As far as compilation albums are concerned, Fleetwood Mac's Greatest Hits is not terrible. This collection features 16 of the group's best tracks post 1975 including cuts from Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. Tracks are pulled from albums starting with the 1975 release of Fleetwood Mac and extending to the 1987 release of Tango in the Night. For most Fleetwood Mac fans, this will suffice as a somewhat coarse, but ample representation of the group's best work over this time period.
My problem with Greatest Hits is the fact that this compilation does not do the group justice and does not paint the entire picture of Fleetwood Mac. Prior to 1975, the group seemed to undergo a lineup change with each album. What started as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, morphed into what most fans think of when Fleetwood Mac is mentioned: Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie. In fact, this compilation includes no tracks prior to 1975. This is a shame as "Albatross," a Peter Green creation from 1968, charted at number one in the UK. Early Fleetwood Mac had other strong tracks that warrant consideration for a true Fleetwood Mac album (how about the original "Black Magic Woman," another Green masterpiece???). All this being said, I can understand why only post 1975 tracks appear here. With the release of Fleetwood Mac in 1975, the group was a completely different entity than the Fleetwood Mac group that started in 1967. What started as a blues rock group (as was fashionable in the mid to late sixties) gradually charged to a full on pop rock group by 1975 which was solidified by the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 1975. In fact, only drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie remained after numerous lineup changes that included a revolving door of guitarists. It is clear that the producers of this album wish to focus on the pop infused Fleetwood Mac as this is the Fleetwood Mac that most know.
I am fine with this decision. However, one must keep this in mind when listening to Greatest Hits - this album is not a greatest hits album at all but rather a greatest hits compilation from 1975-1987. That is, it does not paint a true picture of the total accomplishments of Fleetwood Mac and is incorrectly titled. Listener discretion is advised.
By; RockySullivan