Artist: Fleetwood Mac
Title: Mystery To Me
Year Of Release: 2017 (1973-10-15)
Label: Rhino / Warner Bros. Records
Genre: Pop/Rock, Blues Rock
Quality: FLAC (tracks) [24Bit/192kHz]
Total Time: 48:09
Total Size: 1,77 Gb (Front Cover)
Release of the album: 1973, October, 15 [LP Reprise Records, Cat.# K 44248, UK]
Release of this HDtracks edition: 2017 [Label: Rhino/Warner Bros. Records]
Note: Digitally Remastered
(p) 1973 Reprise Records. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company.
(c) 1973 Reprise Records.
Credits:
Arranged By [Strings] – Richard Hewson
Bass – John McVie
Crew [Road Crew] – David Wheatley, John Courage, Phillip McDonnell
Design [Cover], Art Direction – Modula
Engineer – Martin Birch
Engineer [Additional] – Desmond Majekodunmi, Paul Hardiman
Guitar, Vocals – Bob Welch
Keyboards, Vocals – Christine McVie
Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar – Bob Weston
Percussion – Mick Fleetwood
Photography By – Clive Arrowsmith
Producer – Fleetwood Mac, Martin Birch
Tracklist:
01. Emerald Eyes (03:35)
02. Believe Me (04:12)
03. Just Crazy Love (03:27)
04. Hypnotized (04:50)
05. Forever (04:07)
06. Keep On Going (04:05)
07. The City (03:36)
08. Miles Away (03:51)
09. Somebody (05:03)
10. The Way I Feel (02:43)
11. For Your Love (03:46)
12. Why (04:55)
[hr]
"Mystery to Me" is the eighth studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on 15 October 1973. This was their last album to feature Bob Weston. Most of the songs were penned by guitarist/singer Bob Welch and keyboardist/singer Christine McVie, who were playing a major role in edging the band's sound towards the radio-friendly pop-rock that would make them highly successful a few years later. Although the album only sold moderately and produced no hit singles, "Hypnotized" did become an FM radio staple for many years. In the wake of the Buckingham/Nicks led line-up's success a few years later, it achieved Gold status in 1976. The album is the end of an era in two ways: it is their last album recorded in England and the last to have two guitarists in the line-up until Behind the Mask. As with the previous album Penguin, the group hired the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and brought it down to Hampshire in order to record their album at Benifolds, their communal house. Dave Walker was asked to leave during the sessions and none of his contributions ended up in the final release. The title comes from a line in the chorus of "Emerald Eyes". During the band's American tour of 1973, they appeared on the Midnight Special, but during the venture, it became clear that Bob Weston was having an affair with Mick Fleetwood's wife Jenny. Although Fleetwood tried to carry on playing with Weston, regardless of the extramarital issues, it soon became clear that something had to give and after a gig in Lincoln, Nebraska, he told the McVies and Welch that he could no longer play with Weston in the line-up. John Courage, the band's road manager, fired Weston and put him on a plane back to the UK. With the tour cut short, the band also went back to England to break the news to their manager Clifford Davis, who was so angry that he sent another bunch of musicians on the road as Fleetwood Mac, claiming that he owned the name.
~Wikipedia~
At this point, the band was best-known as a British blues unit. Slowly but surely the band was becoming more acclimated with a production style that was reminiscent of the California pop sound. With the majority of the blues and psychedelic behind them, Mystery to Me finds Fleetwood Mac in a more ruminative vein. American guitarist Bob Welch established that path. Despite the all-encompassing ethos, Welch's songwriting skills made him walk a fine line between the mystical and the silly. But luckily most everything works here. The leadoff song, the laid-back "Emerald Eyes" matches Welch's spacey lyrics and vocals as Christine McVie provides great backing help. The album's best track, the gorgeous and lyrically strong "Hypnotized" has Welch matching an effortless, soothing croon with jazzy guitar riffs. Throughout Mystery to Me the amazing and almost telepathic drums and bass of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie give this effort more panache and muscle than was represented on this effort's predecessor, Bare Trees. The best Bob Welch offering, "Keep on Going," has a strong, soulful string arrangement and Christine McVie's customary sensual and poised vocals. The only weak spot is the ill-advised cover of "For Your Love" that's steeped in hackneyed, post-psychedelic style. Mystery to Me's interesting sound is directly attributed to the fact that it was recorded on the Rolling Stones Mobile Unit. This effort is custom-made for those who like thoughtful offerings and is a valuable set in the scheme of the band.
~Review by Jason Elias~
