Written by Bryan Mc Donald Jun 17, 2008 at 05:18 PM
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After 42 shows the sound crew got it right from the first note to the last. Previously on this tour sound problems marred the beginning of some shows. However, on this night "The Chain" set the tone for the whole evening, the band made it clear that this was a holiday and they were thankful that we were there to share it with them. Stevie started by wishing us all Happy Thanksgiving and proceeded to give a really inspired version of "Dreams"In fact "Inspired" would be a good way to describe the whole show. "Everywhere" was harmonious , but Stevie's mike was set a little low.
Stevie showed us that she was going to have a great evening when she and Lindsey absolutely mastered "Gold Dust Woman". This song was also a prelude of things to come, Lindsey was just unconscious on guitar for this show. He dedicated "I'm So Afraid" to his family, who flew in from L.A. to see the show, he then proceeded to blow us all away with(once again) inspired leads! He was playing for his family and we all reaped the benefits. This song was when he broke the first of two strings during the course of the show, and he was rewarded with a standing ovation from most of the 20,000 or so in attendance. Christine came on after "I'm So Afraid" and said, " Wow! I think we're going to try something a little more demure." and started "Temporary One", which I like more and more each time I hear it.
Skipping ahead to "Big Love" this song only underlined the fact that on this night in NY City this was "Lindsey Buckingham's Fleetwood Mac" I have never, ever seen someone play more crisp, clean leads without the benefit of a pick, the way that Lindsey does. He received his second standing ovation after "Big Love". A slower, more introspective "Go Insane" rounded out the "solo" portion of the show for Lindsey.
"Landslide" was a union of two people who we all know once loved each other and, this time around, the affection they showed didn't looked staged and strained the way it did earlier in the tour. "Say You Love Me" was very good and as much as I love all of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie and Lindsey had us anticipating the upcoming songs that featured them as opposed to "Fleetwood Mac" collaborations. "Sweet Girl" proved that Stevie can still turn a ballad into something special all her own.
The set progressed as it had for all the other shows, with each member of the band shining in their own spots, specifically John in "The Chain",and "Little Demon", Christine in "Oh Daddy", Mick in "Not That Funny" (which also proved that these people really are having a lot of fun on this tour.)"Stand Back" brought the only real disappointing moment of the night, it seemed flat, just as it did in Nassau back in Sept.. But it wasn't enough to spoil the mood of the night and Stevie, Lindsey, and Christine blew us all away with a precious "Rhiannon". "Silver Springs" once again reminded us of the bond Stevie and Lindsey once shared. "Second Hand News", and "Tusk" reminded us that "Fleetwood Mac" consisted of more than just Buckingham & Nicks.
"Go Your Own Way" was when Lindsey broke his second string of the night. It was plain to see that as this tour winds down the band is not running out of steam, in fact , they may just be having the most fun they've ever had. They thanked us and left the stage after "GYOW" only to return and bring down the house with "Don't Stop".
Christine treated us all to a very sweet version of "Songbird" and as the band lined up and did a very practiced A cappella "Farmer's Daughter" my wife and I brimmed with anticipation, for you see, it was at this point that we were going to reap the benefit of winning our tickets from WALK-FM the local LI radio station. Larry Butler, a Warner Brothers Vice-President, escorted us from our seats to the after concert, backstage reception area. It was here that while shaking Lindsey Buckingham's hand that I instantly developed foot-in-mouth disease, when I told him, "I don't want to make you feel old Lindsey, but I've been a fan since I was 9 years old." well he took it in stride and was very gracious, we were able to get two autographs and a photo with him before he went back to be with his family. Stevie then came out to greet us and my wife proceeded to develop the same condition that I had, scant moments before, and told Stevie that the first concert she ever attended as a fourteen year old was a "Fleetwood Mac" show in 1979. Stevie joked with us that she would love for my wife to write a letter and tell her all about it considering the state she used to be in, in those days, she also gave us autographs, but no photos. All in all my wife and I were very happy to get the opportunity to meet them, They showed a lot of graciousness in taking the few minutes to say hello.
With the tour winding down to the lst few shows, the band is looking forward to a much needed rest, but judging from the fun and comeraderie they showed in Madison Square Garden, I can't believe that this will be the last we hear of "Fleetwood Mac".
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Overall Rating
4.0
Madison Square Gardens Concert Review
Written by Brad Jun 17, 2008 at 05:14 PM
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My seat had a view of christine's back. I had a fantastic time. I would love to get a video boot of this show. Mick had funky red shoes on, and he was wearing his "balls". Christine looks skinny...from behind. Stevie looks a little larger.Lindsey broke some strings. John was wearing just jeans and sneakers, very plain. I thought stevie and Lindsey were going to kiss at the end of silver springs. I stayed after to avoid traffic, and getting trampled. So I asked one of the guys disassembling the stage if I could have Christine's cup of water and straw. The guy jumped over everything and got it for me!!! How cool is that. I can't prove it, but I have on my shelve Christine McVie's big red cup with a straw with her lipstick on it. Cool! But weird.
Concert Review
After 42 shows the sound crew got it right from the first note to the last. Previously on this tour sound problems marred the beginning of some shows. However, on this night "The Chain" set the tone for the whole evening, the band made it clear that this was a holiday and they were thankful that we were there to share it with them. Stevie started by wishing us all Happy Thanksgiving and proceeded to give a really inspired version of "Dreams"In fact "Inspired" would be a good way to describe the whole show. "Everywhere" was harmonious , but Stevie's mike was set a little low.
Skipping ahead to "Big Love" this song only underlined the fact that on this night in NY City this was "Lindsey Buckingham's Fleetwood Mac" I have never, ever seen someone play more crisp, clean leads without the benefit of a pick, the way that Lindsey does. He received his second standing ovation after "Big Love". A slower, more introspective "Go Insane" rounded out the "solo" portion of the show for Lindsey.
The set progressed as it had for all the other shows, with each member of the band shining in their own spots, specifically John in "The Chain",and "Little Demon", Christine in "Oh Daddy", Mick in "Not That Funny" (which also proved that these people really are having a lot of fun on this tour.)"Stand Back" brought the only real disappointing moment of the night, it seemed flat, just as it did in Nassau back in Sept.. But it wasn't enough to spoil the mood of the night and Stevie, Lindsey, and Christine blew us all away with a precious "Rhiannon". "Silver Springs" once again reminded us of the bond Stevie and Lindsey once shared. "Second Hand News", and "Tusk" reminded us that "Fleetwood Mac" consisted of more than just Buckingham & Nicks.
"Go Your Own Way" was when Lindsey broke his second string of the night. It was plain to see that as this tour winds down the band is not running out of steam, in fact , they may just be having the most fun they've ever had. They thanked us and left the stage after "GYOW" only to return and bring down the house with "Don't Stop".
Christine treated us all to a very sweet version of "Songbird" and as the band lined up and did a very practiced A cappella "Farmer's Daughter" my wife and I brimmed with anticipation, for you see, it was at this point that we were going to reap the benefit of winning our tickets from WALK-FM the local LI radio station. Larry Butler, a Warner Brothers Vice-President, escorted us from our seats to the after concert, backstage reception area. It was here that while shaking Lindsey Buckingham's hand that I instantly developed foot-in-mouth disease, when I told him, "I don't want to make you feel old Lindsey, but I've been a fan since I was 9 years old." well he took it in stride and was very gracious, we were able to get two autographs and a photo with him before he went back to be with his family. Stevie then came out to greet us and my wife proceeded to develop the same condition that I had, scant moments before, and told Stevie that the first concert she ever attended as a fourteen year old was a "Fleetwood Mac" show in 1979. Stevie joked with us that she would love for my wife to write a letter and tell her all about it considering the state she used to be in, in those days, she also gave us autographs, but no photos. All in all my wife and I were very happy to get the opportunity to meet them, They showed a lot of graciousness in taking the few minutes to say hello.
With the tour winding down to the lst few shows, the band is looking forward to a much needed rest, but judging from the fun and comeraderie they showed in Madison Square Garden, I can't believe that this will be the last we hear of "Fleetwood Mac".