Another World

June 13, 1998

Well, my seats were very far away from the stage, but Stevie's voice rang clear and I could see her dancing and spinning like a dervish, so I felt like I was right there in the front. Besides, I got to see her up close with binoculars that I borrowed from a wonderful guy sitting next to me. Okay, about the show, let's just say I really didn't want to leave. Stevie's show was like another world. I don't remember the exact order of the song list, but I do remember that she played Outside the Rain first off, which melted into Dreams. my first glimpse of her was during Outside the Rain (one of my very favorites), and she seemed to be really concentrating on what she was doing. She looked at least a decade younger than she is, and she was wearing the same dress (long, black, with gold material at the bottom), that she wore on the Tonight Show. Above all, she lokked lovely in everything she wore. Her voice was in top form, and she sang Garbo to a tee. It was one of those great moments in time during that song. Okay, short recap: Sleeping Angel was perfect, Gold and Braid kicked ass, Gold Dust Woman is always a pleasure, Enchanted and I Need To Know brought the mother DOWN. It was................well........enchant-ing. I hope I can do it again sometime...only with better seats.

A Phenomenal Experience

LC Lil Mac, June 12, 1998

Friday night I had the most incredible experience ever, I got to see THE Stevie Nicks in concert for the first time and it was phenomenal!!! Unlike a lot of Stevie fans I'm only 17 years old but I have rapidly learned almost all of her songs and have a vast collection of pictures, magazine articles and attire. Anyway back to the concert. As we were walking in the parking lot, there was a flood of Stevie songs coming from every which way. Some cars had parents with their small children sitting in the back with "Edge of Seventeen" blasting on the stereo. Other people were sitting outside in crowds around CD players and singing "Stand Back". Once we were seated, after of course I got my program and T-Shirts, Boz Scaggs came out and sang some of his hit songs (not that I knew any) he was really good though. Then finally at about 8:40 or so Stevie waltzed out on stage in one of her gorgeous sparkling black dresses and sang the opening song, "Outside the Rain," which was a perfect song to open with, not only because it was so good but because wouldn't you know it was raining. As the crowd cheered wildly, Stevie welcomed everyone and stated, "If you don't recognize a song, you blinked." Then after a soft version of Dreams which sounded just as good as it did when sung with the whole "Mac,"and "Enchanted," (one of my very favorite songs,) she donned the gold sequined cape and sang a mystical enchanting version of Gold Dust Woman. (I'm not going to tell something about every song because then you'd get bored and fall asleep reading so I'll just highlight my favorite parts.) After a bouncing version of the little heard song, " Golden Braid," the whole band sat at center stage on little red stools and Stevie announced that she was going to perform three songs that illustrated how she felt about being famous and her life. They were "After the Glitter Fades," "Garbo" and " I Never Promised You a Rose Garden," an amazingly poetic and sweet song she wrote when she was just 17. :-) Just as the atmosphere was relaxing and calm, the band turned up the volume with an electrifying version of "Stand Back," in my opinion better than the one performed on Jay Leno. After "Stand Back" though, the crowd whipped out there lighters and key chain flashlights and waved them in the air to "Landslide," which Stevie dedicated to a guy named Don in the front row. (It was funny just before she did that, she mentioned that Lindsey would never let her do it.) The "signature tune" and a beautiful version of "Rhiannon" followed as Stevie proclaimed that it has been sung in every concert and benefit she has ever done. A few songs later, she was "strutting around" to the "in your face song," "Whole Lotta Trouble." Then came the long awaited "Edge of Seventeen." It was probably the best she's ever done it as she danced and twirled in the beautiful white wing dove cape. Towards the end of the song as Stevie was walking across the stage shaking the hands of exuberant and screaming fans, she took a little girl, probably about 5 or 6 years old out on the stage, danced with her and picked her up while finishing the song and thanking everyone. That for me further heightened my belief that Stevie Nicks is the classiest, strongest and of course coolest 50 year old on the planet. The encores were an unbelievable version of " I Need to Know," and the concert ending "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You," which featured Stevie alone at center stage enchanting the audience and which I must admit brought me to tears. I can honestly say that I left that concert feeling quite sad that it was over but more enchanted by Stevie Nicks than I was when I first arrived. She has definitely touched my life and I'm sure she has touched many of yours.

Thank you for reading,
LC (Lil Mac )

A Magical Night

June 12, 1998

I don't even know where to begin on this incredible, magical night.

First let me say that this woman rocks and cannot possible be 50 years old! For starters, my obsession compelled me to head to the hotel and hang around for a few hours, where I met Lenny Castro, who was just as others have said...very gracious and friendly. I flirted as much as womanly possible, which paid off in the form of backstage passes. As for Stevie...the set was just as reported by fans who have attended previous shows. Very Steviesque. The sight of it makes one want to run to Pier One and drop about $1000. Chris Nicks came out and read the definition of enchanted and the crowd went wild as he introduced his sister. Her voice is in such fine form. Others who have submitted their reviews are not exaggerating! After the opener, Stevie said "welcome to my show!" and was beaming like a newcomer. She welcomed Boston and took a moment to absorb the roar of the crowd. She then explained how this tour is different from those in the past, and is something she's always wanted to do but never had the chance. She told us that there will be songs we may not recognize, and if so, "you were sleeping, or blinked, or something, whatever, but they were there!". Enchanted rocked, and Stevie was animated and full of energy. She was wearing the same dress she wore on the Tonight show: black with the gold brocade on the bottom, and looked stunningly beautiful. My seat was in the 4th row in the section facing the right of the stage, and toward the end of that section next to the center. I felt like I was almost on stage with her! To get such great seats, my friends and I had to settle for scattered seats, and I must tell you, I was a bit disappointed with the four women sitting next to me. They were decked out, as was I, so upon sitting next to them, I was pleased to be among other diehards. However, these four only knew the top 40 hits. Ah, the wannabe�s. Anyway, following Enchanted, Stevie donned the GDW shawl. From where I was sitting, I could see everything, including the red jewel on her forehead and her flawless skin. To be this close to this woman was breathtaking. GDW was similar to the Dance version, and the song in which we were privy to the first of her many twirls. The crowd went absolutely nuts, generating a smile on Stevie from ear to ear. Stop Draggin was performed with Frank Simes, after which Stevie told the audience she told him that this song was like an argument on stage, and he had to pretend he was really angry. She then said something about how satisfied she was with his performance. Throughout, Stevie was gushing and very giddy, almost like a teenager. It was so obvious she was having a lot of fun. Her personality really came through, which can be described as nothing short of adorable! She then told the crowd she was going to do a trilogy of songs and would be right back. She changed into the beautiful red dress and came back out for the acoustic segment. As with other shows, each song was explained. She informed the crowd that these songs were about her thoughts on Hollywood when she first arrived, and about being a "rock star, a waitress, or a cleaning lady, whatever I happened to be at the time." Prior to Garbo, she said that she wrote it the night she posed for the B/N album cover, and "in my overly dramatic way, I compared myself to Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, you know, the great Hollywood actresses." A little shrug with a smile followed, as if to make fun of herself in her impressionable youth. She did not explain that she posed nude for the cover, but said that she was so upset regarding the whole experience, and told herself she could either let it get to her or walk away. The phrase "walk away" was added, which was so fitting. At the end of the song, she told everyone that the third trilogy was a song she wrote at the age of 17, and she had no idea then what it would mean. She stated that it was about losing a lover but gaining stardom, and that she had no idea when she wrote it what it would mean. She began to explain to the crowd, and stumbled a little, turning to her band, laughing, saying, "I don't know", and then turned back to the crowd and said, laughing, "whatever it means to you." All three songs were done beautifully and Stevie made the most of this moment. Sleeping Angel, which followed was captivating and powerful enough to convert any non-believers. Stevie then left the stage, and the Stand Back beat began. This is when the crowd rushed the stage and security didn't blink. I ran like hell, and had my hands on the front of the stage and was directly in front of Stevie, where I remained for the remainder of the show. She came back out in the black and gold cape for a rocking version of this great song. Another costume changed followed as Stevie came out in another black dress. This one had a form fitting, low cut, satin, spaghetti strap bodice, with a layered chiffon skirt with cutout velvet, donned with a black lace shawl. This was by far the most flattering outfit, as the woman looked positively thin. Cannot be more than a size 8. Rhiannon followed, and Stevie talked about how Rhiannon is always there, "with Fleetwood Mac, solo, at benefits, so that says something about Rhiannon. " Her twirls were abundant, and the end segment was done like the FM Live version with Stevie hitting the high notes and her voice sounding like a beautiful wild animal that cannot be tamed. Whole Lotta Trouble, which followed, had Stevie playing air guitar and dancing all over the stage. I believe it was at this point when she introduced her band. Carlos was introduced last. She did not refer to him as the love of her life and gave no indication of a brewing romance. She stated that he's been with her since 1987(?), is her musical director, and is from Phoenix. She told us in an excited childlike voice that Carlos and everyone else are going home after the tour, but "that means I get to go home too!' Landslide was done beautifully, and Stevie said before it began, "well, I usually dedicate this to someone, but I don't know anyone in Boston." She turned to the band and repeated this statement, adding, "except of course all of you." In an incredible moment, she leaned down to a member in the audience, spoke a few words to him, and returned to the mike stating, "ok, this is for you Dan." She them informed the crowd that "If I did this with Fleetwood MAC, Lindsey would come over and say, 'What are you doing?' " She was referring to the improvised chat she engaged in throughout the evening. The crowd sang along, and Stevie interrupted the song after the "snoooooow...", stating "that was beautiful!" She said she was so amazed at the reception she gets when she comes to the East Coast, and "this crazy California blond comes to New York and Boston and is just so welcomed! I just may move to Boston! I'm serious! I've always loved Boston and I'm going to buy property!" She turned to her band and stated, "I am!" At the completion of Landslide, she thanked the audience and broke into Twisted, which was done exactly like the Boston Common performance two years ago...different from both the box set and the soundtrack. She left the stage again and came back having donned a white shawl for Edge of 17. This was reminiscent of the Bella Donna era and tonight was the first time ion years I have seen it performed this way. Incredible. She collected TONS of flowers and appeared to be on the verge of tears for the handshakes. I shook her hand as she looked me right in the eye and said, "thank you so much for being here." During this segment, a crazed fan got on stage and attempted to head towards Stevie. He was completely blocked by the keyboard player, and Stevie looked somewhat startled upon observing this. After the end of the handshakes, she brought a little girl from the audience on stage with her. You could tell that this girl was a little heavy for her to pick up, but none the less she did, and included the child in a few twirls. This child appeared to be terrified, and Stevie did her best to console her. She put her down on the floor of the stage, and I could see her saying "I'm sorry, are you okay?" So endearing!! She then said she had to give the little girl back, even though she wanted to keep her, and returned the child to her parents. She told the crowd, "wow, I think I really scared her!" After Edge, she left the stage and returned in the grey dress for a rocking "I need to know", followed by a haunting version of "Has anyone ever written.." in which she included the "I want you to remember me." Afterwards, she thanked Boston, stating that "you have no idea how much fun this is for me and what it means. This is such a pleasure. I just may move to Boston. Ill just get a job in a club and it will be fine." She told everyone with delight, "You know, I'm 50 years old" Applause followed, and she ended with the request for everyone to take care of themselves and each other, and made a comment of taking care of our neighbors, pointing to herself with a smile as if to say she will soon be a fellow Bostonian. Her final words were "We'll do this again." Following the show, I got backstage and found Lenny, who introduced me to the one and only sister of the moon. We chatted for a few minutes and she was so gracious and REAL. I cannot possibly put this experience into words, and can only say that she truly fits the definition of Enchanted. She signed a tambourine I brought to the show and spoke of how much she appreciates her fans. I shared with her an experience of how one of her songs has had an impact on me in relation to a friend of mine who died a few years ago, and she appeared genuinely moved. It now seems like it was all a dream. Some final thoughts.

I've seen Stevie solo 7 times and FM 9 times. This by far, was her best effort to date. Aside from the fabulous performance, Stevie was candid, talkative, humorous, and confident. Her energy level was high and she really appeared to enjoy herself much more than the last time I saw her at Great Woods in September 97. Unencumbered by her Mac mates, she had a stage presence all her own. It's wonderful to see someone who defies her age and this show had an aura of rebirth about it. The gypsy presence of old remains, and gone is the rambling, remote, and shaky songstress of the late 80's. The Gypsy Queen of Rock and Roll has reclaimed her thrown and is here to stay!