Bare Trees album was the Kirwan / Welch in between band. My very first time really digging the band... too young to get their Oh Well but sang lead and 2nd guitar on the '79 cover by The Rockets in a NJ cover band. As a John Mayall mentored British blues freak, I knew the rhythm section well, oh well... The Bare Trees LP helped make me a Christine McVie fan from then on keyboards and vocals. The first note to the last it was a fully grown-up rock record and made high school a more sophisticated experience for me than the Bad Co. / Led Zep wasted downer crowd would ever let us be. Your point is so well taken. They are a band that will live on forever and are always there when you need them. Stevie's edgy voice really makes you wonder.
Rhiannon is my all time favorite. Not a big fan of Tusk. But the rest of your picks are all excellent choices. I agree they do not get enough credit. Great post!
The song on Tusk that sticks with me most strongly is "What Makes You Think You're The One" In part because I imagine Lindsey Buckingham listening to it over and over again working on the (clearly perfectionist) production of the track.
Great Post Matt!! Thanks! Always one of my very favorite bands. I saw them in the 70’s and then a full circle moment when my daughter took me to see Stevie and Billy Joel in concert at the Ohio State Stadium in ‘23. You can see we were 2 rows from the top lol but it was like an out of the body experience. I told her I might pass out during Rhiannon but it was Landslide that slayed me of course!
“Time makes you bolder, even children get older, and I’m gettin’ older too” 🥲 She kept her arm around me throughout and I just let the tears flow! Stevie was phenomenal! 🥰 (Billy too)
Some amazing picks here Matt! I never really followed Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac so “Oh Well” was new to me. I’d probably have swapped that out with “Gold Dust Woman” because that would just have to be in the list for me. I always enjoyed the Smashing Pumpkins cover of “Landslide” from Pisces Iscariot but that probably has as much to do with the memories wrapped up with that song from the time it came into my life. But I still think it’s lovely: https://youtu.be/eYYx722ZYrs
Good list. I would add Hold Me.
Another good one! Thanks Jim
Nice! I'd also throw in Hold Me and Silver Springs.
Bare Trees album was the Kirwan / Welch in between band. My very first time really digging the band... too young to get their Oh Well but sang lead and 2nd guitar on the '79 cover by The Rockets in a NJ cover band. As a John Mayall mentored British blues freak, I knew the rhythm section well, oh well... The Bare Trees LP helped make me a Christine McVie fan from then on keyboards and vocals. The first note to the last it was a fully grown-up rock record and made high school a more sophisticated experience for me than the Bad Co. / Led Zep wasted downer crowd would ever let us be. Your point is so well taken. They are a band that will live on forever and are always there when you need them. Stevie's edgy voice really makes you wonder.
Thanks Steve! :)
Completely unknown to me!
Rhiannon is my all time favorite. Not a big fan of Tusk. But the rest of your picks are all excellent choices. I agree they do not get enough credit. Great post!
Tusk is a fascinating listen ... I do admire its audacity a lot. Thanks Tamara!
It is audacious, I will give you that.
The song on Tusk that sticks with me most strongly is "What Makes You Think You're The One" In part because I imagine Lindsey Buckingham listening to it over and over again working on the (clearly perfectionist) production of the track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et5p5ClHeQU
The IDGAF energy on Tusk is incredible. Thanks for this, Nick :)
I sometimes get pushback for my take that Mirage is the band's best record, but I stand by it. Gypsy's a huge part of that.
It's honestly one of my fav songs of the 80s, period.
This was up for debate?
For some folks, apparently :P
Songbird
Sung by Christine
Beautiful
Great Post Matt!! Thanks! Always one of my very favorite bands. I saw them in the 70’s and then a full circle moment when my daughter took me to see Stevie and Billy Joel in concert at the Ohio State Stadium in ‘23. You can see we were 2 rows from the top lol but it was like an out of the body experience. I told her I might pass out during Rhiannon but it was Landslide that slayed me of course!
“Time makes you bolder, even children get older, and I’m gettin’ older too” 🥲 She kept her arm around me throughout and I just let the tears flow! Stevie was phenomenal! 🥰 (Billy too)
I would put "Sentimental Lady" (from the "Bare Trees" album) on the list).
I saw them in 1975 open for Loggins & Messina. My girlfriend loved Rhiannon & Hypnotized
Wow!
I think I heard that “Everywhere” was their most sampled song
I’m sure it’s up there.
Albatross and over my head are missing, but I still think oh well was the greatest thing they ever did. Peter Green was amazing.
A legit legend :)
Some amazing picks here Matt! I never really followed Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac so “Oh Well” was new to me. I’d probably have swapped that out with “Gold Dust Woman” because that would just have to be in the list for me. I always enjoyed the Smashing Pumpkins cover of “Landslide” from Pisces Iscariot but that probably has as much to do with the memories wrapped up with that song from the time it came into my life. But I still think it’s lovely: https://youtu.be/eYYx722ZYrs
I’d never heard that version, thanks for sharing Mark!
Glad you started with Oh Well but nothing from Mystery to Me?
Not as big a fan personally, but I know I'm in the minority with that opinion. Thanks Jeff!
People are sleeping on „Murrow Turning Over In His Grave“ and „Red Rover“ from their 2003 LP!
The 2003 record overall is underrated, I agree :)
Sara is my personal favorite.
So good :)