View Full Version : Fleetwood Mac - Say You Will.... Impressions?


Dr. Music
12-31-2008, 02:01 PM
I keep finding myself coming back to this release of late. Having been a fan since the 70's I was a bit fearful of what a new release would sound like when they announced a new album after their reunion, and when Christine McVie decided not to participate that made me even more skeptical.

After it's release I immediately liked it, and have grown to love it in the years since. It might be best for the band to let this be their swan song, because I can't see them doing any better.... several gems on this release that make me appreciate just how musical they are as a unit...... sure, its something of a vehicle for Buckingham and Nicks, but that fact isn't much different from other releases after their joining. I also think it is a GREAT release for headphone listening because of it's diversity.

Just curious as to what other Akers think of the album?

Ashfan
12-31-2008, 03:02 PM
I really like. Same as you, I was a little leery of it, but songs like Miranda and Peacekeeper are right up there with their best work. It is in my main rotation and probably will be for a good while.

jt4me1
12-31-2008, 03:09 PM
I'll have to give it another listen.
I recall really enjoying some of the songs, but found others quite unremarkable.
I'm still a fan, but really consider Rumors their pinnacle (for some reason I lost interest in them after Tusk).

MAXZ28
12-31-2008, 03:09 PM
I'm a big fan of Say You Will. Never get tired of listening to it.

onepixel
12-31-2008, 03:33 PM
I've been a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac since the mid-70s. Ever since I've managed to collect most of their albums. Including a number of solo albums. The characters and music have changed dramtically at times over the years but I still love em!

btw... I found this post while spinning Tusk.

musichal
12-31-2008, 05:02 PM
Okay, I need to check out Say You Will. Any of you from the '70s Bare Trees, Heroes, and Mystery to Me fans? Not trying to hijack, thanks for pointing out something I've missed.

onepixel
12-31-2008, 05:10 PM
Okay, I need to check out Say You Will. Any of you from the '70s Bare Trees, Heroes, and Mystery to Me fans? Not trying to hijack, thanks for pointing out something I've missed.

Earlier I played Bare Trees and Tango in the Night.

I feel Tango in the Night is a sleeper. It's a bit more "jazzy" then most, but the sonics of this pressing is superb.

chuckworkb
12-31-2008, 05:20 PM
Say You Will is very good, and I listen to it fairly often.

Still miss Christine McVie though. It doesn't seem the same without her.

I picked up Rumors about 2 weeks ago on vinyl, from a used LP store, that is one of my favorites.

musichal
12-31-2008, 09:36 PM
onepixel - agree on Tango; as regards Bare Trees - whatever happened to Welch, anyway?

Quint
01-01-2009, 11:13 AM
Despite Christine’s absence, Say You Will is a very good effort. I still think the band misses her vocal presence—what band wouldn’t?—but Lindsey and Stevie (particularly Lindsey) did a great job keeping the boat afloat for this one. I personally feel that they need one more voice to fill out their sound, and last year’s rumors about their effort to find a third singer seem to bear this out. That said, the band continues to churn out great music, and Say You Will continues that legacy.

Speaking of Bob Welch, I lost track of him after “Ebony Eyes” and “Sentimental Lady.” Unfortunately, many others seemed to as well. Not sure what he’s doing lately.

IXLR8
01-01-2009, 05:54 PM
Earlier I played Bare Trees and Tango in the Night.

I feel Tango in the Night is a sleeper. It's a bit more "jazzy" then most, but the sonics of this pressing is superb.

Totally agree as to the sonics on Tango In The Night and the music and songs are excellent. Fleetwoood Mac had a great nack of being able to adjust their music with the times.

Dr. Music
01-02-2009, 01:27 AM
Despite Christine’s absence, Say You Will is a very good effort. I still think the band misses her vocal presence—what band wouldn’t?—but Lindsey and Stevie (particularly Lindsey) did a great job keeping the boat afloat for this one. I personally feel that they need one more voice to fill out their sound, and last year’s rumors about their effort to find a third singer seem to bear this out. That said, the band continues to churn out great music, and Say You Will continues that legacy.

I think it would be a huge task to find someone to be that third voice and find acceptance from the masses.

I missed McVie's wonderful voice for sure, but found myself happy enough with the pared down version of Mac. It did give Lindsey some room to shine, and Stevie was the Stevie we know on the album, which is just fine by me.

When Lindsey left the band brought in two new members, Rick Vito and Billy Burnette.... then Stevie left and we had a lineup that included Burnette, Bekka Bramlett and Dave Mason. I dunno. Just seems like without the Rumors lineup its hard for the band to find a forgiving audience?

I think it would be hard to replace Christine, for sure.

Quint
01-02-2009, 08:03 AM
I think it would be a huge task to find someone to be that third voice and find acceptance from the masses.

I missed McVie's wonderful voice for sure, but found myself happy enough with the pared down version of Mac. It did give Lindsey some room to shine, and Stevie was the Stevie we know on the album, which is just fine by me.

When Lindsey left the band brought in two new members, Rick Vito and Billy Burnette.... then Stevie left and we had a lineup that included Burnette, Bekka Bramlett and Dave Mason. I dunno. Just seems like without the Rumors lineup its hard for the band to find a forgiving audience?

I think it would be hard to replace Christine, for sure.

Granted, it’s gonna be nigh impossible to find a third singer that can match Christine’s effortless grace and unbelievably sweet voice, but maybe they can find someone that allows them to go in a different direction vocally and steer the band into new sonic territory? Lindsey’s never been afraid of taking chances, and this could be an opportunity to shake things up. Whether it’s accepted by the masses is another proposition altogether. But as long as the band contains Lindsey, Stevie, Mick, and John—and I think Lindsey and Stevie are the keys here—most people will accept it as Fleetwood Mac. I don’t think the addition of a third singer will be a deal-breaker for most.

sully1801
01-02-2009, 09:51 AM
Granted, it’s gonna be nigh impossible to find a third singer that can match Christine’s effortless grace and unbelievably sweet voice, but maybe they can find someone that allows them to go in a different direction vocally and steer the band into new sonic territory? Lindsey’s never been afraid of taking chances, and this could be an opportunity to shake things up. Whether it’s accepted by the masses is another proposition altogether. But as long as the band contains Lindsey, Stevie, Mick, and John—and I think Lindsey and Stevie are the keys here—most people will accept it as Fleetwood Mac. I don’t think the addition of a third singer will be a deal-breaker for most.

Rumour had it (pun intended...) that Sheryl Crow was going to join up with FM for their next go around (new tour starting in March '09) but unfortunately it doesn't appear that will materialize.
That's a shame, I enjoy listening to both FM & Sheryl, she's done quite a bit of music together with Stevie, so I think she could really gel with the band.
Co-existing with Lindsey might be the challange thou...

Dr. Music
01-02-2009, 03:54 PM
Rumour had it (pun intended...) that Sheryl Crow was going to join up with FM for their next go around (new tour starting in March '09) but unfortunately it doesn't appear that will materialize.
That's a shame, I enjoy listening to both FM & Sheryl, she's done quite a bit of music together with Stevie, so I think she could really gel with the band.
Co-existing with Lindsey might be the challange thou...

THAT would be a third singer people would accept! The great thing about Sheryl is the fact that she grew up on FM and other classic rock artists and is unabashed in her respect for them. She certainly did a helluva job with Stevie on her last solo album to date.

One thing that just occurred to me is...... I wonder if they were looking for that third singer because the band is aging and there is a need to give their voices a bit more of a break during touring.

Dr. Music
01-02-2009, 03:57 PM
Granted, it’s gonna be nigh impossible to find a third singer that can match Christine’s effortless grace and unbelievably sweet voice, but maybe they can find someone that allows them to go in a different direction vocally and steer the band into new sonic territory? Lindsey’s never been afraid of taking chances, and this could be an opportunity to shake things up. Whether it’s accepted by the masses is another proposition altogether. But as long as the band contains Lindsey, Stevie, Mick, and John—and I think Lindsey and Stevie are the keys here—most people will accept it as Fleetwood Mac. I don’t think the addition of a third singer will be a deal-breaker for most.

I agree with you, Quint. As long as they keep the core members they have now, a third singer would be accepted, or at least tolerated, by the fans.

sully1801
01-02-2009, 06:06 PM
...and just to keep this tread "on track"...
Say You Will is a great Fleetwood Mac album, and Sheryl Crow is a contributor on it.
I played the you know what out of it when it 1st came out, as I do with pretty much everything they've released since Rumours.
I have a special place in my heart for this CD beacuse a friend of mine & I scored front row & center stage tickets to their Albany NY concert that followed the release. We bought them about an hour before the show a couple blocks from the arena for $50 less than face value...I even got to shake hands with Lindsey Buckingham. Looking forward to seeing them again there, although the seats won't be nearly as good, the band never disappoints.

Dr. Music
01-05-2009, 01:27 AM
...and just to keep this tread "on track"...
Say You Will is a great Fleetwood Mac album, and Sheryl Crow is a contributor

Yeah, getting back on track :)....... this really is an incredible album in its own right. As far as production is concerned it has Lindsey's name written all over it. Very diverse and in fact a great showcase for anyone who wants to give a piece of audio equipment a good workout, in their own home or for auditioning purposes. The playing on this set is exceptional, and the sound staging/separation is incredible.