Bare Trees (studio album) by Fleetwood Mac

A really solid album from Fleetwood Mac's early '70s transitional years. Maybe a full-step behind Mystery to Me and a half-step behind Future Games, but still quite enjoyable from start to finish. Probably Danny Kirwan's best FM album with strong contributions in the forms of Dust, Sunny Side of Heaven, and the title track. Also some classic Bob Welch moments (Sentimental Lady, The Ghost). Worth checking out if you want to get into the band's lesser known eras.

From Jboy56 05/02/2023 15:23

Bare Trees is a fantastic song!

"Bare Trees" was an obvious progression for Fleetwood Mac, compared to its predecessor, "Future Games", which simply had only few really good songs . On "Bare Trees", which was the last album with guitarist Danny Kirwan, and as such his swan song with the band, he is the main songwriter and provides a handful of really good songs .
Danny Kirwan’s songs are mostly fine and very listenable. Kirwan is an excellent guitarist and an accomplished singer, though his vocals at times can appear somewhat thin.

"Dust" is one of the finest songs Kirwin ever wrote for the band, and consequently one of the album’s highlights. His instrumental "Sunny Side of Heaven", may have you think back to the period where both Kirwan and Peter Green were in the group ; a great track. "Child of Mine" and "Bare Trees" are fine pop- rockers , though maybe not particularly memorable . " Danny's Chant " has some fine guitar playing , but may come out, with his wordless vocals , a little unfinished .

Christine McVie , who has group significantly strongest vocals, has written two fine songs for "Bare Trees". Soul rocker " Homeward Bound" has the fullness you may well miss out on some of the other tracks. The almost gospel -like "Spare Me a Little" is, along with "Dust" the most memorable track on this album .

American guitarist Bob Welch has written two songs; the lightweight rocker " The Ghost " and the very commercial and catchy "Sentimental Lady ", a number which falls outside the album's overall feeling. Welch later re-recorded the song and had a nice hit with it.

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One of Fleetwood Mac’s best albums. 70’s soft rock is not really my thing but Sentimental Lady and Spare Me A Little Of Love and other great songs are on here so 9/10.

Not as strong as other Fleetwood efforts for me but still a couple of gems with Sunny Side of Heaven and Spare Me A Little Of Your Love

From teague 09/22/2021 16:47

Probably my least favorite 70s Fleetwood Mac album besides Penguin.

An overlooked gem. I agree with JuJu83 this is the best post Green pre- Buckingham /Nicks album. Again excellent guitar work from Danny Kirwan. He was just as good as Buckingham and almost as good as Green. Child of Mine is an roaring opener. Christine McVie chips in with her usual likeable pop and Welch's Ghost is full of weirdness.

An interesting transitional record. Not really memorable.

I've always thought this was a very solid, if not spectacular, album. It is low-key, as subtle as the album cover artwork. Highpoints (IMHO) include the title track, "Spare Me A Little...", "Child Of Mine". I've had this one since the days of vinyl, and it still gets played.

Interesting as the place for the original version of Sentimental Lady. But otherwise pretty forgettable.