Thoughts on the Fleetwood Mac Live reissue

[bwboy]

I’ve been waiting to read what folks think of it. I’ve only listened to the new cd once and I have to say I wasn’t real impressed. The worst versions of Second Hand News, The Chain, and Think About Me I’ve ever heard, unfortunately. I suppose they’ll grow on me. Brown Eyes is fantastic. Admittedly, there are few live versions to compare it to, but Christine’s vocals are incredible here.

I haven’t had a chance to listen to the remastered version of the original CDs but I’m sure the sound will be much better. I’m not going to complain about the price because there’s no point and besides, I didn’t have to buy it. It was my decision to do so. I just can’t help but be disappointed the Tusk documentary wasn’t included as well. I mean, is the studio holding out for a dvd/blu ray package at some point, are the copyrights in some sort of legal limbo, or what? I’d say they’re being lazy but clearly a lot of thought and effort went into these rereleases, so I wish they would say why the Tusk documentary and Mirage concerts weren’t also released on dvd/blu ray as well.

Anyway, what do other folks think of this reissue?

[David]

Originally Posted by bwboy

I’ve been waiting to read what folks think of it. I’ve only listened to the new cd once and I have to say I wasn’t real impressed. The worst versions of Second Hand News, The Chain, and Think About Me I’ve ever heard, unfortunately.

Just curious: When you say those are the worst versions you’ve ever heard, how many versions have you heard? Have you heard Second Hand News and The Chain live from 1982? Think About Me live from 1980? Do these particular nights stand out as bad to you? Or do you just not like the way the band did these songs on these tours?

I’ll go out on a not-very-long limb here and say that there really isn’t much difference in performance in those songs from their respective tours. The Chain, for example, sounds nearly identical to the commercially released performance on the video and later on the Mirage deluxe set. They were recorded on successive nights in LA, after all. Second Hand News Los Angeles sounds like Oakland, which sounds like Memphis, which sounds like Detroit, which sounds like Minneapolis, which sounds like Austin, and on and on. There is no great variety in the performance quality of most songs on the short 1982 tour. We’ve heard most of them on audience and soundboard tapes, after all.

Think About Me was played live only for about a month in 1980. Have you heard other performances of it from that time (Hollywood Bowl, Mobile, Wichita, Atlanta), or is this the first time you’ve heard the song done live from that year?

[HomerMcvie]

*blank stare at the stairs*

[BombaySapphire3]

I still find it peculiar that they went for the $100 deluxe edition for a flop album. There is no other way to describe it when every other album whether studio , live or compilation from the Rumours five at least went multi- platinum .Some of the albums from the so called 'wilderness years' have handily outsold this one.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

I still find it peculiar that they went for the $100 deluxe edition for a flop album. There is no other way to describe it when every other album whether studio , live or compilation from the Rumours five at least went multi- platinum .Some of the albums from the so called 'wilderness years' have handily outsold this one.

I know, I am glad they did though. The Live album is one of my all time favorites. When I upgraded my albums and tapes to CDs in the early 90s, this was one of the first replacements.....even before Rumours and Tusk. I don't even have the Dance on CD. Its just so sterile for me. I bought the tape because I wanted to listen to it in my car and my car did not have a CD player LOL

Could you imagine if you could go back in time and tell Mick and Warner brothers on a gloomy sales day in 1980, "Dont worry, in 40 years the reissue will be selling for $100 per copy"

[bwboy]

Originally Posted by David

Just curious: When you say those are the worst versions you’ve ever heard, how many versions have you heard? Have you heard Second Hand News and The Chain live from 1982? Think About Me live from 1980? Do these particular nights stand out as bad to you? Or do you just not like the way the band did these songs on these tours?

I’ll go out on a not-very-long limb here and say that there really isn’t much difference in performance in those songs from their respective tours. The Chain, for example, sounds nearly identical to the commercially released performance on the video and later on the Mirage deluxe set. They were recorded on successive nights in LA, after all. Second Hand News Los Angeles sounds like Oakland, which sounds like Memphis, which sounds like Detroit, which sounds like Minneapolis, which sounds like Austin, and on and on. There is no great variety in the performance quality of most songs on the short 1982 tour. We’ve heard most of them on audience and soundboard tapes, after all.

Think About Me was played live only for about a month in 1980. Have you heard other performances of it from that time (Hollywood Bowl, Mobile, Wichita, Atlanta), or is this the first time you’ve heard the song done live from that year?

All good points. The only live versions of Think About Me I’d heard before were from the last FM tour with Lindsey, and I thought it was really well done. This version, perhaps I had higher hopes because it was from 1980 and I thought it would sound better. It’s not very tight and I’m disappointed in the ending- I love the harmonies and back up “ooh ooh ooh ooh” vocals, and this live version doesn’t have much of that. Second Hand News I’ve heard live many times, and this version is loud, more of a rock song, and I don’t know how to explain it, except to say it’s less catchy. The Chain, again I’m very disappointed in the ending. I’m sure the more I listen to it, the more I’ll come to accept the differences for positives, but my initial listen was disappointing. Really loved What Makes You Think You’re the One!

This was the first time I’ve heard Hold Me from 1982, and it was really well done! I thought it would a messy song to perform live, but they were pretty tight. I’m looking forward to listening to the other CD today.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by bwboy

All good points. The only live versions of Think About Me I’d heard before were from the last FM tour with Lindsey, and I thought it was really well done. This version, perhaps I had higher hopes because it was from 1980 and I thought it would sound better. It’s not very tight and I’m disappointed in the ending- I love the harmonies and back up “ooh ooh ooh ooh” vocals, and this live version doesn’t have much of that. Second Hand News I’ve heard live many times, and this version is loud, more of a rock song, and I don’t know how to explain it, except to say it’s less catchy. The Chain, again I’m very disappointed in the ending. I’m sure the more I listen to it, the more I’ll come to accept the differences for positives, but my initial listen was disappointing. Really loved What Makes You Think You’re the One!

This was the first time I’ve heard Hold Me from 1982, and it was really well done! I thought it would a messy song to perform live, but they were pretty tight. I’m looking forward to listening to the other CD today.

Everything was a different sound back in the day. I call it arena rock. You cant even compare The Chain 1980 or 1982 to The Dance The Chain 1997. Its apples and watermelons. Of course Think About Me in 2014 is going to sound different than 1980. Technology changed and the Mac wants to sound like the studio in live shows these days.
Many of us (including me) much prefer this raw, unpolished, and arena rock sound. Your description of Second Hand News makes me want to hear the song and probably like it more with what you call it "Loud and a rock song" That sounds so good to me.

[bwboy]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Everything was a different sound back in the day. I call it arena rock. You cant even compare The Chain 1980 or 1982 to The Dance The Chain 1997. Its apples and watermelons. Of course Think About Me in 2014 is going to sound different than 1980. Technology changed and the Mac wants to sound like the studio in live shows these days.
Many of us (including me) much prefer this raw, unpolished, and arena rock sound. Your description of Second Hand News makes me want to hear the song and probably like it more with what you call it "Loud and a rock song" That sounds so good to me.

I see what you’re saying and you’re probably right. But listening to Think About Me again, my disappointment isn’t that it doesn’t sound polished, it’s that they changed the ending. There is no “ooh ooh ooh” section at the end, which was my favorite part of the song, and technology aside back in 1980, they could have kept that section but chose not to. Maybe it wouldn’t have sounded as polished, though. It’s kind of like if they performed Big Love and then ended the song before all the grunts lol. The live versions of Landslide, Go Your Own Way, and Sara are my favorite, and they’re very faithful but still have enough differences from the recorded versions to sound unique, especially Landslide.

Have you bought or heard the record and if so, what are your thoughts? I’m really excited to hear what others think.

[BLY]

My box set arrives today and I can’t wait to play it all. These box sets are the best treasures for a fan since the 70’s. It’s worth every penny IMO. These live tracks showcase Fleetwood Mac in their prime.

[On Ice]

I was a big fan of Live when it came out in 1980 and had high expectations for it, along the lines of the Eagles live but unfortunately I think Tusk's initial cold reaction dampened enthusiasm and sales. The only quip I had was the version of Don't Stop, like why not an actual concert? As for the new set, so much to like. I love Stevie's growl on Angel and Sisters of the Moon, she had perfected it during the Tusk tour. I could listen to her sing like that for days. Sisters of the Moon is awesome and I really love the Cecelia lyrics at the end, her voice is among the best live voice I've ever heard from her. A big surprise is What Makes You Think You're the One- translates amazing to the stage- so surprised it never made single status and Lindsey's shining moment on this reissue. The keyboard driven Think About Me is also a great listen, to this day I'm shocked this song was not a monster hit, it's truly outstanding and as good or better than You Make Loving Fun. Brown Eyes and Hold Me showcase just how much Christine's voice was improving live, not that she was ever bad, but it was so much stronger. I'm going to enjoy this reissue for years to come, reminds me of why I was such a committed fan for so long and great memories from my teen years. Love it.