It seems like every ten years Fleetwood Mac somehow finds their way into the spotlight. In 1977, they had the spotlight with the landmark album "Rumours". After the two follow-up albums to "Rumours" didn't quite measure up to the 1977 classic, Fleetwood Mac would take a five year hiatus. After that hiatus, the band would reunite for what was considered a moderately successful 'comeback' album called "Tango in the Night". It was following "Tango in the Night" that major changes would be in-store for the band. Right after the release of "Tango", guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Buckingham - a major creative force would depart from the group. Eventually Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie - the other 2/3 of the creative force in terms of songwriting and vocals would depart. By 1995, Fleetwood Mac with founders Mick Fleetwood and John McVie would still try to go on - this time they would bring in the likes of veteran rocker Dave Mason, but it was clear things were not the same. As 1997 approached, things started to swing upwards again. As told on this CD, Lindsey Buckingham asked Mick Fleetwood to play drums on an album we was working on. Eventually "one thing led to another" and the 5 core members (Buckingham, Nicks, Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie) were all back in the studio. This would eventually lead to some touring - thus in 1997, the live album "The Dance" was released. With live albums, they are often hit or miss, but this on this one - Mac hits on out of the park. Not only do they put out an album that was the best of 1997, they put out one of the greatest live albums - ever.

There are two components to why "The Dance" was so special. These two components have been Mac staples throughout their careers. The first is that the 5 members captured raw emotion on "The Dance". Fleetwood Mac has always shown they are most successful when emotions are running high. This was clearly the case during the making of "Rumours" when the band was dealing with the breakups of both the marriage of the McVies and long-term relationship between Stevie and Lindsey. Much of that emotion led its way into the music and thus "Rumours" catapulted to landmark status. Now some 20 years later, the 5 members are older and wiser. What is evident is that despite all of the trials and tribulations these members went through over the last 20 years, there was still a lot of passion and care between them all. On the performance of "The Dance" they give in Los Angeles, this is very evident. The second component is that Fleetwood Mac was never afraid to deviate from the parameters of the formula of Rock music - in other words, they like to experiment. On "The Dance", the band shows they like to experiment in a few different ways. It's also worth noting that this is all captured on a single night - as opposed to a "best of" of live songs from multiple nights of the tour. This helps make "The Dance" special.

Looking at the first component. If you get the corresponding video to "The Dance" you will see these emotions run high on stage. However, you don't need this video to feel these emotions surface. The vocalists - Christine, Stevie, and Lindsey connect with the audience immediately through speaking to them - especially Lindsey who truly shows he is glad to be back in the group. There is a lot of dynamics between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. During "Landslide", Lindsey plays guitar as Stevie goes into an emotional song dedicated to her father. However, its evident as Lindsey's guitar meshes with Stevie's vocals that a lot of old emotions are beginning to surface - even some tears begin to surface. At the end of the song, Stevie gives what has become a trademark "Thank you Lindsey" and Lindsey responds back "Thank you Stevie". Emotions run higher during "Silver Springs". This was a song that was left off the "Rumours" album, but always was a Stevie favorite. Stevie was always upset that this song never made it to be released. On "The Dance", this was the first single released. This is one of the great live performances ever - especially toward the end of the song when Stevie and Lindsey go into an emotional duet. Emotions are at a complete high because this was a song written by Stevie about Lindsey. At the end Stevie has her say when she remarks how "Silver Springs was a great old song". The McVies never quite wore their hearts on their sleeves like Stevie and Lindsey, but you will see a humorous side when Christine gets John to sing vocals on "Say You Love Me".

As for the experimentation - Mac uses a Banjo and has John on vocals (first time) for "Say You Love Me". The best is when they introduce the USC Marching Band for "Tusk" and "Don't Stop" - this comes off like a charm. It's really good stuff.

There are also four new songs done live. These songs are not token additions - they are terrific. "Temporary One" (Christine vocals) and "Sweet Girl" (Stevie vocals) are the two best ones. The two Lindsey songs are also very good as well ("My Little Demon" and "Bleed to Love Her"). These songs are also packed with a lot of emotion and are terrific additions to the collection..

The 17 songs of "The Dance" will truly keep you happy. There is a good cross-section of the music of the albums made by these 5 core members and should keep old and new fans happy. The liner notes don't have any lyrics (including the new songs) and they don't mention where and when the performance was recorded. However, this is still an excellent album - easily best of 1997 and one to have in your collection.

This live album showcases the incredible musicianship of Fleetwood Mac. John McVee is one of the most overlooked and under-rated bass players in rock. He is truly gifted, listen to his driving, pulsing back beat throughout most of the songs. Mick's drumming is also inspired. Buckingham is usually given most of the credit as the quintessential musician in the band, but this is shafting McVee and Fleetwood, who are awesome in their own rights. Moreover, the vocals here are fresh, vibrant and impassioned on all the songs. This album proves conclusively what a professional and polished unit Fleetwood Mac has always been.

What is remarkable is that these live versions are equal to, and in some cases, superior to the familiar and classic studio versions. Don't Stop and You Make Loving Fun on this album are better than the Rumours versions (honest!)

The pinnacle here is Stevie Nick's haunting and beautiful Silver Springs. She finally resurrects this little-known ode to Lindsey. The arrangement here is as stirring and lovely as anything this band ever recorded. This is a powerhouse band sounding (literally) better than ever. A joyful listening experience.

The Mac is back with a vengeance...there's no doubt about that. As the owner of just about every album in existence by this timeless group of individuals, I feel obliged to make it known that the tracks presented here are remastered classics taken to new heights. The group sounds better than ever, and each member contributes greatly to produce a triumph of sound and emotion. Lindsey and Stevie are, for me, particular standouts...they have both aged like fine wine and there is a definite chemistry still evident between them, especially during Stevie's golden rendition of "Silver Springs." (Watch the video!) It is a crying shame that "Gold Dust Woman" does not appear on the album...it is without a doubt the single best rendition I have heard--I still get goosebumps. "The Chain," too, puts all other versions of this song to shame...and Lindsey's solos, including "Big Love" and "Go Insane," are breathtaking. Stevie Nicks remains a goddess...she glows onstage more than ever and radiates an ever-intensifying maturity and grace. These are true artists...we can only hope and pray that they return to the studio soon. They're magic!!

"The Dance" was something that most people thought they would never see. Like The Eagles "Hell Freezes Over", the 70's multiplatinum version of Fleetwood Mac was a band that most people thought would never happen again. But, like The Eagles this version of the band was brought back together for a television concert and the result was the DVD and album called "The Dance". For me this is the album that really made me into a Fleetwood Mac fan. Back in the band's hey day I never really gave them much thought. Of course they were all over the radio and I liked some of their tunes ok, but I just thought of them as a top 40 singles band and never purchased or even listened to a whole album. Then in the mid 90's a friend of mine let me borrow Lindsey Buckingham's solo album "From The Cradle" and I was blown away. I had never realized what a unique talent Buckingham had and was captured by both his creative songwriting ability and instrumental prowess. Not too long after that the Fleetwood Mac reunion came along and I realized that I had never really given these guys a chance. Not only is Buckingham great on this album, but I came to appreciate Stevie Nicks and her vocal and writing contributions as well. Hell, the whole band impressed me. The album consists of plenty of Mac classics as well as four new tunes. Studio versions of some of these would show up later on the bands "Say You Will" reunion album. The new songs are all good with Buckingham's "Bleed To Love Her" and "My Little Demon" very much in his slightly off kilter style. Nick's "Sweet Girl" seems to be a look back at her younger self, and even my least favorite Mac songwriter Christine McVie scores a knockout with "Temporary One". Of the classic Mac tunes they are all delivered with energy and verve. The album opens with a great rendition of one of the band's signature tunes "The Chain". Lindsey Buckingham shines and crunches out killer guitar solos during "I'm So Afraid" and his solo acoustic rendition of "Big Love" is done very different from the studio original yet works like a charm. Nicks may not quite have the range that she once had, but still shines on "Dreams", "Rhiannon", (with it's effective slow introduction), and the truly gorgeous "Landslide". The biggest highlight for Nicks however is her impassioned delivery of "Silver Spring" her ode to Lindsey Buckingham. Maybe it's all just theater, but she spits out the lyrics of this song as if many years of frustration are welled up inside her. I remember seeing the DVD of this concert and the sight of Nicks and Buckingham singing the venomous lines to each other was truly moving. Yea, I know they have done this song many times over the years, but this time, it came across, as if she was really letting him have it. If she was just acting she really did an effective job. Christine McVie is also very good on this disc. My least favorite Mac, her voice has arguably held up the best of the three and she does a very nice job of "Everywhere", "You Make Lovin Fun", and "Say You Love Me". As an encore Fleetwood Mac bring on the USC marching band for rousing renditions of their experimental hit "Tusk", and the grand finale of "Don't Stop". To be honest I even surprise myself at the amount of praise I heap on this disc, especially considering I never was really into this band before. But....this is an outstanding live collection and a must for Fleetwood Mac fans or anyone who might what to explore these guys further.

The amount of talent combined to form Fleetwood Mac is unparalleled. "High Priestess" Stevie Nicks' powerful vocals coupled with her stellar songwriting abilities give the band a strong front. Although she is no doubt the favorite, the talents of Lindsay Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and the ever energetic Mick Fleetwood must not be overlooked. There doesn't seem to be a bad cut on the whole album. My only complaint is that Gold Dust Woman, and Seven Wonders weren't included, oh well! This album just goes to show that good music never goes out of style......