Music review: Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie
I am proud to say that I am one of the music fanatics that helped make Fleetwood MacĢƵ “Rumours” one of the highest-selling albums of all time.
I was instantly drawn to the bandĢƵ 1977 masterpiece like a moth to a flame and secured my purchase as soon as it was released.
ItĢƵ one of those albums that reaches perfection by highlighting the pain and turmoil of imperfection occurring within the band at the time.
“Rumours” brilliantly showcased the songwriting prowess of Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks through tracks like “Go Your Own Way,” “You Make Loving Fun” and “Dreams.”
The marvelous songwriting of Buckingham and McVie continues on the duoĢƵ first-time collaboration together simply titled “Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie.”
With plans in the works to get all the members of Fleetwood Mac back into the studio for a new album, Buckingham and McVie started working on arrangements for the 10-song set.
When Nicks decided to back out of the plans, Buckingham and McVie continued to push forward with the new release, along with Mick Fleetwood and John McVie securing the familiar rhythm section for the new tunes.
As with most Fleetwood Mac albums and Buckingham solo releases, the musicianship is top-notch and the production quality is simply breathtaking as Buckingham and McVie haven’t missed a beat since the vintage days of “Second Hand News” and “Don’t Stop.”
“She called to me/Meet me at the border,” sings Buckingham in a weary voice on the album opener “Sleeping Around the Corner.” The reworked number originally appearing on BuckinghamĢƵ 2011 “Seeds We Sow” transitions from a soft beginning into a rousing pop number sparked by the beautiful harmonies of Buckingham and McVie.
Traces of classic Fleetwood Mac can be heard on a number of standout tracks.
“Too Far Gone” is fueled by McVieĢƵ spirited vocals and BuckinghamĢƵ driving guitar, but FleetwoodĢƵ tribal drumming steals the show just as it did on 1979ĢƵ “Tusk.”
Reminiscent of the lovely and fragile “Songbird” from “Rumours,” “Game of Pretend” also intimately features McVie and her piano offering up a tender love ballad about washing away the emptiness and discovering real happiness.
“Carnival Begin” brings things to a mystical close with McVie dreamily singing, “I always wondered if you ever missed me.” Truth be told, I’ve certainly missed Fleetwood MacĢƵ literate and theatrical musings of the ’70s.
Welcome back old friends.
Hopefully, Nicks will give the new album a listen and smartly decide to rejoin the party.
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Clint Rhodes is the ĢƵ music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.