Review Lindsey Buckingham "Seeds We Sow" sheer gorgeous pop genius, highly recommended

Lindsey Buckingham
Seeds We Sow
Guy.com by Jeb Delia

"Buckingham continues to amaze with not just the technical brilliance of his guitar playing, but the sheer variety of different tones and stylings"

It’s surprising how easily Buckingham seems to slide back into the retro mode when there’s a Fleetwood Mac tour on the horizon. Yeah, the money’s good, but I doubt he needs it, and the man we meet in his solo recordings seems so content with his new life (happily married, three kids), that it feels odd to see him retreat back into the role of “touring past glories” hitmaker. Fortunately, though, neither domestic bliss or the glow of nostalgia are blunting his considerable talents as composer, producer, and guitarist.

On his third album in five years, Buckingham handles not only the writing and producing, but plays nearly every instrument himself, and self-released Seeds We Sow through his own new label. Perhaps more than any of his peers, Buckingham continues to amaze with not just the technical brilliance of his guitar playing, but the sheer variety of different tones and stylings: “One Take” is busy and blistering, “In Our Own Time” glows with shimmering harmonies, and “Rock Away Blind” recalls his clean, epic fretwork on Mac classics like “Go Your Own Way.” And while it can be argued that his old band’s turbulent times caused him to dig deeper with his songwriting than he does today, he’s still able to inhabit a song like “Stars Are Crazy” or “That’s The Way Love Goes” as though he were still burning with the flames that stoked the sexual carousel that was Mac in its heyday. For sheer gorgeous pop genius, highly recommended.

Stevie Nicks > Collaboration Results in Refreshing 'Dreams'

NEW YORK — Stevie Nicks has her own way of doing things. And why shouldn’t she? The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with five platinum albums to her name, not to mention all her work with Fleetwood Mac, has done pretty well for herself.

So when producer Dave Stewart, of Eurythmics fame, showed up at her house one day, guitar in hand, expecting to write a song with a woman who has written alone for decades, she was taken aback.

“He just said, ‘I like this poem. Let’s do this one,’ ” says Nicks, calling from her home in Los Angeles. “I’m thinking, ‘ OK, he doesn’t really think we’re going to write a song here in the room together.’ Then, he just started playing, and he said, ‘Chime in.’ And I’m like, ‘OK,’ and I start reading my poem, and pretty soon a melody started to happen, and in 20 minutes, ‘You May Be the One,’ which is a pretty serious song, was done.”

For Nicks, it was an epiphany. “I got it,” she says. “I understand why people write together who don’t have to write together. I understand Paul and John, and Rodgers and Hart, and Carole King and Gerry Goffin. … They didn’t need to write together. They could write just great on their own. So why did they? Well, now I know.”

Nicks says the sessions that became the album “In Your Dreams” (Reprise) were so good that she thought, “Oh, my God, I’m never gonna make a record this good again.

“This record is what we would call in San Francisco in the ’60s a ‘happening,’ ” she says. “Every part of it was so much fun. ... It had everything that I love. It had craziness, and we set up a very romantic setting. There were a lot of people here, and we had dinners every night, where we stopped and talked about the world. … We created a Parisian salon in the ’20s in my house. Friends came, and they asked if they could listen, and we said, ‘Sure, come on,’ because it was a very open thing. Everybody was welcome. It was a very easygoing, free-flowing musical thing.”

Lindsey Buckingham Talks Solo Work | Fleetwood Mac | Stevie Nicks

Photo by: Jeremy Cowart

Lindsey Buckingham talks solo work, Fleetwood Mac

Associated Press
By SANDY COHEN

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Though Fleetwood Mac rose to fame in the swinging 1970s, guitarist-singer Lindsey Buckingham says he's having the time of his life right now.

The 61-year-old musician is at a creative and personal peak, and one supports the other. He thanks his happy home life with wife Kristen and their three young children for enabling him to enjoy the recent reunion tour with Fleetwood Mac and to create some of his best work yet, which he released this week as his sixth solo album, "Seeds We Sow."

He took time out of his preparations for his upcoming national solo tour to talk about the new album, Fleetwood Mac and what the future might hold.

AP: What inspired this album?

Buckingham: It wasn't any one thing that inspired it. Normally there's kind of a calling. ... In the case of this one, Fleetwood Mac had just come off the road and I thought we'd do some more dates. There was no agenda to make an album, no agenda to express anything in particular, but the time opened up as a surprise, and I thought I guess I better fill it.

AP: Why do you say this may be some of your best musical work?

Buckingham: When I'm working with Fleetwood Mac, it's more like moviemaking. It's collaborative, and you have to bring in something like a full-on song, which would be like the analogy of the script. It's a more political process. When you work alone, it's more like painting. You go down to the studio and you've got this sort of one-on-one with the canvas. You've got the freedom of not necessarily having a full-on song. You can have a rough idea and you make a start. It's like a painter throwing colors on the canvas — at some point, they'll paint over some part but the work starts to take on a life of its own and lead you in a direction you might not have expected to go. There are many more surprises that happen when I'm doing solo work.

Review: Lindsey Buckingham Seeds We Sow "It is his most interesting and varied work since '84's “Go Insane"

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM
Seeds We Sow
George Lang
NewsOK.com

Following two solo albums of gauzy beauty suggesting that placidity had settled upon Lindsey Buckingham's restless mind, “Seeds We Sow,” his sixth solo studio disc, indicates that the Fleetwood Mac guitarist still has demons to exorcise. Indeed, “Seeds We Sow” finds Buckingham alternating between moments of pop transcendence and exhilarating songs in which he sounds like he might come unglued. It is his most interesting and varied solo work since 1984's “Go Insane,” the last time he behaved as if he could take breaks from carrying the standard for Fleetwood Mac's musical legacy and just be a freak.

Lindsey Buckingham Interview with Spinner + FREE mp3

Lindsey Buckingham Avoids the 'Politics' of Fleetwood Mac on New Solo LP

When it comes to solo work, Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham's output has been somewhat sporadic. Before 2006, Buckingham had only released three albums: 'Law and Order' (1981), 'Go Insane' (1984) and 'Out of the Cradle (1992).' Midway through this period, in 1987, Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac, and despite a one-off reunion show at Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration, he remained out of the fold until the band's 1997 reunion.

So it may seem like a godsend to his fans that Buckingham has put out three additional albums in the last five years, including recently released 'Seeds We Sow.' Buckingham not only produced and engineered the album -- a diverse collection he's said might be the best work he's ever done -- but he also performed all of the music by himself. And for the first time, he's an independent artist, having left Warner Bros., the label that had issued his Fleetwood Mac and solo recordings since 1975.

Shortly before embarking on a solo tour that starts on Sept. 9 in Sparks, Nevada, the legendary guitarist talked with Spinner.

'Seeds We Sow' is your third solo album in five years. This is probably the most prolific you've ever been as far as making records. 

Well, I'm making up for lost time. During the time when the Fleetwood Mac situation was pulling me -- it had a little more gravity than it does now -- towards the center, there were certainly a few times when I went out with the intention to make a solo album, and probably two or three times, that got folded. I got pulled into the ranks, and that material got turned into part of a Fleetwood Mac album. There was kind of a running punchline that had to do with that, and maybe the amount of time between solo albums. It's kind of like a Terrence Malick thing. Now there's a little bit less frequency to the call of Fleetwood Mac. It seems to open up the time for doing solo work.

Full Interview at Spinner + Plus free MP3 download

Reviews Stevie Nicks SPAC "one twirl of a cape and everybody loses it"

Get The Full Review HERE

Plus... Metroland

"For nearly every tune from the Dave Stewart-produced In Your Dreams, released in May to good sales and positive reviews, they rewarded the audience’s attention by following with a smash from the past.


It helped that the new material merged fairly seamlessly with the well-known songs from Nicks’ solo albums and career with Fleetwood Mac."

Fleetwood Mac Drummer Mick Fleetwood Sighting - Malibu

Fleetwood Mac drummer, Mick Fleetwood and family members are seen exiting the Malibu Chilli Cook Off. Malibu, California - 05.09.11

Lindsey Buckingham Inside the Extremely Solo Sessions

Rollingstone Magazine Sept 15, 2011

Lindsey Buckingham

Goes It Alone on New LP

Inside the extremely solo sessions.  Plus: Will 2012 be a big year for the Mac?

The album review also appears in this issue, which can be found on the Rollingstone website

Sound & Vision (October Issue)... Great article!

Album Chart Updates... USA | Australia | Ireland | UK

Chart Updates for the week ending September 4th and Billboard Magazine issue September 17, 2011.  

In Your Dreams drops off the Top 200 Albums chart this week after re-entering last week at # 150.  On the Top 200 Current Albums Chart the album moves down to # 166 from # 132 last week.

Fleetwood Mac remain on the Top 200 Album Charts with Rumours at # 182 down from # 155 last week.  The album sold 2,961 this week vs 3,037 last week.  

On the Top 200 Catalogue Chart Fleetwood Mac's Rumours moves down to # 28 this week from # 22 last week.  Fleetwood Mac's Greatest Hits collection moves down to # 114 from # 90 last week with sales of 1,676 vs 1,707 last week.  Fleetwood Mac's The Very Best Of drops off the chart this week.  Stevie's Crystal Visions Best Of album moves down to # 169 from # 124 last wee on sales of 1,373 vs 1,470 last week.

• Fleetwood Mac's Rumours has sold 2,882,291 in the US since November, 1991 when Soundscan began keeping track of over the counter sales.
• Greatest Hits has sold 4,489,255 since November, 1991.
• Crystal Visions has sold 383,889 since the spring of 2007.

TOP 200 CURRENT ALBUMS CHART
WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 4, 2011
# 166 (132) In Your Dreams, Stevie Nicks (16 weeks on the chart)

TOP 200 ALBUMS CHART
# 182 (155) Rumours, Fleetwood Mac

TOP 200 CATALOGUE CHART
# 169 (124) Crystal Visions, Stevie Nicks
# 28 (22) Rumours, Fleetwood Mac
# 114 (90) Greatest Hits, Fleetwood Mac

Mick Fleetwood Photographic Exhibition Coming Soon

Celebrites Gallery , Shops at Wailea on Maui is holding a reception on September 21st presenting some of Mick Fleetwood's latest photographic works.

Check out the Celebrites Facebook page HERE for more details... and please check it out if you are on Maui around that time.

Review: Buddy Holly tribute concert a star-studded bash with Stevie Nicks

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. — For a 75th birthday bash, it was a pretty loud affair.

More than a dozen singers and musicians — from icons like Stevie Nicks and Graham Nash to upstarts like Patrick Stump and members of Cobra Starship — gathered at Hollywood Boulevard's Music Box Theater on Wednesday to pay tribute to the music of Buddy Holly on what would have been the late rock great's birthday (which was officially proclaimed Buddy Holly day in L.A.).

"We'd like to make tonight's concert a serious rock ’n’ roll party," explained co-host and musical director Peter Asher by way of introduction. The former member of Peter and Gordon — who had a hit with Holly's True Love Ways back in the ’60s — is the man behind the related new tribute CD Listen to Me, whose set list and performers formed the backbone of the three-hour event.

That's right, it lasted three hours. More precisely, it took three hours. The event was also being filmed for an upcoming PBS special, and as anyone who's watched TV production can attest, it can be a fairly tedious and repetitive endeavor replete with glitches, retakes, delays and general silliness (including, on this occasion, a bizarre debate over whether attendees would be allowed to eat cupcakes at their tables — don't ask).

Between all the hurry-up-and-wait, though, several hundred invited guests — including Holly's widow Maria Elena, old pal Phil Everly, a handful of celebrites like Priscilla Presley and Nigel Lythgoe, plenty of musicians and industry types, and a few reporters like yours truly — were slowly but surely treated to a 20-song set of Holly classics. Here's a quick (and hopefully technical difficulty-free) rundown:

Stevie Nicks | Not Fade Away

It's the first song on the Listen to Me CD. It's a bona fide Buddy gem. And Nicks is arguably the biggest star on the roster. So opening with it is a no-brainer. Fleetwood's Mac's gypsy queen is her usual witchy self, clad head to toe in black and sporting aviator shades. The song itself isn't messed with too much — it still bops to the trademark Bo Diddley beat, pounded out by an all-star house band fronted by corkscrew-haired guitar slinger Waddy Wachtel and anchored by the veteran rhythm section of drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Leland Sklar. No complaints there.

Stevie Nicks | It's So Easy

Nicks returns for a second go-round — and makes it look easy with this cowbell-rocking version of It's So Easy. "I totally miss him," she says of Holly. Awww. After her tune, Isaak cracks: "Stevie Nicks — remember that name. You're going to be hearing a lot from that girl."

Full Review at The Toronto Star

Photos: Stevie Nicks Performing at Buddy Holly Tribute - Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Musician Stevie Nicks performs onstage during a concert in celebration of Buddy Holly's music and legacy held at The Music Box Theatre on September 7, 2011 in Hollywood, California.

An eclectic collection of artists that included Stevie Nicks, members of Cobra Starship, Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump Chris Isaak and Paul Anka saluted Buddy Holly Wednesday on what would have been his 75th birthday in, appropriately enough, Hollywood.

Guitarist Waddy Wachtel led a seven piece band -- with an occasional string trio --that featured bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russ Kunkel, musicians featured on countless Asher-produced albums in the '70s. Artists spoke often about the eloquence of Holly's lyrics and the fact that his ordinary appearance and demeanor was an inspiration to so many; "we felt like we lost a friend when he passed," Graham Nash offered. ""In two, two and a half minutes, he taught you everything you need to know about life and love," was Lyle Lovett's comment.

Billboard Biz

Stevie Nicks - "Not Fade Away"
Lyle Lovett - "Well … All Right"
Lyle Lovett w/ James Burton - "I'm Looking for Someone to Love"
Shawn Colvin - "Learning the Game"
Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy - "Everyday," "Oh Boy"
Chris Isaak - "Crying, Waiting, Hoping"
Michelle Branch w/Graham Nash - "Words of Love"
Graham Nash - "Raining in My Heart"
Graham Nash & Peter Asher - "Take Your Time"
Boz Scaggs - "Maybe Baby"
Boz Scaggs, Graham Nash & Peter Asher - "Rave On"
Raul Malo - "Listen to Me"
Michelle Branch & Chris Isaak - "Heartbeat"
Gabe Saporta & Victoria Asher of Cobra Starship - "Peggy Sue"
Gabe Saporta & Patrick Stump - "Think It Over"
Paul Anka - "I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore"
Stevie Nicks - "It's So Easy"
Raul Malo - "True Love Ways"
Malo, Colvin, Lovett, Everly, Branch and ensemble - "That'll Be The Day"