Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Fleetwood Mac's original songbird is to rejoin the band, and will bring optimism, beauty and bittersweet melancholia

With Christine McVie back, Fleetwood Mac will return to their magical best
The Guardian
by Tim Jonze

When Mick Fleetwood announced to a Hawaii audience that Christine McVie would be rejoining Fleetwood Mac on a permanent basis, you couldn't really argue with his assertion that it was the "the worst kept secret there is". During an interview in December 2013, McVie surprised me by saying she would be "very delighted" to reclaim her place in the group she left in 1998. Not long after, Steve Nicks responded by telling Billboard that McVie "didn't need to ask". You hardly needed Hercule Poirot's mobile number to work out what "woman wanting to rejoin a band" plus "band happy to let woman rejoin band" might equal.

Still, the fact that McVie, who turned 70 last year, wants to renounce a hermetic life in a mansion in Kent, which seemed to consist largely of cooking, gardening and looking after dogs, in favour of stepping back on the road with one of the best and most dysfunctional bands of all time is cause for celebration.

It's pointless to talk about a "best" member of Fleetwood Mac, for without any of them the band are significantly depleted. But McVie was always my personal favourite. Compared to the other two songwriters – Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham – her songs had a simplicity and clarity to them. This was partly down to the fact her music stemmed from the blues she played growing up: Don't Stop and Say You Love Me, the band's first top 40 hit with the classic 1970s lineup, both get their momentum from what McVie terms "that left-hand boogie bass thing".


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Best group ever ,glad to see you back .

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for the concert...Love this band!!! Welcome back Christine!!

Anonymous said...

very happy and excited.nothing like chris's voice or these 3 voices together.

Anonymous said...

YES, YES, YES!!! I am saving for this one, starting today! : )

Anonymous said...

Gotta buy EARLY; tix will fly out the door!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

yahhhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooo, we have been waiting since the dance for them to rejoin each other on stage!!!!!! finally!!!!!!!!!!!! : )

Anonymous said...

I'm kind of sad that Stevie will not be as front and center as she is now, but she does have her solo career. I'm glad Christine is returning.

Anonymous said...

The 5 fireflies

Anonymous said...

Finally, Fleetwood mac the way it was mean't to be.

Anonymous said...

A 5th wheel they have done very well without.........

Anonymous said...

Since Stevie Nicks is my favorite, McVie does complete Fleetwood Mac!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Though I think the band did well after Christine retired, I still felt her presence missing and would make it complete so THANK YOU CHRISTINE AND WELCOME BACK!

Anonymous said...

Leave Stevie's setlist alone and cut Lindsey's in half

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