Mirage 2016

Amazing, impressive, and long overdue remaster of another great album by Fleetwood Mac. This is a 2 CD set with the first disc containing a remaster of the full "Mirage" album by the band. The second disc is filled to the max with early versions and outtakes of the songs that made it onto the album as well as some that didn't make it. The versions of the songs on the second disc are recognizable, but slightly altered as they weren't the finished product. It is interesting to hear what the songs were in their earlier form before they put on the finishing touches that ultimately made it on the album. Some of the instrumentation and harmonies sound significantly different on some of the songs that they could be their own separate song. These are tunes such as "Can't Go Back", "Hold Me", "That's Alright", and "Eyes of the World". Hearing the process through the sounds of the outtakes is fascinating. There are also a few tracks that didn't make it on the final Mirage album. One of those is an outtake of the song, "Smile At You" by Stevie Nicks, but it did end up on their later album, "Say You Will" that came out in 2003. Also, there is an outtake of a song by Lindsay Buckingham called, "Goodbye Angel", as well as an acoustic remastered version of a song called, "Cool Water" that was a B-side of Gypsy back when the song was released, but neither made it onto the original Mirage album either. John McVie sings rare lead vocals with Lindsay Buckingham on "Cool Water". In the end, I'm exceptionally pleased with this beautiful remaster of an amazing album from this legendary band.

Wow! I'm blown away! Even though this album originally came out the year I was born I always have and always will enjoy hearing "Gypsy" whenever it comes on the radio. The Mirage album sounds even better remastered! For years I had an older single disc CD of mirage. Now I have this one and there's a major difference! The second disc is chock full of alternate tracks and unreleased versions as well as some songs I've never heard before. The disc 2 versions of "Love In Store", "Can't Go Back", "That's Alright" and "Book Of Love" in my opinion all sound even better than the versions that were actually used on the album. There is a version of "If You Were My Love" which also appears on Stevie's 3CD Special Reissue of her "Bella Donna" album. I prefer the version of "Smile At You" on disc 2 instead of the version that was later used on the "Say You Will" album. It sounds much, much better. The songs "Goodbye Angel", "Put A Candle In The Window", "Teen Beat" and "Blue Monday" (all of which are previously unreleased songs) were an awesome treat to hear. "Cool Water" is also a very interesting song with what actually sounds like John McVie's vocals on it! The only other time I have ever heard John McVie's vocals is on the live version of "Say You Love Me" appearing on the 1997 reunion DVD "The Dance" as well as on "The Dance" live album. This remastered version is clearly a Mirage of great songs old and new. Remastering well done. I highly recommend this to all FM fans. Hear it for yourself and give a listen! Keep the special reissues coming FM! 5 excellent stars

This was a dream in the making. So much attention goes to the reworking and packaging of Rumours and then as of late, Tusk, it's nice to see another collective work get the big love.The sound quality on every included piece is the audio we've coveted since we learned that transferring from lp to cd back in the dark ages wasn't always up to muster. Now I'm no audio expert so i can't break down the pros/cons or flaws that audiophiles might be more knowledgeable of. You'll just have to take my word that the crispness and clarity of the Mirage album itself on lp or vinyl is worth the purchase.BUT THEN......then there is the additional stuff. The live show is great. I'm slightly pouty we weren't given a cleaned up DVD of this amazeball show but....audio is superb.The real belle of this ball is the demo disc. There isn't one track on here that doesn't deserve a one week study course. Stand outs for me are Hold Me and If You Were My Love. I'm a devoted fan so Fleetwood Mac can do no wrong. If i continue on this'll just turn into a bloated love letter instead of a helpful review. If you've any love for Mirage then or now, this is a must have. If you're only versed in the nostalgia of Rumours and the hip go-to experimental Tusk, then Mirage might leave you in the desert of early 80s pop music. Frankly for me, there's no place I'd rather be.