Get your Fleetwood Mac Fill with JDSkills! A blog on the classic band that is Fleetwood Mac. Here is where I dish out all my feelings on the band. After years of being a fan of their music, I'm going to want to talk about everything-so bear with me.
Whenever the song Gypsy comes on the radio, I am taken back to being five years old and watching VH1's Pop-Up Video on my living room floor. I would be sitting in my mom's pink silk robe, once again trying to dance and be like Stevie Nicks in her 1982 video. Whether I am driving on my way to school or work, I automatically forget the stress and feel warm inside when I hear the first cords of the song blare out of the speakers. Stevie Nicks' song Gypsy which comes off Fleetwood Mac's 1982 Mirage album, seems to be one of those songs that can never get old. Watch the video and it is as if you are taking glimpse into Stevie Nicks' world. In this world, you are forever young.
Stevie Nicks' says that this song is about going back to the person that she was before she joined Fleetwood Mac. If you go to this site, you will come across many different quotes by Nicks' regarding the song. This song is relateable to almost anyone and that is what makes a song great. Everyone can think back and remember a simpler time. A time when not every choice that you made came with a consequence. A time when we all were wide-eyed with excitement and wonder. This songs makes you realize that not everything has to be so complicated. Deep down, we are all children living in one crazy world and the journey is what makes it all worth living for. We need to look at every experience with that same wide-eyed mentality that we had when we were five. The lyrics that shape the meaning of this song are "Lighting strikes, maybe once, maybe twice." Life can be chaotic like a rainstorm, but when we see that flash of lightning rip across the sky, we realize that there is still light even during the most complicated times. Lightning can also represent chances that were missed and chances that we can gain within our lives. We don't know what the future will bring. We can't plan everything. So why not look at the world like we did when we were five and embrace whatever is thrown our way.
Gypsy: 1982 Mirage album
"I still see your bright eyes... ...your bright eyes."
So to continue with Lindsey Buckingham's solo work, I decided to give you some performances to take a look at. I wanted to give you readers a taste of what it is like to see him live...
Bleed to Love Her This is not off his Under the Skin album. It was recorded for Fleetwood Mac on the Say You Will album in 2003. One of my favorite songs by Buckingham. Such a pretty song.
"Somebody's got to see this through
All the world is laughing at you
Somebody's got to sacrifice
If this whole thing is going to turn out right..."
Down on Rodeo. This song is so beautiful live. If one word could describe this song, it would be smooth. The guitar work and vocals are all so fluid and it simply makes me want to swoon! Yup, thats right. This song is so good live that I actually swoon in the audience. No shame and no joke.
Trouble. Buckingham brings a song back from the dead in the best way possible by keeping it simple with just vocals and great guitar work.
"I should run on the double...
...I think I'm in trouble."
According to Buckingham's homepage, he is releasing a new solo album early next year. You know what that means? That's right. An incredible solo tour. Ill be there with bells on and hope you will too!
I have been in such a Lindsey Buckingham funk lately and I love it. Oh yes, when I say funk, don't take it as a bad thing. For the past week I have been listening to a lot of Lindsey Buckingham tunes-both with Fleetwood Mac as well as solo records. I happened to stumble across these amazing videos off youtube which show Lindsey Buckingham himself giving an exclusive guitar instructional video for Guitar World . Simply amazing...
Take a look!
Lindsey Buckingham has never used a guitar pick during his live performances. I have seen Buckingham play up close and personal during his solo concerts as well as Fleetwood Mac shows. No lie when I tell you that I can literally see the streaks of blood flying from his fingertips-Ouch!
In this video clip, Buckingham describes his early influences for his finger picking guitar style. He also analyzes his guitar picking style on Stevie Nicks' song Landslide. Originally, it was only played with the G cord and then evolved to more complex electric cords over time. The Smashing Pumpkins did a cover of the song and I believe that they too only used G cord in their recording of the song. If you are reading this and play guitar, I would love some imput as to what cords are used. I am a little bit of a foreigner when it comes to guitar cords-but that's why I watch these videos right?
Anyways, another interesting thing to point out, is that the last bit of the guitar introduction is a bit longer during live performances in order to give the song "lift" as Buckingham says. Although the lyrics to this song are beautiful and always will be, I truly believe that the guitar is the backbone to this song.
As I watch this next video, I am left with my mouth hanging wide open. I'm hypnotized by Buckingham's guitar work in the song Big Love...
...Seriously...AGAIN PLEASE! This video only reinforces my point that Lindsey Buckingham has magic fingers.
Again you ask? Here is a look at a live performance of Big Love...
After being an avid fan of Fleetwood Mac and watching video after video and listening to various recordings of Buckingham's work both solo and with Fleetwood Mac, I am only more compelled to say that Lindsey Buckingham's guitar work is vastly underrated. I have had the pleasure to see him on his two most recent solo tours, Under the Skin as well as Gift of Screws, and both of his CD's do not do him justice as to the great musician that he is. Although both CD's are great-and I recommend you take a listen- seeing him live is simply out of this world. I am taken to another planet every time I get the chance to see him perform. He has the amazing ability to make that connection with his audience which makes you feel like you are the only person in the room. Sometimes I literally have to to look around to actually remember that there are other people in the small venue. Make eye contact with the man and you become putty in the hands of an artist. He molds you and then you become involved in his artistic creation. His guitar playing and words ooze sensuality and passion and that is a quality is lacking in many musicians today. He has a distinct sound that I have yet to see matched and that is what makes a guitarist truly great. When you hear the cords of his guitar ring in your ears, you know that it is the work of a great guitarist. It is the guitar work of Lindsey Buckingham.
Man, I wish I had a guitar right now. Sad to say, I have never had the chance to actually play a guitar. How sad right? I have always wanted to learn how to play a guitar-that's why I watch these videos right Something to add to my Christmas list ....Maybeeee? "Mom, Dad, I would like a Gibson guitar for Christmas. Please and thank you..."
Well, I guess I'll leave now and let you lucky ducks who have guitars take some pointers from Buckingham. Have fun and until next time...
The ladies of Fleetwood Mac: Stevie Nicks (L) and Christine McVie (R)
Well, JDSkills has done it again. I have found some more amazing demos that I am seriously obsessed with and you my fellow Macters, will be able to get a quick listen. I found some really great demos that are written and sung by the ladies of Fleetwood Mac, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks. These next couple of demos have never seen the light of day ...until now.
Here is one that makes me want to bust a move. This song is written by Christine McVie and was supposed to be on the epic Rumours album in 1977. After listening, I can hardly say I'm surprised. The song is full of drama and anger towards Christine's ex husband and fellow band mate-bass player John Mcvie.
Look at these lyrics...
"Even though you've stopped the sun from shining
Well I've tried my best, but it may not be enough...
What can you say to accuse me
When you know I'm not to blame?"
Now I'm guessing that these lyrics are directed at John for two reasons. 1.) It was written in 1977 and who else would she be talking about? 2.) These lyrics seem to make sense for John Mcvie who at the time was pretty much a raging drunk. Well, maybe not RAGING- I think that's a bit harsh. He just got drunk from time to time and Chris McVie simply grew tired of it. She tried, but there is only so much that a lady can do with a husband who has a drinking problem. Poor Chris...
And might I add, Stevie is also doing vocals with Chris on this song and together, they both sound awesome! Stevie can certainly relate to these lyrics. She herself was going through her own messy breakup with guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. I like to think of this song as a mutual shout out towards both of their previous lovers in the band. The song perfectly fits the aura of the album at the time and I think it would have been phenomenal on the Rumours album.
Despite the sad lyrics, it is a rockin' song so go ahead and take a listen!
Believe Me Christine McVie
This next song, is probably one of the most beautiful songs that Stevie Nicks has ever written. This song was written in the 1970's,- it is hard to figure the exact date, but from the tone of her voice, I am guessing it would somewhere around 1976.
The name of this song is China Doll and was written about Lindsey Buckingham (or it has been speculated to be written about him.) It is song about the vulnerability of a relationship. She, or the relationship itself, is the China Doll in this song, for at any moment she could break. Nicks and Buckingham went through their many ups and downs throughout the years and this song perfectly describes the relationship limbo that Nicks was in at the time. Stevie Nicks has written hundreds of beautiful songs, but If I had to choose, this would be her most vulnerable and honest song yet. It is one of those songs that I don't think even belongs on an album. This song is almost too private to be shared with the world...
...But I am sharing it with you. Take a listen...
China Doll Stevie Nicks
So those are only two songs that I will share, but there are TONS more that I will post later on.Thank god for youtube.com or we would have never even known that these demos even existed! In my opinion, raw songs like these are the next best thing to going back in time. I am transported back to a time when songs were based off real emotion. It is refreshing to be able to listen to good music...
Real Music.
I'm on a demo high and need to check out more...maybe I'll post them later! Till next time...
In 1981, Nicks was riding high with her first successful solo album entitled Bella Donna. This album was released on July 27th, 1981 and sold over four million copies in the country. Four singles off her album, Stop Draggin' my Heart Around(ft. Tom Petty), Edge of Seventeen, Leather andLace (ft. Don Henley) and "After the Glitter Fades" made it in the Top 40 on Billboard Hot 100. Not too shabby for your first solo album right?
Right now you're probably thinking "It can't get any better..." Well, it did. Rolling Stone Magazine made Nicks their cover girl in 1981 and crowned her as "Queen of Rock and Roll". I went on youtube.com a few days back and found rare footage of Nicks' Rolling Stone photo shoot. You can actually hear legend photographer Annie Leibovitz giving Nicks' direction in these clips. And hey, its only appropriate that they play Rolling Stone's Beast of Burden on a Rolling Stone Magazine photo shoot right? Check it out...
"Pretty, Pretty, Such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl. Come on babyyyy.." Ah I love that song! :)
I love how shes trying to pose with Max the bird. Props to her! That bird looked a little out of control...
Sometimes, when an artist embarks on a solo career, they can lose who they are as an artist. Stevie Nicks had a brilliant way (and still does for that matter) of maintaining a strong career for both bands. I believe this is because she is aware that she needs to be somewhat different in both situations. If you happen to catch a Fleetwood Mac Tour (I hope to dear god its soon...) take a look at how she is able to be a focal point but able to work with her bandmates as well. She is aware that when she is on tour with Fleetwood Mac, she is one in five people. She is more inhibited in a sense. I'm not saying that she stands there like a stone. Sure, she still rocks the platforms, chiffon and twirls, but she definitely tones it down out of respect for her fellow bandmates. She is not only singing her own songs, but the songs of her other bandmates as well. Catch her on her solo tour and you will see how her stage presence is much different. She is less inhibited for she is her own boss in a sense. It is HER band so she can make her own descisions such as a change up of a set list, or maybe hitting a high note at the end of a song. With Fleetwood Mac, she doesn't have that luxury.
Whether on tour with Fleetwood Mac or on her own, Nicks is simply enchanting. She has an impressive ability to manage her performance in a way that makes everyone happy. She never was cocky with the fact that she was a successful solo artist, and never intended to rub it in Fleetwood Mac's face. What good would that do? That is class at its finest! Nicks is a perfect example of how to stay loyal to your band, while also maintaining a successful solo career. Fergie,Gwen Stefani...take notes!
My sister is home from Los Angeles for the holidays and now we need to BASH it. Want to know what a BASH is? Keep reading over the next few days and you'll find out...
