Are you sitting down? The eponymous 1975 Fleetwood Mac album, the first to include new members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham following Bob Welch’s departure, was released 50 years ago!
With the three remaining British members (Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie), and the infusion of that Buckingham-Nicks energy, the Mac, which had been around since 1967, finally achieved mainstream success and acclaim.
Regardless of whether or not such an auspicious anniversary was the reason for the release of the five-CD/six-LP box set “1975 to 1987” (Reprise/Warner Records), just enjoy the celebration. “Fleetwood Mac” (aka “The White Album”) not only includes chartbusters such as “Rhiannon,” “Over My Head,” and “Say You Love Me,” but also “Crystal” (which first appeared on 1973’s long out-of-print “Buckingham Nicks” album) and “Landslide.” Arriving two years later, in 1977, “Rumours” not only proved that the previous album wasn’t a fluke but improved on it in ways few could have imagined. The Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording featured the massive hit singles “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” and “You Make Loving Fun.” The aforementioned fun the band was having resulted in legendary substance abuse problems and the disintegration of relationships. Two more years passed before the release of the double LP album “Tusk” in 1979. A more experimental effort than its predecessors, for the first time, the band found itself alienating fans. However, those that stuck with them were rewarded with standout songs, including the hits “Sara” and the title track, to name a couple.
In between the release of “Tusk” and its 1982 follow-up “Mirage,” a double LP album “Live” was issued (containing the amazing song “Fireflies”) although not included in this reissue, and band members Nicks, Buckingham, and Fleetwood spread their wings and released solo albums (with Nicks’ being the most successful). Regrouping for “Mirage” proved to be a good thing, as the album topped the charts, powered by hit singles “Gypsy” and “Hold Me.” When the album “Tango In The Night” was released in 1987, marking the last time they would record as a quintet, Nicks and Buckingham’s solo careers were in full bloom. (Even Christine McVie had some success with a 1984 self-titled disc.) Regrouping once again proved to be fruitful as “Tango” yielded even more hit singles, including “Everywhere,” “Big Love,” and “Seven Wonders.” Keep in mind that this box set only includes studio albums, and the only bonus material can be found in the vinyl box set.
While three-fifths of Fleetwood Mac were British, they were, nevertheless, considered to be purveyors of the SoCal sound that was so dominant in the 1970s. Two other bands, The Byrds and the Eagles, were more native to the region. The Byrds, at their peak from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, launched several careers including those of David Crosby, Roger McGuinn, and Gene Clark. Clark, who died in 1991 at 46, only released a few solo albums and has become an artist rediscovered through reissues of his work. “So Rebellious A Lover” (Sunset Blvd Records), an album on which Clark collaborated with Carla Olson (of The Textones fame), is one such example. Originally released in 1987, the album sounds like an alt-country precursor. The pair’s voices work well together, and their cover of John Fogerty’s “Almost Saturday Night” is the musical equivalent of a good time. The powerful song “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos),” co-written by Woody Guthrie, is especially meaningful now and is essential listening. This reissue also includes eight bonus tracks.
Of all the Eagles’ members, it’s not too surprising that it was Don Henley who went on to attain the most success and popularity as a solo performer. Beginning with his underrated 1982 solo debut “I Can’t Stand Still,” Henley demonstrated that he was willing to color outside the lines. However, it was his 1984 follow-up, “Building The Perfect Beast” (Geffen), newly reissued in a remastered, 180-gram vinyl double LP 40th anniversary edition, that most perfectly embodied that aesthetic. Album opener and hit single, “The Boys of Summer,” illustrated just how far Henley had put the Eagles behind him. The same can be said for the synthesized keyboards and drums on “All She Wants to Do Is Dance,” as well as the stunning, near-epic “Sunset Grill.”
As Henley continued to keep things popping in LA in the mid-1980s, another music scene was on the rise more than 1100 miles to the north in Seattle. Led by the late Mia Zapata (please Google her name and read her tragic story!) punk band The Gits were Seattle-transplants from Ohio. Although active in the Pacific Northwest music scene, The Gits were neither a grunge nor a riot grrrl band. “Frenching The Bully” (SubPop), The Gits’ 1992 debut album has been given the reissue treatment. The music is as raw as Zapata’s lyrics, sung in her trademark feminist punk belt. Memorable numbers include “While You’re Twisting, I’m Still Breathing,” “Another Shot of Whiskey,” “Cut My Skin, It Makes Me Human,” and “Second Skin.”
Last, but certainly not least, as Diana Ross continues her concert tour, it’s important to remember that before she was a solo diva, she was part of a trio known as Diana Ross and the Supremes. “Reflections” (Motown), newly reissued on 140-gram virgin vinyl, was one of four (!) albums released by the group in 1968. It opens with the wonderful (and semi-psychedelic) title track hit single. The album also includes the hits “In and Out of Love” and “Forever Came Today,” as well as an unexpected selection of non-Holland-Dozier-Holland tunes such as Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode To Billie Joe,” Jimmy Webb’s “Up, Up and Away,” and Bachrach and David’s “What The World Needs Now Is Love.”
Diana Ross performs on March 21 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood.
