Something Big Review (Best Magazine)

[michelej1]

http://www.beststuff.com/musicmovies...ic-part-1.html

THE MICK FLEETWOOD BAND
SOMETHING BIG
TallMan Records/Sanctuary Records
Rock/Americana/Blues-Rock
Click for Download and Artist Profile

SOMETHING BIG is just that "SOMETHING BIG!" Take the legendary drummer and co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, add Jeremy Spencer and John McVie and you have three fourths of the original Mac (that's the "Blues" Mac, before the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham) reunited on one album. To this amazingly hot trio, add Jackson Browne on a track and another track co written by Carlos Santana. Then throw in a dash of singer Lauren Evans (who MusicTap reviewer Matt Rowe compared to Whitney Houston) and you have a mighty powerful rock and roll gang. The group needed both songs and a singer worthy of ongoing listening and Fleetwood chose longtime friend and veteran producer/signer/songwriter Todd Smallwood to deliver the hooks and tie up the package . . . and he did!

This album was five years in the making. The layering of instrumentation and the deep care for tonal quality, performance, separation and that magical "wall of sound" are testimony to what's still right with music making today. The songs are deeply rooted in a journey through true, honest, early rock and blues-rock. Nothing is gimmicked or faked on this album -- it's the real thing and every song gets better and better as you listen over and over. Possibly most fascinating is that on first listen, this album feels like an old, comfortable friend. The final mixing and mastering of this album was done the old fashioned way -- with both time and expense -- resulting in a sound quality of delicious nuances. "I love percussion," says Fleetwood, "but I'm most deeply fulfilled when I'm working on the music coming together, in editing, in creating the sound. Producing offers those levels of creativity."

The Mick Fleetwood Band manages to come off as both timeless and contemporary, rocking and eloquent, thanks in large measure to Fleetwood's ability to bring out the best in everyone he plays with and his love for the production process. SOMETHING BIG is also a tribute to Emmy nominated Smallwood's skill, musicianship and connection with Fleetwood's vibe. For sheer rock mastery and impeccable songwriting, production and execution this album earns the distinction: BestMUSIC.