A holding-pattern release, designed to keep their name vital... ()

Only two new songs on this Best Of disc, released after Lindsey Buckingham departed and before the arrival of "Behind the Mask" (with its two new members, Billy Burnette and Rick Vito). It certainly offered devout followers a promising taste of the new line-up, as Christine's "As Long As You Follow" and Stevie's "No Questions Asked" are both terrific, vocally and musically. This release also marked the first time on CD that Stevie's "Sara" was allowed to run its full six minutes (a privilege it was denied on the original CD issue of "Tusk"). Elsewhere, Christine's songs tend to dominate, and that's both pro and con. Christine has a wonderful way of turning a simple lyric or repeated phrase into a memorable musical moment; her melodic sense is uncanny and she knows what's right for her. Still, less of her amounts to more, as the pop-fluff she often masters successfully eventually starts to congeal. That's not to say Stevie Nicks remains fresh all the time, she doesn't. Nor does Lindsey Buckingham. Which is why the proper FM albums are so attractive--they offer a varied package of talents. This disc does include everyone, but is oddly sequenced and intrinsically unsatisfying (you notice more of what they left off than what they kept). Certainly worth-buying for the two new songs and the complete "Sara". Worst attribute: that ugly green cover art.

good but not that good ()

Let's talk about this for a minute. The hits are good but Christine dominates. I think she is the weakest writer of the trio. However, what is interesting, is that despite Christine's strangle hold ,it is the songs by Stevie and Lindsey which everyone remembers. "Dreams," "Rhiannon," Gypsy," and "Sara" are all Mac classics and all people remember an like these songs even if you don't like the band. Buckingham had like three singles this whole time. "Tusk," "Go Your Own Way," and "Big Love." Come on now! There best songs, like many bands, are the ones that weren't released as singles. Too bad. If anything this will lead listeners to discover their older albums.

The title doesn't lie ()

These are literally the Macs' biggest hits from 1975 on, although as the songs only fill 64 plus minutes of the disc, I would've preferred they used the extra 15 or so minutes to complete the hit parade with numbers that may not have charted so high but I'm sure the general public would have remembered fondly like "Love in store" & "Think about Me" Among others. However, the platter does contain all the classic uncut studio versions which is the way a greatest hits package should be (unless, say for instance, the hit version was live then that should be included instead) the real plus is the inclusion of the entire recording of "Sara". though after hearing the complete version of "Gypsy" on the "25 years the chain" box set 4 years later, one looks back and wishes that was included on this set. There are two new songs included here, Christine's "As long as you follow" is a moderately slow tune which is very pleasant while I found Stevie's "No questions asked" rather bland and frankly, not one of her best. Minor problems aside, There should be no questions asked that this is vital listening for anyone interested in learning about Fleetwood Mac music and arguably the best but certainly one of the best places for one to start on their magical mystical Mac journey.

Excellent Combination! ()

This CD is great, the combination of the songs is excellent, simply the best music of Fleetwood between 1975 and 1987.
Hightly recommended!

A GOOD INTRO FOR NEW FANS... ()

THIS IS A MUCH BETTER COMPILATION THAN THE RECENT UK VERSION'VERY BEST OF'.AFTER I BOUGHT TANGO,THIS WAS THE ALBUM THAT MADE ME GO OUT & BUY ALL THE MAC & STEVIE NICKS ALBUMS I COULD FIND,