[.ca] Rumours (Deluxe)

Astonishingly Substandard Remastering:
As a huge Mac fan, I purchased the three remastered Mac albums with great excitement. However, my excitement soon turned to grave disappointment when I listened to them. I should point out that there were two earlier pressings of this CD; the first was dreadful, and this version is clearly better than that one. However, the second version (done as a result of customer complaints about the first, I believe) was vastly superior, both to the first pressing and (to a lesser extent) this remaster. "Second Hand News" sounds much better on the remaster, but it's all downhill from there. "Dreams" is lineball, but from then on it's clear that the second pressing was considerably cleaner and clearer than this remaster (although the remaster has fuller bass). Also, "Silver Springs" sounds infinitely better on "The Chain" box set. I am frankly astonished that anyone involved could have let such a substandard remaster of such a well-known album be released. Perhaps the Australian version is inferior to the US, but I doubt it.

lacking diversity?:
"rumours" has to be one of the best albums ever. i never previously managed to own a copy on cd, so when this extended version was released, i thought, what the hell! i am glad i purchased it, i've always loved the song "silver spring" also my favourite "gold dust woman" here in 3 versions, as is "dreams, though i must say, it would have been nice to have a bit more diversity between the versions, as i found i was listening & waiting for that twist, but did not happen. also, "planets of the universe" i love this version, it is very moving & folky, as compared to the rock version on "shangri-la" "butter cookie" i also love the classic blues sound. "screecher's blues" i can't quite make out, but the guitars sound good, so i guess that's what it's all about. "think about it" i'm not a big fan of this song, either this version or on "belladonna", i think it would have been nice to see a bit more diversity on this album as i'm sure 'mac have scope for this in the archives, but i guess their saving it for some time in the future & we're all eagerly anticipating this!?

have you any dreams you'd like to sell?:
this album, obviously a total classic. some of the songs here being the most beautiful ever recorded. "songbird" about as perfect as a musical piano song can be. "dreams" again, just a beautiful song, moving & emotional, evocative to the extreme! "second hand news" completely brilliant. as are the rock anthems "go your own way" & "don't stop" "the chain" a classic piece of music & perhaps the band's theme tune, & the guitar solo a success in its own right! the additions here "planets of the universe" is an incredibly moving version, dramatic, poignant & beautiful lyrics. "silver springs" glad to see this inclusion, love this song, & the fade out vocals & lyrics incredibly emotional & angst-ridden. "gold dust woman" 3 versions here, all quite similar, so would've been nice if there'd been a bit more diversity here. overall, a great collection for someone who wants to update their copy of "rumours" tho not sure whether its worth purchasing merely on the strength of the second disc!

The Best Album in 30 years:
I have heard numerous albums and groups over the last 30 years and to me, this is one of the best albums. Only a couple albums by the Beatles in the 60s could give this a run for the number of hit songs. At the time the album was released they received numerous accolades and ever since then this album stands out through their break-ups and make-ups. Every fan of the band has the original. Fans and new people to the group should love this Remastered Dlx edition. Anyone that likes rock should add this to their collection. I will be surprised if you don't listen to the whole CD and not just a couple songs on a regular basis. Many people transfer singles to a CD for their listening pleasure. This is one CD I can't see pulling a song or two from. I love the whole CD. The sound is incredibly crisp and gives the feel of being surrounded by the music.

Great Album With Superior Sound Quality:
I have owned Rumours before, both in the LP format and the original CD format. Obviously this album has been a favourite of mine for a long time, with a slight more understanding of the tension involved in making it as the years have passed by. What struck me, however, by hearing this new re-mastered version was the immense sound quality. Listening to Dreams the bass becomes so vibrant and alive with Stevie Nick's voice backed up with incredible harmonies with the addition of crisp guitar sounds and thumping drumming. On the next track, Never Going Back Again the guitar is spread in the mix giving the listener a feeling of actually being involved with the playing. Much of the same can be described by most of the other songs on the album, making me for my part re-discovering it again. Never before had I noticed how great the production was, not only in regards of the sound quality but also how it was mixed, both simple but yet innovative. I took my old CD to compare the two versions, the hypothesis being that maybe this great sound had simply eluded me some years ago. The difference was, however, similar to hearing a worn cassette tape and a regular CD. The separation of instruments was not to be heard, a lack of depth was evident and the mix was muffled as if one were listening to a worn LP. There is also added material. Silver Springs, a single not included on the original version, has been tacked between what before was side A and B. A fine song and its odd inclusion actually does keep the flow of the album intact (I believe having it at the end would spoil the fine ending of the original). There is also a bonus disk consisting of demos of the songs. It is interesting hearing these demos, one can hear how good the simple versions are but yet how delicately Fleetwood Mac improved them in the studio. Of particular note is Brushes which is only the guitar playing of what became Never Going Back Again. One must, however, make sure to press the stop button before some jam session at the end of the disc begin, those are only for the most devoted. Thus from the standpoint of sound quality, this re-mastered version of Rumours is in my view a great buy. The bonus CD is a welcome addition and the artwork accompanying this version does this great album justice.

• Second Hand News
• Dreams
• Never Going Back Again
• Don't Stop
• Go Your Own Way
• Songbird
• Silver Springs
• The Chain
• You Make Loving Fun
• I Don't Want to Know
• Oh Daddy
• Gold Dust Woman
• Second Hand News
• Dreams
• Brushes (Never Going Back Again)
• Don't Stop
• Go Your Own Way
• Songbird
• Silver Springs
• You Make Loving Fun
• Gold Dust Woman #1
• Oh Daddy
• Think About It
• Never Going Back Again
• Planets of the Universe
• Butter Cookie (Keep Me There)
• Gold Dust Woman
• Doesn't Anything Last
• Mic the Screecher
• For Duster (The Blues)