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.
Kate Hudson sings Silver Springs on The Rachel Zoe Project (love that show). If there was ever to be a film on Fleetwood Mac, Hudson should be in the lineup for possible actresses for Nicks. Ah! (light bulb*) and Rachel Zoe could do costume design! I think we have the making of an epic film here...
Do you ever wonder what goes into the making of a song? I sure do. Whenever I am listening to the finished album cut of a song, I always wonder..."What does the demo sound like?" I always seem to like the rough cuts more than the clean ones. To me, they sound more authentic and raw. I like to hear what could have been in the song. You can hear vocals and instruments that never made the finished product and in all actuality, those extra bits made the song that much better. When I listen to demos, I make sure to listen to them the whole way through. Especially with a band like Fleetwood Mac, you always seem to hear tid-bits of interesting lyrics that give a better explanation to the song. Like I stated before, when listening to a Fleetwood Mac song, particularly from the Rumours era, it is like reading their diary. Within these demos are extra "pieces of the puzzle" that allow the listeners to experience what they were feeling at that very moment. Its like being a fly on the wall so to speak...(the one time when I would love to be an insect).
Lots of times in demo, you will get longer tracks for they simply did not have room to fit them on an album. A classic example of this would be when Stevie Nicks was denied to have her beautiful song, Silver Springs on the 1976 Rumours album. The song was recorded and then at the last second, she was told it would not make the album for it was too long. The song was replaced with a shorter upbeat song of Nicks' called I Don't Want to Know.-an awesome diddy might I add...
Thankfully, Silver Springs was finally released 25 years later on the Rumours expansion CD, but until then very few were exposed to album version of the song.
Alright so I'm a demo girl but who knows, you guys might like the finished product of a song better than the demo! We all have our differences...
You guys listen to these next few vids and you make the call. Demo or Album? ( Stevie Nicks has many demos, so I just focused on her songs. When I find more from Christine and Lindsey I will be sure to post them!)
Silver Springs Demo 1976 Rumours
Silver Springs1976- Sold now on: Rumours Expansion CD ( The recording that was cut at the last minute. This was the final cut)
Gypsy Demo 1983
Gypsy on 1983 Mirage Album
So those are a few comparisons of a demo versus and album track...
Now here are some songs that resurfaced a good twenty-plus years after they were first recorded. The first song is a song of Nicks' If you Ever Did Believe The song was written for the Rumours album and once again...a beautiful song that never made the cut. It resurfaced when Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crowe re-recorded this song in order for it to be in the 1998 film Practical Magic starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. Take a listen...
1976" Rumours-to be" Version (Demo-take)If You Ever Did Believe
1998 Music Video to Film Practical Magic Re-recorded If You Ever Did Believe
...And remember that other song that was supposed to be on Rumours? I wrote about it to you earlier, but it is the song Planets of the Universe. Its a haunting song that never made the album but it finally found its was out to the public when Stevie Nicks re-recorded it for her 2003 Trouble in Shagri-La Album. Check out the differences in these two versions...
1976 "Rumours to be" Version Planets of the Universe
2003 Trouble in Shangri-La Album: Stevie Nicks solo
And might I add that all four versions (both new and old) are in my currently Ipod-and I hope they will be in yours too!
I hope the next time you listen to an album version of a song, you will think of the process that went into making that recording what it is today. Who knows, maybe there are more songs out there that we have yet to hear. All we need to do is wait twenty plus years...
Happy Birthday to Lindsey Buckingham who turned 61 today!
This video wasn't made by me. It was made by a youtube fan named Jackie. She has some great rare videos on her youtube channel.(biglindseyfan77) -Check em out! The song is live from Buckingham's "Gift of Screws" Tour in 2008. Saw him live plenty of times on this tour and he was awesome. Once again, Happy Birthday Lindsey!
Take a look outside you guys. It's rainy, windy and so muggy that when I breathe in air I'm thinking its soup. Disgusting. Sure, its a gross day out, but its a perfect excuse to sit back and watch some epic Fleetwood Mac performances don't ya think?
And that's exactly what I'm going to do. If you guys read the post below, you would see that I have been watching Fleetwood Mac videos for a while now. Weird? -maybe, but its one of my favorite habits that I never see myself breaking. There is something about watching a good rock and roll performance that gets me.
Whether its live or on video, Fleetwood Mac always seems to deliver and that is why I am going to give you all some links to the best live Fleetwood Mac performances out there. These live performances give me chills every time I watch them. So watch the videos below and I will even go as far as to let you know at which point I get chills. -The CHILL FACTOR if you will...
There are tons out there, but I'll keep it simple and give you videos strictly from the 70's. In my opinion, this was when Fleetwood Mac was at its highest point commercially speaking as well as performance wise.
Now lay back, listen to the rain on your roof, and let the music take you away...
Cal Jam 1978 Ebony Eyes ok so its not technically Fleetwood Mac, but you have Mick and Stevie as well as former Fleetwood Mac front man Bob Welch. Stevie has awesome vocals this whole performance but the CHILLS set in at mark 3:35 onward...and can we talk about her outfit?? So cool..love it!)
Rhiannon 1976: Rosebud Footage:CHILLS at mark 5:15 onward. Her vocals are amazing in this performance. Its all so simple but exciting at the same time. One of my favorite live performances of all time. The studio version of this song is so tame compared to the live version. The live version (like this one) is pure raw talent.
Gold Dust Woman: 1977 in Japan.(CHILLS at mark 5:20 onward...) Its a little trippy in parts, but the ending is just haunting. You can see the daggers that she is giving Buckingham in the first half of the song. (mark 3:25 onward). The song live is so different than the recording. Love it.
World Turning 1977 in Japan: A great combination of vocals with Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie. I love the bluesy (old Fleetwood Mac) feel that this performance has. Mick Fleetwood's drum/bongo solo is pretty cool too. I got CHILLS when they bring it home at mark 6:40 onward) It all comes back alive at that point. This song never disappoints.
Fleetwood Mac 1976: I'm so Afraid Rosebud Footage(CHILLS at 2:13 onward...Buckingham tears it up and its oh so good...) Not only is the guitar amazing throughout the entire song, but Buckingham in incredible during the last few minutes of this performance. I can feel his emotion not only through his voice but through his guitar. -And let me tell you he must be feeling pain. Did you know that he never used a guitar pick? Incredible.
Sisters of the Moon 1980 Tusk Tour ( alright, I broke the 70's rule on this one, but it was so chill worthy that I couldn't NOT add it. CHILLS at mark 4:06 onward... but seriously, if you want the true CHILL FACTOR, I advise you to watch the whole performance. She has the audience in the palm of her hand.
Now these are only A FEW videos that give me chills. I feel like I'm not even scratching the surface with these performances-and you deserve more! Don't worry, you'll get your dose of chill worthy videos throughout the blog.
Hey all...
This might seem random, but for my class we need to post a section about ourselves on our blog. I'm going to get back to more Fleetwood Mac writing after this post, but for now here are a few things about myself and what to expect when reading this blog...
I’mJillian for those of you who don’t already know me, and I’m a Public Relations Major at URI.This is my first blog and I absolutely love it.Blogging is something hot and new within my major and I am so happy about that.I hope to do PR for bands in the future, so I figured why not start with the band that I know the most about. I want to welcome you to my Enthusiast Blog on my favorite band Fleetwood Mac. When I was first told that we needed to make a blog regarding something that we are enthusiastic about, my mind immediately geared towards this great classic rock band.
I’m proud to say that the first concert that I have ever been to was a Fleetwood Mac concert in 2003.I went with my older sister Katie.Might seem late, but it was definitely worth the wait! I knew a lot about Fleetwood Mac before I actually got the chance to see them live in 2003. I remember being eight years old, riding in the car with my dad and he would play different classic rock bands like “Crosby Stills Nash andYoung”,”Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band”, “Warren Zevon”,but the band that always seemed to get me singing was “Fleetwood Mac” (particularly their 1976 Rumours album).Not only did I listen to great music, but I had my dad to my left telling me the history behind the band.There were layers of stories that made up the history of the band which I was not previously aware of.The songs were influenced by their own personal experiences. And to think, a band that actually writes their own songs! Shocking, since we don’t seem to have that in today’s music industry.I was informed of the breakups, the drama the chaosbehind the scenes.When I first learned of these facts, I only wanted to know more.
Katie and I made our way to many concerts
(Including Bruce Springsteen) See that girl
with her fist straight up in the air? Yours truly...JDSkills.
After this memorable car ride,( well maybe not right after, but over the following days) I started to listen to them more and more. As a little girl, I was fascinated by Stevie Nicks and her shawls and flowy dresses. I wanted to look just like her in her 1983 Gypsy video.I would twirl around with a shawl over my shoulders pretending that I was the mystical Stevie Nicks. My sister (she is a huge fan as well) would even go as far as to get real live footage from the 1970’s so we could watch the concerts together. We were raised listening to great music. We were listening to real music. At the age of fourteen Fleetwood Mac was on tour and I knew that I was going to see them. After attending my first Fleetwood Mac concert, I knew that it wouldn’t be my last.I went to so many concerts (Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks solo and Lindsey Buckingham solo combined) that I can’t even count them on both of my hands.Once I started, I couldn’t stop.It may seem crazy to an outsider, but by reading this blog you will become an insider and understand why I am hooked on this band.I want to take you backstage in a sense and give you your fill on the gossip and the stories behind the music.
I am so excited to delve into the fabulous history that is Fleetwood Mac. I will write to you of the band members and their songwriting styles/personas.I will speculate on the breakups and the relationships that are still present within the band.I won’t just be talking about the history though.I will speak to you of what the band members are up to today as well.They are all still alive and well and always seem to be recording!Hopefully after reading this blog, you will want to know more about them.Hopefully you will get that same feeling that I got what I heard my sister and dad talk about them.If anything, that feeling of fascination is the one I want you to get from this blog.If you do not become a fan of the band, I understand!We all have different tastes!I do however want you to gain at least an appreciation for this band, for they are a band with layers and layers of great music.Welcome to my blog everyone, and enjoy my “Secondhand News”… (you will understand what I mean after you read my blog haha…)
Fleetwood Mac L-R: Lindsey Buckingham,Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie
Like mentioned in a previous post, the 1976 Rumours album was a lyrical diary of break-ups and heartache. To think, we will get in the car, tune in to our favorite classic rock station and turn the dial up full blast when we hear a song like "Go Your Own Way." We are flying down the highway with one hand out the window and one hand tapping to the rhythm on our steering wheel. We (badly...) sing the song with smiles on our faces not even realizing the pain that those five people had to endure just to create this classic masterpiece.
Well slow down your cars and get to your closest music store, because there are even more songs on the Rumours: Deluxe Edition CD. If you aren't in your cars then get on your computer (or stay on the computer for that matter) and visit this site at amazon.com and get the CD for around 25 dollars. You might think this is pricey, but it is worth it. It has all of the rough outtakes that we never got to listen to on the original album. Think that Rumours is just eleven songs? You're dead wrong...try 18.
Stevie Nicks recording
One of my favorite gems on this expansion CD is a song written by Stevie Nicks called Planets of the Universe. The song resurfaced a good 25 years later when Nicks released a longer, less bitter version on her 2001 solo album titled Trouble in Shangri-La. The reason Nicks decided to re-record this song is because while looking back on it, she realized that it was very bitter and pessimistic. She didn't want to have her listeners feel hopeless after taking a listen to this song. The song was originally titled No Light. Seems dark don't you think? As a listener, you must put yourself in this young woman's shoes. She has just broken up with the love of her life and now must write and sing her feelings for the recording of her next album. She isn't doing what most of us girls would do ( watch a funny movie, eat chocolate and then cry a little...) to get over a breakup. She needs to sing and write this song not only for herself, but for the success of her bands next album. How can a person write a song to gain success when they feel so beaten down? And like stated in my first post, the recording of this album was not done in a large studio. It was done in a rather small studio. Heart wrenching, awkward and uncomfortable to say the least...
The video above is the song Planets of the Universe. This is the piano demo version of the song and you can get this recording on the expansion CD. Ill give you all a moment to play the clip above. Okay... Listen to it yet?? Ugh makes you want to break down and cry. I can literally feel Nicks' pain on this song. The song is haunting with Nicks playing on piano. The shakiness of the piano is in tune with the shakiness of her own voice. You can hear the crack and quiver in her voice at mark 2:00 onward. Turn your speakers up at the end. You can hear her say "That is so intense..." Intense to say the least. This song sets the tone of what not only what she was going through in her own breakup with Lindsey Buckingham, but with what the other members of the band were going through as well. This is just one extra bonus on the CD and it is my favorite.
Imagine singingthis close to your ex. Awkward.
So I leave you with this. Everyone who is reading. BUY THIS EXPANSION CD! It is so raw, real and human. Even if you are a developing fan of this band, I encourage you to buy it. I love listening to these rarities, because I feel like I am there with them. I feel as though I am there in the studio with the members of the band. Just taking Nicks' song as an example, I feel as though I am sitting next to her piano as she sings. I am right there waiting for her to finish her song with a box of tissues and glass of wine in hand to help her get over that breakup that she had a few days earlier with Lindsey. Getting the CD is the closest thing that there will ever be to the invention of the time machine. After all, haven't you always wanted to go back in time? Pop this into your car's CD player and you will.
Stevie Nicks is known for her mystical ways and enchanting songs. Her hit song Rhiannon off of the 1975 self titled Fleetwood MacWhite Album album put her on the map as not only a pretty face, but a voice of a generation. Her choice of style and mystical dancing gave people the false conception that she could even be a WITCH! How ridiculous is that? In this 2007 CBS interview from mark 2:00 onward, she speaks of how she had to wear every color opposite of black in order for people to not think she was a witch. Her unique and flowy clothing style (chiffon, chiffon, chiffon,) added to her stage presence. She never showed too much skin and relied on her voice to make her sexy. Many people compare her to Lady Gaga in the way that she is spacey and different. I can agree with this fact, but I bet you wouldn't catch Nicks wearing next to nothing on stage in order to make a point. This blog post is going to be a short one, but it is to look at the leading lady of Fleetwood Mac and look at her styles from the mid seventies to present day. A step into her closet if you will...Enjoy!
Buckingham Nicks Album Cover: This was the band that Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham started, before it was dropped in 1974. Nicks was so upset with this cover for the fact that she wasn't wearing clothing. Check out this quote from the Boston Globe in 1990. It gives a background story on the dreaded photo shoot.
"Lindsey and I] were really poor when we took that picture [Buckingham Nicks album cover], and I went out and spent my last $111 on a really beautiful, very sexy blouse. And they agreed to do half the session in the blouse, and I thought 'Oh, I'll win. They'll love this blouse, and they're gonna love the way I look.' Well halfway through the session, one of the photographers came over and said, 'Okay, it's time to take off the blouse,' and I died. it was awful, you know...."
...Now do you think you would catch Gaga saying that?
White Album (Fleetwood Mac Album) 1975: She's dressed! Yay! This isn't my favorite look but it was definitely obvious that she was starting to form her style. She was 27 at this time and just hit the road with Fleetwood Mac. In my opinion, she hasn't hit the nail on the head but she definitely gave off that "cool chick" vibe. The top hat helps too.
Rumours 1976 (The Rock Gypsy):Now this is when she hits the nail on the head! This time era deserves a few photos because her style was just impeccable and are the definition of Stevie Nicks. This is when Fleetwood Mac was soaring and Nicks became known for that mystical, enchanting singer/songwriter. This was a time period in which Stevie Nicks and style became one in one. Women wanted to be her and men wanted to be with her. She gives off a cool rock star vibe while having the amazing ability to remain feminine. Here's what she had to say (from the same Boston Globe Interview) about her style choice at that time...
"Because I said, 'All right, that's it. We're gonna work this out so that I still have an image and a vibe, but instead of going in the direction that a lot of the women singers are going in now, I'll be very, very sexy under 18 pounds of chiffon and lace and velvet. And nobody will know what I really am. I will have a mystique. None of these other people will have a mystique, but I will.' And I have that mystique. That's one thing that I'm real proud of."
Needed to post this pic as a continuation of the Rumours topic. This picture defines Rock and Roll Gypsy.
Stevie on the 1980 Tusk Tour
Stevie on the 1983 Mirage Tour
The 1980's Tusk/Mirage Album and Solo Bella Donna: I'm going to wrap all of these time periods into one and give you a nutshell. This was a time where Nicks was still part of Fleetwood Mac while embarking on a solo career in 1981. Her first solo album was Bella Donna and she juggled both roles as a band member and a solo artist and still does to this day (We will talk more about her solo stuff later...) She was a definite style icon throughout the 80's just as much as she was in the 70's. The only thing that changed...maybe the hair.
Stevie performing on her 1981 Bella Donna Tour. Bella Donna was her first solo album.
1987. The hair definitely changed huh? I warned you!
The 1990's -Time of Change: During this time period, many things happened that we just don't have time to cover. But in a nutshell, Lindsey Buckingham leaves Fleetwood mac in the late 1980's right before they are to hit the road on the Tango in the Night Tour.(This causes once again drama in the band to say the least...) During the 90's many of the band members go their separate ways but then unite in an MTV taping of TheDance which was the bands first tour together since the original five broke up in the late 80's. The band takes another break after the tour and Stevie does some solo shows in the early millennium. The band reunites in 2003 to create their first studio album since 1987. This album is called Say You Will. The band goes on tour and then will take a break once again to regroup for another tour in 2009.-Fleetwood Mac Unleashed. Again this is a broad view on the changes, but it is to give you a background in why we skipped so many years in Stevie's styles. Phew that was long! Don't worry, you guys will get the inside scoop on what happened (or was speculated to happen) during those years! Until now...back to the style pics!
Stevie on the Dance Tour in 1997. Still beautifully rocking the chiffon
...And Present Day! As you can see from this picture, Stevie Nicks is still rocking it out at the age of 62 and still rockin' that top hat and chiffon. She is a timeless singer/songwriter whose shoes (in her case platforms) will never be filled by anyone else. Hope you enjoyed a Step into Stevie closet and got a taste of what the Queen of Rock and Roll would wear.
So I am now in the mood to watch a great Stevie performance that showcases not only her talented vocals and stage presence, but her incredible and natural eye for style. Lets check out this awesome interview (with Bob Welch, Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks) and then an amazing performance at the Cal Jam 1978 Festival. If you want to skip the interview and get to the live performance just go to mark 2:20.
Man what I would give to wear that out fit...Only Stevie could pull that look off.
Stevie Nicks is known for her mystical ways and enchanting songs. Her hit song Rhiannon off of the 1975 self titled Fleetwood Mac White Album album put her on the map as not only a pretty face, but a voice of a generation. Her choice of style and mystical dancing gave people the false conception that she could even be a WITCH! How ridiculous is that? In this 2007 CBS interview from mark 2:00 onward, she speaks of how she had to wear every color opposite of black in order for people to not think she was a witch. Her unique and flowy clothing style (chiffon, chiffon, chiffon,) added to her stage presence. She never showed too much skin and relied on her voice to make her sexy. Many people compare her to Lady Gaga in the way that she is spacey and different. I can agree with this fact, but I bet you wouldn't catch Nicks wearing next to nothing on stage in order to make a point. This blog post is going to be a short one, but it is to look at the leading lady of Fleetwood Mac and look at her styles from the mid seventies to present day. A step into her closet if you will...Enjoy!
"Lindsey and I] were really poor when we took that picture [Buckingham Nicks album cover], and I went out and spent my last $111 on a really beautiful, very sexy blouse. And they agreed to do half the session in the blouse, and I thought 'Oh, I'll win. They'll love this blouse, and they're gonna love the way I look.' Well halfway through the session, one of the photographers came over and said, 'Okay, it's time to take off the blouse,' and I died. it was awful, you know...."
