So, what have you been listening to lately?

[uwe]

Yes, he didn't even know scales. That did cause issues when he was supposed to replicate Blackmore's signature moody and dark neo-classical solos on stuff like Highway Star and Burn note for note on the few songs Purple retained from their old set (80% of the set was Come Taste The Band and even Bolin solo material). He just couldn't and didn't. Asian, Oceanian and US audiences were forgiving about that - in the UK, where Blackmore was regarded as somewhat of a deity, it fell flat on its arse. Bolin got booed and at the end of the UK tour (which initially was supposed to continue into Continental Europe after a short break), Coverdale, Lord and Paice threw the towel without telling Bolin and Hughes. The reviews had been scathing and I remember letters in the NME by enraged heavy metal fans comparing Tommy unfavorably to Ace Frehley as Kiss were touring the UK for the first time around then too.

Martin Birch, the longstanding DP engineer and producer, said that unlike Ritchie who would often retreat to work things out, Bolin "relied entirely on feel". But while he was relaxed and even experimental/overdub-happy in the studio, he froze on stage if an audience did not immediately take to him. And British audiences especially were feared as jaded, aloof and spoilt.

[westen44]

This makes Bolin even more comparable to Hendrix who also played by ear and relied totally on feel.  Lindsey Buckingham also plays by ear.  Of course he was never on the level of Hendrix or Bolin, but is still very good. 

[uwe]

I'm not sure that Lindsey isn't up there - he does things no other guitarist does or can do with the instrument. And he has Hendrix' driven and frantic ecstasy. Really good guitarists like Dave Mason and Mike Campbell couldn't give to Fleetwood Mac sonically what Lindsey gave them. And live his solos can really take you on a journey. I find him utterly remarkable and I'm not the greatest Fleetwood Mac fan on earth. Christine's pop on its own could sometimes be a little insubstantial, tuneful as it was, and Stevie is basically a one-trick-pony. Lindsey's guitar playing and Mick Fleetwood's drumming made Fleetwod Mac different to other bands.

[westen44]

Well, tell that to the rest of Fleetwood Mac, who decided that it would take two people to replace Buckingham. 

[uwe]

An ill decision of Frau Nicks if there ever was one - not just replacing him with two, but replacing him at all.

[westen44]

A decision which took them one step closer to becoming a Fleetwood Mac tribute band. and a not very good one at that.  Now that Christine McVie is gone, they might as well just give up.  I can't imagine going to see them in concert in this present situation. 

[uwe]

Well, it's the Stevie Nicks Band with a very good rhythm section then.

[Dave W]

Can I just put this here?

[uwe]

A love song by fans.

[westen44]

At this point, it really would be more authentic if they actually did call themselves the Stevie Nicks Band.  No joking. 

I looked at what the Rotters said about their song Fleetwood Mac tried to stop.  They said they didn't need more help in screwing everything up.  Because their music already sucked and they were also lazy.  (I'm paraphrasing).  I would say it didn't stop them from having a great sense of humor, however. 

[Dave W]

About 20 years ago, I had a brief email correspondence with Phester (Tom Chartier). He made it clear that in her current shape, he no longer wanted her to sit on his face. Hard to blame him for that.

[Dave W]

Mississippi rockabilly/country singer and novelist Mack Allen Smith has passed.

[westen44]

About 20 years ago, I had a brief email correspondence with Phester (Tom Chartier). He made it clear that in her current shape, he no longer wanted her to sit on his face. Hard to blame him for that.

I must agree. 

[westen44]

Mississippi rockabilly/country singer and novelist Mack Allen Smith has passed.

It's impossible to lighten the sadness of someone leaving.  But I appreciate the humor and absurdity of this song. 

Mack Allen Smith RIP

[uwe]

About 20 years ago, I had a brief email correspondence with Phester (Tom Chartier). He made it clear that in her current shape, he no longer wanted her to sit on his face. Hard to blame him for that.

I must agree.

You two are awful. I feel smothered by your posts in poor taste.