Christine McVie's best moments in song, solo and with Fleetwood Mac

When Christine McVie died Wednesday at age 79, the members of Fleetwood Mac lost a crucial part of his sound - an old soul, a gently world-weary singer and a subtly romantic songwriter whose haunting tones were both complementary and opposite to the vibes of fellow singer-songwriters Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. /p>

His low voice and amorous lyricism (not to mention his tense and blues) have been part of McVie's kitbag since before she married Mac bassist John McVie and was, instead, Christine Anne Perfect - her real last name.

Here is a selection of a dozen of Christine McVie's finest moments, with and without Fleetwood Mac.< /p>

"It's Okay with Me Baby" (1967) Joining Andy Silvester and Stan Webb's British blues band Chicken Shack in 1967, the young singer and pianist immediately transformed the all-boy ensemble and booze into something slinky and romantic with her fiery blue vocals, rolling keyboard style, and thoughtful self-penned song for a 24-year-old. McVie and Chicken Shack would have another hit with "I'd Rather Go Blind," for which she received a Melody Maker Award for Female Vocalist in 1969. But "Baby" was the start.

"I'd rather go blind" (1970)When Christine Perfect met John McVie and left Chicken Shack, the highlight of his self-titled 1970 solo album was this Etta James-penned classic, a rustling, stormy soul track that had (and has) few equals. The album was re-released in 1976 as "The Legendary Christine Perfect Album", and is a must-have for any blues or McVie lover.

"Let Me Go (Leave Me Alone)" (1970) From this same beginning solo effort, "Let Me Go (Leave Me Alone)" is just one of five perfect tracks written or co-written for this album, and marks the singer and pianist's writing debut with a pop- R&B, something that would put it in its place when it came to Fleetwood Mac.

"Morning Rain" (1971) Joined in time for the band's fifth studio album , "Future Games," Christine McVie has become a full-time member of the Mac, writing and vocalizing this languorous pastoral pop song, a melody that spans almost jazzily over its six minutes. New American guitarist Bob Welch helped McVie achieve those soulful jazzy tones, as he would also do on their co-written instrument on this album, "What a Shame".

"Spare Me a Little of Your Love" (1972)The "Bare Trees" album is the real turning point in the movement of Fleetwood Mac far beyond the origins of the psychedelic blues. McVie's heartbroken, radio-friendly pop on this track likely helped frontman, drummer and namesake Mick Fleetwood see the writing on the wall as to where his ensemble should go. Nice heavy organ work, too.

"World Turning" (1975)McVie could have evolved into soft, summery pop with tracks such as 'Warm Ways' but, with new guy Buckingham, she proved she hadn't lost her bluesy side. It's in homage to Mac's first incendiary guitarist, Peter Green, who in 1968 wrote "The World Keeps on Turning." Reworked with hints of Green's fingerpicking influence in its mix, this song is a dark gem.

"Over My Head" (1975)With 1973's "Mystery to Me", McVie became one of Fleetwood Mac's two main songwriters, along with Welch. However, once Welch left - to be replaced by Nicks and Buckingham - the pianist-singer upped the ante on the jaun...