Songbird (A Solo Collection)

Songbird (A Solo Collection) is a compilation album by English musician, singer, and songwriter Christine McVie, released in 2022. It was McVie's final release before her death later that year in November.

Songbird
(A Solo Collection)
Greatest hits album by
Released24 June 2022
Genre
Length42:51
LabelWarner Bros., Rhino Records
ProducerGlyn Johns
Christine McVie chronology
In the Meantime
(2004)
Songbird
(A Solo Collection)

(2022)

The compilation album includes remixed songs from McVie's 1984 eponymous release and her 2004 album In the Meantime along with previously unreleased music. Producer Glyn Johns was involved with the project and helped McVie select her favorite solo songs to rework with extra instrumentation.[1]

"Slow Down" was originally slated to appear on the soundtrack for American Flyers, but the song was not used for the film. McVie wrote the song as a love song and incorporated aspects of cycling into the lyrics. The collection also includes an orchestral rendition of "Songbird", which features an orchestral score by Vince Mendoza with vocals from the original recording found on Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album layered over it.[2] "All You Gotta Do" was written during the In the Meantime sessions and was recorded as a duet with George Hawkins, who also appeared on the Christine McVie album.[1] The song was left unfinished at the time, so Glyn Johns paired McVie with Ethan Johns and Ricky Peterson to complete it.[3]

Track listing

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Songbird (A Solo Collection) track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)OriginLength
1."Friend (remix)"Christine McVie, Dan Perfect, Robbie Patton, George HawkinsIn the Meantime, 20044:29
2."Sweet Revenge (remix)"
  • McVie
  • Perfect
In the Meantime3:49
3."The Challenge (remix)"Christine McVie, 19844:15
4."Northern Star (remix)"PerfectIn the Meantime4:27
5."Ask Anybody (remix)"Christine McVie4:58
6."Slow Down"McVieNew song3:22
7."Easy Come, Easy Go (remix)"
  • McVie
  • Eddy Quintela
In the Meantime4:34
8."Givin' It Back (remix)"
In the Meantime4:20
9."All You Gotta Do"
  • McVie
  • Hawkins
New song4:54
10."Songbird (orchestral mix)"McVieUnreleased in this mix; original version found on Rumours, 19773:38
Total length:42:51

Personnel

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  • Christine McVie – vocals (all tracks), keyboards (tracks 1–9)
  • Dan Perfect – guitars (tracks 1–2, 4, 7–9), backing vocals (tracks 7–8)
  • George Hawkins – bass guitar (tracks 1–9), backing vocals (tracks 7–8)
  • Steve Ferrone – drums (tracks 1–4, 6–8)
  • Luis Conte – percussion (tracks 1, 4, 7–8)
  • David Isaacs – backing vocals (tracks 1, 4, 7)
  • Ethan Johns – drums (tracks 2–3, 5, 9), percussion (tracks 3–5), slide guitar (tracks 3, 5–6), electric guitar (track 4, 9), acoustic guitar (4), tiple (track 8), eight-string ukulele (track 8)
  • Lenny Castro – percussion (track 2)
  • Todd Sharp – guitars (tracks 3, 5–6), backing vocals (track 3)
  • Eric Clapton – guitar (track 3)
  • Lindsey Buckingham – backing vocals (track 3)
  • Guy FletcherHammond organ (tracks 3–5), synth strings (track 4)
  • Steve Winwood – synth piano (track 5), backing vocals (track 5)
  • Robbie Patton – backing vocals (track 6)
  • Billy Burnette – backing vocals (track 8)
  • Ricky Peterson – Hammond organ (track 9)
Production
  • Glyn Johns – producer, remixing
  • Martin Wyatt – executive producer
  • Johnnie Walker – liner notes
  • Lisa Glines – art direction
  • Rachel Gutek – art direction, design
  • Bernie Grundman – lacquer cut
  • Geoff Foster – engineer (track 10)
  • Vince Mendoza – sting arrangement (track 10)
  • John Ashton Thomas – conductor (track 10)

Charts

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Chart performance for Songbird (A Solo Collection)
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[4] 15
UK Album Downloads[5] 36
UK Album Sales[6] 24
UK Physical Albums[7] 22

References

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  1. ^ a b Greene, Andy (16 June 2022). "Christine McVie On Her New Solo Collection 'Songbird,' Uncertain Future of Fleetwood Mac". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  2. ^ Sinclair, Paul (25 April 2022). "Christine McVie / Songbird (A Solo Collection) – SuperDeluxeEdition". Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Christine McVie Details First-Ever Compilation SONGBIRD (A COLLECTION)". Rhino. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 9 December 2022". Official Charts. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart on 1 July 2022". Official Charts. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart on 1 July 2022". Official Charts. Retrieved 1 October 2023.