Lindsey Buckingham: C o' D?

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So anyway he's always been a semi-guilty pleasure of mine, sealing the deal on the Fleetwood Mac songs I love, always liked his guitar playing, actually making me enjoy Tom Petty's "Walls" when it popped up on the radio a few years ago. Anyhow, I'm in the SuperWalMart and "Tusk" comes on the PA, then I come home and flip through the channels and on VH1 Classics they're showing the video to "Holiday Road" from National Lampoon's Vacation, which unbeknownst to me was performed by Lindsey Buckingham. Plus the way he preens and poses in those awful early eighties videos always amuses me. He looks like a combination of Prince and Don Henley.

James Blount (James Blount), Saturday, 16 November 2002 09:54 (10 years ago) Permalink

Classic. I've always felt that he should be lauded more for his guitar playing. He has a knack for playing intricate melody lines that always work well with the songs, as well as being as memorable as the vocal melodies. Plus, I really am impressed with his pseudo-classical guitar finger picking. It's a shame that such talent keeps such a low profile.

bahtology, Saturday, 16 November 2002 12:41 (10 years ago) Permalink

"Tusk" the song is pretty absurd, but the other Fleetwood Mac songs I know of his are great and "Law & Order" has some wonderful stuff on it. "Trouble" has made numerous mixtapes I've made for people. One of the few eccentric greats I enjoy from the LA scene. I sense more joy in his works than say, the Eagles or Zevon.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 16 November 2002 18:32 (10 years ago) Permalink

He looks like a combination of Prince and Don Henley.

Classic

brg30 (brg30), Saturday, 16 November 2002 18:47 (10 years ago) Permalink

At the very least, as a producer and a guitarist, completely classic.

electric sound of jim (electricsound), Sunday, 17 November 2002 00:58 (10 years ago) Permalink

4 months pass...
The producer aspect is so often overlooked, I think...two of my favorite Buckingham production jobs were "Gold" for John Stewart (late '70s vintage) and Matthew Sweet's cover of "Magnet And Steel" (mid '90s vintage), both tracks featuring nice freak-out solos by Buckingham. So so so underrated.

Erick H (Erick H), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:53 (10 years ago) Permalink

reminds me: a few years back i exchanged my copy of Liz Phair's Exile In Guyville for Buckingham's Out Of The Cradle (that a friend had)
still happy with the swop, me ...not that i think Cradle is exactly the best thing LB has done, but it ain't poorer than FMac's 80s albs
sure, LB a great producer and a very fine guitarist (or at least he has been)

t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:13 (10 years ago) Permalink

Total Classic. He performed on Saturday Night Live way back when .. he did "Trouble" & "Bwana". He did the most amazing guitar solo on Trouble... I think his records sometimes suffer from overproduction (Out of the Cradle especially..) But he is an amazing guitarist, singer, writer.

dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 14:23 (10 years ago) Permalink

3 years pass...
New album in October!

Lindsey Buckingham finally releases a new album, Under The Skin, on 10/3. He tells USA Today

[It's] kind of a reduction. There are basically no drums, very little bass. On a musical level, I've been trying to distill things. This is the best time in my life, and that's a great thing to be able to say when you're 56, and didn't become a father till you were 48.

He plans another “more rocking” album next year and (finally) a solo U.S. tour. “It's a turnaround, time-frame-wise, for someone who's been sort of the Terrence Malick of rock,” he admits.

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Sunday, 13 August 2006 02:47 (6 years ago) Permalink

It's pretty incredible that someone would have felt guilt about this four years ago.

Sundar (sundar), Sunday, 13 August 2006 03:02 (6 years ago) Permalink

So fucking nervy. An exploding little man. Ben Stiller's MR FURIOUS persona for real. Genius, classic.

A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Sunday, 13 August 2006 03:42 (6 years ago) Permalink

You are not alone. This is truly great news. I have heard rumours that he has scrapped several albums over the years. I remember reading an interview with R.E.M where the journalist followed Peter Buck around for a few days. One of Buck's 'errands' was going to a studio to give Lindsey Buckingham some feedback on his new recordings. The journalist made a point of commenting on how stressed Buckingham looked and how he was manically scribbling down Buck's comments on a notepad. Seemed a little bit sad...
Posted by: ani at August 11, 2006 12:23 PM

anyone have a copy of this interview?

you're killing me, larry! (Jody Beth Rosen), Sunday, 13 August 2006 04:46 (6 years ago) Permalink

Classic--

and i guess quite the water polo player..my friend and i were perusing his mom's high school yearbook (i think a school in Palo Alto?) only to find Lindsey mid ball-toss in the pool...He signed something lame, like "Kristen--Government was classic. Big Love...LB" (not verbatim, but something trivial). And that, friends, is my Lindsey Buckingham story.

J. Grizzle (trainsmoke), Sunday, 13 August 2006 04:53 (6 years ago) Permalink

this is pretty much the best clip on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yllqie08a7U

Stormy Davis (diamond), Sunday, 13 August 2006 06:22 (6 years ago) Permalink

dud

Igor Adkins (Grodd), Sunday, 13 August 2006 06:39 (6 years ago) Permalink

Mr Wrong O'Wrongson, I presume?

A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 07:18 (6 years ago) Permalink

He's just super classic. And "Tusk" is one of the best albums ever.

Marco Damiani (Marco D.), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 12:02 (6 years ago) Permalink

Let's not overlook Go Crazy.

Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 12:23 (6 years ago) Permalink

Classic.

Out of the Cradle is a great album and some of his guitar noodling is incredible.

Sean Robison (yaratnam), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 23:20 (6 years ago) Permalink

D'you mean "Go Insane"? I got that sealed for $5 once, that was a good day. Pretty gorgeous rec.

A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 23:28 (6 years ago) Permalink

Classic for "Never Going Back Again" alone. Incredible guitar player.

Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 23:55 (6 years ago) Permalink

"Big Love" still sucks, though.

Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Wednesday, 16 August 2006 23:55 (6 years ago) Permalink

Mr. Snrub did you ever hear the live version of "Big Love" from The Dance? It is the most amazing thing ever.

Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Thursday, 17 August 2006 00:22 (6 years ago) Permalink

His reinvention of "Go Insane" is even more breathtaking.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 17 August 2006 00:34 (6 years ago) Permalink

Classic. Interesting credit I just learned about yesterday: apparently he plays guitar on the Josie Cotton version of "Jimmy Loves Maryann." (orig. spelling "Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne")

Ruud Haarvest (Ken L), Thursday, 17 August 2006 00:49 (6 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...
anyone listen to the new one yet?

jaxon (jaxon), Thursday, 5 October 2006 21:46 (6 years ago) Permalink

The new one is by far his most consistent solo release. Very stripped down - the bulk of the album is guitar and vocals. Great cover of the Stones' "I Am Waiting".

Love it.

Brooker Buckingham (Brooker B), Thursday, 5 October 2006 22:43 (6 years ago) Permalink

ooh

electric sound of jim [and why not] (electricsound), Thursday, 5 October 2006 22:44 (6 years ago) Permalink

I don't have the album yet, but I really like the clip of "Show You How" on his website. I'm hoping to catch his solo tour in Falls Church, VA on Monday night.

John Fredland (jfredland), Thursday, 5 October 2006 22:50 (6 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

I just bought Out of the Cradle. Seems good so far (his guitar playing is, as always, amazingly clean and crisp (and he can be bluesy, too)). Crazy comparison, but Surrender the Rain sounds a little like a Richard Hawley song, to me (not a bad thing at all!).

Anyone else have this disc? Like it?

Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 20 January 2008 15:41 (5 years ago) Permalink

beautiful record.
probably his best solo record.

Zeno, Sunday, 20 January 2008 16:13 (5 years ago) Permalink

Haven't heard it in years, but I agree it's his best, with consistently beautiful guitar. "Soul Drifter" and "Turn it On" (is that the right title?) are favorites.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Sunday, 20 January 2008 17:51 (5 years ago) Permalink

I know they're solo discs, but now I'm wishing that Buckingham gave his solo songs more of a full-band feel. Down on Rodeo, for instance, from Under the Skin, has a great SoCal-drenched band feel (obv., the presence of Fleetwood Mac and John McVie helps), and it worked beautifully.

Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 20 January 2008 18:11 (5 years ago) Permalink

Buckingham is god.

jim, Sunday, 20 January 2008 20:30 (5 years ago) Permalink

UH

I guess that's more true than "Clapton is God," but still...

Classic (but not god).

Rock Hardy, Sunday, 20 January 2008 20:40 (5 years ago) Permalink

He's a brilliant guitarist. I'm pleased at the love he's getting on this thread, instead of just hailing him as a mere singing/songwriting/producing genius. My favourite Lindsey look is the besuited, droopy afro'ed one on the inside sleeve of the 1975 album. Someone post an image, please!

Ismael Klata, Sunday, 20 January 2008 22:39 (5 years ago) Permalink

he turns 60 this year

omar little, Sunday, 20 January 2008 22:45 (5 years ago) Permalink

60? Wow. He looks younger. See the photo on the cover of Under the Skin.

Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 20 January 2008 22:58 (5 years ago) Permalink

He is classic for "Tango In The Night" alone. Although that album is usually underrated when compared to their most popular mid 70s work.

Geir Hongro, Sunday, 20 January 2008 23:05 (5 years ago) Permalink

He's classic for a lot of the Fleetwood Mac stuff, but his solo discs have a very different sound and feel (not worse, by any means, just v. different).

Daniel, Esq., Monday, 21 January 2008 00:06 (5 years ago) Permalink

I may be misreading, but it looks like Under The Skin is available from Amazon for 99 cents.

dlp9001, Monday, 21 January 2008 01:48 (5 years ago) Permalink

'Under the Skin' was a tremendously strong album. Man, such a shame that it barely received any attention at all.

Stormy Davis, Monday, 21 January 2008 02:42 (5 years ago) Permalink

I may be misreading, but it looks like Under The Skin is available from Amazon for 99 cents.

Sadly, I'm not surprised. It's amazing to me that such a talented -- and successful (with his band) -- artist has had such trouble finding an audience.

Daniel, Esq., Monday, 21 January 2008 03:00 (5 years ago) Permalink

maybe thats because he became too old for the youngsters and too "arty" and minimalist for the mainstream listeners.
or u can blame it on bad marketing.

Zeno, Monday, 21 January 2008 17:50 (5 years ago) Permalink

I still spin "Go Insane" on Dj nights. Such a great single.

Nate Carson, Tuesday, 22 January 2008 00:25 (5 years ago) Permalink

Under the Skin is very nice, yes. I thought I'd never want to hear another Stones cover until "I Am Waiting" started to play.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 22 January 2008 00:27 (5 years ago) Permalink

this is pretty much the best clip on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yllqie08a7U

-- Stormy Davis (diamond),

This video has been removed due to terms of use violation.

Damn. What was that clip, Stormy?

Myonga Vön Bontee, Tuesday, 22 January 2008 06:22 (5 years ago) Permalink

6 months pass...

new album out in a couple of months!!!

Marco Damiani, Thursday, 24 July 2008 15:24 (4 years ago) Permalink

god his last one was amazing

jamescobo, Thursday, 24 July 2008 16:44 (4 years ago) Permalink


My favourite Lindsey look

Ismael Klata, Thursday, 24 July 2008 17:51 (4 years ago) Permalink

Lindsey was so hot in this period.

Anakin Ska Walker (AKA Skarth Vader) (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 6 September 2011 22:15 (1 year ago) Permalink

Lindsey was so hot high in this period.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 7 September 2011 01:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

Watching that is so odd, you see Lindsey there with all of his nervous energy. Short hair, clean cut, sharp. Then the camera pans over to John McVie, who looks completely out of step with the music he's playing!

Turrican, Wednesday, 7 September 2011 01:44 (1 year ago) Permalink

I mean, 'clean shaven', rather than 'clean cut' - that's probably the wrongest phrase to describe Lindsey in this particular era of the Mac.

Turrican, Wednesday, 7 September 2011 01:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

" project that challenges listeners to expand their definitions of Buckingham and include him as an indie singer/songwriter." (allmusic)

otm

and he is 61 years old..quite an age to become an indie figure after such a career

nostormo, Wednesday, 7 September 2011 07:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

Don't damn him!

lol @ indie "challenges listeners"

Anakin Ska Walker (AKA Skarth Vader) (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 7 September 2011 11:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

mmm..i think for the mainstream Rumours etc fans his current stuff is a challenge

nostormo, Wednesday, 7 September 2011 18:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

just out of curiosity - why doesn't pitchfork review Buckingham's records?

nostormo, Saturday, 17 September 2011 11:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

It will when he produces Deerhunter.

Anakin Ska Walker (AKA Skarth Vader) (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 17 September 2011 12:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

I know they've covered his chill wave side project Neon Indian.

Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 17 September 2011 15:41 (1 year ago) Permalink

love this guy, can't wait to see him

Master of Treacle, Saturday, 17 September 2011 15:43 (1 year ago) Permalink

Seeing him tomorrow night!

Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 17 September 2011 17:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

just out of curiosity - why doesn't pitchfork review Buckingham's records?

when under the skin came out, I actually did write a track review of it, and in fact referenced his weird graduation into indie-godfather-like status...but for the life of me can't seem to find it on the site or google anymore

Dominique, Saturday, 17 September 2011 21:22 (1 year ago) Permalink

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 19 September 2011 03:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

Ashamed to admit I've never heard one of his solo records. Heard the title track off the new one, though, and it's tres pretty. How likely am I to dig the rest of it?

jer.fairall, Monday, 19 September 2011 05:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

quite. i think the tunes are as strong as the last two solo ones but i feel this one is his most lyrically weak

royal ballache (electricsound), Monday, 19 September 2011 05:33 (1 year ago) Permalink

After going through all his solo albums, I think Gift of Screws is the strongest. I immediately wanted to listen to it again - i don't think it has a weak song.

thinveneer, Monday, 19 September 2011 06:14 (1 year ago) Permalink

And I haven't examined lyrics, but Seeds We Sow is just a gorgeous album to listen to.

thinveneer, Monday, 19 September 2011 06:17 (1 year ago) Permalink

All his solo stuff is gorgeous in this manic-Baroque style. A lot of his recent trio but especially the new one, lyrically, veers on new agey/self-helpy territory, but I can set that aside.

I was struck, btw, guitar nerds, how many of the songs he played last night were in open tunings. Like, 90%. Makes his playing that much more mysterious. He brought it, though. Love his totally unassuming trio of anonymous talented guys backing him, who look like he met them in a new dads group or at the local block garage band.

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 19 September 2011 12:57 (1 year ago) Permalink

Out of the Cradle is still my favorite.

Anakin Ska Walker (AKA Skarth Vader) (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 19 September 2011 13:11 (1 year ago) Permalink

There are not enough hearts in the world to express my love for Stevie and Christine in that "Second Hand News" vid posted above.

Woolen Scjarfs (Phil D.), Monday, 19 September 2011 13:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

Mmmbop.

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 19 September 2011 14:06 (1 year ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

Listened to the new album twice through, and its gorgeous. So this is what I've been missing by ignoring solo Buckingham?

jer.fairall, Friday, 7 October 2011 17:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

yes, and more.

nostormo, Friday, 7 October 2011 17:18 (1 year ago) Permalink

D.W. Suite. Expansive. I like it.

Mule, Thursday, 20 October 2011 18:47 (1 year ago) Permalink

new one is really good, I like out of the cradle a lot as well.

akm, Friday, 21 October 2011 14:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

it's good? i buy, then.

turkey in the straw (x2) (remy bean), Friday, 21 October 2011 14:12 (1 year ago) Permalink

that's the way love goes sounds like a rumors era vintage fleetwood track w/ slightly more modern production

turkey in the straw (x2) (remy bean), Saturday, 22 October 2011 14:46 (1 year ago) Permalink

Love solo Lindsey a lot, don't misconstrue this. But has anyone else noticed how the tracks with Mick Fleetwood and that guesting are by far the best ones?

wiki weimar germanyu (Call the Cops), Sunday, 23 October 2011 19:01 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yep.

lumber up, limbaugh down (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 23 October 2011 19:02 (1 year ago) Permalink

Also not to be contentious but if any of the tracks from any of LB's solo records were transplanted into Rumours they'd be by far the worst on it. I mean there's good and then there's good, no?

wiki weimar germanyu (Call the Cops), Sunday, 23 October 2011 19:05 (1 year ago) Permalink

I dunno. All of Lindsey's solo stuff on "Tusk" is awesome.

Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 23 October 2011 22:39 (1 year ago) Permalink

What's up with the clinically-depressed Metalunan Blue Steel look in every photo for the past decade?

Hideous Lump, Monday, 24 October 2011 01:21 (1 year ago) Permalink

haha

ffs sorrow (electricsound), Monday, 24 October 2011 01:24 (1 year ago) Permalink

The man is tan and taut.

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 24 October 2011 02:29 (1 year ago) Permalink

3 months pass...

I am in the throes of Linndrum fun these days in my studio -- and am really enjoying the hell out of Go Insane, which is almost all Lindsey alone, btw.

Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 19 February 2012 22:59 (1 year ago) Permalink

Further listening to Go Insane reveals that the first side is loaded with tunes that would've made for a damned good Fleetwood Mac record. If you put aside the Fairlight/Linndrum production, "I Must Go" would've fit right in on Tusk. The harmonies on "I Want You" make it sound like a full-on Rumours cut. In fact, given that he did almost this entire record on his own, I think you you can safely say that a bunch of the tunes on Rumours had Lindsey singing harmony with himself.

Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 02:26 (1 year ago) Permalink

I downloaded the album during the holiday break and liked it too, especially "I Want You." I'd heard the startling remake of the title track before the original version; it sounds like a 15th century madrigal or something.

Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 21 February 2012 02:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

after reading ^ I pulled this out of the cassette box and put it on repeat. Play in the Rain is properly spooky, kinda reminds me of Byrne/Eno Qu'ran

"renegade" gnome (remy bean), Thursday, 23 February 2012 20:20 (1 year ago) Permalink

5 months pass...

I am in the throes of Linndrum fun these days in my studio -- and am really enjoying the hell out of /Go Insane/, which is almost all Lindsey alone, btw.

Linn-sey Buckingham
Go Linn-sane

I stand by my earlier comments -- Go Insane has some of his tastiest solo tunes. For those upthread who lament that Buck's solo career lacks the tunes and gonzo production touches of his Tusk/Mirage FM stuff, this is the one to dig out.

Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 29 July 2012 04:09 (10 months ago) Permalink

on some other thread i totally stan for go insane and probably mention the audacity of ending your first side with a locked groove

emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Sunday, 29 July 2012 05:11 (10 months ago) Permalink

lol it's this very thread

emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Sunday, 29 July 2012 05:13 (10 months ago) Permalink

I would recommend newbies start with "Out of the Cradle."

Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 29 July 2012 15:29 (10 months ago) Permalink

I've been so hung up on the title track of Go Insane that I don't think I've ever really spun the whole album. Will do today.

Nate Carson, Sunday, 29 July 2012 16:19 (10 months ago) Permalink

Jealous of you getting to experience it for the first time! Tell me "Slow Dancing" doesn't make you want to sing "Abracadabra" by the Steve Miller Band, though...

Clarke B., Sunday, 29 July 2012 17:21 (10 months ago) Permalink

Josh in Chicago, Sunday, 29 July 2012 19:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

I saw him last night! Great seats too: fifth row center. More artists should perform 80-minute sets. The highlights: "Trouble," "Bleed to Love Her," and "Go Your Own Way."

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 9 August 2012 12:28 (10 months ago) Permalink

Did he play "Holiday Road?" He did the last couple of times I've seen him with a band.

Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 9 August 2012 13:12 (10 months ago) Permalink

Nope, alas.

a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 9 August 2012 13:25 (10 months ago) Permalink

4 months pass...

Has anyone listened to this? http://www.lindseybuckingham.com/news/109831

just sayin, Sunday, 9 December 2012 20:31 (6 months ago) Permalink


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