"Penguin" is the seventh studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released in March 1973. This album marked the addition of guitarist Bob Weston and vocalist Dave Walker to the band, replacing Danny Kirwan. It is the only Fleetwood Mac album to feature Walker.
The album was produced by Fleetwood Mac and Martin Birch, an English music producer who had also worked with other well-known bands like Deep Purple and Whitesnake. Its title "Penguin" is inspired by the band's fascination and love for the animal. The band's drummer, Mick Fleetwood, was particularly fond of penguins and even has a tattoo of the creature.
The lineup for recording included members Bob Welch on guitar and vocals, Christine McVie on keyboards and vocals, John McVie on bass guitar, Mick Fleetwood on drums and percussion, alongside the newcomers Weston and Walker. However, Walker's tenure with the band was short-lived and he left after the Penguin album.
Musically, the album tossed between the rock-oriented tracks and beautiful ballads, like "Remember Me" by Christine McVie and the eloquent "Revelation" by Bob Welch. However, despite its experimental nature, the album didn't fare as well commercially as the band's previous albums, peaking at number 49 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
"Penguin" truly reflects a period of transition and experimentation for Fleetwood Mac, with its shift in the line-up and change in musical style, serving as a stepping stone to the band's subsequent successes and global recognition.
