Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham have joined forces on Cunningham Bird, an inspired reinterpretation of the 1973 album Buckingham Nicks, the little-known precursor to Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s rise to fame in Fleetwood Mac. While the original record is famously hard to find—having never been officially released on CD or streaming platforms—Bird and Cunningham’s take offers a fresh and widely accessible reimagining of its tracks, showcasing their exceptional artistry while honoring the source material.
Produced by Mike Viola, with contributions from Dawes’ Griffin Goldsmith, Cunningham Bird strips away the lush 1970s production of Buckingham Nicks, replacing it with a pared-down, intimate sound. Bird’s signature violin often steps in for Buckingham’s guitar, as on “Crying in the Night,” where the song’s melody shines through, delicately preserved by Cunningham’s emotive phrasing. Tracks like “Don’t Let Me Down Again” maintain their driving energy, while Bird’s reinterpretation of the guitar solo brings new life to the song.
The pair takes bold creative liberties throughout the album, with perhaps the most striking example on “Lola (My Love).” Buckingham’s original brash blues stomper is transformed into a haunting ballad by Cunningham, evoking comparisons to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” in its recontextualized vulnerability. Elsewhere, their shared vocal duties soften the sharp edges of tracks like “Long Distance Winner,” exchanging tension for bittersweet harmony and emotional depth.
While Cunningham Bird doesn’t aim to replace the original, it offers a thoughtful reimagining that highlights the strengths of both Bird and Cunningham as performers and collaborators. Bird, a multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-nominated artist, and Cunningham, a virtuoso guitarist and rising star, bring their distinct sensibilities to every note. Together, they reframe Buckingham Nicks as an indie chamber-folk project, blending classical influences with modern storytelling.
In revisiting an album that remains an enigmatic piece of rock history, Bird and Cunningham have created something entirely their own: a luminous tribute to the past and a testament to their boundless musical talents. For fans of Fleetwood Mac, chamber folk, or simply great music, Cunningham Bird is a must-hear. – Jason Felton