MICK JONES TALKS BAD MEDICATION & BREAKDOWN
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
Story By: G. H. HARDING
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| Lindsey Buckingham |
LAST MAC? --- Lindsey Buckingham recently appeared on the PBS Tavis Smiley show, saying that the upcoming album and tour will wrap up this last act. He did admit, though, that there's still a year or two left and that he would be putting off his solo activities until things wrap up.
For Buckingham, it was the return of Christine McVie (after 15 years) that reinvigorated the band. "Christine really fills the gap of the polarity that might exist otherwise, and helps things breathe."
McVie also brought with her a number of new songs that impressed Buckingham. "She gave me a bunch of stuff to take home. I worked on it, came back and she loved it. We went into the studio and came out with the best songs we've co-written in years."
Still, the end is near. The current membership of Fleetwood Mac came together exactly forty years ago (New Year's Eve 1974) and, through divorces, breaks and the hiatus of McVie, have survived as one of the enduring legends of rock. Over that time, they've released seven studio albums (eight if you count 1995's Time, which was a bit of a mongrel, but contained some several terrific Dave Mason songs).
Buckingham summed up the future by saying "We’re going to continue working on the new album, and the solo stuff will take a back seat for a year or two. A beautiful way to wrap up this last act."
The Mac is here is NYC at Madison Square Garden on January 22.
MICK’S BACK --- When Foreigner founder Mick Jones took a year off, he originally blamed it on a heart valve problem. Turns out the truth was much different.
A story on Jones recently aired on CBS Sunday Morning where he revealed the true reason for his hiatus. "I'd had a virtual nervous breakdown, brought on by a bad prescribing of medication. It was a very dark time for me. I literally didn't know where I was anymore. I didn't know who I was. I mean, honestly I never thought I'd play on stage again.”
"I lost the ability to play chords briefly, only for a couple of months. And my brother brought a guitar over for me and said, 'You play guitar. Play it. You're a guitarist. Play the guitar, you know.'"
With the help of his family, the former Spooky Tooth-musician fought his way back and is now back with the band who have an extensive touring schedule.
Jones also talks about the early years of Foreigner and his recent reunion with Lou Gramm at the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame event, and he reveals that Gramm thought the band’s sound was going soft …. and, the tipping point for him was the group’s “I Want To Know What Love Is.”
Very odd, as Gramm sings the song with so much passion. For me, this could well be the group’s best song ever. Check out the video:
DOMINICK --- We’ve teased about the imminent return to the recording scene of one Dominick DiPietrantonio; he previously worked with The Rascals Dino Danelli. This month Dom will ink a new recording deal and begin finishing work on several tracks he started with The Rascal-member as well as several new tracks with a number of interesting collaborators.
And, Dom’s ready to get back to music, “I’m ready to finish with the business end and get back to the studio … that’s where I want to be and I think the newer songs are right on the money.”
CLOSING NOTES --- Saw Rob Marshall’s Into The Woods and just loved it. Meryl Streep is like a whirling dervish, stunningly perfect; as is Emily Blunt and James Corden. Just a terrific concept: No happily ever after … only, once upon a time. A devilish mash-up for sure. Just adored it …
Seeing The new Jennifer Aniston movie tonight,Cake; which has been scoring nominations and awards left and right. Advance word has been pretty stellar. More Wednesday …
OK, I have gone back to Showtime’s Homeland. Yep, the season without Damien Lewis. I watched two episodes and though the territory seems to be the same, it was pretty enjoyable. Nowhere near the emotional level hit in the Lewis-days, but I must admit that Mandy Pantinkin story (where he is abducted and held for a prisoner ransom) was pretty rich. Yes, I enjoyed it … a little bit …
Started watching the BBC Sherlock series with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I only watched the first episode in the 3-episode Season One. Pretty British and pretty good. It actually made me feel I was in London …
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