Leaving is always difficult
With any luck it will be
It means we had fun
And enjoyed the company
Knowing is just as hard
The long wait in between visits
Wondering where we will be
And how much we miss it
Having is equally comforting
It is always there awaiting our returns
The refreshing constant in our lives
As life around us scorches and burns
Loving is so rewarding
Remembering to be thankful
Always something for exploring
Remembering to be grateful.
Copyright Scott C. Forrest-Allen
Unfortunately, both critics and fans dismissed it upon arrival. As its 25th Anniversary arrives, let’s take a look at this overlooked gem.
1. Christine McVie needed to be persuaded by Warner Brothers to record her vocal tracks for Time because she had left Fleetwood Mac in 1990. She did not wish to participate but recorded her vocals apart from the band with session guitarist Michael Thompson. Billy Burnette provided guitar leads for the album’s only single “I Do.” Even though she contributed this and four other songs to the album, Christine did not join the tour to support its release.
2. Since 1975’s eponymous LP, this is the first and only Fleetwood Mac studio album not to include Stevie Nicks. She also left FM after 1990’s Behind the Mask to focus on her solo career. Her decision resulted in the eloquent and underrated Street Angel in 1994. A tour and two singles – “Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind” and “Blue Denim” -- followed.
3. “Nights In Estoril was co-written by Christine and her then husband Eddy Quintela about their vacation in Estoril, Portugal. Since 1987, he and Christine penned many hits for FM, including Tango in the Night’s “Little Lies” which had peaked at #4 in 1987.
4. Fellow members Bekka Bramlett and Billy Burnette were also a part of Mick Fleetwood’s other band The Zoo. Billy had been a part of FM since the 1987 tour to support Tango in the Night.
5. Dave Mason was recruited for Time and was a member of the rock group Traffic. As a successful solo artist, his biggest hits were “Only You Know and I Know” (1970) and “We Just Disagree” (1977).
6. Dave Mason had toured with Bekka Bramlett’s mom, Bonnie Bramlett, who was part of the singing duo known as Delaney & Bonnie.
7. Dave Mason’s contribution “Blow by Blow” was performed during the album’s tour, but this was not its debut. The song was featured on the1994 album Gloryland World Cup USA 94.
8. This is only the second time Mick Fleetwood would be featured on lead vocals. The other song was the B-side to 1990’s “In The Back of My Mind.” That song is called “Lizard People” and was co-written by Mick and Peter Bardens. Peter was one of the founding members of the British group Camel and recorded eleven solo albums. In 2001, Mick and John McVie joined Peter for a concert in Los Angeles.
9. Mick co-wrote and speaks/sings “These Strange Times” which pays tribute to former Fleetwood Mac members and founding member Peter Green. The song contains the lyrics “God is now here.” This phrase made its first appearance in 1983 on the inner sleeve of the I’m Not Me LP recorded by The Zoo.
10. Christine’s “All Over Again” needed to wait until 2018 before it made its first live appearance. Christine and Stevie shared the lead vocals during the An Evening With Fleetwood Mac tour, but it was eventually removed from the set list.
11. The album was released on 10/10, and advertisements for watches usually display the time 10:10.
12. The album is not as bad as you expect or want it to be!
Fleetwood Mac has been good to Time, and Time has been good to Fleetwood Mac.
We hate you for your virus
We hate you for your violence
We hate your constant sickness
We hate your social distance
You took away our hugs
You took away our handshakes
We cannot have reunions
We cannot have birthdays
Sharks and jellyfish
Closed all of our beaches
You removed all of the resources
You never gave to our teachers
We’re all wearing masks
We’re all moving away
When we’re burning your calendars
Will be our happy day
All of us are inside
All of us are stuck
Let me put it this way --
You suck
You suck.
Copyright Scott C. Forrest-Allen
