zamboni
Footballguy
I’m in that boat. Was never a huge Elton fan, even though I have considerable respect for his career output. This song is a true powerhouse.
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The 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All Time: #1. Sticky Fingers (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter timschochet
- Start date
I hope you know I was poking fun. BTW - thumbs up on Tumbleweed. Such an underrated album.
timschochet
Footballguy
I still remember when I first listened to it all the way through. It was about 20 years ago when I saw Dog Day Afternoon, which features “Amoreena” in the opening sequence, Such a great song.
Tau837
Footballguy
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Elton kicked off his show with this when George Harrison died and dedicated it to him. Likely the best opener for any concert I have gone to (out of hundreds of shows). We were in the first five rows, and Elton was emotional and inspired. It was eerie with the band starting to play in the dark, the subdued lighting, smoke / dry ice, and then switching to a lone spotlight on his initial piano intro. They kept adding more of everything as the song built up. Then they switched on banks of lights out at the crowd when the main guitar kicked in. Quite the treat for a show 8 miles from my house.
It's amazing when performers dig deep and have nights where they give it their all. I've seen EJ many times over the years, and this particular night it was like he was back in 1973 playing at MSG. His other shows were all very good, but several of them had stretches where it seemed like his heart wasn't as into it.
Elton BTW played piano on Harrison's Cloud Nine album. Even though George wasn't that big of a fan of Elton's music, the two apparently became good friends over the years.
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FairWarning
Footballguy
Yellow Brick Road was the first album I ever bought. I still have it.
FairWarning
Footballguy
I love deep dish pizza.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the only Elton album I ever owned on CD, was always a mixed bag for me, but the highs on it are pretty great and definitely among the best songs he ever did.
timschochet
Footballguy
seriously?
Tau837
Footballguy
I will admit, I wouldn't naturally characterize Elton John music as "classic rock". Seems more like pop rock / soft rock.
Yeah. What age are you Tim? My parents loved Neil Diamond, Sinatra, and Elton John.
And no qualms where you ranked this (other than being in front of BiB and VH). Just never seem like rock to me.. As @Just Win Baby said, soft rock or pop that bleed over on occasion to classic rock stations.
timschochet
Footballguy
35. The Beatles- Let It Be (1970)
Classic rock radio hits: Get Back, Let It Be, Across the Universe, The Long And Winding Road, Two of Us
The Beatles last album is generally regarded as their weakest post Sgt, Pepper effort, partly due to the whole Phil Spector controversy, and partly because at times this seems like a real hodgepodge of songs with a few fillers thrown in, some of them not so great. Even so, at its best it’s extraordinary, and like the other 4 Beatles albums of their late era, it gets a well deserved spot on the upper level of this list.
Two of Us
A very pleasant mostly acoustic song to open the record. Anyone see the tv movie with this title about 20 years back in which John and Paul get together in 1975? I thought it was pretty good.
Dig A Pony
Excellent bluesy song by John recorded live on the rooftop. Love the guitar solo at the start of this.
Across the Universe
One of John’s most gorgeous songs, but the overproduction by Spector does hamper it a little bit. Still an absolute classic.
I Me Mine
George apparently liked this so much that he used it as the title of his autobiography. It’s a fine song though the chorus seems a little lazy.
Dig It
Short interlude which I’ve always loved. Wish it was longer.
Let It Be
John’s gospel song. Of course I love it. Especially the guitar solo in the middle. Even after all these years it’s still inspirational and awesome.
Maggie Mae
More filler and unnecessary.
I’ve Got A Feeling
My favorite Beatles song of all time. But last year I went to see Paul perform at So Fi Stadium and he performed it mixed in with a video of John’s live rooftop version. Which was cool but also a little creepy.
One After 909
A late 50s rock and roll type of song, filler and nothing special. Except from a historical perspective they seem to have a lot of fun playing it.
The Long and Winding Road
Over the years a lot of people have hated this. I love it, always have. I think it’s a beautiful ballad somewhat like his later “My Love” which I also adore. Sure it may be overproduced by Spector but I don’t care.
For You Blue
A George Harrison blues song and it’s terrific. Love the sound of this. Go Johnny go.
Get Back
One of the Beatles’ greatest and most classic rock songs. Hard not to love this. I especially enjoy the piano by Billy Preston. So good.
Classic rock radio hits: Get Back, Let It Be, Across the Universe, The Long And Winding Road, Two of Us
The Beatles last album is generally regarded as their weakest post Sgt, Pepper effort, partly due to the whole Phil Spector controversy, and partly because at times this seems like a real hodgepodge of songs with a few fillers thrown in, some of them not so great. Even so, at its best it’s extraordinary, and like the other 4 Beatles albums of their late era, it gets a well deserved spot on the upper level of this list.
Two of Us
A very pleasant mostly acoustic song to open the record. Anyone see the tv movie with this title about 20 years back in which John and Paul get together in 1975? I thought it was pretty good.
Dig A Pony
Excellent bluesy song by John recorded live on the rooftop. Love the guitar solo at the start of this.
Across the Universe
One of John’s most gorgeous songs, but the overproduction by Spector does hamper it a little bit. Still an absolute classic.
I Me Mine
George apparently liked this so much that he used it as the title of his autobiography. It’s a fine song though the chorus seems a little lazy.
Dig It
Short interlude which I’ve always loved. Wish it was longer.
Let It Be
John’s gospel song. Of course I love it. Especially the guitar solo in the middle. Even after all these years it’s still inspirational and awesome.
Maggie Mae
More filler and unnecessary.
I’ve Got A Feeling
My favorite Beatles song of all time. But last year I went to see Paul perform at So Fi Stadium and he performed it mixed in with a video of John’s live rooftop version. Which was cool but also a little creepy.
One After 909
A late 50s rock and roll type of song, filler and nothing special. Except from a historical perspective they seem to have a lot of fun playing it.
The Long and Winding Road
Over the years a lot of people have hated this. I love it, always have. I think it’s a beautiful ballad somewhat like his later “My Love” which I also adore. Sure it may be overproduced by Spector but I don’t care.
For You Blue
A George Harrison blues song and it’s terrific. Love the sound of this. Go Johnny go.
Get Back
One of the Beatles’ greatest and most classic rock songs. Hard not to love this. I especially enjoy the piano by Billy Preston. So good.
timschochet
Footballguy
I love Neil Diamond (my first concert as a kid). I greatly respect Frank. One of these is not like the others….
Eephus
Footballguy
Now you're talking
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Calling this their last album seems a bit strange, since many of the songs pre-dated Abbey Road, their true lastly recorded album.
I am iffy on this record. I have never liked Get Back or The Long and Winding Road, but love the title track and Across the Universe. Of the deep cuts, Dig a Pony is the only one that sticks with me.
I am iffy on this record. I have never liked Get Back or The Long and Winding Road, but love the title track and Across the Universe. Of the deep cuts, Dig a Pony is the only one that sticks with me.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
If you saw the Get Back documentary a couple of years ago, it gets a little more complicated. At least half of the songs they were shown working through in the studio ended up on Abbey Road. So, many of the Abbey Road songs predated Let It Be's release.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
True, but I just mean that Let It Be is kind of a hodgepodge of songs thrown on to an album.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Turns out, so is Abbey Road. I think it happens more often than many want to realize.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Probably true. I am admittedly a little fuzzy on my Beatles history at this point, but I thought I remembered them going in to make Abbey Road knowing it would be their last real studio album and thus tried to make it their best (and they did, IMO).
northern exposure
Footballguy
Watching the Get Back documentary gave me a greater appreciation for the Let It Be album. So much turmoil going on within the band. Yet they all pull it together and look like they're having a blast with the rooftop concert.
DocHolliday
Footballguy
Neil Diamond is incredible. I start my day with Neil tunes once every ten days or so. Tomorrow is going to be one of those days.
timschochet
Footballguy
34. The Doors- L.A. Woman (1971)
Classic rock radio hits: L.A. Woman, Riders On the Storm, Love Her Madly
I believe this last album by The Doors is their finest, slightly better than their debut, because it’s a more mature effort with overall better songs. Also, perhaps because Jim Morrison was really messed up at this point, (though sober in the studio) his voice sounds heavier, gravelly with better effect. Finally this is essentially a blues album.
The Changeling
Featuring some of the best ever keyboards by Manzarek.
Love Her Madly
One of their most played songs. Great rock and roll.
Been Down So Long
One of their best blues numbers. Great lead guitar by Robby Krieger.
Cars Hiss By My Window
More excellent blues, slowed down. There are of course a lot of great blues bands in this countdown, but the Doors at their best measure up.
L. A. Woman
One of their signature songs. The opening is incredibly awesome, but the whole thing is great. Everything clicks here.
L’America
This dark deep cut predated goth rock by about a decade but would fit right in on a Bauhaus record.
Hyacinth House
Another of my favorites by this band. I love the sound of this tune.
Crawling King Snake
Exquisite blues guitar here. And Morrison’s vocals are superb.
The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)
And even more straight up blues, with Jim talking his way through it while Ray plays a solo for the ages.
Riders On The Storm
My all time favorite Doors song. It’s actually more slow blues. Adding the sound of the rain is perfect. The combination of bass and keyboards at the beginning is perfect.
Classic rock radio hits: L.A. Woman, Riders On the Storm, Love Her Madly
I believe this last album by The Doors is their finest, slightly better than their debut, because it’s a more mature effort with overall better songs. Also, perhaps because Jim Morrison was really messed up at this point, (though sober in the studio) his voice sounds heavier, gravelly with better effect. Finally this is essentially a blues album.
The Changeling
Featuring some of the best ever keyboards by Manzarek.
Love Her Madly
One of their most played songs. Great rock and roll.
Been Down So Long
One of their best blues numbers. Great lead guitar by Robby Krieger.
Cars Hiss By My Window
More excellent blues, slowed down. There are of course a lot of great blues bands in this countdown, but the Doors at their best measure up.
L. A. Woman
One of their signature songs. The opening is incredibly awesome, but the whole thing is great. Everything clicks here.
L’America
This dark deep cut predated goth rock by about a decade but would fit right in on a Bauhaus record.
Hyacinth House
Another of my favorites by this band. I love the sound of this tune.
Crawling King Snake
Exquisite blues guitar here. And Morrison’s vocals are superb.
The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)
And even more straight up blues, with Jim talking his way through it while Ray plays a solo for the ages.
Riders On The Storm
My all time favorite Doors song. It’s actually more slow blues. Adding the sound of the rain is perfect. The combination of bass and keyboards at the beginning is perfect.
Stoneworker
Footballguy
Iconic
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I have never heard this record (I think their debut is the only Doors album I know in full), but Love Her Madly was one of those "OMG, this is amazing" the first time I heard it when I was discovering classic rock. Riders on the Storm is also fantastic; a great rainy day song.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
The Doors get a lot of flack from a big segment of rock fandom, but I dig their work.
FairWarning
Footballguy
The WASP is a great deep cut on LA woman.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Yep, to be clear, I like the Doors, and went through a big binge with them when I was 18/19 (the girlfriend I had loved them as well, so that was one of our go-to bands together), but no one I knew was telling me to get the studio albums. I had the double CD best of, which seemed to be a great representation and supposedly had their best stuff, so I never had someone nudging me to explore deeper.
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
I guess I'm one of those. I flat out don't get it. The Doors are not my thing. I like the song LA Woman especially the guitar riffs paired with the piano. But the album , meh I guess I'm the idiot here because most people like them.
timschochet
Footballguy
33. George Harrison- All Things Must Pass (1970)
Classic rock radio hits: My Sweet Lord, What Is Life, Isn’t It A Pity, Wah-Wah, All Things Must Pass
Harrison’s triple sided album is easily the best of the ex-Beatles solo records. If it was a double album it would be ranked about ten spots higher on this list, maybe even more. But the last 2 sides of this record are mainly long instrumentals by the Apple Jam band: incredible musicians all, (including most of what would soon become Derek and the Dominoes) but not very interesting music.
I’d Have You Anytime
Sweet jazzy ballad sets the tone for what is to come.
My Sweet Lord
This gorgeous piece of gospel might be Harrison’s best song. A true classic and always great to listen to.
Wah-Wah
Terrific rock with a great opening riff. Said to be about Paul’s whining during the Let It Be sessions…
Isn’t It A Pity (version 1)
Yet another classic. Just a beautiful ballad.
What Is Life
After My Sweet Lord the biggest shot off the record. And it’s a great rock and roll tune.
If Not For You
One of my favorite Bob Dylan songs, though I much prefer Dylan’s own version from New Morning (not sure which version appeared first.)
Behind That Locked Door
Country tune. Great melody.
Let It Down
After a horn filled intro this turns out to be another lovely jazzy ballad.
Run of the Mill
Who knew George had this many great songs in him? Another gorgeous melody.
Beware of Darkness
More effortless great pop.
Apple Scruffs
Folkie goodness with a fine harmonica.
Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
Sounds a little like Mr. Bojangles. Another excellent song and performance.
Awaiting On You All
Another great tune that could have easily been a radio hit.
All Things Must Pass
Probably my favorite tune by this artist. Love the melody and the lyrics are, obviously, timeless.
I Dig Love
Another personal favorite- bluesy and I really like the drums here.
Act of Dying
Funky and the hardest rock song on this mainly soft rock album.
Isn’t It A Pity (version 2)
Less acoustic guitars and more subdued than the first version. I actually love both and can’t decide between them.
Hear Me Lord
More gospel. Harrison also helped write Billy Preston’s great “That’s the Way God Planned It” at the same time and this tune sounds a little like that.
As I wrote, the rest of the album is instrumental (with the exception of a short novelty birthday tune for John Lennon) and not very interesting.
Classic rock radio hits: My Sweet Lord, What Is Life, Isn’t It A Pity, Wah-Wah, All Things Must Pass
Harrison’s triple sided album is easily the best of the ex-Beatles solo records. If it was a double album it would be ranked about ten spots higher on this list, maybe even more. But the last 2 sides of this record are mainly long instrumentals by the Apple Jam band: incredible musicians all, (including most of what would soon become Derek and the Dominoes) but not very interesting music.
I’d Have You Anytime
Sweet jazzy ballad sets the tone for what is to come.
My Sweet Lord
This gorgeous piece of gospel might be Harrison’s best song. A true classic and always great to listen to.
Wah-Wah
Terrific rock with a great opening riff. Said to be about Paul’s whining during the Let It Be sessions…
Isn’t It A Pity (version 1)
Yet another classic. Just a beautiful ballad.
What Is Life
After My Sweet Lord the biggest shot off the record. And it’s a great rock and roll tune.
If Not For You
One of my favorite Bob Dylan songs, though I much prefer Dylan’s own version from New Morning (not sure which version appeared first.)
Behind That Locked Door
Country tune. Great melody.
Let It Down
After a horn filled intro this turns out to be another lovely jazzy ballad.
Run of the Mill
Who knew George had this many great songs in him? Another gorgeous melody.
Beware of Darkness
More effortless great pop.
Apple Scruffs
Folkie goodness with a fine harmonica.
Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
Sounds a little like Mr. Bojangles. Another excellent song and performance.
Awaiting On You All
Another great tune that could have easily been a radio hit.
All Things Must Pass
Probably my favorite tune by this artist. Love the melody and the lyrics are, obviously, timeless.
I Dig Love
Another personal favorite- bluesy and I really like the drums here.
Act of Dying
Funky and the hardest rock song on this mainly soft rock album.
Isn’t It A Pity (version 2)
Less acoustic guitars and more subdued than the first version. I actually love both and can’t decide between them.
Hear Me Lord
More gospel. Harrison also helped write Billy Preston’s great “That’s the Way God Planned It” at the same time and this tune sounds a little like that.
As I wrote, the rest of the album is instrumental (with the exception of a short novelty birthday tune for John Lennon) and not very interesting.
rockaction
Footballguy
Needless to say by the posts I just deleted, "My Sweet Lord" doesn't exactly ring my emotional, intellectual, or spiritual bell.
But a heck of a memorable tune.
But a heck of a memorable tune.
zamboni
Footballguy
He's so fine.
I like your commentaries but can't get on board with just excluding an entire chunk of an album. Especially because I disagree with your assessment. "Plug Me In," "I Remember Jeep," and "Thanks for the Pepperoni" are all killer jams, and in my mind more interesting than "My Sweet Lord."
And while this album is incredible, I'd contend Harrison's best solo song isn't even on it. "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace)" has the emotional vibe of "My Sweet Lord" but is much more musically interesting.
timschochet
Footballguy
32. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- Damn The Torpedoes (1979)
Classic rock radio hits: Refugee, Don’t Do Me Like That, Here Comes My Girl, Even The Losers
This is Tom Petty’s finest moment, his breakthrough and best album. The songs are all high quality rock without exception, there is no filler, and the performances are incredibly tight. It’s a magical record and remains great to listen to (which I do all the time.)
Refugee
All of the elements for the classic Petty hit are here: the power chords by Mike Campbell, the strong and tight rhythm section, the soaring chorus, Petty’s distinct vocals and solid writing. Tailor made to be a rock hit and it was.
Here Comes My Girl
You can hear the influence of the Byrds, especially in the chorus, with its 12 string Rickenbacker and jingle jangle melody. McGuinn was proud.
Have to run, more songs later.
Classic rock radio hits: Refugee, Don’t Do Me Like That, Here Comes My Girl, Even The Losers
This is Tom Petty’s finest moment, his breakthrough and best album. The songs are all high quality rock without exception, there is no filler, and the performances are incredibly tight. It’s a magical record and remains great to listen to (which I do all the time.)
Refugee
All of the elements for the classic Petty hit are here: the power chords by Mike Campbell, the strong and tight rhythm section, the soaring chorus, Petty’s distinct vocals and solid writing. Tailor made to be a rock hit and it was.
Here Comes My Girl
You can hear the influence of the Byrds, especially in the chorus, with its 12 string Rickenbacker and jingle jangle melody. McGuinn was proud.
Have to run, more songs later.
zamboni
Footballguy
Great pick. You'll get to it, but "Louisiana Rain" is among the most unheralded great songs of his IMO.
timschochet
Footballguy
Even The Losers
Another great radio hit. I especially love how in the second verse he rhymes all 4 lines to each other- nice technique.
Shadow of a Doubt (A Complex Kid)
And this SHOULD have been a radio hit- maybe it was in a few places. It’s also great rock and roll.
Century City
I really like the song, I don’t like the place much. It annoys me because there is no easy way to get there from the freeways so every time I have to go there (2-3 times a year it seems like) I have to add about 45 minutes to driving time, twice that during peak hours. Needless to say I am NOT gonna live in Century City.
Don’t Do Me Like That
One of the catchiest hits of his entire career. I’m helpless not to sing along any time I hear it.
You Tell Me
Tremendous deep cut. Just an excellent rock song.
What Are You Doin’ In My Life
See directly above. Rinse and repeat.
Louisiana Rain
I agree with @zamboni. One of my all time favorite Petty songs. Tremendous.
Another great radio hit. I especially love how in the second verse he rhymes all 4 lines to each other- nice technique.
Shadow of a Doubt (A Complex Kid)
And this SHOULD have been a radio hit- maybe it was in a few places. It’s also great rock and roll.
Century City
I really like the song, I don’t like the place much. It annoys me because there is no easy way to get there from the freeways so every time I have to go there (2-3 times a year it seems like) I have to add about 45 minutes to driving time, twice that during peak hours. Needless to say I am NOT gonna live in Century City.
Don’t Do Me Like That
One of the catchiest hits of his entire career. I’m helpless not to sing along any time I hear it.
You Tell Me
Tremendous deep cut. Just an excellent rock song.
What Are You Doin’ In My Life
See directly above. Rinse and repeat.
Louisiana Rain
I agree with @zamboni. One of my all time favorite Petty songs. Tremendous.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
At the time of its release, Damn The Torpedoes was played like a Greatest Hits LP. Like ZoSo or Thriller or Boston.
Tim's got it right with the Big Four being CR staples (once that format opened up), but I hear "Louisiana Rain" more now on the radio than any of the others. That's on AAA listener-supported channels, though.
Tim's got it right with the Big Four being CR staples (once that format opened up), but I hear "Louisiana Rain" more now on the radio than any of the others. That's on AAA listener-supported channels, though.
Tau837
Footballguy
Petty is among my top 5 favorite artists of all time. I agree with all the good things you said about Damn The Torpedoes, but IMO it is not his best album. It is his best during the time period you are using for this exercise, though.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Agreed. Wildflowers is his best album by a pretty wide margin, IMO. Petty is more of a songs artist than an album one for me, but Wildflowers is the one album of his I will listen to from start to finish regularly. Full Moon Fever and Damn the Torpedoes probably round out the top 3, but both have what I consider a few skippers.
timschochet
Footballguy
Whaddya got? Full Moon Fever? Wildflowers? Into The Great Wide Open? Southern Accents? I adore all 4 of those.
Tau837
Footballguy
Agree on Wildflowers. Also agree that FMF and DTT are among the top few albums. I also like Into the Great Wide Open, Highway Companion, and Southern Accents a lot (not in any particular order).
Tau837
Footballguy
See my previous post. Wildflowers is #1 for me.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Would like to know your favorites. Probably worthy of another thread.
timschochet
Footballguy
31. Fleetwood Mac- Fleetwood Mac (1975)
Classic rock radio hits: Rhiannon, Say You Love Me, Landslide, World Turning, Over My Head, Blue Letter, Sugar Daddy
This is the start of Chapter 3 for Fleetwood Mac. To recap:
In Chapter 1, an excellent British rhythm session (John McVie on bass, Mick Fleetwood on drums) teamed up with a few of the best blues players in England, led by the great Peter Green (“Black Magic Women”, among many others.) Together they released some terrific blues records in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Then Green left.
In Chapter 2, the rhythm section acquired two new songwriters: an American guitarist named Bob Welch who was a fairly good easy listening artist (“Sentimental Lady”) and a British keyboardist named Christine Perfect who was destined to become a brilliant writer of pop and soft rock (“Spare Me A Little” was her first excellent tune in this direction). Later on, Perfect married the bass player and became Christine McVie. Then Welch left.
In Chapter 3 the band was joined by two more brilliant American songwriters, guitarist Lindsay Buckingham, and folkie Stevie Nicks, who were also a couple. Now with 3 of the best songwriters in the business, Fleetwood Mac exploded in 1975 with a new sound and a legendary album which almost immediately dominated rock radio.
Monday Morning
Buckingham- Terrific folk rock tune begins the record.
Warm Ways
C. McVie- Great effortless pop song,
Blue Letter
Buckingham- incredibly catchy pop rock.
Rhiannon
Nicks- One of the great classic rock songs of the 70s. Timeless, awesome.
Over My Head
C. McVie- More effortless and sublime soft rock.
Crystal
Buckingham- A very pretty ballad, though not IMO at the high level of most of the other tunes on this record.
Say You Love Me
C. McVie- A rock song which is one of the highlights of her songwriting career. I love the Byrds like Rickenbacker that comes in around the middle. So good,
Landslide
Nicks- One of the best rock ballads and acoustic songs of all time. Legendary.
World Turning
Buckingham- it’s a signature move by this writer for some of his tunes fo start off quietly and then explode. This is one of his very best,
Sugar Daddy
C. McVie- More great rock by Christine. Her vocals shine here.
I’m So Afraid
Buckingham- Rock song designed to show off his guitar playing skills which are prodigious. But, like Crystal, I feel this tune is ordinary compared to the rest of the album.
Final count- Buckingham 5, C. McVie 4, Nicks 2. Only 2 for Nicks but those 2 songs are simply incredible.
Classic rock radio hits: Rhiannon, Say You Love Me, Landslide, World Turning, Over My Head, Blue Letter, Sugar Daddy
This is the start of Chapter 3 for Fleetwood Mac. To recap:
In Chapter 1, an excellent British rhythm session (John McVie on bass, Mick Fleetwood on drums) teamed up with a few of the best blues players in England, led by the great Peter Green (“Black Magic Women”, among many others.) Together they released some terrific blues records in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Then Green left.
In Chapter 2, the rhythm section acquired two new songwriters: an American guitarist named Bob Welch who was a fairly good easy listening artist (“Sentimental Lady”) and a British keyboardist named Christine Perfect who was destined to become a brilliant writer of pop and soft rock (“Spare Me A Little” was her first excellent tune in this direction). Later on, Perfect married the bass player and became Christine McVie. Then Welch left.
In Chapter 3 the band was joined by two more brilliant American songwriters, guitarist Lindsay Buckingham, and folkie Stevie Nicks, who were also a couple. Now with 3 of the best songwriters in the business, Fleetwood Mac exploded in 1975 with a new sound and a legendary album which almost immediately dominated rock radio.
Monday Morning
Buckingham- Terrific folk rock tune begins the record.
Warm Ways
C. McVie- Great effortless pop song,
Blue Letter
Buckingham- incredibly catchy pop rock.
Rhiannon
Nicks- One of the great classic rock songs of the 70s. Timeless, awesome.
Over My Head
C. McVie- More effortless and sublime soft rock.
Crystal
Buckingham- A very pretty ballad, though not IMO at the high level of most of the other tunes on this record.
Say You Love Me
C. McVie- A rock song which is one of the highlights of her songwriting career. I love the Byrds like Rickenbacker that comes in around the middle. So good,
Landslide
Nicks- One of the best rock ballads and acoustic songs of all time. Legendary.
World Turning
Buckingham- it’s a signature move by this writer for some of his tunes fo start off quietly and then explode. This is one of his very best,
Sugar Daddy
C. McVie- More great rock by Christine. Her vocals shine here.
I’m So Afraid
Buckingham- Rock song designed to show off his guitar playing skills which are prodigious. But, like Crystal, I feel this tune is ordinary compared to the rest of the album.
Final count- Buckingham 5, C. McVie 4, Nicks 2. Only 2 for Nicks but those 2 songs are simply incredible.
Willy
Footballguy
Monday Morning was in heavy rotation on the CR stations I listened to in the 80s-90s.
Fleetwood Mac was a band I didn't admit to liking back in the day. They seemed a little too mainstream and on the soft rock side for me. The funny thing is, I always found myself enjoying most of their music, especially Buckingham's contributions. They had a heck of a run in the 70s.
Fleetwood Mac was a band I didn't admit to liking back in the day. They seemed a little too mainstream and on the soft rock side for me. The funny thing is, I always found myself enjoying most of their music, especially Buckingham's contributions. They had a heck of a run in the 70s.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
WXPN Philly
KUTX Austin
KCSN S Cal
WEVL Memphis
Those are the 4 I listen to the most. All are streamable. The first 3 have many of the same core artists - your basic AAA lineup - then add a lot of local spice. They also do a nice job with legacy music.
WEVL is different, in that it's formatted the way radio was in the 40s & 50s. You have hosts play in two or three hour blocks, each with their own sound. So you might hear 2 hours of a blues show, 2 hours of classic country, an hour of Christian metal (Sunday mornings, IIRC), a folk show, all-Memphis music for 3 hours, etc....
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I was a teenager when Fleetwood Mac (& Rumors) came out. I liked most of the songs, but didn't really get what they were doing because they were writing about adult concerns and I was a 13 year-old nimrod.
These are great songs and this is one of the best bang-for-your-buck LPs ever.
These are great songs and this is one of the best bang-for-your-buck LPs ever.
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