This is a companion piece to a similarly-themed article on Pete’s site which, all things being equal, should be published at roughly the same time.
I had a lot of exposure to Fleetwood Mac when I was growing up. My dad has been in love with Stevie Nicks for many years, particularly during her Belladonna period. After my parents split up, Dad, Nick and I lived in a very strange big creaky cold house (see below), and he often did the ironing in the room below my bedroom, listening to Fleetwood Mac (and The Eagles, and other dadrock bands) at night, while drinking quantities of whiskey. Those were not the days.
I knew that there has been much romance and intrigue within the band, and found the wikipedia page interesting. I have to confess to owning two of the albums, and listening to them too. I like their sound, and can always hear something that speaks to me in their bittersweet lyrics.
Albatross from English Rose – This gentle song is so evocative of the bird and the sea and the sun and the little fishes glinting in the water. And stuff.
Black Magic Woman from English Rose – From the bluesy early Fleetwood Mac; quite a different sound from the later stuff, which I know better.
Oh Well from Then Play On – I assume that everyone my age once had an eclectic collection of 45s. This was in mine. I like it up to the point where it turns into a completely different song.
Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) from 25 Years: The Chain – A bit of a weird song with lots of ooh.
Hypnotized from Mystery To Me – I don’t know this song well and the album is unfamiliar. It’s kind of smooth, hypnotic, as you would expect.
Rhiannon from Fleetwood Mac – This, to me, is the Official Fleetwood Mac Song. It features on my Scrapbook album, which doesn’t mean it’s my favourite (that would be Dreams or Oh Daddy, I think), but that it was highly significant at some point in my life. The house I mentioned above was originally called Aysgarth, and we renamed it Rhiannon – a weird but appropriate name for a house that had one room much colder than all the others, and a permanent stink of damp.
Go Your Own Way from Rumours – I am just surprised that The Chain is not on the list. Surely the point of Playlists is not to omit songs just because they’re obvious?
You Make Loving Fun from Rumours – I find Christine McVie’s voice slightly annoying on some tracks. This song is a very good example of Fleetwood Mac at their most samey.
Sisters Of The Moon from Tusk – An NME journalist once described Stevie Nicks as having the voice of a moribund sheep. This song illustrates that characteristic perfectly.
Brown Eyes from Tusk – This song is new to me and I really like it. Incidentally, Tusk is referred to a lot on The Mighty Boosh. I think that says it all.
At the time of writing, next week’s playlist has not been chosen. Wish us luck.