Instead of Sheryl.....

[Forshorn]

Who needs some non-Mac, lite radio, stranger onstage with the legendary band. It's always been about chemistry - and this would wreck it.

For the next album, Stevie should be involved the whole way through, not just come in with a few songs and do vocals. John and Mick seemed much more engaged with the album.

It was a GREAT album, but seemed a little disconnected. If Stevie is really on board, they wouldn't need a more-current star. That's a sellout move, and I believe it would backfire, because people pay to see the band they love. Not some new version.

Just my HUMBLE opinion.

[shackin'up]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

They sold out huge venues with Billy and Rick, too. It doesn't mean that people were oblivious to the obvious. It just meant that it was close enough to what they think of when they think of Fleetwood Mac. Which, is still Mick, John, Christine, Stevie, and Lindsey in the minds of "most".

But, is it art? Is it a worthy artistic statement? Or, is it just a big money grab? For me, the fact that there were more backing musicians than band members on stage suggests it was about the money. Trying to recreate songs as they sound on albums, especially one that is one of the top selling albums ever and was overplayed thirty years ago, is sad, if not pathetic. There was little true art there.

They sold out big arena's in 88 because the name was re-established by the works of LB who produced a new contemparary sounding Mac. His name has never been big in the eyes of the the crowd, so nobody was really aware that the creative force of the band was lacking. BTM did well, because Christine's great songwriterskills for singles. She could keep the legacy alive through "Save Me", a bland song, but still sounding vintage "Radio-Mac". But the ship was sinking. When Stevie left nothing was left. Not that she had delivered ANYTHING wothwhile for years, The crowd couldn't live with a Mac without Nicks. I won't say much negative things about the Time line-up, but they just chose the wrong direction by trying to copy Ther rumours line-up in concert.

Art? Lindseys contributions to SYW were alone more art than the whole production of the band since 88.

I agree on the artistic level of the liveconcerts. That reproductionapproach is not my style either, but it's done quite impressive and with ooomph. I saw four SYWshows, and the weren't lackluster at all, although very overperfected. But let's be fair: lindsey rocked it with a pleasure that was felt all over the arena.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by Forshorn

Who needs some non-Mac, lite radio, stranger onstage with the legendary band. It's always been about chemistry - and this would wreck it.

Apparently Stevie. But, it's hard to argue that Sheryl Crow is a stranger. The band chose HER to do the induction speech, and she has since worked and toured with Stevie and has done some work with Fleetwood Mac. Hardly a stranger.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by shackin'up

They sold out big arena's in 88 because the name was re-established by the works of LB who produced a new contemparary sounding Mac.

That's not at all accurate. Stevie Nicks was still a big name in her own right during the Tango days, and Christine's songs were all over the radio (moreso than Lindsey's or Stevie's). Yeah, Lindsey produced the album well enough. But that's not why people bought the album. The band was all over the radio and MTV in 1987, and Lindsey's quitting the band probably did more to generate even more interest in the band than any of his actual music or production.

Originally Posted by shackin'up

His name has never been big in the eyes of the the crowd, so nobody was really aware that the creative force of the band was lacking. BTM did well, because Christine's great songwriterskills for singles. She could keep the legacy alive through "Save Me", a bland song, but still sounding vintage "Radio-Mac".

Plus, the Fleetwood Mac brand still meant something, although it was beginning to slip. The problem I see with that album is that Christine and Stevie had fairly bland songs on the album and they somehow chose to use the blander stuff from the new guys. It's the era of what could have been.

Originally Posted by shackin'up

But the ship was sinking. When Stevie left nothing was left. Not that she had delivered ANYTHING wothwhile for years, The crowd couldn't live with a Mac without Nicks. I won't say much negative things about the Time line-up, but they just chose the wrong direction by trying to copy Ther rumours line-up in concert.

No arguements there, though I have to point out that it wasn't just a Billy Burnette-era Fleetwood Mac thing. Combined Time, Cradle, and Street Angel didn't sell 400,000 albums.

Originally Posted by shackin'up

Art? Lindseys contributions to SYW were alone more art than the whole production of the band since 88.

Eh, I'll reserve judgement on that. Considering the last studio album Lindsey was significantly involved in had been released ELEVEN years earlier, it should have been good. If I spent eleven years overthinking an album, it would probably be a major artistic statement, too. This is why I tend to be a fan of guys like Robert Pollard who release a lot of great music every year. Bob's a big exception to just about any rule, but last year alone he released an album full of unreleased demos from the pre-Guided By Voices days, an album full of his stage banter (funny stuff), an EP, a "best of" package for the Fading Captain Series (which was a series of Bob's side projects), and four full-length albums. Bob also released a magazine of his collages (many of which have been used for album covers). Now, it's hit or miss with Bob, but he probably releases one or two albums worth of great music EVERY year.

Originally Posted by shackin'up

I agree on the artistic level of the live concerts. That reproduction approach is not my style either, but it's done quite impressive and with ooomph. I saw four SYW shows, and the weren't lackluster at all, although very overperfected. But let's be fair: lindsey rocked it with a pleasure that was felt all over the arena.

The only pleasure I really got was from listening to John McVie, who was the only one that didn't have at least two others covering his parts. The overperfected/reproduction thing, along with the same canned speeches night after night just killed it for me, and I saw three variations on the set the three times I saw them.

A remote interest in indy rock has all but killed any enthusiasm I've felt for this band. Worse yet, it has caused more in the way of frustration in that they COULD be an amazing band on their own if they'd throw a little caution to the wind. But playing it safe and spouting off psychobabble bores me to tears.

[TrueFaith77]

Originally Posted by Angel69

what other female would you want to join up with them.

To me, only one woman could join the mix: Iris Dement.



I also pine for Johnny Marr and/or Bernard Sumner to join.

[The Catdancer]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith77

To me, only one woman could join the mix: Iris Dement.



I also pine for Johnny Marr and/or Bernard Sumner to join.

The only woman to me who could join is Sandy Stewart. She's a great keyboardist/pianist, good back up singer and virtually unknown. Plus she's a friend of Stevie's. IMO perfect for the job.