When this box set was released in 1992, it was to commemorate 25 years of what had become one of the biggest selling bands of the seventies. So, why has it gone out of print? For starters, fans of the Buckingham/Nicks hit-making version of Fleetwood Mac will be better served by 2002's two-disc THE VERY BEST OF. Fans of the earlier versions of the band (and there were many) that included, at various times, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, Jeremy Spencer and Bob Welch, will be sady disappointed by their limited inclusion.

Of the first three discs, all of the songs but two are from 1977's breakout FLEETWOOD MAC or later. That leaves only disc four to tell the rest of the Fleetwood Mac story. While it's difficult to argue with what gets included on this final disc (from their first U.K. single "I believe My Time Ain't Long" through Peter Green's classic "Black Magic Woman"), to include only one track (Bob Welch's "Sentimental Lady") from a classic album like BARE TREES then turn around and include four tracks from 1990's mediocre BEHIND THE MASK, only serves to show that the compilers were not really interested in telling the band's full history.

Another problem with this box set is the sequencing. The four new recordings are scattered throughout disc one. The songs are not presented chronologically--you hear "Over My Head" (1975), followed by "Little Lies" (1987), then "Eyes of the World" (1982)--which provides for a haphazard listening experience.

Also at issue is the 64-page booklet. It contains dozens of photos, but not a single word on the history of the band. Sure, they include a roster of each of the various incarnations of Fleetwood Mac as well as a U.S./U.K. singles and album discography, but nothing else.

I purchased my copy as a factory sealed cut-out for only $10 so I can't complain too much, but this could have been so much better. [Disc-1 73:24, Disc-2 72:17; Disc-3 75:08; Disc-4 72:37]

I really love this collection. It's not a greatest hits collection, although a good effort was made to select the best material. It is an anthology, giving an overview of many of the personalities, musical styles, and high-points of this incredibly durable band. The tracks are not organized chronologically. I really like this feature: I think significant effort was put into the choice and the order of the material; and it flows nicely.

Four discs, 72 tracks, including 4 new songs, 5 unreleased songs, 2 live and unreleased songs, and 9 alternative mix songs, so 28% of the total is not what was on the released albums and singles. And the alternative material sounds great. (I don't have the remastered Fleetwood Mac and Rumours albums (yet), so some of this might be redundant.) My favorite FM album is Tusk; but I also like Rumours, Fleetwood Mac, the Bob Welch records, and much of the Peter Green phase. (I think the Burnette/Vito period is the least interesting.)

The first disk is dominated by Mirage, Tango in the Night, and Behind the Mask material. Disc 2 is dominated by Rumours, Mirage, and Tusk material. Disc 3 is dominated by Tusk and Fleetwood Mac (white album) material with some Bob Welch era. Disc 4 is dominated by Peter Green era and Bob Welch era material. I think the Bob Welch material gets short shrift, as well as Tusk. The set was released during the Burnette/Vito period and that's reflected in (in my opinion) an unrepresentative helping of that material. The thing that amazes me is how good it all sounds. Mick and John are just rocks (pun intended) behind whoever is out front. The breadth and depth of the material is amazing. Some complain about too much emphasis on the Buckingham/Nicks period. It's not possible to do otherwise. Although the Peter Green era produced more albums (7 vs. 6), the bands success, financially and (in my opinion) creatively, peaked in the Rumours/Tusk period. It's also the most long-lived lineup. What else is to be expected with 3 songwriters of the stature of Buckingham, Nicks, and McVie?

It's a bit hard to find (long out of print) but I located a like-new copy (perfect for a except cutout slice) on ebay express for $38. Well worth the effort and the money. It appears to still be in print in the UK. Check Amazon UK for a listing. It's fairly expensive, and shipping will be as well. Enjoy.

Among the numerous "boxes" out there, this is the best compilation that I have come across. This is a legitimate "Best Of...", "Greatest Hits", and "Anthology Of...", Rolled into one. Every number here is recognizable and so intrinsic to the make-up of Fleetwood Mac; combining the historically evoking early songs, their monster hits, and then some. When these tunes are played front to back, one realizes how good this band has been and how many great songs they've offered up to Rock and Pop.

If the disks are played in order, 1 through 4, the set is loosely organized into the most recent material first, gradually moving to the very early 60's vintage Fleetwood Mac at the beginning of disc 1. Most younger listeners would probably not even recognize the older material as Fleetwood Mac, during the days of the psychedelic Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer, lending their blues-rock influence and soulful under-pinings, and then the ethereal Bob Welch with his smooth "other-wordly" sound which is evidenced in the aptly named "Hypnotized". Personally, I prefer the comparison of the material when the four discs are loaded in the changer and set to shuffle play; the effect is quite compelling. The listener soon realizes from one tune to the next that the transition and order, or lack thereof, works well. In addition, there is no fodder or fluff in the whole bunch..."good song...good song...man, great song!!"

Even though Fleetwood Mac's style has changed dramatically spanning four decades, they have always achieved high standards and satisfied fans to the fullest measure. This package gives credence to that fact. The only reason not to have this particular set of recordings, if your looking for an ultimate Fleetwood Mac package, is if you already own all of their other albums. I have listened to all of their recordings but this is the one that own and play.

In 1992 Fleetwood Mac had reached their 25th year as a band. This {now deleted} 4 CD box set was the half-hearted attempt by the band's record company to celebrate a 1/4 century of the music from the mighty mac, but it lacks a bit of the attack that made them mighty to begin with.

Well, there is both good news and bad to report about this box set collection. With 72 tracks included here, there is a good portion of songs {11} that represent the early Peter Green years of 1967-1970. Nine selections appear from the "Middle Years" {post Green, pre Buckingham-Nicks.} And the rest is of course from the Buckingham-Nicks years of 1975 onwards. Some tracks are presented in alternate mixes {"Lay It Down", "Angel."} Five un-released tracks mark their first appearance on a Fleetwood Mac CD. A new batch of songs (four) new recordings were produced for inclusion on this set.

There is a lot of music here to explore over the course of these four discs. And for fans of post-1975 editions of the band, this could be an education for them to discover the first seven years {1967-1974} of FM. The early years range from raw blues to the California rock of the Kirwan/McVie/Welch years of cool excellent pop/rock music. The main focus of this set has set it's sights on the post-1975 version of Fleetwood Mac that exploded the band into a multi-million selling pop-rock sensation. The Buckingham/Nicks years include all the hit songs and great key album cuts that hold up well right next the top 40 material. A wealth of great music of classic pop/rock and blues can be found in this band's long history.

The bad news to report is that the packaging of this Box is far less than Fleetwood Mac deserves. The booklet contains many posed studio portraits of Christine and Stevie from the Rumours and Tusk years. But no information concerning the Band's history is included here. A book would have covered the dramas and the musicial history of this great band quite nicely, but you will not find that document herein. There is much fluff, but little substance to go with the fine music that is presented here.

I do like this collection, but even with the treasures you will find within this, I wish that when the 50th year of the group rolls around in 2017, a much better produced set Of Fleetwood Mac's music will be brought forth.

Three Stars.

I am really surprised that this box set wasn't released in the United States. Besides the original "Silver Spring" written and sung by Stevie Nicks, some wonderful alternate versions of favorites are included as well.