John McVie of Fleetwood Mac

Lady Kayri · #1 05-27-2009, 05:32 PM

The singer I'm starting to work with is a big Stevie Nicks fan. So I ended up this past week pulling out some of my old Fleetwood Mac albums, and have been slowly transcribing the basslines from DREAMS and RHIANNON; and listening to a lot of the other Mac songs. Gotta admit, after not hearing / really listening to that band for a number of years, I am developing a real appreciation for Mr. McVie's style. Mostly simple yet elegant, but there are places where he sticks in some really nifty riffs and short bass solos. His tone is pretty good too, at least in the recordings I have on hand. I haven't seen his name mentioned very much here (well, with so many bands out there in so many genres, I guess that's to be expected...) It's going to be fun when the singer, the keyboardist and I get together and start working on the songs together (no guitar yet, and our drummer never showed up for meetings or practice, so he's out...figure once we get a bit better, it'll be easier to find both a guitarist & drummer who will be interested in joining in...)

Anywho, anyone else out there also like John McVie's work on bass? (Of course, being in that band must have been a real experience with all the band drama and such not going on... interesting that they did what I think is some of their best work while in the middle of marital problems, etc. )

SlingBass4 · #2 05-27-2009, 05:39 PM

John McVie is very good in what he does, however......it does help when you're playing with a drummer like Mick Fleetwood for 40 years

Lady Kayri · #3 05-27-2009, 05:52 PM

Agreed. But then, the majority of the best bands are composed of good musicians who work well together, neh? Those with weak 'links' in the line up normally don't make it to the 'top tier' of musical groups, so to speak. And a strong rhthym section consists of both drummer and bass player...

Illbay · #4 05-27-2009, 05:54 PM

It's a good point. Be sure to listen to some of the pre-Buckingham/Nicks era FM, as well. I personally ADORE the "Mystery to Me" album. We do a cover of "Hypnotized."

southernrocker · #5 05-27-2009, 06:13 PM

The whole band is pretty tight rhythmically.

Space-Man · #6 05-27-2009, 06:23 PM

He had an awesome technique; I recommend his work with Peter Green for awesome playing. Of course that era was very different from the Buckingham/Nicks era.

these_go211 · #7 05-27-2009, 07:52 PM

McVie is great. i started a thread about him and his tone a few years ago. glad to hear there is more love for him. his tone is better than pretty good, i think it's phenomenal! he's such a solid player.

bass7858 · #8 05-27-2009, 08:06 PM

I wish young drummers would do nothing more than study ...."the command" of drummers like Mick Fleetwood....Steve Gadd..Eddie Bayers.... They literally stare u in the eye and command u lock in with them. Forget about fancy licks and lookin cool. I can still see ol Mick evil eyin everybody on stage sayin "Here it is...get with it!!"
I always thought Christene's keyboard work melded wonderfully in the rhythym section.
Just my .02

Mojo-Man · #9 05-27-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass7858

I wish young drummers would do nothing more than study ...."the command" of drummers like Mick Fleetwood....Steve Gadd..Eddie Bayers.... They literally stare u in the eye and command u lock in with them. Forget about fancy licks and lookin cool. I can still see ol Mick evil eyin everybody on stage sayin "Here it is...get with it!!"
I always thought Christene's keyboard work melded wonderfully in the rhythym section.
Just my .02

Good call on Christene's keyboards.
John is rock solid.

John Wentzien · #10 05-27-2009, 08:12 PM

The lick in the middle of "The Chain" is classic.

doktorfeelgood · #11 05-27-2009, 09:18 PM

I'm 60 now and I started playing bass when I was 18. Pretty much Blues exclusively for all that time. One of the very first Blues records that I bought was Fleetwood Mac's "English Rose" in 1968. I was then and still am blown away by John's playing. His style just naturally took hold of me and although I never copied him, I owe a lot to John McVie for my style. I have always greatly admired and tried to emulate his sense of groove. He's got a groove wide enough to drive an 18-wheeler into. He's one of the best Blues bass players to ever come along. )-(

woffle · #12 05-27-2009, 09:35 PM

Just listen to the first 4 or 5 John Mayall albums from the 60's(THE BLUES BREAKERS,
BEANO album)
Terrific stuff
Woffle

nataku · #13 05-27-2009, 10:07 PM

I saw them about a week ago and they were really rock solid. I'd heard online that they hadn't been performing that well on this tour, but they kicked ass (double encore!). John used a Lakland P for a good portion of the show, but brought out an older Fender P for "The Chain". It was a pretty amazing set, but something is definitely missing when they play without Christine.

rcarraher · #14 05-27-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Kayri

The singer I'm starting to work with is a big Stevie Nicks fan. So I ended up this past week pulling out some of my old Fleetwood Mac albums, and have been slowly transcribing the basslines from DREAMS and RHIANNON; and listening to a lot of the other Mac songs. Gotta admit, after not hearing / really listening to that band for a number of years, I am developing a real appreciation for Mr. McVie's style. Mostly simple yet elegant, but there are places where he sticks in some really nifty riffs and short bass solos. His tone is pretty good too, at least in the recordings I have on hand. I haven't seen his name mentioned very much here (well, with so many bands out there in so many genres, I guess that's to be expected...) It's going to be fun when the singer, the keyboardist and I get together and start working on the songs together (no guitar yet, and our drummer never showed up for meetings or practice, so he's out...figure once we get a bit better, it'll be easier to find both a guitarist & drummer who will be interested in joining in...)

Anywho, anyone else out there also like John McVie's work on bass? (Of course, being in that band must have been a real experience with all the band drama and such not going on... interesting that they did what I think is some of their best work while in the middle of marital problems, etc. )

Well, McVie's first real gig WAS as the bass player for John Mayall, so he couldn't have been to terrible. I think he is a little lost in the "Bass Player" paentheon of the gods because he spent most of his career in, admittedly a great band, but they really haven't done anything note worthy since the late 70's early 80's. Also, I think he was a bit over shadowed by Fleetwoods superb drumming, and the guitar players in the the band. I always loved his melodic lines tho'.

southernrocker · #15 05-27-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass7858

I wish young drummers would do nothing more than study ...."the command" of drummers like Mick Fleetwood....Steve Gadd..Eddie Bayers.... They literally stare u in the eye and command u lock in with them. Forget about fancy licks and lookin cool. I can still see ol Mick evil eyin everybody on stage sayin "Here it is...get with it!!"
I always thought Christene's keyboard work melded wonderfully in the rhythym section.
Just my .02

You're preachin' to the choir! I wish drummers could just lay back and keep the beat. The new "rock" today is just sonic mush. Everybody is muddy, and the drummers are friggin' soloing the whole time. We'll see if they survive the test of time.

Number27 · #16 05-27-2009, 11:02 PM

i don't really know any of there stuff, but the bass solo in The Chain always used to give me goose bumps back when they used it as the theme song for all the Formula 1 racing on the tv (in the 90s)

sflajimmy · #17 05-28-2009, 12:08 AM

A good term for John McVie would be a "lunch pail" bassist. He shows up and plays a nice solid line always.

PJSShearer · #18 05-28-2009, 04:04 AM

From this season Formula 1 is back on the BBC in the UK. This means that the Chain is the theme tune.

joebingo · #19 05-28-2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

From this season Formula 1 is back on the BBC in the UK. This means that the Chain is the theme tune.

Which is why i felt very silly when I locked eyes with a pedestrian while I was stuck in a traffic jam, and that bassline started pumping out of my stereo quite loud with my windows open...

But yeah, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are possibly one of the greatest rhythm sections in modern music ever. Right back to the days of Peter Green they were incredible!

Prof.Dr.Metz · #20 05-28-2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

You're preachin' to the choir! I wish drummers could just lay back and keep the beat. The new "rock" today is just sonic mush. Everybody is muddy, and the drummers are friggin' soloing the whole time. We'll see if they survive the test of time.

Right you are!