U.S. Airways Arena Concert Review

Well what can I say....... words can not describe what it was like for me to see this band. I'm from Melbourne Australia and I was to young to see them last time they were there. I was lucky enough to see them last night for the first and hopeful not the last time.

The seat that I had was not the best in the arena, but still I was able to hear every note and saw every body on that stage.

The songs that were sung brought back so many memories for me growing up with my older brothers playing them on my fathers stereo. Sitting there it took me back home and for that I thank them very much.

"You must believe in the five to survive the dista

How appropriate were these words, as I settled into my seat just feet away from the stage where Stevie and the rest of the band on the last night of this very intense tour would be performing. I realized this was the closest I had been to Stevie since I saw her on the Rock a Little tour, and I knew it was going to be special. I was closer to Christine and Lindsey at the other shows, and tonight I knew the focus for me would be Stevie. Coming off the heals of a somewhat disappointing Atlantic City show (the band was great, the fans - if you can even call them that -were boring and pathetic (sorry, but my honest feelings about a crowd who acted like they were at church). I realize I stand up and dance, not to be inconsiderate or rude, but because that is my honest reaction to this band when they are on stage - they totally absorb me and make me move. I have no control over myself. They are just too powerful. As I sat there, I thought about the band, and wondered what they were thinking and feeling. I always get this "unexplainable, but incredible" feeling knowing that they are so close…and then I heard that sound…….and then I heard the drums…and then the guitar riff……

The Chain brought me to my feet, as I listened to those incredible hopeful words "never break the chain." As usual, Stevie drew me in. Her beauty, her power, her vulnerability, her words so powerful and demanding. I had to pinch myself over and over, "is it a dream, have I been here before" am I actually this close to her. You know she is there, but it’s like being in shock, and then you finally get settled down (somewhat) and enjoy the show. But, she is still right in front of you. Seeing the Mac on Thursday and Saturday, I can say with complete confidence that Lindsey is by far the best live guitarist of them all. Will the critics please take notice!! He deserves it!! Just as Stevie’s power and emotion is her voice, Lindsey’s reveals himself through his guitar. I have never seen a man play with such intensity and raw talent. Buckingham is the Guitar God. Period. Christine was stunning, her voice blending with Stevie and Linsdey in this opening number as she played her keyboards with such confidence. John was hiding in the shadows, (but he didn’t stay there, he had his moments) and Mick was the heart "beat" of this band, with his wicked smile and dominant drumming. I didn’t care about what those around me were going to do, I was going to enjoy this show. Dreams was next, and I knew from Stevie’s facial expressions that she was really going to give her fans a "special" performance tonight. At times the song reminded me of "nightbird", it was just a feeling… Everywhere was great, as Christine came out from her keyboards, welcomed the crowd, and the song was pretty much what I expected. Gold Dust Woman was Stevie at her best. She really got into this number, and her face expressed the uncertainty and pain that is so much of this song. Its funny when you are so close to someone that plays such an important part of your "musical" life. It’s like how you see most everyone else in black and white, but there is that one person who you see in color. That is how Stevie is to me. I mean, you know she is right there in front of you, but you just can’t believe it. And you know these songs that she is singing, but when she is right in front of you, she becomes transparent, and vulnerable, and you feel them in a way that you can’t even begin to explain, because no one would probably understand, but that is part of the magic of her music. Anyway…..I’m So Afraid was next, and this is probably one of my favorite songs from the band, and Lindsey’s guitar playing here is just amazing. I can honestly say that he could play the ending of this song for hours and I would never want it to stop. Temporary One, which I have dubbed the reunion song, was next followed by Bleed to Love Her, which I think would be a great single. The sound was mixed perfect here, focusing on Lindsey’s guitar which is so crucial to this song. I simply loved it. Next was "Gypsy" and this is where I began to get emotional. Listening to this lovely song by Ms. Nicks and hearing her say "and a memory is all that is left for you now" totally got to me. I know she probably didn’t even notice me, but it was like she was singing to that empty place in my heart that was being filled temporarily by her words. That empty space that wants this band to continue, but not knowing if it will. This woman who was sitting next to me (and seemed somewhat bored), was watching me and gave me one of those "phony" smiles, but my "real" tears were more of a "thank you" to the band than of sadness. Big Love and Go Insane were Lindsey at his best. He is simply amazing on these two songs and his guitar soared throughout the venue. Amazing man. I will definitely be first in line if he comes to town for a solo performance. Well, Landslide was…well, what can I say…since I am "getting older, too". This is probably the best I have ever heard Stevie sing this song. It wasn’t that her voice was stronger or anything, but it was like she was thinking "this might be the last time I sing this song with these four individuals, and she sang it that way, with a little fear and acceptance".. Say You Love Me had that "country banjo-picking" feeling to it, and was followed by Sweet Girl. This song is so outstanding live! From seeing one of the earlier shows to seeing the last show, I can honestly say this band has gotten better and Sweet Girl demonstrates that. I find it amazing that Stevie wrote this song a week before the band got back together. It is definitely her life as a "rock and roll star" song. I simply adore it!! You Make Loving Fun was great, and My Little Demon showed a playful Stevie and John with Lindsey tearing up his guitar. Stand Back was a highlight!! At all four shows, this song was strong and got the crowd moving. The rest of the band steps into the background and lets Stevie deliver this very powerful number. It was great!! Oh Daddy and Not That Funny was great - Mick doing his "solo" thing, and Rhiannon was incredible. Stevie didn’t cut loose like she did in New York City, but she still sung her little heart out. Second Hand News kind of came and went - this song could be a little longer because it is really great live. Silver Springs was powerful and I started crying when she sang "tell myself you never loved me," words that I can so relate to. Her and Lindsey were really into the emotion of this song, and it was so genuine. Well, I was exhausted at this point, but Tusk and Go Your Own Way gave me energy that I didn’t even know I had in me. All five members were into Go Your Own Way, with Lindsey leading the way. Total power. Total Emotion. Total Love for their fans and for each other…The band said goodbye, and I think they said something to the effect that they would be back, but not really sure if that is what they said or what I wanted to hear, and the encores were Don’t Stop, Songbird, and Farmer’s Daughter. Christine and Lindsey said something about the holidays and the reunion, but I just kind of sat in my chair feeling a little numb, not wanting to move, not wanting it to be over, part of me sad, but a bigger part of me extremely thankful to Lindsey, Mick, Christine, John and Stevie for getting back together and doing this tour and giving me four very special evenings. "So I’ll try and say goodbye my friend, I’d like to leave you with something warm………" And that they did...