A Little Dissapointed

Well, I'm probably the only person in the universe who was disappointed with Friday night's show in Mansfield, MA, but here goes:

#1 The sound engineers, or whoever was responsible did a very poor job mixing the show - John's bass especially. Much of their ability to capture us musically depends on our being able to hear the exquisite rhythmic interplay, which we could not. Especially disappointing in this regard were "Rhiannon", "You Make Lovin' Fun" and "Stand Back". The keyboards were also mixed poorly during these tunes.

#2 They were not as tight as they should be. I understand that this was only their third public performance of the reunion, but I think they could have stood some more rehearsal time. If this were just an average band, I would care as much - But if one is going to charge $35, $50, and $75 a ticket, you had better be tight. Clearly, someone was in a hurry to make some money.

No, Im' not a stick in the mud, or someone who has a grudge. When I see a live show, the sound mixing and the intonation are simply the most important things to me. This is not a forum for a debate on musicology or philosophy statements on what is important in music, so if anyone would like to discuss these issues outside of this forum you may certainly Email me.

On a positive note...

They all sang extremely well. Lindsey gave out a little at the end, cheating quite well on "Go Your Own Way", but otherwise - FLAWLESS. His guitar playing was also fantastic. He tried something I've never heard him do before, adding in some strange chords and rhythms, ala Robert Fripp. This would happen whenever he passed a certain level of excitement during songs like "Say You Love Me", "Go Insane", "Bleed to Love Her", and "My Little Demon".

Mick's big drum solo, with the body pickups was composed well. This was one of the show's musical highlights, as it was the last time he came around w/ John a number of years ago. I don't remember the extra percussionist on that tour.

I love Stevie's gravel voice. There are very few women in Rock who have made hugely successful careers out of such a voice. I can only think of three others - Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Tyler (not as much), and Janice Joplin. This is because she emotes perfectly...

I certainly did have fun, and overall it was a good show. However, I would have kicked myself for spending the money had my ticket not been a gift...

Fabulous Show

The Boston show on 9/20 was fabulous, despite the fact that it was raining and chilly. They started late, at 8, and by that time we were pumped up. There was a huge amount of energy in the crowd, and when the opening bars of The Chain were played we were all pumped. The show went nonstop til 10:30, and every minute just flew by! The band was in great voice, and they all looked phenomenal- especially Stevie. She was in typical black Chiffon, and looked incredibly beautiful, as well as Christine, too. I had front row seats (for the lawn- what a fight to get a good spot!) and could see everything with my trusted pair of binoculars. Everyone was dancing and singing and ignoring the rain. The highlights for me were Dreams, Landslide, Rhiannon, Stand Back, Sweet Girl, Silver Springs, Gold Dust Woman and a special encore by Christine of Songbird, Mick had an incredible solo. Stevie and Lindsey were way into each other after Landslide- it was awesome. I'm only 15, but this is by far my favorite band, and my favorite concert! I love this lineup, and I'm so glad I spent 1/2 house on the phone listening to buy signals to get my tickets! Do whatever you can to get to a concert- I would go again in a heartbeat! It was really one of the best nights I've ever had.

Great Night

I attended both shows in Boston this weekend! I have read the reviews of Friday's show.......this was Saturday's show!

After arriving early driving from Maine, and not wanting to get stuck in traffic.....I found myself wandering this wonderful outside venue of Great Woods at 7:00pm! The seats have a roof over them and there are lawn seats completely outside. Having been at the show the night before knowing about the 1 Hour delay, I figured the show would be off again tonight. My best bud and I noticed a beautiful sunset, with awesome clouds, nice touch. 7:30 this beautiful sunset had turned to a very dark and black sky.

7:30 the sky literally opened up over us. I being VERY fortunate had front row seats, did not get to wet.

8:15 the lights went down and the screaming began, second night in a row I now have no voice!

One light came up.....Stevie's silhouette was outstretched in front of the drum kit of Mick. A wondrous sight! The crowd was nuts. The wind came up at this point and blew through the place......Stevie's dress was blowing and the song? The Chain! The show was almost a carbon copy of the Dance. With the set list I saw earlier. Even to the animated Lindsey in Landslide putting his hand to his chin during the guitar break. There were parts that were not like the Dance. Like Lindsey introducing a song..."This is a new song..." then laughing Christine interrupting with that awesome voice of hers..."Lindsey we did that song already but if you'd like to do it again.." Mick broke into the cymbal crashes of You make loving fun. Too funny!! To the 4th song of Stevie again in the front lights down and the baby grand of Christine.........and the song, Rhiannon just like the CD....Like a que the wind whipped up, my hair was blowing everywhere-I looked behind to see more rain than ever and leaves blowing all over. It was amazing I thought there was a wind machine or something back there. Welsh Witch was the first thing that came into my head! Very creepy,eerriiee, strange, welcome, needed, unexplainable feeling! To Stevie singing the same verse of Silver Springs twice. Not so sure everyone noticed they covered it well. I being up front got to see the confused faces and Stevie immediately turning around and motioning to Mick second verse.....I begin not to love you turn around see me running I say I love you years ago tell myself you never love me...and no one ever knew the difference! If they did they didn't care. The whole weekend was a dream come true. The band looked happy at the end of Silver Springs Stevie and Lindsey were laughing. There didn't seem to be any tension going on at all!!!They truly seemed to be having fun. The crowd was on its feet throughout the show, at least I was! I did see Mick crying for the "songbird" Christine is so wonderful and genuine!!! If you get the chance go if you can afford it pay the scalpers (even though they are scum) It is worth it. I got lucky on the phone. You just can't see the emotion from the back! Stevie playing with everyone in the front! Singing to people, she winked at me because I got a picture at no camera event!! John talking with people........very Kewl!! Do what ever you need to do to get there!!! see you all on the Ledge and good luck!

Concert Highlights

Geez, Where do I start... So much good stuff, so little time...

The evening got off to a rocky start because the traffic was so terrible getting to the venue. My usual one-hour commute to Great Woods turned into a 2-1/2 hour nightmare of honking, cursing and getting cut off. Fortunately, the show was delayed one hour to allow those stuck in traffic to get there.

The MAC hit the stage at 8:30, opening with "The Chain." From there the set list pretty much mirrored the MTV show, though there were some surprises at the end. "Over My Head" was deleted from the set, and "Oh Daddy," "Stand Back," "Not That Funny," and "Second Hand News" were added. Mick did his drum solo in the middle of "Not That Funny" with drum pads concealed in his vest, making faces and trading riffs with his auxiliary percussionist. The entire band, including Stevie, was in fine voice, and one highlight followed another as the show wore on.

An early highlight was an impassioned reading of "Dreams" by Stevie, complete with glances at Lindsey during the "And What You Lost" lyrics. Lindsey's tortured guitar and screams on "I'm So Afraid" was another.Later, "You Make Loving Fun" show cased Christine at her best and brought us back to the spirit of '77. Lindsey did his phenomenal acoustic bit with "Big Love" and "Go Insane" complete with the same speech he gave at the MTV show about cycles. Later in the show, Lindsey uttered the line "This next song is about inner demons...... what's that?... Oh, wrong song!!!! And the band played "You Make Loving Fun" After this, and before starting the demon speech again, Lindsey jokingly said "I guess that's what they call earn while you learn" "Rhiannon" was incredible, as was "Sweet Girl," and a simply Kick-ASS and highly unexpected "Stand Back" got even the stick in the muds out of their seats. "A great version of "Second Hand News" was another unexpected treat, and audience sing along. The intro to "Silver Springs" got BIG applause, and Stevie's take sent shivers down my spine. "Landslide" was another tremendous highlight, Lindsey kissed Stevie, and gave her a big hug after they had thanked each other. The show climaxed on "Silver Springs" and Lindsey said "We gotta couple more for ya!!!!" The band then steam rolled through "Tusk," and "Go Your Own Way." Encores, not surprisingly, were the ever popular "Don't Stop" and "Songbird" which featured Christine's wonderful melancholy alto. After "Songbird" the crowd was simply delirious. There were way too many highlights to get into-Just go and see the show!!!!! One note... "Eyes Of The World" was played at earlier tour dates instead of "Second Hand News" That one may turn up again...