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Here it is! This is the album that started it all and established the foundation for many more great things to come! The combination of Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass is heard here for the first time, but the album belongs to founder Peter Green. Creator of the famous blues band, the down-and-dirty, raw-and-real songs are as enjoyable now as they were many years ago. Sharing lead vocals and songwriting credit is Jeremy Spencer. A perfect mix of covers and original material, it is fun listening to how it all began.
Standouts include "Shake Your Moneymaker" and "I Loved Another Woman."
9. TIME (1995)
There are some things that you need to know about this album. Bekka Bramlett replaces Stevie Nicks but does not attempt to imitate her. Dave Mason replaces Rick Vito and fits in quite nicely. You might remember or recognize his solo hit "We Just Disagree."
Additionally, this album is not as bad as you think it will be. Nor is it as bad as you want it to be.
Anchored by some of Christine McVie's fresher, more honest work, she bookends her songs with a longing to to get away from the hectic pace of her then current life in "Hollywood (Some Other Kind of Town)" and her prophetic yearn to get away from it all in "All Over Again."
Bekka makes her contributions with her own style combining a powerhouse of a voice complemented by some tender lyrics in "Winds of Change" and "Dreamin' the Dream."
Billy Burnett continues to add fun country flavor to the mix with "Talkin' to My Heart." Dave demonstrates the harder side of FM with "Blow by Blow."
John McVie is still playing the bass better than the best of them!
Perhaps the biggest and most satisfying surprise is Mick Fleetwood's "These Strange Times," a poignant masterpiece that covers everything from missing the good old days, self-awareness, redemption, and Spirituality. It is a haunting and intense piece that closes the album, but one cannot help but be moved by his candor.
Even though the group hit rocky terrain at the time of its release, it justifies that they have always and will always stand the test of time.
Standouts include "I Do" and "Sooner or Later."
8. TANGO IN THE NIGHT (1987)
If there were ever a Rumours II, it would have been Tango. The reason is because the band is able to capture the essence of the 1980s in their music while re-creating the alluring tension of its predecessor. The main songwriters are in top form, and they know how to open an album! We begin with Lindsey's "Big Love," Stevie's "Seven Wonders," and Christine's "Everywhere." All songs scored well on the charts due to their pop sensibility and musical craftsmanship.
Lindsey explores balancing a quiet verse with an explosive chorus in the title track, a technique he will continue to have fun with in songs to come. "Little Lies" is truly one of Christine's best as she brings out the best in her band mates. Stevie is back again with the openly candid "When I See You Again."
You can't disguise the talent in this quintet.
Standouts include "Isn't It Midnight" and "Mystified."
7. FUTURE GAMES (1971)
This is probably the mellowest of all Fleetwood Mac albums, and it can ease away your tension. Just give it a listen, and you will know. At the core is John and Mick per usual, and they are joined by Danny Kirwan who continues to contribute atmospheric melodies such as the opener "Woman of 1000 Years."
Bob Welch makes his official appearance as a member of the Mac, exploring the world of the unknown, most notably in the title track. It is a haunting and melodic tune, and despite its length, goes by all too quickly.
Christine McVie also receives credit as officially being part of the band, although she has performed with them on prior releases. Her debut "Morning Rain" is indicative of her ethereal music complemented by that honey-coated voice of hers.
"What A Shame" is one of several impressive FM instrumentals, and is kind of an inside joke. Just over two minutes, the band recorded it for the record company who had claimed they would not release an album with only seven songs on it.
While the future of Fleetwood Mac would become uncertain, they always have fun playing games.
Standouts include "Sands of Time" and "Show Me A Smile."
6. BARE TREES (1972)
This is a beautiful collection of early 1970s soft rock that is anchored in the blues. With lush, melodic scores and distinctive, haunting melodies, the band hits the mark yet again.
"Some Kind Of Heaven" demonstrates the strength behind the group's instrumentals.
It is easy to hear why "Spare Me A Little Of Your Love" has become one of Christine's early favorites.
The big solo hit for Bob Welch "Sentimental Lady" is heard here for the first time, backed by Christine's vocals.
The title track and "Child of Mine" contain some of the group's stronger guitar riffs and the drive that their songs have.
"Thoughts On A Grey Day" is a sweet, tender way to close this thematically consistent album.
Even though some of the songs might lean towards a pop flavor, Fleetwood Mac knows how to remain true to their roots.
Standouts include "The Ghost" and "Homeward Bound."
HONORABLE MENTION.
THE DANCE (1997)
Before I continue (and just for the record), please note that I am focusing on studio releases for my countdown. Regretfully, this will negate such recordings as live releases and compilations.
However,
when a live album is as stellar as THE DANCE, one does have to stand up and take notice. Billed less as "Greatest Hits Live," it is more "Old Meets New." The group is reunited and regrouped, and they are recharged and refreshed. Arguably, they have never sounded better.
All of at least most of the tension that had made them overwrought twenty years prior has been released, and there is a definite relaxed atmosphere. For the first time, they can re-play and re-imagine their songs and not worry about the drama behind them. Christine announces the "new twist on an old song" for the banjo-flavored "Say You Love Me." Stevie slows down the tempo to make "Landslide" more powerful and relevant. Even Lindsey gets to enjoy himself in "Big Love," pared down to but his guitar.
It is so much fun hearing the USC Trojan Marching Band in "Tusk" and "Don't Stop." No one will forget how the piano introduction strengthens the already powerful "Rhiannon."
This is the album that made the long overdue "Silver Springs" a household name and earned them a Grammy nomination for it. The song "The Chain" and the album itself were also nominated, proving they are a force to be reckoned with. The new material also fits naturally in their catalog.
Dance on!
Standouts include "Temporary One" and "Sweet Girl.
5. TUSK (1979)
Brave and bold, dark and daring. TUSK is everything that it should have been at the time,
but nothing the public was prepared for.
This album truly demonstrates the strength of the songwriting team and how well they work together. Lindsey's contributions are unique and personal such as "Not That Funny" and "I Know I'm Not Wrong." In addition to having fun with his guitar, he is experimenting with some funky percussion here. It shows that the group is not afraid to stray away from convention.
Stevie allows her intimate, emotional side to shine through with the candid ballads "Beautiful Child" and "Storms." The former showcases Christine's piano while the latter highlights Lindsey's guitar work, and both let us know how vulnerable Stevie can be.
With her blues background, Christine lets us know she can be feisty in "Think About Me" and produce album-oriented rock in "Over and Over," the opener. I have always found this quiet song a courageous choice to launch a double-album.
In addition to "Think," the albums' Top Ten singles include Stevie's classic "Sara," and Lindsey's classic "Tusk" complete with USC marching band. The album runs the spectrum of song styles, but that is why they succeed, over and over.
Standouts include "Angel," "Brown Eyes," and "Walk A Thin Line."
4. KILN HOUSE (1970)
When Peter Green hands the baton to Mick, John, Danny, and Jeremy, they know how run with it and work together. Still faithful to their roots, this is one of the more consistent albums as the songwriters know how to make their talents blend together nicely.
Danny contributes another winning instrumental with "Earl Gray." He also has fun writing with John and Mick to create the funky "Jewel-Eyed Judy."
Jeremy plays homage to the 1950's in "This is the Rock" and "One Together." His is a soothing voice that also harkens back to the days of yore.
And, yes, your ears deceive you not. That is the one and only Christine McVie receiving credit for her backing vocals and piano. This is clearly a good sign of great things to come. She is heard for the first time during the folksy "Station Man."
When you hear this collection, you will want to move in.
Standouts include "Tell Me All The Things You Do" and "Hi Ho Silver."
3. THEN PLAY ON (1969)
Here is the album that officially launches Fleetwood Mac into a polished, stylized blues band with Peter, Danny, John, Mick, and Jeremy. They definitely find their groove here and have so much fun in the process.
Danny's mellow approach to soulful, thoughtful songs such as "Coming Your Way" and "When You Say" are perfectly balanced by Peter's harder edge. This can be found in "Rattlesnake Shake" and "Showbiz Blues," one of the most electric, spontaneous tracks on the album.
Instrumentals are still part of the band's strength, and the boys enjoy some inside humor with John's "Searching for Madge" and Mick's "Fighting for Madge."
The CD includes Peter Green's masterpiece "Oh Well" in all of its eight-minute glory. The first half is raw and raucous, and is counterbalanced by the latter portion with its lonely guitar and lonelier flute. Somehow it all works. The boys are in great form.
Standouts include ""Although the Sun is Shining" and "Before the Beginning."
2. FLEETWOOD MAC (1975)
If there were ever justification that endurance and perseverance pay off, it is in the revamped and re-energized line-up that is Fleetwood Mac in the mid 1970s. When Mick and John went looking for a new frontman/guitarist, they got more than he could have ever imagined.
With Lindsey Buckingham came Stevie Nicks. Both have proven to be powerful singers and songwriters that magically fit in with the rest of the gang. Lindsey can not only play a mean guitar, but his songwriting talents of the lonely "I'm So Afraid" and upbeat Monday Morning" both fold in quite nicely.
I read somewhere that when asked to join the band, Stevie went out and purchased all of the previous FM recordings to see what she could bring to the party. Her symbolic songwriting and unique alto are perfect fits. You might have heard the non-stoppable "Rhiannon" once or twice on the radio, and her self-reflective acoustic "Landslide" is now more relevant and important than ever.
Staying true to the band's and her own original formula, Christine has the sweetly soft "Warm Ways" and the fun little ditty "Sugar Daddy." Hers was the first song to reach the Top 40 (#20 to be exact) with "Over My Head", and "Say You Love Me" (#11) is still a show-stopper. "Rhiannon" also peaked at #11 on the Billboard Singles Chart. The two diverse songwriting and vocal talents of Christine and Lindsey combine perfectly on the spunky "World Turning."
Turning the world is just the beginning.
Standouts include "Crystal," and "Blue Letter"
1. RUMOURS (1977)
It is hardly a secret that Rumours was born out of the internal turmoil within Fleetwood Mac. Although it is true that from suffering can come great art, the fact remains that the strength of this album relies on the indefatigable talents of the strong, independent artists that are Mick, John, Christine, Stevie, and Lindsey.
Ironically, this self-expression of anguish sounds upbeat and lively on some of the tracks, but that is how we work through it. Some listeners feel that the music has strayed from the band's original concept, but that is not entirely true.
Take Christine's "Oh Daddy" for example. In addition to being a melodically beautiful homage to Mick, musically it is reminiscent of the blues/folk sound they had created in the early part of the decade. Her gorgeous piano-driven "Songbird" reminds one of her famous ballads of yesterday. However, being the mature professional she is, Christine is hardly afraid to create contemporary classics such as "Don't Stop" (which reached #3 on the Billboard Singles Chart) and "You Make Loving Fun" (#9).
Lindsey continues the tradition of lead guitarist, and he more then demonstrates what he can do with the strings on "Second Hand News" and "Never Going Back Again." His explosive "Go Your Own Way" (#10) shows he can rock the house as well.
Fleetwood Mac has never been a stranger to singing about the unknown, and Stevie does it better than the best of them in the haunting "Gold Dust Woman" and the melancholy "Dreams" (#1). Her sunshine-inspired "I Don't Want To Know" offers what else she can do. This album is so good, that there wasn't any room for "Silver Springs," which appeared on the flip side to "Go Your Own Way."
Penned by all members, "The Chain" has become a symbol of Fleetwood Mac and their impressive longevity. Rumours has sold more than 19 million copies in the US according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
What almost tore Fleetwood Mac apart only brought them closer together.
When the rain washes you clean, you'll know.
Standouts include "Second Hand News," "Dreams," "Never Going Back Again," "Don't Stop," "Songbird," "The Chain," "You Make Loving Fun," "I Don't Want To Know," "Oh Daddy," and "Gold Dust Woman."
