https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAefTj7GXwQ Find it: The Pious Bird of Good Omen (1969) Years before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham entered the scene, before they were beset by romantic turmoil and Rumours secured their status as one of the greatest bands of the '70s and '80s, Fleetwood Mac hit upon something rather special with this dream-like vestige of the late-'60s British blues scene. 'Albatross' is a product of the "old" Fleetwood Mac; there are no searing guitar lines or lengthy solos to be found here, and the song as a whole is a decidedly down-tempo affair in comparison to some of the later work they produced with a revamped lineup. Instead, it simmers with metronomic bass and woozy vibrato, churning under the steady beat of tom-tom and cymbal to give the impression of crashing waves. With little more than a few simple blues phrases, the band created an ambient sound that remains utterly intoxicating. Such was this song's influence at the time of its release that it influenced The Beatles' 'Sun King' shortly thereafter, while Pink Floyd's David Gilmour notably drew inspiration from its slide guitar and applied it to his own playing. And yet 'Albatross' was met with contrasting popularity either side of the pond, becoming the UK's number one single in February 1969 while failing to make much of a dent in the US charts. More consistent mainstream success would come later in the form of songs like 'Go Your Own Way' and 'Dreams', but this early hit stands among them not only as one of Fleetwood Mac's most arresting songs, but as a testament to the power of instrumental music as a whole.
History graduate, writer, and long-suffering Spurs fan interested in all things music and sports-related. Once briefly held the title of world's youngest person.
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