aaamusic | On 07, Dec 2014

Monday 1st December, Oxford

Through the sixties and beyond, Fleetwood Mac evolved from being an inventive  blues band to an internationally successful rock act with female vocalists. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac have been critically acclaimed for recreating those classic songs and they’ve performed hundreds of concerts to date.

This New Theatre, Oxford evening began with a supporting video from Mick Fleetwood and ‘Gold Dust Woman’, the Stevie Nicks signature song, sung  convincingly by Louise Rogan. The mild rock of  ‘Gypsy’ contrasted with vibrant ‘Little Lies’ and a haunting ‘Sara’ reminded us of past stories of tangled relationships and complicated love affairs. ‘Don’t Stop’ was the song chosen by candidate Bill Clinton for his USA presidential campaign.

Returning to the Peter Green blues era, Alan Hughes and Dave Goldberg played ‘Albatross’, with its fine, hypnotic instrumental and slow drum beat. The fast and rhythmical ‘Black Magic Woman’ was followed by an energetic ‘Oh Well,’ the electric blues song with classical influences. Legendary ‘Man of the World’ told the sad tale of a man who had everything he wanted except the person he yearned for. The audience probably wished that they had written that particular song, as the band did.         

The beautiful, inspirational songs that Rumours of Fleetwood Mac play are passionate and enjoyable, with tight harmonies and great riffs like the originals.  They’re lively, talented and respectful musicians. If you go to see them you’ll find a band that’s raw, melodic, exhilarating and really quite modest.

Anthony Weightman

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac will start a UK tour in January. Click here for tour dates…