Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumours

by

Various Artists

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One of the better tribute albums, coming as it did on the heels of Fleetwood Mac's The Dance, this is one of those that pays tribute to an entire album, and it does so in proper song order.

Not only that, but there are no play-it-safe versions that plague many a well-intentioned tribute album.

The female artists succeed more than the male ones, in particular the Corrs' "Dreams", Shawn Colvin's "The Chain", and Jewel's rendition of "You Make Loving Fun." Colvin and Jewel's vocal skills are assets that do not spoil the songs, plus there are minor variations from the originals. Dolores O'Riordan's forlorn and shrill voice and the heavier guitars add a new dynamic to "Go Your Own Way." No cranberry filler here. A slow drum beat accompanies "Oh Daddy" done by Tallulah, who sounds like a poor man's Jewel. However, it's Jewel who gets top honours for best female vocalist in this collection.

OK, now the male artists. A quick-tempo percussive beat introduces "Second Hand News," done by Tonic. The fuzz guitars are the main contribution here, as well as the roaring guitars near the end of the song when the chorus is repeated. "Songbird," originally done by Christine McVie, is done here by Duncan Sheik, accompanied by a string arrangement. It's passable, I suppose. There's a hybrid symphonic-synthesizer opening in Elton John's "Don't Stop." He comes through here okay, but given his legendary reputation, he could've done way better via the piano boogie. The Goo Goo Dolls give "I Don't Want To Know" an uptempo alt-rock treatment coupled by harder guitar treatment than the original. Finally, "Gold Dust Woman" done by Sister Hazel, that cross between Pearl Jam and Lynyrd Skynyrd, uses a sitar and dobro in places, giving a slight but not that noticeable Asian flavour. Heavier guitar once again boosts the song beyond.

Nothing compares to the originals, but it's the way they are done, whether the variations are subtle or pronounced, that make this album work. Now that's the way a tribute album should be, adventurous but still worthwhile. The quality of the songs here are better compared to other tribute albums and does not desecrate the memory of a classic of classics.

As a casual fan of Fleetwood Mac, I thought this album had potential. As I listened to it, I realized how insulting this really is. Absolutely none of the songs do justice to the original versions. Elton John's rendition of Don't Stop, was particularly hideous. The Cranberries did a little better on "Go Your Own Way." Shawn Colvin managed to "loungify" one of the greatest songs ever written, "The Chain." By far, the best tribute on this album is The Corrs beautiful "Dreams." Tribute albums should reflect the passion the singer has for the artist they are honoring. This album does no such thing.