Show-biz blues (Fleetwood Mac) (LP 2518 - 2522)

Fleetwood Mac  Then Play On (CD, Reprise Records, 1968) ****  

Fleetwood Mac  Kiln House (CD, Reprise Records, 1970) **

Fleetwood Mac  Future Games (CD, Reprise Records, 1971) *****  

Fleetwood Mac  Bare Trees (CD, Reprise Records, 1972) ****

Fleetwood Mac  Mystery To Me (CD, Reprise Records, 1973) ***   

Genre: Blues rock, rock

Places I remember: Fopp

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Oh Well Pt 1 and Pt 2 (Then Play On); Morning Rain (Future Games)

Gear costume: Show Biz Blues (Then Play On); 

Active compensatory factors: These five albums come from an original album series - a 5 CDs for 10 quid deal. Amazing value.

I'm a bit perverse when it comes to Fleetwood Mac. I don't own any of the albums by the Stevie Nicks' version. That's right - I don't own a copy of Rumours. Yes, I'm the guy!

Instead, I prefer all the other versions of the band - the Peter Green, and the Christine McVie versions, principally.

Their first album was covered in this blog earlier, Then Play On was their third album (I don't own Mr. Wonderful) and the last with the unique Peter Green leading the line. Green is certainly the de facto leader of the band at this point. He and Danny Kirwin write most of the songs and their guitars and singing are what the early Fleetwood Mac are all about.

BTW: the album is recorded by Martin Birch. Another genius, basically. 

Peter Green is just an outrageous talent. When he left, he left a giant hole to fill. Jeremy Spencer would be the next to leave, after Kiln House, and although Christine McVie is there on keyboards (and did the wonderful cover art) she was not yet a fully signed up band member.

Kiln House is an okay album, but it definitely misses Green, and does not yet have Christine contributing songs. Blood On The Floor is embarrassing but the instrumental Earl Gray is effective. So, it's very much a mixed bag.

Their fifth studio album, Future Games, from 1971, is the first one with both Christine McVie as a member and Bob Welch had replaced Jeremy Spencer who departed to join a religious sect.

The rock-a-billy songs that Spencer loved have thankfully gone from Future Games. Instead, we have Christine and Bob's pop influence with blues inflections. Wahoo!

It's a strong, confident Fleetwood Mac in 1971 (the greatest year for music ever IMHO). Bob and Christine's warm, dreamy vocal interplay and their songs saved Fleetwood Mac's bacon (Christine, not for the last time). I think it's a classic.

Bare Trees came next in 1972 (another great year for music). It continues the more commercial thrust of Future Games with a generally tougher sound (superbly engineered by Martin Birch again). Christine contributes two songs, the rest are by the departing Danny Kirwin or Bob Welch.

Their eighth studio album, Mystery To Me, was the last with guitarist Bob Weston. Christine and Bob Welch again dominate the writing and singing. Christine has five lead vocal tracks. Stoopid cover.

Where do they all belong? A few to catch up with - Mr Wonderful, Penguin, Heroes Are Hard To Find. I still have no intention of collecting anything post that. But you never know. Christine does appear on those as well. doesn't she.