rumorsreview

LEGACY: A TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC'S RUMOURS
(SHS Courier, 1998)

     Don't stop thinking about yesterday, it will soon be here again. 1977 marked the landmark release of Fleetwood Mac's epic album Rumours. And rumors certainly did circulate. The album has gone on to become one of the most successful of all time, selling in excess of 25 million copies the world over.
     With a track record like that, it's no wonder why the whispers of the past have returned. Over 20 years later, Legacy: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac's Rumours attempts to recapture that old spirit. The album features 11 of today's hottest bands doing covers of the songs that made Rumours a household name.
     The tribute opens with a lively version of "Second Hand News" performed by Tonic. The song suits the band perfectly and easily establishes the mood for the record.
     Matchbox 20, still riding on the success of their debut release, Yourself or Someone Like You, give an amazing rendition of "Never Going Back Again." With Rob Thomas' haunting vocal interpretation, the song sounds as if it would hold its own among the band's better known songs "Push" and "3 a.m." In fact, the lyrics originally written by Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham seem to fit right in with Thomas' style: "She broke down and let me in/Made me see where I've been/Been down one time/Been down two times/I'm never going back again."
     The Cranberries croon on "Go Your Own Way" and make it their own, adding their trademark Irish voices. And amazingly, the song works. Dolores O'Riordan's layered vocal innuendoes and a pumping bass musically charge the song and make it one of the more rousing numbers on the album.
     Jewel shows off her vocal range on "You Make Loving Fun." Keeping with the way Fleetwood Mac intended, but also adding her own twist, Jewel polished the song well and her own unique sound shines through. Sister Hazel's version of "Gold Dust Woman" accentuates their laid-back, southern draw. Ken Block's lead vocals ooze emotion in lines like "Did she make you cry/Make you break down/Shatter your illusions of love/Is it over now--do you know how/To pick up the pieces and go home."   The clever use of a sitar in the opening few measures makes the song complete.
     Surprisingly, the record's finest performance comes from Duncan Sheik. "Songbird" is a pearl. Originally the song was recorded with just a piano, an acoustic guitar, and the beauty of Christine McVie's voice to guide it. Backed simply by a soothing orchestral arrangement, Sheik brings McVie's classic a step closer to perfection. He gracefully laments "For you, there'll be no more crying/For you, the sun will be shining/And I feel that when I'm with you/It's alright, I know it's right." If this song is any indication of this rising new artist's potential, I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.
     Unfortunately, the album has some rough spots. After sweeping the Grammy Awards with her hit song, "Sunny Came Home," Shawn Colvin tries to add a few more links to "The Chain." Her staccato voice just doesn't have the strength to carry the tune. Ironically, on Elton John's cover of "Don't Stop," I found myself wishing he would. His vocals, as usual, are smooth and flawless, but the production is horrendous. The techno feel to the song is over-done and John and his band try, but fail to recapture the old energy that the song once radiated.
     "I Don't Want To Know" remade by the Goo Goo Dolls sounds like all their other songs--bland. John Rzeznik has a great voice, but he hasn't figured out yet how to use it to his advantage. Like his predecessors Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams know all too well, a raspy voice can be both a blessing and a curse. Rzeznik's offering leaves listeners longing for someone other than a boy named Goo.
     Other artists on the album include The Corrs ("Dreams") and Tallulah ("Oh Daddy"). They contribute fair performances, but are nothing beyond the ordinary.
     This tribute album probably won't go on to sell 25 million copies. Chances are it won't even go platinum. But it does deserve some credit. With 11 different and diverse artists, the record flows very well. In general, the contributions made are very original in their interpretations of Fleetwood Mac's classic album. And in essence, that's the entire point of a tribute album. To give a musical pat on the back to a band that has given us so much.
     Legacy: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is incomparable to the original, as it should be. It serves its purpose to pay homage to one of the most endearing albums of the twentieth century, but Fleetwood Mac's original release remains to be the definitive collection. Just as Marvin Gaye once sang, there "ain't nothing like the real thing, baby."

Do you remember, you took my hand. Do you remember, my friend. Did you feel like it was the second time with you, that feeling of a vivid memory. Well it had to do with a dream come true, and someone that you loved and would always love the second time around for us..." ~ Stevie Nicks