It cannot be denied, that the album ‘Rumours’ was literally the reincarnation of Fleetwood Mac. Just when the band was on the edge and ready to call it a day, the last album erupted in such a way that it brought the band instant recognition all over the world. Obviously it was more due to the fact that the new members brought in the melodies that made the difference.

Recorded in 1977, the multi – million selling album sold 15 million copies spending a staggering total of 433 weeks in the UK charts and an astonishing 130 weeks in the US Billboard charts. The band has seen many departures of band members, but the inclusion of guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and vocalist Stevie Nicks set a new chapter in the career of Fleetwood Mac. The departure of guitarist Bob Welch reduced the band to nothing short of a pop band, though he managed to make them big in some ways. The band suddenly became a California pop group; instead of a blues/rock band. They started bringing out three-minute singles with a hook in every chorus.

But just as the band was taking a turn for the better the members were in splits, well literally. Though bassist John and singer-keyboard player Chris McVie was a couple and were really infact not married, you could make out the great chemistry in them, but sadly it didn’t work. On the other hand Stevie Nicks the new voice of the band and Lindsey also had personal problems; hence the album almost never saw the light of day. But then they overcame all that just so that the album could be recorded, an album that made a place in rock music history.

The DVD presents specially recorded versions of all the 12 tracks pop rock, some acoustic and some with the full band. It includes the haunting ‘Songbird’ by Christine playing the song in an empty hall, just the piano for company. It also has pieces like the Lindsey – Nicks masterpieces like ‘Dreams’, ‘Go your own way’ and ‘Don’t Stop’ among many others. The video takes you into the recording studio showing you just how the album was recorded and how it actually sounded. Every song is brilliant. From the dozen pieces at least half are still strong on radio even today. Snapshot exclusive interviews with Lindsey, Nicks, John and Chris show you just how this mega selling album was created. The DVD also has short video clips and studio interviews with sound engineers who worked on the album.

The album’s plus point is the use of two female lead voices and male background singing against a crisp, instrumental backing that moves from the high to the absolute low. The songs speak of the painful freedom of being separated from a love partner, which reflects the personal changes among the two couples in the quintet. It is a mirror of the band’s personal lives put to music. The album inlay especially the back cover has excellent photos of individual group members in different moods.

But the success of the band and album would go to McVie's voice for her stylish vocal arrangements, Nicks' low range and Buckingham's high range, all that made the band a successful outfit with the album. If you have the album, go out and get this DVD and watch just how this career breaking album was recorded.

-- By Verus Ferreira