Tusk (album)
Encyclopedia
Tusk is the 12th album by the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac
. Released in 1979, it is considered experimental, primarily due to Lindsey Buckingham
's sparser songwriting arrangements and the influence of punk rock
and New Wave
on his production techniques. Bassist John McVie has commented that the album sounds like "the work of three solo artists" (Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie), whilst Mick Fleetwood later proclaimed that it is his favourite and the best Fleetwood Mac studio album created by the group. Costing over one million dollars to record (a fact widely noted in the 1979 press), it was the most expensive rock album made up to that point.
Tusk peaked at #4 in the US and was certified double platinum for shipping two million copies. It peaked at #1 in the UK and achieved a Platinum award for shipments in excess of 300,000 copies. The album gave the group two US top-ten hit singles, with the Buckingham-penned title track (US #8/UK #6), and the Stevie Nicks
composition "Sara" (US #7/UK #37). Further releases from the album, "Not That Funny" (UK only single release), "Think About Me" and "Sisters of the Moon" were less successful; however, the latter two appear in their 'single versions' on the 2002 compilation The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac
. "Sara" was cut to 4½ minutes for both the single and the first CD release of the album, but the unedited version has since been restored on the 1988 Greatest Hits compilation and the 2004 reissue of Tusk as well as Fleetwood Mac's 2002 release of The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac. Original guitarist Peter Green
also took part in the sessions for Tusk, but his playing on the Christine McVie track "Brown Eyes" is not credited on the album.
Though the album sold four million copies worldwide, in comparison to the huge sales of Rumours and the unprecedented recording expense, the band's record label deemed the project a failure, laying the blame squarely with Buckingham himself. Fleetwood, however, blames the album's relative failure on the RKO
radio chain playing the album in its entirety prior to release, thus allowing mass home taping. In addition, Tusk was a double album
, with a high list price of $15.98.
The band embarked on a huge 18-month tour to promote Tusk. They travelled extensively across the world, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In Germany they shared the bill with reggae superstar Bob Marley
. It was on this world tour that the band recorded music for the Fleetwood Mac Live
album, which was released at the end of 1980.
Side two
Side three
Side four
Additional personnel
Singles
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
. Released in 1979, it is considered experimental, primarily due to Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Adams Buckingham is an American guitarist, singer, composer and producer, most notable for being the guitarist and male lead singer of the musical group Fleetwood Mac. Aside from his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham has also released six solo albums and a live album...
's sparser songwriting arrangements and the influence of punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
on his production techniques. Bassist John McVie has commented that the album sounds like "the work of three solo artists" (Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie), whilst Mick Fleetwood later proclaimed that it is his favourite and the best Fleetwood Mac studio album created by the group. Costing over one million dollars to record (a fact widely noted in the 1979 press), it was the most expensive rock album made up to that point.
Tusk peaked at #4 in the US and was certified double platinum for shipping two million copies. It peaked at #1 in the UK and achieved a Platinum award for shipments in excess of 300,000 copies. The album gave the group two US top-ten hit singles, with the Buckingham-penned title track (US #8/UK #6), and the Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
composition "Sara" (US #7/UK #37). Further releases from the album, "Not That Funny" (UK only single release), "Think About Me" and "Sisters of the Moon" were less successful; however, the latter two appear in their 'single versions' on the 2002 compilation The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac
The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac
The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac is an enhanced compilation album released by rock band Fleetwood Mac in 2002 to promote their then-upcoming album Say You Will . It was released as a double album in the USA, and as a single disc in the United Kingdom. It debuted on the Billboard 200 album chart at...
. "Sara" was cut to 4½ minutes for both the single and the first CD release of the album, but the unedited version has since been restored on the 1988 Greatest Hits compilation and the 2004 reissue of Tusk as well as Fleetwood Mac's 2002 release of The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac. Original guitarist Peter Green
Peter Green (musician)
Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
also took part in the sessions for Tusk, but his playing on the Christine McVie track "Brown Eyes" is not credited on the album.
Though the album sold four million copies worldwide, in comparison to the huge sales of Rumours and the unprecedented recording expense, the band's record label deemed the project a failure, laying the blame squarely with Buckingham himself. Fleetwood, however, blames the album's relative failure on the RKO
RKO General
RKO General was the main holding company through 1991 for the noncore businesses of the General Tire and Rubber Company and, after General Tire's reorganization in the 1980s, GenCorp. The business was based around the consolidation of its parent company's broadcasting interests, dating to 1943, and...
radio chain playing the album in its entirety prior to release, thus allowing mass home taping. In addition, Tusk was a double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
, with a high list price of $15.98.
The band embarked on a huge 18-month tour to promote Tusk. They travelled extensively across the world, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In Germany they shared the bill with reggae superstar Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
. It was on this world tour that the band recorded music for the Fleetwood Mac Live
Live (Fleetwood Mac album)
Live is a double live album released by Fleetwood Mac in 1980. It was the first live album from the then-current line-up of the band, and the next would be The Dance from 1997...
album, which was released at the end of 1980.
Track listing
Side one- "Over & Over" (Christine McVieChristine McVieChristine McVie is an English rock singer, keyboardist, and songwriter. Her primary fame came as a member of the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, though she has also released three solo albums...
) – 4:36 - "The Ledge" (Lindsey BuckinghamLindsey BuckinghamLindsey Adams Buckingham is an American guitarist, singer, composer and producer, most notable for being the guitarist and male lead singer of the musical group Fleetwood Mac. Aside from his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham has also released six solo albums and a live album...
) – 2:02 - "Think About Me" (C. McVie) – 2:44
- "Save Me a Place" (Buckingham) – 2:40
- "SaraSara (Fleetwood Mac song)"Sara" is a song written by Stevie Nicks and released in an edited 4:37 version by Fleetwood Mac as a single from the 1979 Tusk double LP. The song reached #7 on the U.S. charts, #37 in the UK, #11 in Australia and #2 in Canada...
" (Stevie NicksStevie NicksStephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
) – 6:27 (edited to 4:37 on original CD versions)
Side two
- "What Makes You Think You're the One" (Buckingham) – 3:32
- "Storms" (Nicks) – 5:29
- "That's All for Everyone" (Buckingham) – 3:04
- "Not That Funny" (Buckingham) – 3:13
- "Sisters of the MoonSisters of the Moon"Sisters of the Moon" is a song by Anglo-American rock group Fleetwood Mac. It was written and performed by band-member Stevie Nicks and was released in the US as the fourth single from the 1979 album Tusk. It was not a big hit and peaked at #86....
" (Nicks) – 4:40
Side three
- "AngelAngel (Fleetwood Mac song)"Angel" is a song written and performed by Stevie Nicks on the Fleetwood Mac album Tusk. Nicks attributed the song to the story of Rhiannon in the Mabinogion and in particular Arawn, who is the great lord of darkness....
" (Nicks) – 4:53 - "That's Enough for Me" (Buckingham) – 1:48
- "Brown Eyes" (C. McVie) – 4:30
- "Never Make Me Cry" (C. McVie) – 2:14
- "I Know I'm Not Wrong" (Buckingham) – 3:02
Side four
- "Honey Hi" (C. McVie) – 2:43
- "Beautiful Child" (Nicks) – 5:23
- "Walk a Thin Line" (Buckingham) – 3:48
- "TuskTusk (song)"Tusk" is a song by Fleetwood Mac from the 1979 double LP of the same name. The song reached #8 on the U.S. charts, #6 in the U.K. and #3 in Australia and Canada....
" (Buckingham) – 3:36 - "Never Forget" (C. McVie) – 3:44
Remastered 2-Disc Deluxe Edition
A 2-disc remastered version of the album was released in 2004, featuring the entire, unedited version of the original album on the first disc and various demos, outtakes and alternate versions on the second disc:Bonus CD
- "One More Time (Over & Over)" (C. McVie)
- "Can't Walk Out of Here (The Ledge)" (Buckingham)
- "Think About Me" (C. McVie)
- "Sara" (Nicks)
- "Lindsey's Song #1 (I Know I'm Not Wrong)" (Buckingham)
- "Storms" (Nicks)
- "Lindsey's Song #2 (That's All for Everyone)" (Buckingham)
- "Sisters of the Moon" (Nicks)
- "Out on the Road (That's Enough for Me)" (Buckingham)
- "Brown Eyes" (C. McVie)
- "Never Make Me Cry" (C. McVie)
- "Song #1 (I Know I'm Not Wrong)" (Buckingham)
- "Honey Hi" (C. McVie)
- "Beautiful Child" (Nicks)
- "Song #3 (Walk a Thin Line)" (Buckingham)
- "Come on Baby (Never Forget)" (C. McVie)
- "Song #1 (I Know I'm Not Wrong)" [alternate] (Buckingham)
- "Kiss and Run" (Jorge Calderón)
- "Farmer's Daughter" (Brian WilsonBrian WilsonBrian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
, Mike LoveMike LoveMichael Edward "Mike" Love is an American singer/songwriter and musician with The Beach Boys. He was a founding member of the band along with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and their friend Al Jardine, and continues to perform with the band to the present day...
) - "Think About Me" [Single version] (C. McVie)
- "Sisters of the Moon" [Single version] (Nicks)
Credits
Fleetwood Mac- Stevie NicksStevie NicksStephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Lindsey BuckinghamLindsey BuckinghamLindsey Adams Buckingham is an American guitarist, singer, composer and producer, most notable for being the guitarist and male lead singer of the musical group Fleetwood Mac. Aside from his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham has also released six solo albums and a live album...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, vocals - Christine McVieChristine McVieChristine McVie is an English rock singer, keyboardist, and songwriter. Her primary fame came as a member of the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac, though she has also released three solo albums...
– keyboards, vocals - John McVieJohn McVieJohn Graham McVie is a British bass guitarist best known as a member of the rock group Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band's name...
– bass guitar - Mick FleetwoodMick FleetwoodMichael John Kells "Mick" Fleetwood is a British musician and actor best known for his role as the drummer and namesake of the blues/rock and roll band Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of John McVie, was the inspiration for the name of the originally Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac...
– drums, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Additional personnel
- USC Trojan Marching BandSpirit of TroyThe Spirit of Troy, also known as the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band , self-described as "The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe," represents USC at various collegiate sports, broadcast, popular music recording, and national public appearance functions.The...
– appears on "Tusk" - Peter GreenPeter Green (musician)Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
– appears uncredited on "Brown Eyes"
Production
- Producers: Fleetwood Mac. Ken CaillatKen CaillatKenneth Douglas "Ken" Caillat is an American record producer. He is best known for producing the Fleetwood Mac albums Rumours, Tusk, Mirage, Live, and The Chain Box Set....
, Richard DashutRichard DashutRichard Charles Dashut is a record producer who produced several Fleetwood Mac albums including their popular Rumours and Tusk, and later an album by Matthew Sweet, Altered Beast. Dashut also co-wrote several songs with Lindsey Buckingham during his time with Fleetwood Mac... - Engineers: Lindsey Buckingham, Ken Caillat, Richard Dashut, Hernan Rojas
- Assistant Engineer: Rich Feldman
- Mastering: Ken Perry
- Remastering: Ken Caillat
- Photography: Peter Beard, Jayne Odgers, Norman SeeffNorman SeeffNorman Seeff was born March 5, 1939 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since moving to the United States in 1969, his work as a photographer and filmmaker has been focused on the exploration of human creativity and the inner dynamics of the creative process....
- Art Direction: Vigon Nahas Vigon
- Design: Vigon Nahas Vigon
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | US | 4 |
| 1979 | UK | 1 |
Singles
| Year | Single | US | UK | AUS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "Tusk Tusk (song) "Tusk" is a song by Fleetwood Mac from the 1979 double LP of the same name. The song reached #8 on the U.S. charts, #6 in the U.K. and #3 in Australia and Canada.... " |
8 | 6 | 3 |
| 1980 | "Sara Sara (Fleetwood Mac song) "Sara" is a song written by Stevie Nicks and released in an edited 4:37 version by Fleetwood Mac as a single from the 1979 Tusk double LP. The song reached #7 on the U.S. charts, #37 in the UK, #11 in Australia and #2 in Canada... " |
7 | 37 | - |
| 1980 | "Think About Me" | 20 | - | - |
| 1980 | "Sisters of the Moon Sisters of the Moon "Sisters of the Moon" is a song by Anglo-American rock group Fleetwood Mac. It was written and performed by band-member Stevie Nicks and was released in the US as the fourth single from the 1979 album Tusk. It was not a big hit and peaked at #86.... " |
86 | - | - |
Certifications
Cover versions
- In 1991, R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
covered Tusk introducing it by noting that, earlier in their career, they were able to take advantage of Fleetwood Mac's unused recording studioRecording studioA recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
time. - In 2002, Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
released a full cover of the original Tusk. The cover art and track listings are almost identical.