Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac, The - Fleetwood Mac

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	Unique flawless, timeless sounds .
Disadvantages:	A couple of weak tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Way way back in the heady days of the 1960’s there emerged a band; yes a band that could play their own instruments. Not a band as it is understood today, in other words a line up of four who sing! Or so the rumour goes.

Anyway I digress, a blues band was born, a band that has as many changes as a chameleon. A band that stops recording and then returns as strong as ever to confound and excite people. The band, oh yes Fleetwood Mac.

Be aware that there are two versions of this album on sale today, the English version comprising one CD and the U.S Import comprising two CD’s. If you prefer the Mac of the 60’s then go for the English variant, or if like me you love the Classic Fleetwood Mac comprising Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and the totally gorgeous Stevie Nicks then the US offering is for you. Without the inclusion of Buckingham and Nicks I question if Fleetwood Mac would have survived the seventies yet alone making it into the new millennium. Stevie Nicks only came to be a member because Lyndsey Buckingham refused to join without her, what a tragedy it would have been had she been omitted, anyway lets take a walk down Memory lane and see what is on offer.

CD1
<1> Monday Morning 1976 Buckingham

This track is a great introduction to this album. Lyndsey Buckingham fronts this track, which is a great mixture of rock and vocals combining to highlight this great track.

<2> Dreams 1977 Nicks

A roll on the drums, then a mellow bass takes the lead, add to this a synthesiser and a slow electric guitar. Bring in Steve Nicks singing low and slow, then mix in harmonies while the time the bass pounds away and you have Dreams one of the most successful tracks on the album.

<3> You Make Loving Fun 1977 C McVie

Make no mistake Christine McVie is in no way overshadowed by Stevie Nicks. They are chalk and cheese totally different but each a major contributor and this is shown to excellent effect here with one of her own creations.

<4> Go Your Own Way 1977 Buckingham

Mick Fleetwood lays down a solid percussion line over which Lyndsey Buckingham adds the vocals and then over the top comes John McVie with his howling bass topped with lyrics from the two girls.

<5> Rhiannon 1975 Nicks

If you have ever seen Fleetwood Mac live and witnessed Stevie descend from the roof of the building dressed as and singing Rhiannon (Rhiannon was a Welsh witch) that you will know and understand just how powerful and evocative this track is.

<6> Say You Love me 1975 C.McVie

Perhaps the Strongest track from the one time Christine Perfect from Chicken Shack. The keyboard Christine’s favoured instrument takes lead on this one with Christine taking lead vocals.

<7> I’m So Afraid 1997 (Live) Buckingham

The introduction is dark and moody, the vocals low and powerful. Breaking the mould of a classic Mac track this is no make weight either with Buckingham excelling on both vocals and guitar.

<8> Silver Springs 1976 Nicks

Keyboard and bass lead us into to this track, beautiful and yet a little melancholy it is not one of the stronger tracks.

<9> Over My Head 1975 C. McVie

A beautiful offering from Christine McVie was never a mayor hit but in my opinion it is much underrated.

<10> Never Going Back Again 1977 Buckingham

One of my favourites from Rumours, it took a while for it to grow on me, but grow it did and now I love this quirky little song. An acoustic guitar takes the lead with Lyndsey Buckingham playing and singing.

<11> Sara 1979 Nicks

This track is almost two different songs in one. Starting slow and sensuous and climbing in both volume and emotion, held together by bass and drums and Stevie, full of emotion, building to a tremendous finish

<12> Love in Store 1982 C. McVie

From the album Mirage comes this great offering. Christine McVie takes lead and produces a fantastic performance with this fast catchy offering.

<13> Tusk 1979 Buckingham

The best way to describe this track is to ask if you have ever heard a tribal chant. If you have then you have the basis to understand what this track is about. It ranks as one of my personal favourites and was perhaps one of Fleetwood Macs most unlikely hits.

<14> Landslide 1995 Nicks

A very up-tempo track, nice easy listening without excelling anywhere except in its length. At over six minutes long it is easily the longest track on this first CD.

<15> Songbird 1997 C. McVie

A superb rendition from Christine McVie, with heavy accompaniment from her keyboard leads this beautiful haunting love song.

<16>Big Love 1997 (Live) Buckingham

This track is the highlight of the album for me. Somehow this version has eluded me. Lyndsey Buckingham performs solo, accompanied by an acoustic guitar played I’m sure by him. The guitar solos are almost Spanish in style and his voice, always strong has matured and mellowed to make this what in my opinion was a make weight of a track into a powerful electric love song. Listen to it and love it.

<17> Storms 1979 Nicks

Stevie soft and sultry with another of her own compositions, almost a ballad, almost Country and Western but neither yet a great moody track.

CD 2

<1> The Chain 1977. Fleetwood, Buckingham, McVie, McVie, Nicks

Perhaps my second favourite of all the tracks on this album, I really love the bass as played by John McVie it is a fantastic track.

<2> Don’t Stop 1977 C. McVie

Unusually for Fleetwood Mac, the musical lead in this up-tempo track is provided by Christine McVie on Keyboard, different it maybe but one of my favourites it isn’t.

<3> What Makes You Think You’re The One. 1979 Buckingham

A slow and easy number with vocals from Lyndsey Buckingham, it's catchy without being outstanding. A make weight track I believe.

<4> Gypsy 1982. Nicks

Steve Nicks at her best as a singer songwriter she excels carried along by a pounding bass and percussion line, which is shown to great effect here. If you get a chance watch the video of this track. What more can I say except beautiful singer and wonderful song.

<5> Second Hand News. 1977 Buckingham

One of the shortest track on the album, but listen to it, it has a beat like a Steam Train at speed. I love it.

<6> Little Lies. 1987/ C.McVie/ E. Quintela

Christine McVie takes lead vocals with ample backing and harmonies from Stevie Nicks in this haunting little number. A big hit in its own right on both sides of the Atlantic.

<7> Think About Me. 1979. C. McVie

A dire track this, nothing to write home about at all, skip this one.

<8> Go Insane 1997 (Live) Buckingham

This one starts well, reminding me of the introduction to many a track from Simon and Garfunkle. The guitar is great but not outstanding and at over four minutes it is not recommended listening.

<9> Gold Dust Woman. 1977 Nicks

This is another of my Favourites. You may have realised by now that Stevie Nicks is my number one dream lover. This song is supposed to chart her decline into drug addiction but no way does her immense talent decline, in fact just the opposite.

<10> Hold Me 1982 C.McVie / R.Patton

A very commercial track from the 80's lively and pleasant enough with Christine McVie on lead vocals and good close harmony’s from Buckingham and Nicks.

<11>Seven Wonders 1987 Nicks/Stewart

Now if you only listen to one track off this album make it this one. If I had to name a favourite song in the world it is this. The emotions carried in the voice of Stevie Nicks are out of this world. I once had a Mac album on tape and after numerous repeat plays of this track it snapped at this point.

<12> World Turning.1975 Buckingham/ C McVie

Starting out like Rockabilly this track comes from the unusual pairing of Buckingham / C. Mc Vie and while artistically sound I feel that it gains nothing from the pairing of them.

<13> Everywhere 1987 C McVie

I love to hear a bass guitar in the hands of a great musician play lead and that is what happens here. With Christine McVie carrying lead vocal this simple song has endured the tests of time.

<14> Sisters of the Moon 1979 Nicks

Stevie Nicks at her moody best harmonising with the heavy electric rock backing, in harmony with it but never overshadowing it. Each element combining to make this one of the most underrated of tracks from Fleetwood Mac. Starting slowly and building to a crescendo of sound. It is Stevie’s creation and her glory as well.

<15> Family Man 1987 Buckingham/ R.Dashut

Again a track that is perhaps too commercial for my liking but its success proves me wrong.

<16> As Long As You Follow 1988 C McVie

Perhaps overshadowed by the delightful Stevie Nicks it is easy to forget the talent of Christine McVie as a vocalist songwriter and keyboard player. This haunting track shows her wonderful mellow voice in her one of her own compositions. Let it not be forgotten that Lyndsey Buckingham was recruited to the band partly because of his mastery of the lead guitar and his solo within this track is without doubt one of the albums highlights

<17> No Questions Asked 1988 Nicks

Guitar riffs feature heavily here combining flawlessly with Stevie. Listen to this girl in full song, she is awesome.

<18> Skies The Limit 1990 C.McVie./ E. Quintela

With a different singer I believe that this track would have benefited. The track it self is great but sadly the voice of Christine McVie is not strong enough for this powerful track.

<19> Paper Doll 1992 Nicks

Almost a touch of rockabilly from Stevie Nicks, perhaps a little repetitive in places but the backing is both unusual and innovative. Perhaps a fitting finale to the album, maybe even heralding a taste of things to come.

As an extra to CD 1 there is for those of us with multi media capabilities such as a PC a range of extras. These include exclusive footage of Mac recording their new album, which is due for release in the spring of 2003. Also included is a complete list of lyrics to all the tracks and a hyperlink to sign up on line for news of the forthcoming World Tour and new album. You can if you wish via a hyperlink visit the video vault at fleetwoodmac.com and view on line a number of video tracks streamed to your computer. Sadly on a PC equipped with a 56k modem they are interrupted to often by the buffering process.

It may seem a contradiction when I class one track as my favourite song of all time, and then class another as my favourite of the album but it isn’t really. One holds a place in my heart and the other although outstanding though it is will never occupy that place.

Don’t dismiss them give them a chance even if you only listen to one track from the Internet. Without bands such as these the music of today would not be what it is now. Their sound, derived from the bass and the drums is unique and without question unmissable.

This double CD cost me £19.45 including postage from Amazon. It is also available from shops within the UK that deal with imports.

Fleetwood Mac is

Mick Fleetwood. Drums
John McVie. Bass
Lyndsey Buckingham. Guitar and vocals
Christine McVie. Keyboard and vocals
Stevie Nicks. Percussion and vocals

Thanks for reading.

© Baz 2002