinosaurs.]

And let's not forget that Lindsey has worked with Rubin at least once before: Rubin produced the Tom Petty soundtrack for the film, SHE'S THE ONE, on which Lindsey sang some wonderful backing vocals. Granted, it wasn't a long-term project, but I'm sure Lindsey was able to get an idea of how Rubin works.

For what it's worth, I think Sheryl Crow is a decent producer. She's produced some of her own albums, most notably her second one and GLOBE SESSIONS, both of which sound really good. But, as has been noted by others here, she's worked with some great producers and engineers, so I assume some of their tricks have rubbed off on her.

As a potential band member, I think it could work. *Could.* When I first heard the news, I was shocked because she's a well-established solo artist on the level of Stevie in her day. The thought of her joining a band that is a full generation older than her sounded sort of weird, at first. But then, I realized that she could fill the Christine role quite well. Sheryl plays keys, guitar, and bass and sings and writes really well. [And, lest I offend all of the Christine fans out there, let me say that no one can fill her shoes. But it might be good to have another singer to complement Stevie and Lindsey.]

The real question is whether she can accept a role as a *member* as opposed to the main artist or band leader. If she can do that, then I think it could work quite well, because she has the same background [blues-based pop/rock, albeit a little more Stones-influenced than FM].

The bottom line is that it's reassuring that Lindsey wants the band members to be in the same room and be actively involved in the creative process. That's what being in a band is all about, after all.

mattl

[Sarah]

Well, we know Lindsey started out his solo career to appease his experimental tendencies. He's finished up 2 solo albums (UTS and the new one) in what is, for him, rapid succession. And SYW's experiments weren't that long ago, either.

Really, no, it wouldn't be like him to just give up the control... but if he's feeling satisfied enough with his own solo work, who's to say that he hasn't changed in such a way that he'd be comfortable working with another producer for FM's sell-out sake? I hate to say it like that, but the other members are probably itching for a radio hit, and God knows the label has to want it. Besides, he has everything to gain from it... either 1. it's a huge success and they make a boatload of money, or 2. it's a flop and he gets to hear everyone say, "yeah, at this point in Fleetwood Mac, it just doesn't sound right if Lindsey didn't produce it."

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Well, we know Lindsey started out his solo career to appease his experimental tendencies. He's finished up 2 solo albums (UTS and the new one) in what is, for him, rapid succession. And SYW's experiments weren't that long ago, either.

Well, actually, he had been working on ONE album (probably a double) that his material could easily be spread out over three albums. Remember, 98% of his SYW tunes were intended for Gift Of Screws and about 1/3 of UTS were also GOS leftovers...and there's still more unused GOS songs that will probably finally appear on either his next solo album or the next FMac album. So, using the term "rapid succession" is kind of a misnomer...he's worked on and been harvesting that GOS material for over a decade.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by danax6

Okay, I'm half kidding with that last part, but I do think that Stevie twirled her magic wand and wished for certain things to happen. Lindsey, in realizing that the future of FM is uncertain and the end is always near, gave in. Like I said: For now.

I agree that the last thing Lindsey wants is to leave FM. Or have there be no FM at all.

Yes, Lindsey has been talking about working with FM again (and working on an album from the ground up together) ever since SYW was released.

His suspected plan reminds me of the engineering debate in Destiny Rules. He got what he wanted in the end, but it looked like it happened through no fault of his own. What? He can't mix the album because his calendar is booked? Oh darn! Tough luck.

Michele

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by chiliD

So, using the term "rapid succession" is kind of a misnomer... .

But she said rapid succession "for him" which makes all the difference. And I think getting the new UTS songs out which he wrote on the road with FM in just a couple of years was pretty rapid.

But I used to laugh at the Say Goodbye introduction, a song he must have started to write in 1987. Sixteen years in the making man!

I was reading an interview with Matt Stone and Trey Parker in the Onion and they were doing the reverse of Lindsey's favorite thing. They were comparing making a movie or tv show to MUSIC. They said they work best when they only have a few days to crank out a script, because in their view music happens instantaneously. No one writes and rewrites a song for months do they? I just laughed to myself. They don't know the half of it.

Michele

[David]

Originally Posted by michelej1

I was reading an interview with Matt Stone and Trey Parker in the Onion and they were doing the reverse of Lindsey's favorite thing. They were comparing making a movie or tv show to MUSIC. They said they work best when they only have a few days to crank out a script, because in their view music happens instantaneously. No one writes and rewrites a song for months do they? I just laughed to myself. They don't know the half of it.

What ignorant little morons they seem to be. (See my Beethoven's Creative Process post on Chat)

[AliceLover]

Originally Posted by michelej1

But she said rapid succession "for him" which makes all the difference. And I think getting the new UTS songs out which he wrote on the road with FM in just a couple of years was pretty rapid.

But I used to laugh at the Say Goodbye introduction, a song he must have started to write in 1987. Sixteen years in the making man!

I was reading an interview with Matt Stone and Trey Parker in the Onion and they were doing the reverse of Lindsey's favorite thing. They were comparing making a movie or tv show to MUSIC. They said they work best when they only have a few days to crank out a script, because in their view music happens instantaneously. No one writes and rewrites a song for months do they? I just laughed to myself. They don't know the half of it.

Michele

True, but in their own field they are comedic geniuses. And they really do finish episodes the DAY of air time.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by michelej1

March 25, 2008, 2:25 PM ET

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/..._id=1003733037

Gary Graff, Detroit
Fleetwood Mac -- with or without Sheryl Crow in tow -- is planning to be active again.


In recent weeks Crow, who's friendly with Mac's Stevie Nicks, has talked about joining the band, which Buckingham acknowledges is a possibility, though he adds, "I don't think anything is written in stone yet."

"I think we were all a little surprised (Crow) was announcing that to the world with such certainty," Buckingham says with a laugh. "We have talked about the possibility of bringing another woman into the scene to kind of give Stevie a sort of foil and shake it up a little bit. (Crow) was certainly a name that has come up. We'll have to see."

Mmmhmm. I thought so.

Originally Posted by michelej1

"I don't think I want to produce again 'cause it takes so much," he explains. "

Gasp.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Livia

Callait and Dashut?

I don't see why not. Rubin would be okay with me too.

[Betsy]

Rick Rubin has worked with a lot of people
-rap and hip hop (LL Cool J),
-hardcore rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down),
-legends (Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Mick Jagger, Neil Diamond)

I even bought Neil Diamond's 12 Songs and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't the same old, same old.

I'd like to hear his approach.

[louielouie2000]

I personally LOVE the idea of Lindsey relinquishing some control and leaving the producing up to a third party so to speak. IMHO the Mac's best albums (sans Tango) were conceived that way. In my view the less Lindsey has to do producing, the more he can collaborate with the other band members, write songs with Stevie, etc. It will be more of a GROUP again vs seperate parties working under a group name. Perhaps some of that Mac magic will be recaptured if this happens. I'd love to have Dashut and Caillat produce again, but do y'all really think that's feasible? Lindsey has always been the one to want to keep it new and experimental, fresh, etc. Would he really want to have producers whose heyday was in the 70s and early 80s helming this new project? And y'all can say what you will about Ms Crow... but she's a DAMN good producer. Listen to her self titled album from 1996, and the Globe Sessions. Not only did those albums produce some monster radio hits that we're all tired of by now, but they also contained some stellar album tracks, and were just great albums. Say You Will had some good songs but was not a great album because it was truthfully two solo albums spliced together. There needs to be some sort of moderation and cohesiveness, and I think adding Sheryl could possibly be it.

And I agree... Lindsey perhaps has fulfilled his experimentation and control urges with all his solo albums, and the growing rolls he has played within FM since Tusk. Perhaps he's less concerned with doing cutting edge etc and more concerned with just making damn good music again, in whatever form that may take. While I abhor country, FM's newest chapter could be a country flavored album... and I guarantee they'd have a hit from it. Just look at the success Bon Jovi and the Eagles have had with that. Pop and pop/rock has become such a farce that it seems that's where many acts are going (even La Crow is living in Nashville). It's still my two cents that Stevie needs to do that too, or go with an even more niche market that she already has proven recent success with... a dance flavored album. So much for my speculations though .

[Betsy]

^^^

Interesting take -- maybe with his solo work, Lindsey has found satisfaction, control and an outlet for himself and wants to leave the producing of an FM project to a neutral party, thereby not having so much acrimony and stress.