Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Buckingham Nicks
Company: Polydor
Catalog: PD 5058
Year: 1972
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: gatefold sleeve
Available: 3
Price: $30.00
Following the 1971 breakup of the San Francisco
based Fritz, vocalist/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks (the
liner notes spelled it "Stevi") elected to continue their
collaboration as a duo. After two years of low-keyed touring (Stevie paying
the bills by working as a waitress), in 1973 the
duo was signed by Polydor.
Produced by Keith Olsen, "Buckingham-Nicks"
featured a first rate
collection of 70s folk-rock. Writing duties were split between the
pair; Buckingham providing 5 tracks, Nicks 4 and one collaboration.
Musically the set was quite impressive. Among the highlights were Buckingham's unique, largely
acoustic guitar stylings (check out the instrumentals "Django"
and "Stephanie"), though he was just as adept at turning in
a blazing electric solo ("Frozen Love"). Equally important
to the mix was Nicks' ethereal voice (to say
nothing of her stunning good looks), and the duo's impeccable
harmonies. Songs such as "Don't Let Me Down Again", the sweet ballad
"Long Distance Winner" and "Crystal" were catchy, highly
radio friendly and
deserved widespread airplay. Unfortunately, without much support from
Polydor, the album quickly vanished into cutout bins. (Original copies of the album included an
gatefold sleeve.)
"Buckingham-Nicks" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Don't Let Me Down Again (Lindsey Buckingham) - 3:52
2.) Django (instrumental) (Lindsey Buckingham) - 1:02
3.) Races Are Run (Stevi Nicks) - 4:14
4.) Lola (My Love) (Lindsey Buckingham) - 3:44
5.) Frozen Love (Lindsey Buckingham - Stevi Nicks) - 7:15
(side 2)
1.) Crying In the Night (Stevi Nicks) - 2:58
2.) Stephanie (instrumental) (Lindsey Buckingham) - 2:12
3.) Without a Leg To Stand On (Lindsey Buckingham) - 2:09
4.) Crystal (Stevi Nicks) - 3:41
5.) Long Distance Winner (Stevi Nicks) - 4:50
In the wake of the album's commercial failure, Buckingham returned to sessions work, while Nicks pursued her career as a waitress. The setback proved momentary; within a year the two were members of Fleetwood Mac (see separate entry). After hearing the album want to guess whether Fleetwood Mac had the bigger impact on these guys, or vice versa ???