 After four decades of beating the skins, Mick Fleetwood,
beloved drummer and co-founder of the multi-platinum band Fleetwood Mac, has
assembled another group sure to please MacHeads and music aficionados alike. The
Mick Fleetwood Band is a tight, four-member act that includes former Fleetwood
Mac members Billy Burnette and Rick Vito as well as The Zoo (a side band
Fleetwood formed in the early 80s) colleague George Hawkins, Jr. A master blend
of nostalgia and immediacy, The Mick Fleetwood Band not only draws from the
eclectic repertoire of all its members, it radiates the energy, passion and
natural chemistry of four friends who genuinely enjoy playing together.
Although he takes pride in discovering and showcasing new talents, this time out
Fleetwood eschewed any kind of audition process. 'This is a regrouping of
incredibly dear friends, guys for whom I have a great deal of respect, both
personally and professionally," he explains. The history shared between them
might be best understood in a moment months ago when they first came together to
rehearse at Fleetwood's farm in Maui. "I had put Kleenex boxes next to all their
amps because I know that when we get together, we all laugh," he says. "And when
we laugh, we all pour with tears!"
Joined by the occasional guest artist, the band looks to trace the history of
its members while paying homage to the enduring tunes of blues, rock and pop.
"Obviously there's certain expectations - people want to hear Fleetwood Mac
songs they know and love, which we're only too happy to play," says Fleetwood.
"Beyond that, I want all the members of this band to be honored for their own
works and to embrace the freedom of bringing their favorite songs into the mix."
Among the songs that audiences might expect to hear are Fleetwood Mac's first #1
hit, "Albatross," as well as other late '60s blues/rock tunes written by
original Fleetwood Mac guitarist/songwriter Peter Green, such as "Oh Well,"
"Rattlesnake Shake" and "Black Magic Woman" (better known for its cover by
Santana, yet originally performed on the 1969 Fleetwood Mac album English Rose).
With the vocal power to recreate well-known harmonies, the band tackles such Mac
signature songs as "Don't Stop," "Go Your Own Way" and "Rhiannon," and
jam-worthy cuts like "Monday Morning" and "World Turning." From the late
'80s/early '90s period, when Billy Burnette and Rick Vito brought their
musicianship and songwriting chops to Fleetwood Mac, come tracks like "My Love
Will Not Change" and "When the Sun Goes Down."
Audiences might also be treated to Burnette's plaintive "Do I Ever Cross Your
Mind" and the rockabilly of his father and uncle, Dorsey and Johnny Burnette,
including such danceable tunes as "Believe What You Say" and 'Tear It Up"
(featured on The Zoo's album I'm Not Me). Burnette, having recently come off the
road with John Fogerty, brings his own flair to the Credence Clearwater Revival
classic "Bad Moon Rising." Fleetwood's own history sharing the stage with John
Lee Hooker paves the way for such blues standards as "Mr. Lucky."
The Mick Fleetwood Band also tips its hat to The Rolling Stones and Chuck Berry,
with show-stopping renditions of "Little Queenie" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
While focusing on corporate, private and charity shows, Fleetwood says that the
band could well be playing festivals and longer commitments down the road. "When
the time is right for all of us, we might go off and do a five-week tour in
Australia," he speculates. The opportunity will come up, I'll look at my wife
who has always understood the crazy lifestyle of a musician, and in a good way,
she'll say, 'Go! Enjoy! Have fun!'"
Few groups embody as much modern musical history, and as deep a trove of
blues/rock/pop sensibility, as The Mick Fleetwood Band. It's an experience the
Woodstock and iPod generations can both dig.
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