Fundamental Roll ()

Definitely worth having for the Buckingham-Nicks involvement. Walter Egan has a voice similar to Gerry Rafferty of "Baker Street" fame and musical proficiency to match. For me the album's highlights are "Only the Lucky" and "Won't You Say You Will." These songs have a breezy, uplifting quality that conveys the seldom-heard message 'life is sweet' (seldom-heard in 2002 anyway). What remains unfortunately sounds either too improvised or too derivative of something else (See if you can take in "Waitin" without thinking of "Jet Airliner" by The Steve Miller Band). The song "Tunnel of Love" has novelty appeal, I suppose. Its a 70s predecessor to "Cherry Pie" (Warrant) and "Sugar Walls" (Prince/Sheena Easton). Egan sings in sexual metaphors while Nicks backs him with quaking tremolo groans. Were these two ever an item? The cover itself is quite scandalous. On the front, a boyish Egan poses with two very young- and very horny- looking cheerleaders. Funny, I don't recall there being cheerleaders in elementary school. On the back cover, Egan gives them both a brotherly hug, but raises the backs of their skirts to provide us with a nice view of their panty-clad butts. I sure would like to know what became of those girls.

Cat Dancer ()

This album serves as an interesting footnote to Stevie Nicks' Wild Heart album on which Sandy Stewart contributed her songwriting and vocal talents. Some of the songs on Catdancer could easily be mistaken for Wild Heart outtakes. While Stevie Nicks contributes some vocals here, it's Stewart's voice that is the standout. She shows herself adept at handling the vocalizations and musical stylings of not just Nicks, but of Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons, Pat Benetar, and Denise Williams. While this doesn't make for a very original album, you can understand why Stewart has flourished working with other artists (Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Belinda Carlisle, Tina Turner). All songs on Catdancer are masterfully produced and the power-ballads are stunning, the best being the title track, "Not Like the Others," and "The Saddest Victory" with its devastating lyric, 'So you have won, and you have conquered, and you have killed a friend in me; how does it feel? Your saddest victory.' I'm sure the videos that accompanied these songs must have been exquisite. The album cover itself looks pretty flat and uninspired, but I believe Stewart (pictured glowering on the front) is wearing the same silk kimono that she wore for her photos with Stevie Nicks and company on Wild Heart's back cover. It's too bad the Wild Heart magic didn't rub off on Stewart's project. Note -- Stewart's latest co-credit is for the song "Too Far from Texas" on Nicks' Trouble in Shangri-La album.

Buckingham Nicks ()

I was able to purchase an LP copy at a record convention last week for $25. I listened to it today and already I'm hooked. Now I realize what a strong impact Lindsey and Stevie had on the music of Fleetwood Mac. Listening to this album puts you right back into that mystical forest where gypsies roam and crystal visions are born. The fact that the album is so difficult to find makes it even more of a treasure. My advice for obtaining a copy is to check out record conventions or visit eBay. If a redneck from Dallas, TX can find it, so can you.