There are still a few bands or artists out there that I haven’t seen live yet (managed to cross Lou Reed off that list this summer) but I think 2009 will be the year that I can finally see at least two more bands from my own personal hit list. I should go ahead and detail out that full list for you and the reasons why those artists or bands are worthy or still relevant today but that’s a long post that will have to be published later!

Ever heard the alternate version of Fleetwood Mac’s “You Make Lovin’ Fun”, which was released on the remastered and expanded Rumoursa few years ago? It’s a revelation in why this band is unique as it strips back some of the high sheen gloss of the original album version and also provides a glimpse into the Mac’s creative processess.   

Notice that as the track fades in the band are in the middle of a jam before Mick Fleetwood snares in the start of the song. Here is where you can appreciate the rock solid rhythm section that is John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. McVie’s bass line chugs the song along into action while Buckingham adds in some fluid guitar riffs.  Mix all that in with Christine McVie’s grooving organ and the song kicks off with a very organic flavor and feel.

One major difference on this version compared to the album released version are the punched up harmony vocals of Stevie Nicks.  In the original album version, as Christine McVie extolls the joy of finding new love, Stevie chimes in with “It’s all I wanna do”.  But the alternate version has more heart!  Listen to Nicks’ honey sweet alternating harmony lines, “Beginning to wonder why” and then “I’m feeling it’s time to try”.  So much better than the originally released version. 

The first guitar break is also somewhat different; with the band slowing the tempo slightly and Buckingham stretching out a bit.  His soon to follow solo lines are not quite as fluid as the album version but just as effective, if not more so.

Fleetwood Mac last toured in 2002-2003 in North America with a few dates in the UK and Europe which I sadly had to miss as I was living in South Africa at the time.  I did pick up the Fleetwood Mac – Live in Boston DVD that was released after the tour and you really do feel something is missing without Christine McVie.  She had opted out of the tour and instead chose to retire to a more quiet country life in the UK.  As a result, we didn’t hear so many of her great songs including “You Make Loving Fun” and “Say You Love Me”.  But, if you are a Fleetwood Mac fan, you can overcome this because so much magic and talent is still overtly present, Fleetwood and John McVie in lock step and the ever evolving and continuing saga of the Buckingham/Nicks dynamic. 

Lindsey Buckingham has recently released another excellent solo album, Gift Of Screws and the accompanying press coverage and interviews have confirmed that rumours swirling around another Fleetwood Mac regrouping are true.  The band (unfortunately again minus Miss McVie) plan to reconvene after the new year to rehearse for a US tour to commence in the spring of 2009.  Buckingham has said that if things go well a new album could also follow.

I plan to finally see them this time around.

Fleetwood Mac’s “You Make Loving Fun”.