You Scare Me To Death CD

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

"Gold Dust Woman" as a Southern rock song? "Dreams" with a dance beat? "Don't Stop" as a rah-rah cheerleading chant sung by Elton John? Um, wait a minute, that one makes perfect sense. At first, the mishmash of bands gathered here to cover Fleetwood Mac's 1977 landmark RUMOURS in its entirety is a bit baffling. There's the post-grunge rock band Matchbox 20; singer-songwriters Shawn Colvin and Jewel, pop-punkers, Celtic rock bands, and a single British superstar (John) who's one of the few artists significantly older than RUMOURS itself.

But the fact is, RUMOURS, a brutally honest pop album about infidelities and other romantic indiscretions, really does resonate for all these artists, and if the variety of their performances doesn't quite make for a seamless album, it is a testament to the resilience of the amazing collection of 11 songs penned way back when by Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie. Of course, it can't be easy going up against classic pop singles like "Dreams" and "Don't Stop," and as such it's the less-familiar songs that shine brightest here. Tonic may well have discovered a new pop standard in "Second Hand News." And love 'em or hate 'em, give Matchbox 20 credit for trying to turn "Never Going Back" into a minor-key dirge.

Pete Smyser is a guitarist with a vision. Not only able to reach within to express introspective ideas, he has the ability to hear the the romance , optimism, humor and attention to group sound that makes him a seasoned player for his still formative years. Pete is a swinging player who immediately strikes one as a musician who likes to dig into the time and pull the listener in. He embraces periods of jazz from the 30's through the present to shape his perspective on playing. He has the essence of the scholar tempered with humility and an open mind.

Compilation producer: Mick Fleetwood.