What does it sound like?:
Back in 1974, it looked very much like Fleetwod Mac’s race had been well and truly run. Desperate measures were needed, so the dice were rolled and into the band came the relatively unknown duo of Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham, and the rest, as they say, is history. This pivotal album in the band’s career, which marked the beginning of a whole new era, is reissued as a two cd set as well as a rather grander deluxe version. The introduction of Buckingham and Nicks both transformed and reinvigorated the band, their contributions including writing six of the eleven songs here, two of which, Rhiannon and Landslide, were stone cold classics and still stand today, over forty years later, as among the best things they ever produced. Their arrival also had the welcome side effect of seemingly reinspiring Christine McVie’s muse, producing the excellent Say You Love Me and World Turning in the process.. The original album is extended with four rather superfluous single edits, but the second cd offers more interesting fare. The entire album is presented in an alternate version, using early takes of the material, which give a tantalisingly brief insight into the evolution of the songs during the recording process. There are also four live tracks thrown in, the most interesting of which is a version of ‘Why’ from the previous year’s Mystery To Me album, transformed by Nick’s backing vocals into a very different animal to the original. Overall, an album that is well worth revisiting.
What does it all *mean*?
Perhaps the key turning point in the band’s career – who knew then what lay ahead….
Goes well with…
Memories of sunny days and hot nights.
Might suit people who like…
Great commercial and enduring pop/rock songs.
Might I play devil’s advocate for a moment…
Pretty much every review of this reissue that I’ve seen has pointed out that Fleetwood Mac were washed up by 1974. And that’s just not true. They had maintained an album every 10 months or so from 70-74 and with one exception each one went higher in the US charts than the one before.
The last album without Buckingham Nicks, Heroes Are Hard To Find, went top 40 in the US, their highest charting album in the US to date. Their last tour with Bob Welch at the end of 74 was in venues that ranged from 2,500 to 10,000 capacity. At the end of the tour they played Winterland (5,000+ capacity) which was a venue large enough for The Last Waltz, and also Long Beach Civic Auditorium which sounds like a large crowd when ELO did a live album there, also in 1974.
There was also a business problem in 1974 when disagreement with their manager led to another Fleetwood Mac being assembled for gigs, because they were a money making venture.
So prior to Buckingham Nicks, the Mac were a busy, profitable band. Making a living at a time when there was money in touring as an “English” rock band, and signed to a major label who had no plans to drop them.
I’m not denying that from 1975-1987, Fleetwood Mac became a very special band. The addition of Buckingham Nicks to Fleetwood, Mc & Mc generated a rare musical alchemy that has occurred only a few times in rock & roll. Their success during this time obviously eclipses all that came immediately before it, but look closely at 1974. When Mick Fleetwood wanted to replace Bob Welch, the band we’re doing fine, there was a wind in their sail and he just wanted to keep the show on the road.
In a parallel universe 1974 was as successful as Fleetwood Mac got and they went into a decline, splitting in 1981. Remembered as being as big as, to pick a name off my head, Foghat. Or maybe Bob Welch stayed and they had a sole top ten hit in 1976, and a minor disco top 30 in 1979, still touring to today. They’re playing the Cheltenham Town Hall next week, and they do all the Sixties Peter Green stuff.
So while something extraordinary happened to them in 1975, 1974 Fleetwood Mac was not a busted flush.
Where do I get tickets for the alternate timeline Fleetwood Mac?
Miss! Miss!
He’s questioning the critical consensus miss!!
Up !!!!
For comparison, to show what Buckingham Nicks gained, here’s the pre-Fleetwood Mac Rhiannon.
Erk. That’s awful. A bit flat squawky and rough. Lower register too ??
Always thought Rhiannon was on Rumours!
Quick question:
This was The Sunday Times’ “Culture” magazine’s reissue of the week on 7th January.
Does anyone know what their reissue of the week on 14th January was?
Just checked the Times app on the iPad and it was Propoganda / A Secret Wish
Excellent, thanks for that.
Fair review – I always enjoyed this album and Tusk more than Rumours. Landslide in particular stands out today and when Stevie Nicks sang it at Hyde Park last year it got the loudest applause of any song in her set.
Is the remaster without any extras at less than seven quid where the value is?
I’d say yes.
I picked up a copy for 3.99 at my local Fopp just before Christmas.
I have the remastered double Rumours and have listened to the second disc just the once.
Listed as roughs and outtakes it adds nothing of note to the original album…..I guess the same for the above.