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| Fleetwood Mac - Penguin Reprise Records, March 1973 Recorded using Rolling Stones Mobile Studios, Hampshire, UK Produced by Fleetwood Mac and Martin Birch |
Fleetwood Mac had always had a turbulent history and the firing of guitarist Danny Kirwan in late 1972 was probably not a surprise to many. The band replaced Kirwan with guitarist Bob Weston and vocalist Dave Walker, a former member of Savoy Brown and a future - albeit brief - member of Black Sabbath. The album was recorded using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studios in their communal house in Benifold, Hampshire. Most of the songs were written by Bob Welch and Christina McVie, with scattered credits given to the new musicians Walker and Weston. Welch contributes the moodier, bluesier pieces whereas McVie brings the melodic pop songs to completing this very overlooked and underappreciated LP.
The album opens with the groovy, mid-tempo rocker 'Remember Me'. Written and sung by Christine McVie, 'Remember Me' highlights her evolving pop sensibilities as a songwriter. 'Remember Me' flows perfectly into the mellow 'Bright Fire' which has a laid back west-coast feel. The song meanders along with understated vocals and guitar from Bob Welch, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Although not particularly catchy or melodically memorable, 'Bright Fire' has an effortless charm to it and for me one of the albums highlights. The next track is another McVie number 'Dissatisfied'. An upbeat pop song with some great guitar work, especially during the intro and the spectacular solo. The song is classic McVie, with a great chorus, giving us a further glimpse of the style of music to come out of Fleetwood Mac over the next couple of years.
Probably the weakest moment is the cover of the standard ‘(I’m A) Road Runner'. A solid, if not unspectacular cover, I have always felt that the band surely had some more original material that could have replaced this. However, Walker does play some some excellent harmonica, which is probably his strongest input on the record. Side A closes with the country-influenced 'The Derelict' - the sole Dave Walker composition on Penguin. 'The Derelict' has some great banjo playing and some beautiful harmonica playing from Bob Weston, whose input on the record is sadly minimal. The songs low key country style fits well on the record but does not sound like an other Fleetwood Mac song. These two songs are Walker's only real contributions to the record, a fact that frustrates me.
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| Vinyl back cover |
Side B opens with the Bob Welch penned, 'Revelation'. A groovy shuffle, with strong Latin influences, 'Revelation' demonstrates Welch's technical abilities as a guitarist. My favourite moment on album is the third McVie composition, 'Did You Ever Love Me'. The song has vaguely reggae-like beat, expertly captured by the brilliant Fleetwood-McVie rhythm section. The song has a killer chorus and riff, something which McVie manages to do so frequently and consistently. The album closes with the stunning 'Caught in the Rain'. A piano-guitar instrumental which features beautiful interplay between Bob Weston and Christine McVie.
Penguin is probably not an important album in the Fleetwood Mac catologue by all means. Although a fairly strong seller, the band dismissed it, with Bob Welch calling it "obscure", and Christine McVie described it as "weird". The album is not their strongest in terms of songwriting and creativity, however, there is something about this record that really interests me. Yes, it maybe uninspired in places and the vocals performances aren't terrific, but there is a distinctive vibe that the band captured on Penguin that they never quite reached again. I am disappointed by the lack of input from Dave Walker and Bob Weston on this record, but I think that is due to the bands fluid lineup rather than their musical abilities.
Penguin is the first album that hints at the bands transformation from a stubborn British blue-rock group into the world conquering pop machine. The album is caught between two worlds and for that makes it very intriguing listen. Interestingly, the stronger material are the tunes that hint at this shift to pop orientated music. The weaker moments are the more obvious blues-folk tunes the band had been previously known for. Although the shift may be more noticeable on the stronger followups Mystery to Me and Heroes are Hard to Find, the seeds have been sown, and for that fact this album deserves to be revisited and enjoyed for what it is - a transitional album.
Interestingly, Penguin was their highest charting US album to date, making its way into the top 50. However, during the recording of the followup Mystery to Me the band decided that Walker's vocal style did not fit the group. By June 1973 he left the group, signalling the end of one of Mac's more overlooked and underappreciated lineups. I think i'm always drawn to the odd records in bands catolouge and Penguin certainly is that in the Mac discography. I have know idea why I love this record, but I really do and I hope people find joy in this LP too.
Enjoy!
Key tracks:
Remember Me
The Derelict
Did You Ever Love Me
Caught in the Rain
If you enjoyed this album, check out:
Free - Free At Last (1972)
The Hollies - Distant Light (1971)
Bad Company - Burnin' Sky (1977)
Faces - Ooh La La (1973)
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