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Fleetwood Mac — Sands Of Time
Album: Future Games
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1552









Released: 1971
Length: 7:13
Plays (last 30 days): 1
The magic of a blackened night
Can go so far, but not seem right

Although my love, will drive away the sunshine
The magic of, a blackened night
And before you go show me
All the words of love

And the falling sands of time
Blow my wind and drifted by
To and fro the trees still bend
Wondering what the host will send
We will go right down to the sea
Bathing in light we will be free to wander

And the falling sands of time
Blow my wind and drifted by
To and fro the trees still bend
Wondering what the host will send
We will go right down to the sea
Bathing in light we will be free to wander

And the falling sands of time
Blow my wind and drifted by
To and fro the trees still bend
Wondering what the host will send
We will go right down to the sea
Bathing in light we will be free to wander

The magic of a blackened night
Can go so far, but not seem right

Although my love, will drive away the sunshine
The magic of, a blackened night
Comments (215)add comment
I prefer this earlier stuff to the Rumours and post-Rumours era material.
 junebaby65 wrote:

I like these lesser known Fleetwood Mac releases from the early 70's.  Each has some pretty cool stuff. Under appreciated IMHO.



You know. The trippy stuff.
Absolutely superb piece of work.  Written by Danny Kirwan with guitar and vocal collaboration between Danny and Bob Welch as the nucleus of this swirling group masterpiece by FM.  

Personal props to John McVie for unfailingly solid bass from his iconic less-is-more school.  Leaving space for others to fill is an art form unto itself.  Perfection in restraint 101.   
 khardog145 wrote:

Love this era of Fleetwood Mac.  Future Games, Mystery to Me, Kiln House, Bare Trees... but wait... there's the Peter Green era, which is bluesy awesome too.



any Fleetwood Mac before Stevie Nicks
 kcar wrote:


Think you mean brave: 

Poster for Disney movie  


At our house they wore this VCR tape out playing it over and over.
Beautiful guitars … that tone is so smooth …
Even though it has little to do with the lyrics, this song always makes me think of driving from the coast up through the mountains to a ski-resort, sort of dreamy as the landscape slowly changes from mediterranean into an alpine winter-wonderland.
 jasko wrote:

Great song (9)



No...its a pure 10 
 rbrise wrote:

again...why a picture of Stevie Nicks for a Bob Welch incarnation of Fleetwood Mac?



Yes, she wasn't even in the band then.
Perfect segue from World Turning by Leo Kottke to older Fleetwood Mac when they played beautiful (not poppy) music.  I want to say, before Buckingham-Nicks joined, but Lindsey Buckingham MADE the future Fleetwood Mac until that "angel" Stevie Nicks felt it important to kick him out.....  :(
again...why a picture of Stevie Nicks for a Bob Welch incarnation of Fleetwood Mac?
 khardog145 wrote:

Love this era of Fleetwood Mac.  Future Games, Mystery to Me, Kiln House, Bare Trees... but wait... there's the Peter Green era, which is bluesy awesome too.



Every one of those albums you mentioned is outstanding. As good in their own way as the first three Buckingham Nicks Fleetwood Mac albums. Better, if you ask many of my longtime Fleetwood Mac friends. The only reason I can see for RP listeners not to really enjoy the songs from this era of FM is because they never listened to those albums. And maybe they were not acclimated to the beautiful, mellower songs from this era. This comes from Future Games, the Fleetwood Mac album from 1971, the year generally considered the best year in the history of rock. 

For example: 1971: Albums from the best year in the history of rock: Led Zeppelin IV, Pink Floyd's Meddle, The Kinks Muswell Hillbillies, Fleetwood Mac's Future Games, The Rolling Stone's Sticky Fingers, Who's Next, David Bowie's Hunky Dory, Yes's Yes Album and Fragile, Emerson Lake & Palmer's Pictures At An Exhibition, Jethro Tull's Aqualung, Elton John's Madman Across the Water, Joni Mitchell's Blue, James Taylor's Mud Slide Slim and The Blue Horizon, Carole King's Tapestry, The Doors L.A. Woman, T-Rex's Electric Warrior, Rod Stewart's Every Picture Tells a Story, Harry Nilsson's Nilsson Schmilsson, John Lennon's Imagine, Paul McCartney's RAM, George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh, The Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore East, Leonard Cohen's Songs of Love and Hate, Cat Stevens Teaser and the Firecat, Marvin Gaye's What Goin' On, The Beach Boys Surf's Up, Traffic's Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys, Sly & The Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin' On, Jimi Hendrix's Cry of Love, Janis Joplin's Pearl, Santana's Santana III, David Crosby's If I Could Only Remember My Name, Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners, (Neil Young's After The Gold Rush and Stephen Stills "Stephen Stills" albums were released at the end of 1970). Just to name a few. My daughter reminds me that I was very lucky with the time period of music that I grew up in. All of these albums were released during my sophomore and junior years in college, during the time when I was most into music in my life. And, in my humble opinion, many of them were the best albums ever recorded by these bands and singer-songwriters.
Hey Bill- methinks it OK to relegate Natebett's screed and the brilliant retorts to lesser status to allow for the more thoughtful posts to take top billing again.

So appreciative of your highlighting the early FMac stuf with Kirwin, Green, Spencer, Welch...all gargantuan talents. BTW- RIP Keith Olson, FM producer and guy who brought Stevie and Lindsey to Mick... 
Nice cymbal work
 DW4554 wrote:

Easily one of my favorite FM tunes. As a bassist I find the rhythm section compelling and overall flow of the tune intoxicatingly perfect.

Heartfelt condolences you poor lost soul.


 
Same here, that rhytmic flow is amazing.  Listening this on good headphones huh...
I don't think I'd ever heard anything from the first album, it wasn't bad. 
Is Bob Welch playing on this? 

Saw him with his band, Paris, in mid 1970s, playing with Nektar! 

My first ever concert. 
Reminds me of Wishbone Ash ...
 dmiklitz wrote:
Nice. I'm enjoying the bass line on this track. Rock on.

 
John McVie is underrated.

Nice. I'm enjoying the bass line on this track. Rock on.
Love this tune. Stirs my soul.

Sounds a bit like Bob Welch but apparently is Danny Kirwan.
:(
FWIW... really enjoyed it... without looking who it was.
 natebett wrote:
 
Douchebag. It would be most appropriate for you to choke on said puke. 
 helgigermany wrote:
Very nice! Who is the singer?
 


 The late great Danny Kirwan. 

I tend to prefer their older music...nothing against Buckingham or Nicks. "Love" always seems to mess up bands though, doesn't it?
One of my all time favorite songs ever from any band!!! It is magic and brilliant
 jasko wrote:
Great song (9)
Excellent song, haunting, brings back bittersweet memories 

 tkosh wrote:
natebett wrote:
Nice post. Why such an insult, even if you don't care for it? Their very first album (there were two versions) is still an old favorite.
 
Amen! If you consider Fleetwood Mac's entire discography, they're one of the most eclectic and mercurial bands in rock. 
 ecojot wrote:
Danny Kirwan was soooo good. He did a solo album where a sang a Rupert Brook poem.
 
Actually wasn't that 'Dust' on Bare Trees? It was uncredited.  Haunting song.
Love these guys!  This is a great song in so many ways, bass lines and guitar are infectious.
Great song (9)
This record, Bare Trees, and Kiln House had a wonderful collection of mournfully beautiful songs.  An amazing band that evolved over time and always sounded great.
Yes sir I like it . The stuff before they went off. In the late 70s I did nightshifts alone in a boilerhouse with only an old valve radio for company which had only 1 non classical music station and I remember desperate nights of being subjected to the likes of Leo sayer billy Joel the "new"Fleetwood Mac etc etc. Then a couple of years later a miracle.  A DJ that scored lots of great new stuff from the UK and played it between midnight and 5am. The likes of The Fall. Magazine.  Gang of four.  Killing joke. Mekons. Psychedelic furs and others. Saved my bloody life. A few years ago I managed to contact that maverick and very popular DJ Barry Jenkin. He had been out of the industry a long time but I was stunned when he told me he didn't listen to music at all anymore !!! I told him about RP and to listen in. He told me someone else had suggested it too. So let's hope RP got him listening again eh.
One of several painfully beautiful songs by FM that have been overlooked by most. 
Danny Kirwan was soooo good. He did a solo album where a sang a Rupert Brook poem.
A Danny Kirwan compilation album from his FM days would be awesome.  Love his contributions to the group.
 tkosh wrote:
natebett wrote:
Nice post. Why such an insult, even if you don't care for it? Their very first album (there were two versions) is still an old favorite.
 
Not their first album, they started recording 4 years prior to this release. First big album was "Then Play On" which is still one of my all time favorites.
 kurt_from_kanada wrote:
This is Danny Kirwan and FM trying to be Wishbone Ash.
 

Woa! This does sound like Wishbone Ash!  Maybe a little Nektar. 
 tkosh wrote:
natebett wrote:
Nice post. Why such an insult, even if you don't care for it? Their very first album (there were two versions) is still an old favorite.
 
Easily one of my favorite FM tunes. As a bassist I find the rhythm section compelling and overall flow of the tune intoxicatingly perfect.

Heartfelt condolences you poor lost soul.


probably my favorite fm album
8 to 9 today! Such a groove, voice, band, vibe, message...
 natebett wrote:
 

Hope you feel better now.  Great song, aye?!!!
I like these lesser known Fleetwood Mac releases from the early 70's.  Each has some pretty cool stuff. Under appreciated IMHO.
Only on RadioParadise
Long Live   Radio Paradise
To me rating is only 7
Gem of an album.  Underrated.
 wtango wrote:

yes
 
Same.

How long since I have heard this?  Forgotten till now.

Twice in the last 30 days.  Guess I should listen more often.  OK.
Album is great! Thanks RP
This is Danny Kirwan and FM trying to be Wishbone Ash.
Loving the bass and keyboards by the Mcvies on this one.
I wish more Fleetwood Mac songs were more like this one!
 khardog145 wrote:
Love this era of Fleetwood Mac.  Future Games, Mystery to Me, Kiln House, Bare Trees... but wait... there's the Peter Green era, which is bluesy awesome too.
  Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes!Yes!Yes!

{#Devil_pimp}very zesty , was fortunate enough to see kirwin with f mac twice once with spencer touring the kiln house era and again with bob welch during the bare tree's tour both outstanding shows rip danny
Love this era of Fleetwood Mac.  Future Games, Mystery to Me, Kiln House, Bare Trees... but wait... there's the Peter Green era, which is bluesy awesome too.
What a lovely song... dreaming away
9 -> 10
My favorite version of FM.  I adore the song "Future Games" off of this album. RIP Danny
an item that seemed so much better then. . . .
This was delightfully awful. 
I love the mid career FM, have numerous on vinyl
I keep hearing Wishbone Ash...
Danny Kirwan is an almost forgotten genius. Amazing guitarist (no wonder Peter Green recruited him) as well as a mighty fine song writer. 
Okay now this is a perfect song for Radio Paradise!
It is a beautiful melody by a very talented band and most importantly is *not* one of their overplayed hits that we heard for decades on the radio.  I could listen to songs like this all day long.  Please continue, Bill! 
 Imagi wrote:
And don't forget Peter Green!

 
Peter was long gone by the time they did this. It's all Danny Kirwan. 
 arserocket wrote:
The underappreciated Danny Kirwan...

 
The most underrated and underappreciated guitar who ever lived maybe. 
now that was just out-right cool Bill,
Leo Kottke's "World Turning"(F Mac cover) to this {#Clap}
 jbuhl wrote:
Fleetwood Before LB  it was BW

 
Two Bobs here - Welch (right) and Weston (centre). John is absent in this photo.

Weston was with FM briefly in 1972-3 for Penguin & Mystery To Me. He made significant contributions to the band's music, as well as its inner turmoil (and indirectly its consequential development).
 hayduke2 wrote:
Outstanding!    glad I had my headset on to get the fine details of this cool piece

 
yes
What a treat to hear this one.  This WAS before the Fleetwood Mac that most listeners know.
 skindy wrote:

Couldn't agree more! Though I'm a year younger than you. {#Cheesygrin}

 
This and Mystery to Me are the only Fleetwood Mac albums I ever liked.. they felt so commercial after that
Talk about a deep track.
 thewiseking wrote:
a tasty little nugget, to be sure but they weren't really Fleetwood Mac yet

 
They became Fleetwood Mac in 1967, and stayed Fleetwood Mac through their many line-ups.
Always Mick and John.

Sheer magic from the (agreed) under-appreciated Danny Kirwan. There were some great tracks on his later solo albums that my (then) wife and I couldn't help but sing along to. Eventually the vinyl wore thin, but never the enjoyment.
The underappreciated Danny Kirwan...
No wonder I liked this and was prompted to comment - it's Fleetwood Mac! Never heard this before.
Yum, yum, yum.  Super tasty!  Haven't heard this in a while, thx RP.
Still gives me the goosebumps. Some of their best for sure was during this time. A solid 9...pushing a 10.
There was magic in the air for these guys during that time!!! Love!!{#Notworthy}{#Notworthy}{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}{#Bananajam}
And don't forget Peter Green!
Fleetwood Before LB  it was BW
 chyk5 wrote:
I'm 51 years old and have never heard this before. Stunning song. Thanks Bill.

 
Couldn't agree more! Though I'm a year younger than you. {#Cheesygrin}
...... has to be a BIG 9
outstanding work all around , zesty!
wonderful!
so great! - been listening to this album a lot recently
This sounds so fresh—amazing that it is 40 years old!
 chyk5 wrote:
I'm 51 years old and have never heard this before. Stunning song. Thanks Bill.

 
I don't recall hearing much pre-Buckingham/Nicks FM—even during the mid 70s—apart from "Hypnotized" with Bob Welch. This song didn't get played on the radio where I was. I get the vague impression that they went  through several very different incarnations before they hit it bigbigbig. 
 AhhtheMusic wrote:

This song brings me back to my youth, when I thought I was unique because people didn't know who Fleetwood Mac was yet (prior to Rumors) and not mainstream POP.  I love this. 



  I think there are lots of us out in the world who were tuned into relatively unknown music well before the greater masses caught on and turned  the semi-exclusive club into a frenzy. Once your favorite little-known band was heard in the aisles of a Seven-Eleven, the end was near. Those days of semi-exclusivity are over. The secrets are all out or soon will be, streaming on a phone near you.


 thewiseking wrote:
a tasty little nugget, to be sure but they weren't really Fleetwood Mac yet

 
???
I'm 51 years old and have never heard this before. Stunning song. Thanks Bill.
Uncanny...  I've been thinking about making the same shift myself recently.  Simpler life, more beauty, less BS, fewer neighbors, maybe post-and-beam, lots of old growth pine and cedar all around.  I love this song and really the whole album — somehow it fits with that whole feeling... meet you there.


coloradojohn wrote:
In perfect synchronicity, I've been hearing this a lot lately on RP and my iPod while running up on Enchanted Mesa...and I love that line, "To and fro the trees still bend...wondering what The Host will send..." as I feel the pull of a Life-shift to The Great Northwest...

 


I only go back as far as Bare Trees. Like this one a lot. (Favorites are Penguin / Hereos / Mystery period)
In perfect synchronicity, I've been hearing this a lot lately on RP and my iPod while running up on Enchanted Mesa...and I love that line, "To and fro the trees still bend...wondering what The Host will send..." as I feel the pull of a Life-shift to The Great Northwest...
Got a bit of a Wishbone Ash sound to it.

Edit: I see I'm not alone in this perception :)
 arserocket wrote:
Such fine guitar

  
Yeah! This is one I haven't heard very often in my lifetime...


 AhhtheMusic wrote:

This song brings me back to my youth, when I thought I was unique because people didn't know who Fleetwood Mac was yet (prior to Rumors) and not mainstream POP.  I love this. 



 
I was a big fan before rumors as well, had all their albums. Love this song and album.
Such fine guitar

This song brings me back to my youth, when I thought I was unique because people didn't know who Fleetwood Mac was yet (prior to Rumors) and not mainstream POP.  I love this. 


it goes on forever and it's not the strongest song they ever wrote.
give me Hypnotized from that era!!


 Proclivities wrote:

I'd like it more if it came with a free toaster.

 

Think you mean brave: 

Poster for Disney movie "The Brave Little Toaster" 
Outstanding!    glad I had my headset on to get the fine details of this cool piece
This reminds me of Nektar...maybe Wishbone Ash. 
I think this epitomizes the term "Groovy".
 mmoyer wrote:

I'd like it more if it were about 3 minutes longer.

 
I'd like it more if it came with a free toaster.
 jules44 wrote:
I would like this song if it were about 3 minutes shorter
 

 
I'd like it more if it were about 3 minutes longer.
Kinda got a Rhiannon vibe goin on in the instrumentation.
An entrancing album. 

I would like this song if it were about 3 minutes shorter
 
Not as good as when they were with Green, but better than when they were with Nicks.
All in all pretty good.
a tasty little nugget, to be sure but they weren't really Fleetwood Mac yet
Ah, back when they were a great band.
Brilliant to hear this song again after so many years.
I agree the years between 'Green Manaleshi' and the 'famous' years are underrated
This is a good overview of this period (post Green*, pre Buckingham/Nicks).
It can be found on Amazon.ca for about $18 (5 full albums):
https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ueTVuZ82L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
*Peter Green is on Then Play On.
Yawn       .....
Surprised to see this is Fleetwood Mac: and I like it!
big stud Romeo Tuma wrote:

Danny Kirwan is singing the song...  later, he tripped out on acid and quit the band right before they were supposed to perform a live show...

this fine song is from a great Fleetwood Mac album...

 
 

I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...  this song is marvelous...  this album is fabulous...

time flies when we're having fun...

Only slightly less nauseating than the Grateful Dead.  
holy sheepdip. haven't heard this in forever - quite nice