Rumours [35th Anniversary

My grandson was really happy to have this record

This timeless classic is one of the best rock albums of the 1970s, with 45 million copies sold throughout the world on various formats. `Rumours' is indisputably Fleetwood Mac's finest moment, the never-equalled crowning achievement of a success story spanning 40 years. Due to the divorces and relationship break-ups afflicting all five simultaneously during the recording of `Rumours', Stevie Nicks claimed the band `created the best music when in the worst shape' and Lindsey Buckingham retrospectively claimed the tensions contributed to `the whole being more than the sum of the parts'.So, is this `35th Anniversary Edition' worth buying? Well, leaving aside the fact that it's actually 36 years since the album's February 1977 release and not 35, your purchasing decision will likely depend on whether you already have a previous release of `Rumours' (there have been several).The packaging is certainly tasteful, with a 4-section gatefold sleeve containing a beautifully-presented & intelligently written 20-page booklet and the 3 disks loaded from the top of the gatefold. Each of the disks has completely different artwork, so you can easily tell them apart. The artwork is all 1976-contemporary, a mix of the original album images and similarly-themed photos of the band taken by Herbert Worthington from the same sessions. Worthington's distinctive stylish images are all in monochrome.What of the music? Well the first disk is the original album, with a mix not noticeably improved (IMHO) from the 1984 release. This disk is `pure', i.e. the album as released in 1977 with the addition only of `Silver Springs'. The second disk is all live-on-stage material from the `1977 Rumours World Tour' and includes songs from the earlier FM album: `Monday morning', `Rhiannon' and `World turning'. This live material is good, but near-identical material has been released before i.e. on the 1980 'Live' album plus a couple of bootlegs of the 1977 tour.The third disk consists of 16 tracks of rejected material from the `Rumours' recording sessions, including some beautiful renditions of `Songbird'. `Keep me there', `Doesn't anything last' and `Planets of the universe' are also featured, often played live on stage by the band but in some cases with no recording released until decades later.So, should you buy it? If you don't have a copy of the album, then this is probably the one to go for. The whole package is very classy, there's a lot of `Rumours-related' material in addition to the original album and one or two surprises. It's not expensive either, considering what you get.However if you're already a FM fan and have all their music from this period, it may only be worth buying if you're a completest. Truth is, though this is a fine package there's little here that's really new.None of this takes away from the fact that this is universally recognised as one of the greatest rock-pop albums of all time, with every single track a gem.

"Rumours" is one of those albums that is considered a must own for pretty much everybody. In the 39 minutes the album covers everything from great Rock music, beautifully written Pop ballads and some very tasteful folk elements. It appeals to an extremely wide variety of music lovers and for that reason it is one of the biggest selling albums ever.Whilst older fans of the band still like to complain about the disturbing change in style for the band. They surely cannot deny the excellence that is present in these songs. From the brilliant guitar work on "The Chain" to the emotional tale of "Songbird".Personally speaking the opening song "Second Hand News" does a marvellous job of reminding me of simpler times as a child. Listening to the album on vinyl and cassette with my parents. To put this record on and just forget about the troubles of life is the kind of moments a truly brilliant record like "Rumours" can create. You always remember the first time you heard "Rumours".Of course to create such an album the production has to be spot on and there is not one complaint about the sound at all. The record has always sounded warm and graceful as it ever did. The original vinyl is a classic that should be treasured however the recent 3 CD remaster is an absolute belter. Not only does it house demo's and rarities but it also comes with an hour long live album. It captures the band on tour in 1977 and is a must have for fans of this period of the bands career.What else can you say about this album? "Rumours" should be in the collection of every house hold and deservingly so. It is a masterpiece of the 1970's rock scene that has never been bested.

Always loved Fleetwood Mac, so it was a no-brainer to get the Anniversary set. Very happy.

Nothing really needs saying regards the actual music, it's wonderful, especially so the live disc and the extras disc.My gripe is with the packaging. I hate touching the playing side of CDs but with these here 'digipaks' one has no option but to pull the disc from the rather tight cardboard envelope..Definitely a retrograde move (likely cheaper that proper jewel cases) on the part of distributers.

There's been enough said regarding this album so I'll be brief in saying it is the pinaccle of Fleetwood Mac's career (by a long way). An album made pretty much entirely of number one singles and classic tunes. As most already know it was recorded in the midst of four members of the band divorcing/splitting from long term relationships. The result is an album that plays out like a modern Opera, one moment angry and bitter, the next hopeful then even joyful.This deluxe version is a fantastic tribute to the album. Including:+ Rumours album remastered CD+ Rumours Vinyl LP+ Fleetwood Mac Live, Rumours Tour, 1977 CD Audio+ Two Discs of Previously Unreleased Demos/Alternate Takes and Rarities.+ 30minute DVD of Previously unreleased 'Rosebud' documentary (regarding the making of Rumours, and featuring several live performances (Rhiannon, World Turning, Go Your Own Way, You Make Loving Fun) and interviews with the band from the year of the albums release.+ Beautiful presentation booklet featuring a run down of each track by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.The Box Set is presented beautifully, and is undoubtedly a great purchase for fans of the band. The Bonus Discs of unreleased material contain some fascinating looks at the album in progress (a duet version of 'Oh Daddy' with Stevie harmonising with Christine is a standout, as is the original demo of The Chain).Buy it you won't be disappointed.