60 SECOND DRILL with Lindsey Buckingham (Interview)

With Nui Te Koha and Lindsey Buckingham 
Sunday Herald Sun - Australia (June 16, 2013)

Lindsey Buckingham is a singer-songwriter and guitarist in Fleetwood Mac.  Buckingham, 63 joined the classic rock supergroup in 1974 with his then-girlfriend Stevie Nicks.  Their split, and the separation of married couple John and Christine McVie, defined the band's iconic 1976 album Rumours.  Christine quit Fleetwood Mac in 1998.  The band's hits include Go Your Own Way, Dreams, Tusk, Sara and Rhiannon.  Their 2013 tour has sold out across the US and won rave reviews.  Fleetwood Mac will perform in Australia in November.

1. HOW DO YOU REGROUP A BAND LIKE FLEETWOOD MAC AFTER 10 YEARS APART?

A year or so ago, John and Mick and I got together and we cut a bunch of tracks.  Stevie was still coming down from doing her solo album and was not really around.  We are thinking about an album down the line.  Stevie would obviously need to come to the table with some material.

2. WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED THIS MEETING DID NOT YIELD AN ALBUM?

It would be unrealistic to be disappointed at this point.  That would mean at some point in the last six months Stevie would have come in, magically, with four or five new songs, and be willing to engage in the process of recording them, and work on them for a while.  That just didn't seem realistic.  We did this as an early foray into the three of us getting back and playing together without any agenda.

3. IS FLEETWOOD MAC A DIFFICULT BAND TO CONTRIBUTE TO? IS IT A PICKY AND CRITICAL COMMITTEE?

No, because you just write what you write.  It is possible in the editing process for Fleetwood Mac, certain things will be gravitated to, if you compare it to what I would do for a solo album, which is more inherently to the left and represents a more esoteric side of what I do.  In Fleetwood Mac, you run the gamut.  You also have to consider the other writer.  some of the songs on the far edge of the left side of my palette don't always work with Stevie's writing.

4. YOU'VE SAID THAT THE PERSONALITIES IN FLEETWOOD MAC DON'T BELONG TOGETHER.

I mean that in the best way possible.  I'm not saying we don't belong together, I'm saying we are an unlikely group of people to have come together.  Our tastes are quite disparate and yet it is that cast of characters, that very push=pull dynamic, that... creates the synergy.

5. YOU'VE ALSO SAID YOU WISH FLEETWOOD MAC WAS MORE LIKE THE EAGLES.  IN WHAT WAY?

Over time, I've come to admire the fact that they - even though, their reputation is such that they don't get along, or hang out together - they're able to cut through that, do the business they're able to do, and get done what they want to do as a group, and see their way clear to what the common objective is.  That seems to be something difficult for Fleetwood Mac because we've got people going in all sorts of directions all the time.  Fleetwood Mac is something you might liken to a political minefield.  It needs to be navigated.

6. FANS ARE STILL INTRIGUED BY THE STEVIE AND LINDSEY LOVE AFFAIR OF THE 1970'S - AND YOU PAY TRIBUTE TO THAT IN THE NEW LIVE SHOW.  WHAT PERSPECTIVE DO YOU HAVE ON THAT NOW?

When Stevie and I were a couple, we were very close.  But by the time we got to Rumours, Stevie had both feet out the door.  She was the one who took off.  It was difficult to be the guy who had to go back to the studio, produce the band, produce her songs and make the choice to do the right thing for her professionally, even though it was painful to be around her personally.  But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  It's sweet that Stevie and I are somehow acknowledging that (past romance) from a distance.  I think people are quite intrigued by that.

7. DID IT AFFECT YOUR LATER LOVES?

There was an interim period where I had long-term relationships with women, which were somewhat dysfunctional.  I finally met someone when I was in my mid 40's and had my first child when I was 48.  I waited long enough to get that emotional garbage out of the way.  I have a beautiful wife and three beautiful children, 14, 12 and 9.

8. YOU'RE A VERY PRIMAL PERFORMER.  HOW DOES THAT FEEL ON STAGE?

I don't get nervous.  I feel the same level of physical energy as I did 30 years ago and that has come from the choices, where I've shunned what was expected of me in favour of what I thought was important as an artist.

9. HOW DO YOU STAY REAL ON THE ROAD?

I try to get out and walk for several hours every day, wherever we are.  There is a transformative aspect to getting out of the room and feeling like you've been somewhere.  You've got to keep your balance.

10. HOW HAS MARRIED LIFE AND PARENTHOOD CHANGED YOU?

It has deepened the whole idea of being an artist.  I think there was a point in time where we all had this notion that children and family like meant death to the artist.  That turned out to be complete dreck as an idea.  You need clarity to be a parent, you need clarity to be a spouse, you need authenticity, too - which are the same things you need to be an artist.  That informs not only your sense of reality, but what's important in the bigger picture.  That can be quite productive.

REVIEW | PICS | VIDS: Fleetwood Mac Live in Cleveland

FLEETWOOD MAC LIVE 

CLEVELAND, OH - QUICKEN LOANS ARENA

JUNE 15, 2013

Photo by Paul Warner

Fleetwood Mac delivers a marathon concert at The Q
By Chuck Yarborough, The Plain Dealer

Fleetwood Mac gave a concert Saturday night at The Q with Mick Fleetwood on drums, Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and vocals, John McVie on bass and Stevie Nicks on vocals, and they were aided by a backing band that provided an extra guitar and keyboards as well as a couple of harmony singers who sang on a lot of the 23 songs the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers did in a two-hours and 40 minute set that included hits from the beginning to the current days of a career that, at least with Buckingham and Nicks in the fold, back in the early 1970s, but really couldn’t quite recapture the magic of those days, despite some really impressive guitar work and a stellar drum solo by Fleetwood, mainly because Nicks has lost a little of the somewhat limited range she had to begin with.

My computer tells me that paragraph has 145 words, and my instincts tell me you probably quit reading about 30 words into it. Which goes to prove the point that there’s a lot to be said for editing.

Photo by Paul Warner

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has scores of inductees, and few are more worthy of the honor than Fleetwood Mac. The band’s catalog – from “Rumors’’ to the newest release, a four-song EP called, fittingly, “Extended Play’’ – is a testament to the talents of Fleetwood, McVie (both John and his ex-wife and former bandmate, Christine), Buckingham and Nicks.

“Second Hand News,’’ “Rhiannon,’’ “Tusk,’’ “Never Going Back Again,’’ “Go Your Own Way,’’ “Don’t Stop’’ and the rest were, for a lot of us, the first “grown-up’’ songs we fell in love with. They were and are the tunes you can hear over and over listen to and find new meaning and nuances in each listen.

Photo by Paul Warner

One reason for that was obviously Saturday night: Fleetwood, McVie and Buckingham are hugely gifted artists. McVie lays a solid foundation, but he’s also capable of turning his bass into a lead instrument. The always animated Fleetwood – the inspiration for the Muppets’ drummer Animal, by the way – is that rare drummer who uses his fills to complement his jungle-beat grooves, especially on tunes like “Tusk.’’

And then there’s Buckingham’s guitar. In a word, WOW. His fingerpicking style on his beloved Turner Model One guitar really is the stuff of legends. Multiple big-screen close-ups showed that he was able to bend strings from here to Toledo and pull sounds out of a guitar that most people wouldn’t think possible, especially on “I’m So Afraid’’ and “The Chain.’’

But Fleetwood Mac has always been about the vocals, and as the saying goes, therein lies the rub. Nicks still LOOKS 25, but she’s 65 now, and her already limited range is even more limited. Not that much, you understand, but enough to make a difference. To use a sports analogy, it’s like a home run hitter who’s lost a few mph off his swing; balls that used to reach the bleachers are now warning-track outs.

That being said, she’s still capable of jacking one every now and then. “Landslide,’’ covered by the Dixie Chicks and so many others, will forever be a Stevie song, and she still does it better than anyone. Likewise with “Sisters of the Moon’’ and “Gold Dust Woman.’’

The most curious part of the show may have been the second of two two-song encores. Who would choose to end a Fleetwood Mac show with Fleetwood and McVie offstage, leaving Buckingham and Nicks alone to do “Silver Springs’’ and “Say Goodbye?’’

Hmmmm. Looks like a job for an editor.

WITHOUT YOU INTRO

FAN PHOTOS

Above 3 Photos by Elle - View the Facebook Gallery

View Gallery on Facebook

SECOND HAND NEWS
THE CHAIN
DREAMS
RHIANNON
TUSK
BIG LOVE
GO YOUR OWN WAY

BBC Four: Fleetwood Mac "Don't Stop" Doc To Re-Air in the UK June 21st

This 2009 Documentary originally aired on the BBC just ahead of Fleetwood Mac's Unleashed tour dates in the UK and Ireland.  

Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Both are interviewed, along with colleagues John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, all seeking to dispel some of those ( wait for it) rumours.

The Documentary takes a look back over the band's long career, from the early blues outfit led by Peter Green in the late 1960s, to their reincarnation in the 1970s with the line-up that went on to record the 40-million-selling album Rumours. Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks reveal the truth behind the successes, failures and relationships that have characterised their music and made them one of the most enduring acts in popular music.

BBC Four (1 Hour)
June 21, 2013 9:00pm
June 22, 2013 1:00am
June 23, 2013 11:30pm

THE FIRST TIME WITH... Mick Fleetwood BBC Radio 6 - Listen On-Line

THE FIRST TIME WITH... 
BBC RADIO 6

Matt Everitt chats to the man who leant his name to one of the most successful and best loved bands of all time, Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood.

Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the band's record breaking album Rumours (more than 40 million copies sold so far) and some rare UK live shows, Mick looks back at his and the group's career and influences. He started his career during the blues boom in London in the 60s, going onto to huge acclaim with the original Peter Green-led line-up of the Mac, then presiding over an ever-changing line-up that would coalesce in 1975 into the group that would eventually create several landmark albums like Rumours, Tusk and Tango In the Night

Mick talks honestly about his experiences helping steer his band through the murky waters of drug abuse and inter band relationships (and divorces) to the present day and their current reunion, and picks some excellent tunes. 

Listen on-line now (1 hour)

Music Played:

42 Photos: Fleetwood Mac Live in Chicago at Allstate Arena by Alicia Bailey

FLEETWOOD MAC LIVE

ROSEMONT, IL - ALLSTATE ARENA

JUNE 14, 2013

Photos by Alicia Bailey

Check out the Gallery on Facebook

Another beautiful group of shots!

Alicia was also at the first Chicago show back on April 13th. Her gallery can be seen here.  She wouldn't miss opening night of the tour either and took the opportunity to snap a bunch of pics in Columbus April 4th, those photos are here.  Great job Alicia and as always, thank you for sharing your work!

STAND BACK
LANDSLIDE

For more photos from this night and a review - check out an earlier post here

PHOTOS | VIDEO: Fleetwood Mac Chicago #2 The "Without You" Intro That Just Won't End! - Funny!

FLEETWOOD MAC LIVE

ROSEMONT, IL - ALLSTATE ARENA

JUNE 14, 2013

Photos below by Erin Brown
View the Detroit Gallery

Erin once again captures Fleetwood Mac in their finest moments. Another amazing collection of shots from last nights show.  

Erin is well versed at creating an visual story of Fleetwood Mac through her live photos.  You may have seen her previous images of Fleetwood Mac live at the United Center back on April 13th, if not then check them out here. She was also there on the opening night of the tour which can be seen here.

FAN PHOTOS

Gallery on Facebook

WITHOUT YOU
includes an over 5 minute intro - which is just as entertaining as the song itself!

Fleetwood Mac plays Chicago Allstate Arena

Review of the June 14, 2013 concert by Dave Kohl

Music Star Universe

My first time seeing Fleetwood Mac since the Tusk tour when I saw them in Rosemont IL at the sorry venue formerly known as The Horizon. That barn continues to have the poorest sound of any venue holding more than 10,000 people no matter what it's called these days. Aside from that, the Mac put on a heck of a good show.

Putting The Chain in the #2 spot in the set list is a great call for this tour. Going from the slow and deliberate start to the energetic hard rocking fitting, so typical of the best Fleetwood Mac work clearly set the tone.

Doing four songs in a row from the Tusk album seemed like an odd move but they made it work. Personally, I found the Tusk album to have a couple of their best songs ever as well as a couple of awful songs that kept me from listening to the entire album since the first time. Sisters of the Moon has always been one of my top 3 Mac songs of all time. Yet, during the Tusk tour I thought they did it poorly live. When they announced before the tour they would be doing it, I had my hopes up, but a couple of the bootleg versions I heard of Sisters from early this tour also disappointed me.

Maybe they realized it or they listen to audience feedback. Whatever the reason, I loved the version they did of it right before my eyes! My first major highlight of the show.

The other huge highlight for me came later in the show when we were treated to a 10-minute version of Gold Dust Woman. For all these years, GDW was one of those "good" songs I like but was not among my major favorites. This version, with the expanded parts and the heavy guitar and drum presence, was clearly the best part of the show for me.

Whether it was the enthusiasm of the crowd or being back in Chicago, we were treated to a couple of "extra" songs at the end and the show ran for 2 hours 35 minutes, about 10 minutes longer than usual on this tour.

However, adding "Silver Springs" and "Say Goodbye" at the end was not the best of placement. The crowd was pumped up after Don't Stop, and coming back to do two lesser known songs calmed us all. We know they meant well to give us these extra songs, but they would have been better served coming earlier in the show.

But more important than the songs and the music was getting to see the inner workings of the group. That is what made this night special. The band has seemingly never been this cohesive. When I saw Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham walk on stage together hand in hand to start the show, I knew something positive was up. 

They have come a long way since the mid-90's tour when, even though all five of them were there, there was minimal eye contact and a group of individuals all doing their part. Now, they play off each other and showed the love. And it paid off.

Lindsey Buckingham may have become far more theatrical than ever before, but his energy and guitar playing were strong enough to make me wonder why I haven't gotten more into his earlier solo work.

He did a solo on "Looking Out For Love" while everyone else left the stage and delivered it with such force and power that if you closed your eyes you would think the entire group was out there playing it with him. That was the other of my 'top 3' highlights.

Stevie Nicks was in strong voice. It came across how much she is into this tour, to the point that after the final bows she came back out to thank the audience and let us know how much it means to her to have us all love these songs after all these years. It seemed so genuine.

Finally, I quite honestly had no idea how incredible of a drummer Mick Fleetwood is. One one of the songs he had one foot pounding out the beat, the other foot tapping into a tambourine below the drum set, and was also pounding the beat with both hands. That was nothing short of amazing. He still makes the funny faces, but it shows how much he is enjoying himself.

My expectations were totally exceeded. Now, my message to Fleetwood Mac is: "Don't Stop".

By Dave Kohl

TUSK
SO AFRAID
SAY GOODBYE (ending cut)