Rumours Live
live
ArtistFleetwood Mac
CoverFleetwood Mac - Rumours Live.png
Released8 September 2023
Recorded29 August 1977
VenueThe Forum, Inglewood, California
GenreRock
Length87:41
Label
Prev year2019
Next year2024

Rumours Live is a live album by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on 8 September 2023 through Rhino Entertainment.[1] The tracks were recorded on 29 August 1977 at the Forum in Inglewood, California, during the Rumours Tour.[2]

Overview

Rumours Live is the first album released by Fleetwood Mac since the death of Christine McVie in November 2022.[1]

The album's tracks were recorded during the band's opening night at the Forum, on 29 August 1977, by Ken Caillat using a mobile recording truck from the Record Plant, the studio where the band recorded part of Rumours.[1][3] The show was attended by close to 20,000 people.[1] At the time, Rumours held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart and would go on to sell more than 40 million copies worldwide.[3][4]

In addition to Rumours, the set list comprises tracks from Fleetwood Mac's 1975's self-titled album, as well as "Oh Well", which was written by Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green and released as a single in 1969.[4][5] The concert's tracks were previously unreleased, except for "Gold Dust Woman", which appeared on the 2021 deluxe edition of Live.[2][6] The live versions of "Dreams" and "Go Your Own Way" preceded the album's release.[1][7]

Rumours Live was issued in two formats: a two-CD set and a double LP gatefold vinyl edition, pressed on 180 g black vinyl, with lacquers cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering.[2][8] A clear vinyl version of the LPs was also available.[2]

Sam Graham wrote in the album's liner notes that the live versions of the songs are more "muscular, more ferocious, than the album recordings," adding that they are driven the rhythm section "powerhouse" of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie and Lindsey Buckingham's "febrile guitar playing".[4] He said that instead of a "rote recital of the hits, the group stretches out in concert, as songs like 'Rhiannon', 'World Turning' and 'I'm So Afraid' blossom into exuberant tours de force onstage."[4][6]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic said that Rumours Live showcased "a rock band hitting their stride, still a little ragged and raw, happy to be playing to an enthusiastic large crowd" rather than a "well-oiled machine that's comfortable playing to the rafters of an arena."[9] He noted that the band performed with a "verve and vigor that enlivens songs which have become perhaps overly familiar in their immaculate studio renditions."[9]

Consequence's Jo Vito described the energy as "palpable" when listening to the version of "Dreams" from the album, arguing that while "Stevie Nicks' inimitable voice and top-notch songwriting" take center stage, "the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie augments the song to a level the album version never reaches." He added that the track, played at a faster tempo, feels "more punchy, more lively, as if you can feel the band playing off the excitement of the audience."[3]

Megan LaPierre of Exclaim! thought that Rumours Live feels "like lightning captured in a bottle".[10] She concluded by saying that "just when you thought you had memorized every dip and grove in your Rumours vinyl, you get to hear Fleetwood Mac reinvent their best work – back when the dough was still fresh for the kneading."[10]

Track listing

The album was released as a double LP, divided into two records. It includes live performances of tracks from Fleetwood Mac (1975), Rumours (1977), as well as the 1969 song "Oh Well".

Personnel

Fleetwood Mac

Production

Project assistance

  • Sheryl Farber
  • Mike Johnson
  • Amelia Halverson
  • Susanne Savage
  • John Strother
  • Mike Wilson

Management

  • Sheryl Louis – CSM Management
  • Carl Stubner, Blain Clausen – Shelter Music Group
  • Martin Wyatt – Bright Music
  • Matt Sadie, Simon White – C3 Management

Charts

Chart performance for Rumours Live
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11]108
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[12]62
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[13]32

References

  1. ^ Wilkes, Emma (2023-07-22). "Fleetwood Mac announce 'Rumours' live album". NME. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  2. ^ Zemler, Emily (2023-07-20). "Fleetwood Mac to Unveil 'Rumours Live' Double LP in September". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  3. ^ Vito, Jo (2023-09-08). "Fleetwood Mac Unveil Rumours Live Album from 1977: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  4. ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (2023-07-20). "Fleetwood Mac to Release 'Rumours Live' Album". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  5. ^ "Rumours Live (2LP)". Rhino. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  6. ^ Rapp, Allison (2023-07-20). "Fleetwood Mac Announces 'Rumours Live' Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  7. ^ Kreps, Daniel (2023-08-31). "Hear Fleetwood Mac's Unreleased Rendition of 'Go Your Own Way' From 'Rumours Live'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  8. ^ Sinclair, Paul (2023-07-20). "Fleetwood Mac / Rumours Live – SuperDeluxeEdition". Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  9. ^ Erlewine, Stephen. "Rumours: Live". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  10. ^ LaPierre, Megan (2023-09-07). "Fleetwood Mac Capture Lightning in a Bottle on 'Rumours Live'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  11. ^ "Fleetwood Mac ARIA chart history (1988 to 2025)". ARIA. Retrieved April 18, 2026. – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  12. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of September 13, 2023" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  13. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.