The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac (2CD)

Yeah, the live acoustic version of "Big Love" from "The Dance" is here instead of the hit single version from "Tango In The Night" and "Greatest Hits" (probably because it's shorter). Conversely, the studio version of "Silver Springs" is here instead of the more popular live version from "The Dance". And there are a few songs - most notably "Rhiannon" and "Over My Head" - that are significantly edited to fit more songs on the collection. I compared both those tunes to the full length versions on "Greatest Hits" and barely noticed what was missing. Either way, any Fleetwood Mac collection that contains well-known but rarely anthologized songs like "The Chain", "Second Hand News", "Never Going Back Again", "Gold Dust Woman", "Monday Morning", "World Turning", "Songbird", and great but forgotten singles like "Sisters Of The Moon", "Think About Me", "Family Man", "Seven Wonders", and "Paper Doll" is one worth having. And as always, the remastered sound is spectacular and the liner notes are comprehensive, including release dates and chart peaks for all singles and the albums they came from - a Top 40 geek's dream!

Things I might've done differently - included the original version of "Big Love" instead of the live version, included one of Stevie Nicks' solo tunes done live by the Mac ("Stand Back" is a staple of Mac concerts whenver Nicks is in the band) to go with Lindsey Buckingham's "Go Insane", included full-length versions of all songs (even if it meant cutting one or two lesser known numbers), and I probably wouldn't have included anything from "Behind The Mask", but if I had to, I would've gone with "Save Me" instead of "Skies The Limit". Either way, this is a five star 2CD set by a five star band if ever there was one. Rhino has previously done great overviews for bands like Chicago, Foreigner, INXS, the Cars, and Black Sabbath (forthcoming!) and I only hope they get around to giving the same treatment to bands like the Eagles, Dire Straits, ZZ Top, and many others I can't even think of right now!


nice compiliation   October 26, 2002
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac is a good example of successful compilations are made. While only covering the Buckinham-Nicks version of the band, the two CD set offers a great range of songs from thier career. Unlike the previous greatest hits (which was only 1 disc), Very Best includes The Chain, Landslide, Gold Dust Woman, and even the obscure hit Family Man, on top of having all the other classics. The inclusion of songs like Think About Me, Love In Store, World Turning, No Questions Asked and Paper Doll proves that the set truely covers this era exstensively.

The remastering is decent and allows the listener to hear parts of the songs that were not obvious before. The drums sound much crisper and songs from Rumours, The "White Album," and "Tusk" seem much clearer.

The single version of Rhiannon, Over My Head, and Sisters of the Moon are also a plus, although they can take awhile to grow on you. If you are use to the album versions, these will seem kind of odd and unfulfilling. After a few listens however, one will notice the heavy guitar layering and texturing. These songs turn out to be quite cool.

The complilation will appeal to long-time fans because of the inclusion of bonus material on the first disc, as well as the song Go Insane from the Dance. It will appeal to more casual fans because of the extent that it covers their catalog.

Some songs that were not included are Eyes of the World, Oh Diane (which was a big hit in Europe & Japan), Big Love (the original), and Crystal. All of these would have made the compilation even stronger but like any Best Of, you can't have everything. All and all it is a nice set and I recommend it to anyone who wants a MAC ATTACK!!


Nicely Remastered Collection Of Fleetwood Mac's Best!   October 15, 2002
 22 out of 26 found this review helpful

This latest remastered collection of Fleetwood Mac Hits is their best yet. This is a more complete collection than the Greatest Hits cd which was released in the late 80's. Basically, you've got the best songs from the self titled "Fleetwood Mac" cd to the "25 Years - The Chain" cd collection. Disc 1 includes: Monday Morning, Dreams, You Make Loving Fun, Go Your Own Way, Rhiannon, Say You Love Me, I'm So Afraid (live 1997), Silver Springs, Over My Head, Never Going Back Again, Sara, Love In Store, Tusk, Landslide, Songbird, Big Love (live, 1997) and Storms. Disc 2 includes: The Chain, Don't Stop, What Makes You Think You're The One, Gypsy, Second Hand News, Little Lies, Think About Me, Go Insane (live, 1997), Gold Dust Woman, Hold Me, Seven Wonders, World Turning, Everywhere, Sisters Of The Moon, Family Man, As Long As You Follow, No Questions Asked, Skies The Limit and Paper Doll. Originally a 60's blues band featuring Peter Green and later Bob Welch, Fleetwood Mac in the mid-seventies added two unknowns to the group in guitarist/songwriter Lindsey Buckingham and his girlfriend singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks. The two transformed the once blues band into a sensational pop/rock outfit which was one of the seventies most successful groups. The band itself had some ups and downs throughout the years and at one time called it quits, before re-uniting and releasing a live cd and video entitled "The Dance". Thankfully Fleetwood Mac is still together and is working on a new cd. This "Very Best Of" 2-cd collection also includes a nice booklet with pics and a brief history of the band. The sound quality is also superb due to remastering. If you enjoy listening to classic rock then this cd is a must have. Buy it and enjoy. Highly recommended!


Best Compilation...   October 16, 2002
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

This 2-CD compilation chronicals Fleetwood Mac's massive career post 1975...when Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined the former English blues/rock band. The first DISC is ENHANCED for computers and contains some great footage of Fleetwood Mac recording their new studio album due out SPRING 2003 with a tour to follow....the enhancement also gives you lyrics, and a link to a special website with rare live performances...

The selection of the 36 songs placed on this CD is great. You have the big hits like "Dreams," "Rhiannon," "You Make Lovin Fun," "Gypsy," "Sara," "Say You Love Me," "Hold Me," "Go Your Own Way," etc....and some great songs like Nicks' haunting "Sisters of the Moon," and Lindsey's live performance of the hit "Big Love," from 1997.
An added extra is the 1977 version of Stevie's ode to Lindsey, "Silver Springs." Many people do not have this version, but it is here. ALL of the songs have been remastered for SUPERB quality, and some of the songs are diff. versions than on the album...all of the songs are VERY full, and sound GREAT..the booklet has rare photos, and the whole thing is just GREAT....VERY recommended for any Fleetwood Mac fan, or any rock music fan.
Fleetwood Mac's massive career is all put into two CD's here. It also contains the 1997 great live versions of Lindsey Buckingham's solo hit "Go Insane," plus "I'm So Afraid." You can hear Stevie's bewitching vocals crystal clear in numbers like "Gold Dust Woman.." You have the beautiful songbird on Disc 1, Christine McVie, with songs like the haunting and classic "Songbird," the catchy "Love in Store," and her hits.
"THE CHAIN" begins Disc 1, and then goes right into the whole band on vocals with "Don't Stop."