Buckingham Nicks was the self-titled 1973 album recorded by the duo of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, a few short years before they attained mega-stardom as members of Fleetwood Mac. They didn't know it at the time, but Buckingham Nicks served as their audition tape for the Mac. In 1974, Fleetwood Mac's lineup was down to Mick Fleetwood and John and Christine McVie, and the trio were looking for replacements for ex-members Bob Welch and Bob Weston. When they came across the Buckingham Nicks recording and heard Lindsey's guitar playing, they knew right away that they wanted him in the band. After Fleetwood contacted him and asked him to join, he decided he would come aboard if his then-girlfriend Stevie did. The rest, as they say, is history. The reconstituted quintet soon recorded their self-titled 1975 album Fleetwood Mac, which outsold the band's previous records; their next album, 1977's Rumours, is one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The Buckingham Nicks album has been out of print for many decades, and has for obvious reasons become a much-sought-after collector's item. Why is it not available? Nicks and Buckingham jointly own the rights to it; Nicks has stated that she wants it to be reissued, but Buckingham reportedly does not. The album is certainly no embarrassment to him; Buckingham Nicks may not be a solid album, but it isn't half-bad, either. Buckingham's guitar playing was always impressive, and his playing on this recording is no exception. Nicks' voice is likable and heartfelt here. The songs are more than a little interesting. The album includes the song "Crystal", which was re-done on the duo's first album with Fleetwood Mac. Some of the tunes (like "Crying In The Night" and "Don't Let Me Down Again") sound similar to songs the duo would later create with Fleetwood Mac, making it clear what ingredients the duo brought to that band; other tracks (like the Southern-flavored "Lola (My Love)") sound quite different from their better-known work. Buckingham Nicks is a decent recording, and a historically significant curiosity piece for any Fleetwood Mac fan.
(Notes: the song "Long Distance Winner" was included on the 1998 Stevie Nicks box set Enchanted. As of late 2024, the Buckingham Nicks album has still never been given a legitimate reissue, but has received numerous unauthorized re-releases, including CD's issued in South Korea in 2016 and in Japan in 2017 by the Big Pink label. Although the Big Pink CD's are unofficial, they have been given high marks for sound quality).
Track Listing:
1. Crying in the Night
2. Stephanie
3. Without A Leg To Stand On
4. Crystal
5. Long Distance Winner
6. Don't Let Me Down Again
7. Django
8. Races Are Run
9. Lola (My Love)
10. Frozen Love
Home
