I suspect you may have some questions.
‘Wait … didn’t you just write about this album a month ago?’
Yes. Well … sort of. In a way. But also … no, not really.
‘Is that a different cover? I don’t remember Mick looking like that, or staring directly at the camera.’
Your memory serves you well. This is the ‘alternate’ version of Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled ‘75 breakthrough.
First included with deluxe CD repackages of platinum-sellers from the group’s most successful phase, Rhino Records eventually issued these disused demos and early editions as their own discrete discs across a series of Record Store Days. Last year they rounded them up as an RSD box set.
‘Do these really merit individual posts?’
Obviously I say yes. What’s the point of this deep dive into the career of the late great Christine McVie if I’m leaving available scraps on the shelf without commentary and analysis?
‘Fine. But is there anything here worth hearing?’
Definitely, and vinyl isn’t essential to do so; it’s all streaming.
Sticking strictly to Christine’s material, you’ll encounter more nakedly unguarded performances of ‘Over My Head’ and ‘Sugar Daddy’ and familiar yet intriguing renditions of ‘Warm Ways’ and ‘Say You Love Me’ that are awfully close to being finished, plus you can peek in on the developing interplay between McVie and Lindsey Buckingham on ‘World Turning.’
Beyond that there are rawer revelations within ‘Rhiannon’ and ‘Landslide’ and ‘I’m So Afraid’ and a fully acoustic ‘Crystal’ that let us hear their authors navigating new melodies before locking in master takes. It isn’t as enlightening an experience as, say, the Beatles sorting out their Get Back sessions, but it’s still a unique thrill to eavesdrop on rehearsals.
‘If you say so. Why not just mention this in comments?’
Why not, indeed.