Penguin (album)

Penguin is the seventh album by British rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in 1973. It was the first Fleetwood Mac album to feature Bob Weston and the only one to feature Dave Walker. The penguin is the band mascot favoured by John McVie.

Background

In September 1972, the band added guitarist Bob Weston and vocalist Dave Walker, formerly of Savoy Brown. Bob Weston was well known for playing slide guitar and had known the band from his touring period with Long John Baldry. Fleetwood Mac also hired Savoy Brown's road manager, John Courage. Mick, John, Christine, Welch, Weston, and Walker recorded Penguin, which was released in January 1973. The subsequent tour seemed to go well, and Penguin was the highest charting Fleetwood Mac album in the US at the time, clawing its way into the Top 50. However, during the recording of their next album, Mystery to Me, it was mutually agreed upon that Walker's vocal style and attitude "did not fit in" with Fleetwood Mac and by June 1973 he had left. If anything was ever recorded by Walker for Mystery to Me it was not used, and remains unreleased.

Track listing

Credits

Fleetwood Mac

• Bob Welch – guitar, vocals
• Bob Weston – lead guitar (6), slide guitar (1), harmony vocals (7)
• Christine McVie – keyboards, vocals
• Dave Walker – vocals (4) & (5), harmonica (4) & (5)
• John McVie – bass guitar
• Mick Fleetwood – drums, percussion, steel drums (7)

Additional personnel

• Steve Nye – organ (8)
• Ralph Richardson – percussion
• Russell Valdez – percussion
• Fred Totesant – percussion
• Peter Green – additional lead guitar on track 8 (uncredited)

Production

• Producer: Fleetwood Mac and Martin Birch
• Engineer: Martin Birch
• Sleeve Design: Modula
• Inside photo by Barry Wentzell

• Recorded in Hampshire on Rolling Stones Mobile Studio
• Mixed at Air Studios, London

References