History of Sorts

The Visitor is the debut solo album by Mick Fleetwood, released by RCA Records in 1981. Recorded primarily in Accra, Ghana, between January and February 1981, the project represented a bold departure from the polished pop-rock of Fleetwood Mac.

I bought the album twice, and both times I found them in the bargain sections of records stores. It became one of my favourite albums.

The album blends Western rock with traditional African rhythms, featuring a mix of original material and covers.Background and DevelopmentFollowing Fleetwood Mac’s grueling Tusk tour, the band entered an extended hiatus to pursue solo interests. Inspired by a long-standing fascination with African music, Fleetwood traveled to Ghana to collaborate with local musicians, aiming to merge Western songwriting with traditional African structures.While Warner Brothers—Fleetwood Mac’s longtime label—refused to fund the $300,000 project, RCA Records president Robert Summer agreed to back the venture.

Fleetwood expressed his gratitude in the liner notes with a “special thanks for believing.”Pre-Production ChallengesLogistics: Fleetwood originally wanted to send recording gear directly to local villages, but Ghana’s poor road conditions made transporting heavy equipment impossible.Studio Choice: He eventually partnered with Faisal Helwani, owner of the only professional studio in Accra, “Ghana Film Industries, Inc. Studio.”Cultural Sensitivity: Fleetwood consulted musicologist Craig Woodson to ensure the project remained respectful. He ultimately decided against adding English lyrics to traditional African songs to avoid cultural insensitivity.The Recording SessionsFleetwood arrived in Ghana with ten tons of equipment, though the trip was plagued by personal and logistical hurdles. During his stay, Fleetwood faced financial difficulties (including a canceled credit card) and health issues, as several members of the crew contracted dysentery and malaria.

Key Collaborators:

George Hawkins & Todd Sharp: Provided primary instrumentation and songwriting.Ghanaian Ensembles: Over 200 local musicians participated, including Ebaali Gbiko, the Adjo Group, and The Superbrains.Royalties: In a progressive move for the time, Fleetwood ensured the Ghanaian Musicians’ Union received an upfront payment and that all participating local musicians received full composer and performer royalties.Post-Production and Special GuestsAfter seven weeks in Africa, the tapes were brought to England for mixing at Jimmy Page’s mill studio. The album features high-profile guest appearances:Peter Green: The Fleetwood Mac founder (credited as Peter Greenbaum) provided lead vocals and guitar on a remake of “Rattlesnake Shake.”George Harrison: The former Beatle contributed slide guitar to “Walk a Thin Line.”Content and CompositionFleetwood was determined to avoid making an “artsy-crafty percussionists’ LP,” aiming instead for a commercially accessible sound.Covers: The album includes reworkings of Fleetwood Mac tracks (“Rattlesnake Shake” and “Walk a Thin Line”) and a cover of Billy Field’s “You Weren’t in Love with Me” (shortened to “You Weren’t in Love”).Inspiration: The track “Don’t Be Sorry, Just Be Happy” was inspired by slogans Todd Sharp saw displayed throughout Accra.

Release and Reception

Chart Peak No. 43 on the US Billboard 200

Sales Approximately 250,000 copies (estimated by Fleetwood in 1982)Budget$400,000 – $500,000 (The album failed to recoup its costs)

Critical Reaction:

Reviews were generally positive but noted the album’s non-commercial nature. Stereo Review praised the “loving” production, while Record Mirror highlighted the tracks featuring Ghanaian musicians as the album’s most successful moments.Multimedia:The sessions were documented by a film crew, resulting in a BBC documentary that aired on MTV in late 1981. RCA also released a CED videodisc of the footage, though it was later criticized for audio-visual synchronization issues.LegacyIn a 1987 interview, Fleetwood expressed immense pride in The Visitor, though he admitted he no longer owned a physical copy of the record, having given all of his away. The album was re-released on CD by Wounded Bird Records in 2011, preserving its status as a pioneering example of “world music” collaboration by a mainstream rock artist.

Track List

1. Rattlesnake Shake (3:49)
Written by Peter Green

2. You Weren’t In Love (5:55)
Written by Bill Fields

3. O’ Niamali (2:47)
Written by Nil Amartey

4. Super Brains (4:07)
Written by A.B Crentsil

5. Don’t Be Sorry, Just Be Happy (4:24)
Written by Todd Sharp

6. Walk A Thin Line (3:19)
Written by Lindsey Buckingham

7. Not Fade Away (2:22)
Written by Charles Hardin / Norman Petty

8. Cassiopeia Surrender (4:34)
Written by George Hawkins

9. The Visitor (4:05)
Written by C.K Ganyo

10. Amelle (Come On Show Me Your Heart) (4:35)
Written by Nil Amartey

Produced by Mick Fleetwood & Richard Dashut
Executive Producer Mickey Shapiro

sources

https://www.fleetwoodmac-uk.com/albums/mf-thevisitor/TheVisitor_InfoPage.htm

https://www.fleetwoodmac-uk.com/albums/mf-thevisitor/TheVisitor_InfoPage.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Visitor_(Mick_Fleetwood_album)