"Fleetwood Mac: 1969 to 1974" by FLEETWOOD MAC – Including the Albums "Then Play On" (1969), "Kiln House" (1970), "Future Games" (1971), "Bare Trees" (1972), "Penguin" (1973), "Mystery To Me" (1973), "Heroes Are Hard To Find" (1974) and the Previously Unreleased set "Live From The Record Plant – December 15, 1974" (September 2020 UK Warner Music/Rhino 8CD Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Artwork and 20 Bonus Tracks Overall – Justin Smith, Chris Bellman, Dan Hersch and Bill Inglot Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...A Fleeting Glance...Been And Gone..."

I suspect huge numbers of long-suffering Fleetwood Mac fans will absolutely love this 8CD Mini Clamshell Box Set - even if it does cover the British/American band's musically compromised period (there really are some dogs in here, two-to-three star music given five-star reissue, hence the four stars). Still, the new first-time Remasters on the six albums between 1970 and 1974 are fabulous ("Then Play On" from 1969 was done in 2013), the presentation is pretty good (card repros that ape their original vinyl releases including inserts), loads of excellent extras actually worth the moniker 'bonus', a Previously Unreleased Live Set from 1974 with the Bob Welch and Bob Weston line-up and all eight discs for just over thirty-quid (reasonable in September 2020). There is mucho to discuss, so let's have at the specs first...

 

CD BOX:

The "Then Play On" set is the 'exactly' the same as the August 2013 Expanded Edition CD reissue - Chris Bellman mastering and identical total playing time of 69:53 minutes - so this 2020 issue is nothing new or shall we say improved on that. That last Peter Green line-up album and the singles around it had a staggering convoluted history – so see my detailed separate review on "Then Play On" using Barcode 081227964436 to locate it on Amazon. Six of the original seven studio album CDs here have bonus tracks ("Penguin" is the exception, tracks details are outlined below) and the eight title is new – "Live From The Record Plant – December 15, 1974" – a concert at The Record Plant in Sausalito, California made during their US Tour for the "Heroes Are Hard To Find" LP. Originally the show was a simulcast on the legendary Rock Radio Station KSAN-FM in San Francisco.

 

Of the 20 Bonus Cuts (overall) on this Box set, 8 are Previously Unreleased. The Live CD is mastered by long-time Audio Engineer Associates to Rhino – DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT (done at D2 Mastering is L.A.). The "Kiln House" album has always been a huge fave of mine and here it is expanded to offer four perfect Bonus Tracks – the stand alone 45 from 1971 of "Dragonfly" by Danny Kirwan with its exclusive B-side "The Purple Dancer" unbelievably making its digital debut anywhere in the world in 2020 – alongside very cool 45-single edits of two album winners "Jewel Eyed Judy" and "Station Man".

 

ARTWORK

From the generic pictures advertising "Fleetwood Mac: 1969 to 1974" on Amazon and the Net in general - you could get the impression that the Mini LP Repro Art Card Sleeves are all singular issues. To my delight, they aren't. They follow the original releases. "Then Play On" therefore has its gatefold, "Kiln House" the same and to my amazement the rare 'Penguin' gatefold insert of band photos that came with original 1970 Reprise Records LP has been reproduced too - something even my Japanese SHM-CD Remaster hasn't got. "Future Games" and "Bare Trees" are singular cards as per the originals, "Penguin" has its gatefold as does "Mystery To Me" and its rare insert, "Heroes..." is singular and they've given appropriate artwork and a rather tasty gatefold to the new Previously Unreleased set "Live From The Record Plant - December 15, 1974" which runs to a pleasing 72:42 minutes. The 12-page booklet is pretty but unfortunately a fairly functional affair – pictures of the albums – tracks lists and bonuses – penguin logos - but zero liner notes of appreciation on this dark and murky Mac period. They didn’t even bother to list release dates or catalogue numbers – no line-ups – no photos of incoming band members. The clamshell box is pretty and fairly sturdy to look at and touch – like say the Joni Mitchell or Ry Cooder sets – but you can’t help thinking that after all these decades waiting someone somewhere should have laid into the details and given this much-maligned period of Mac History a proper do over. Pity...

 

VINYL BOX:

LP freaks will know that 19 August 2013 saw the "Fleetwood Mac: 1969 to 1972" VINYL BOX SET issued with titles 1 to 4 here and a bonus 7" single of "Oh Well - Pt. 1" and "Pt. 2" (Warner Music/Rhino R1 535581 - Barcode 081227965358). Well, at last, we get the remainder. Friday, 4 September 2020 sees "Fleetwood Mac: 1973 to 1974" on Warner Music/Rhino offering us titles 5 to 8. There is an individually Numbered Limited Edition Exclusive from Rhino.Com with Coloured Vinyl for Each LP - Penguin in Yellow, Mystery To Me in Orange, Heroes Are Hard To Find in Gold and Live in White with the 45-single in Blue. The LPs have Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering from Original Master Tapes and are on 140-Gram Vinyl with a Bonus 7" Single – "For Your Love (Mono Promo Edit)" b/w "Good Things (Come To Those Who Wait)". The B-side is Previously Unreleased and both are Bonus Tracks on the "Mystery To Me" CD. The "Live From The Record Plant – December 15, 1974" is a 2LP set.

 

AUDIO:

Produced for release by STEVE WOOLARD and BILL INGLOT – JUSTIN SMITH did the Remastering at WEA Studios in Burbank California sometime in 2016 and 2017. There have been probably three to four releases worldwide of this Mac period – especially 1971 to 1974 with Bob Welch – none of which have had proper remastering if truth be told – so this set represents a long held wish by fans. And I have to say, Mr. Smith has done a great job. Let’s get to the musical details...

 

UK released Friday, 4 September 2020 - "Fleetwood Mac: 1969 to 1974" by FLEETWOOD MAC on Warner Music/Rhino R2 596006 (Barcode 603497851300) is an 8CD Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Artwork and 20 Bonus Tracks Overall. It plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Then Play On" UK LP Configuration – see NOTE (69:53 minutes):

1. Coming Your Way [Side 1]

2. Closing My Eyes

3. Fighting For Madge

4. When You Say

5. Show-biz Blues

6. Underway

7. One Sunny Day

8. Although The Sun Is Shining [Side 2]

9. Rattlesnake Shake

10. Without You

11. Searching For Madge

12. My Dream

13. Like Crying

14. Before The Beginning

 

BONUS TRACKS:

15. Oh Well - Pt. 1

16. Oh Well - Pt. 2

Tracks 15 and 16 are the 26 September 1969 UK 7" single on Reprise RS.27000 - 19 November 1969 USA 7" single on Reprise 0883

17. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown)

18. World In Harmony

Tracks 17 and 18 are the 9 May 1970 UK 7" single on Reprise RS.27007 - 3 June 1970 USA 7" single on Reprise 0925

 

NOTE: Tracks 1 to 14 are the UK-configuration for the "Then Play On" album - released September 1969 UK LP on Reprise RSLP 9000. The US LP was issued twice – originally in 19 September 1969 with 12-Tracks without "Oh Well" and in November 1969 with 11 Rejiggered Tracks to include the then November 1969 two-part hit "Oh Well". Using the CD above, you can sequence both variants as follows:

September 1969 USA 1st Pressing LP on Reprise RS 6368 with 12 tracks:

Side 1:

1. Coming Your Way [1]

2. Closing My Eyes [2]

3. Fighting For Madge [3]

4. When You Say [4]

5. Show-biz Blues [5]

6. Underway [aka Under Way] [6]

 

Side 2:

1. Although The Sun Is Shining [8]

2. Rattlesnake Shake [9]

3. Searching For Madge [11]

4. My Dream [12]

5. Like Crying [13]

6. Before The Beginning [14]

 

November 1969 reissued USA LP on Reprise RS 6368 with 11 tracks:

Side 1:

1. Coming Your Way [1]

2. Closing My Eyes [2]

3. Show-biz Blues [5]

4. Underway [6]

5. Oh Well (Full Length Version) [15 and 16 - minus the minute in error]

 

Side 2:

1. Although The Sun Is Shining [8]

2. Rattlesnake Shake [9]

3. Searching For Madge [11]

4. Fighting For Madge [3]

5. Like Crying [13]

6. Before The Beginning [14]

 

CD2 "Kiln House" (51:17 minutes):

1. This Is The Rock [Side 1]

2. Station Man

3. Blood On The Floor

4. Hi Ho Silver

5. Jewel Eyed Judy

6. Buddy’s Song [Side 2]

7. Earl Gray

8. One Together

9. Tell Me All The Things You Do

10. Mission Bell

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Kiln House" – released 18 September 1970 in the USA on Reprise Records RS 6408 and October 1970 in the UK on Reprise Records RSLP 9004. Line-up was - Danny Kirwan, Jeremy Spencer, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood with Christine Perfect [nee McVie]

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Dragonfly

12. The Purple Dancer

Tracks 11 and 12 are the 12 March 1971 A&B-sides of a UK 7" single on Reprise RS 27010 [no US equivalent] – both tracks non-album – B-side available digitally here for the first time. "Dragonfly" was featured on LP on the November 1971 "Greatest Hits" set.

13. Jewel Eyed Judy (Single Version)

14. Station Man (Single Version)

Tracks 13 and 14 are the 6 January 1971 A&B-sides of a US 7" single on Reprise 0984

 

CD3 "Future Games" (73:22 minutes):

1. Woman Of 1000 Years [Side 1]

2. Morning Rain

3. What A Shame

4. Future Games

5. Sands Of Time [Side 2]

6. Sometimes

7. Lay It All Down

8. Show Me A Smile

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Future Games" - released 3 September 1971 in the USA on Reprise RS 6465 and September 1971 in the UK on Reprise K 44153. Line-up was - Danny Kirwan, Bob Welch (ex Head West), Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

9. Sands Of Time (Single Version) - A-side of a December 1971 US 7" single on Reprise 1057

10. Sometimes (Alternate Version)

11. Lay it All Down (Alternate Version)

12. Stone

13. Show Me A Smile (Alternate Version)

14. What A Shame (Unedited) - Tracks 10 to 14 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

CD4 "Bare Trees" (51:18 minutes):

1. Child Of Mine [Side 1]

2. The Ghost

3. Homeward Bound

4. Sunny Side Of Heaven

5. Bare Trees [Side 2]

6. Sentimental Lady

7. Danny's Chant

8. Spare Me A Little Of Your Love

9. Dust

10. Thoughts On A Grey Day

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Bare Trees" - released 14 March 1972 in the USA on Reprise MS 2080 and April 1972 in the UK on Reprise K 44181. Same line-up as "Future Games"

 

BONUS TRACKS:

11. Trinity (Mono Version) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

12. Sentimental Lady (Single Version) - A-side of a May 1972 US 7" single on Reprise REP 1093 

13. Homeward Bound (Live)  - no data supplied

 

CD5 "Penguin" (36:39 minutes):

1. Remember Me [Side 1]

2. Bright Fire

3. Dissatisfied

4. (I'm A) Road Runner

5. The Derelict [Side 2]

6. Revelation

7. Did You Ever Love Me

8. Night Watch

9. Caught In The Rain

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "Penguin" - released 30 March 1973 in the USA on Reprise MS 2138 and May 1973 in the UK on Reprise K 44235. Line-up was - David Walker, Bob Weston, Bob Welch, Christine and John McVie with Mick Fleetwood.

 

CD6 "Mystery To Me" (54:46 minutes):

1. Emerald Eyes [Side 1]

2. Believe Me

3. Just Crazy Love

4. Hypnotized

5. Forever

6. Keep On Going

7. The City [Side 2]

8. Miles Away

9. Somebody

10. The Way I Feel

11. For Your Love

12. Why

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Mystery To Me" - released 15 October 1973 in the USA on Reprise MS 2158 and January 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 44248. Line-up was - Bob Welch, Bob Weston, Christine and John McVie with Mick Fleetwood.

 

BONUS TRACKS:

13. For Your Love (Mono Promo Edit, 3:10 minutes) - A-side of a December 1973 US-Only Promo Single on Reprise REP 1188, the other side has the Stereo Mix

14. Good Things (Come To Those Who Wait) - Previously Unreleased Bob Welch song

 

CD7 "Heroes Are Hard To Find" (42:36 minutes):

1. Heroes Are Hard To Find [Side 1]

2. Coming Home

3. Angel

4. Bermuda Triangle

5. Come A Little Bit Closer

6. She's Changing Me [Side 2]

7. Bad Loser

8. Silver Heels

9. Prove Your Love

10. Born Enchanter

11. Safe Harbour

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Heroes Are Hard To Find" - released 13 September 1974 in the USA on Reprise MS 2196 and September 1974 in the UK on Reprise K 54026. Line-up was - Bob Welch, Christine and John McVie with Mick Fleetwood.

 

CD8 "Live From The Record Plant – December 15, 1974" (72:42 minutes):

1. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown)

2. Angel

3. Spare Me A Little Of Your Love

4. Sentimental Lady

5. Future Games

6. Bermuda Triangle

7. Why

8. Believe Me

9. Black Magic Woman/Oh Well

10. Rattlesnake Shake

11. Hypnotized

Tracks 1 to 11 are exclusive to this 2020 Box - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

 

The moment you play "Kiln House" you hear the slight hiss, but you are soon enveloped in the sheer power of the Remaster. This isn't loudness wars - it's been allowed to breathe. I've been listening to "Kiln House" since 1970 (I'm 62 now) and I've never heard it sound so bloody good. The twin guitar assault of Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer is given full reign by this sonic upgrade in gems like "Jewel Eyed Judy", the slinky "Station Man", the instrumental "Earl Grey" and my heart's desire - "Tell Me All The Things You Do" (Paul Weller riffage ahoy) - all sounding spiffing and full in your speakers. The jangling echoed guitar-break in "Earl Grey", the goodbye world cod vocals of "Blood On The Floor" and the rocking "Hi Ho Silver" – all sound fab.

 

But what puts disc two into the stratosphere is four bonuses that will have old-Mac fans reaching for the calming salts. Danny Kirwan's wonderfully atmospheric "Dragonfly" was a stand-alone 45 in the UK in March 1971 - a top tune - and would turn up on LP in November of that year (1971) on the classic first "Greatest Hits" set - the red one with a photo on the gatefold sleeve of the band playing live (lyrics from it title this review). But the storming 5:42 minute B-side "The Purple Dancer" has to be one their best non-LP tracks of the period and here makes its digital debut a full 52 years after the event. And man what a rocker it is - again the double-geetar assault filling your man-cave with that 70ts Rock only bands like this seemed to get. Throw in the single edits of two great album-cuts that actually concise the tunes even better ("Jewel Eyed Judy" and "Station Man" that lops off the building intro) - and "Kiln House" comes close to "Then Play On" as magnificent in this incarnation. They have even found the small-sized 'Penguin' photos insert that came with original LPs and repro'd that - something my Japan SHM-CD didn't even manage.

 

But then (musically at least) it all goes pear-shaped big time. Although the Remasters of "Future Games", "Bare Trees" and "Penguin" improve things immeasurably - all three albums are a case of ascending musical dreadfulness. But again - an odd thing happens here too. There are six bonuses on "Future Games" and whereas the Side 1 instrumental "What A Shame" putters out at 2:15 minutes on the original LP - the bonus 'Unedited' cut is a whopping 8:25 minutes long - finally allowing that hidden John Perfect brass work to be heard and making an inconsequential song into an altogether more impressive beast. The unreleased studio outtake "Stone" is a pretty 2:30 minute acoustic ballad from Welch and again the muddy LP version of Kirwan's "Sometimes" and Welch's "Lay It All Down" get 'Alternate Versions' in the bonuses that are IMO way better than what was released. "Bare Trees" has a bonus in the previously unreleased "Trinity" song (albeit in Mono), a four-minutes-plus Danny Kirwan guitar-whig-out fans will love to bits. And the previously unreleased "Good Things (Come To Those Who Wait)" is another goody - a Bob Welch tune that should have been on the album (not surprised Rhino and Warners have used it as one of the songs on the Bonus 45-single in the Vinyl LP set).

 

The remasters will also finally allow fans to hear deep LP cuts like the touching "Woman Of 1000 Years", the acoustic "Dust", the Funk-Rock of "The City" and the Mac doing Seventies Beach Boys harmonies on the stunning "Caught In The Rain". They will also reach for "Hypnotized" - Welch's shimmering vibe tune on "Mystery To Me". The Production values on both "Mystery To Me" and "Heroes Are Hard To Find" go way up as the band edges towards that Buckingham-Nicks moment in 1975 and of course "Rumours" 1977. David Walker's vocals on the cover version of Jr. Walker's "(I'm A) Road Runner" impress too. The live set also has blistering versions of "Hypnotized", "Green Manalishi..." and the double-whammy of "Black Magic Woman/Oh Well" - a huge crowd pleaser from the old days with Peter Green (what a loss he was in 2020).

 

There are fans that swear by the Bob Welch period but I am not one of them. Having said that, I am more than pleased to be hearing those forgotten Mac moments in properly decent audio at last (including his better tracks). I'm off now to play the stereo knackers out of "The Purple Dancer" or Christine McVie's lovely "The Way I Feel" (another forgotten album nugget), the orchestral majesty of "Why" and generally dips my toes once again into the rest of it with hope in my heart and the curves of Salma Hayek on my mind (but that's another story/lawsuit). Enjoy peeps...