BUCKINGHAM AND BAND SHOW THAT MAC-LESS ISN'T FECKLESS
Seattle Times (WA) March 15, 1993

TOM PHALEN

Lindsey Buckingham at the Moore Theatre, Saturday night.

One pale voice tweaked through the enthusiastic applause for Lindsey Buckingham as he walked on the Moore stage Saturday night.

"Where's Stevie?" came the muttered query, presumably referring to Buckingham's ex-partner Stevie Nicks and his former band Fleetwood Mac. It's doubtful Buckingham heard the call. The singer/songwriter/guitarist was there for himself, his work and his new band. After three self-made solo albums (the latest is Out of the Cradle), Buckingham has gone live with a fine new conclave. With five guitars, three percussionists, solid bass and ample sample-and-note work from the keyboards (nice elephant on Tusk), Buckingham and his talented crew of nine not only recreated the silken, multi-textured weave of his recorded material, but imbued the cloth with new color and richer hue. Even an old wrap like Go Your Own Way had grand new style. It was sound, energy and joy you could wear in and out of your skin.

His set was decidedly personal. He began solo with Big Love, then segued with a little self-written spoken verse into Go Insane - big love gone around the bend. After bringing on the band, he solidified an insightful musical progression and connection of doubt, family, pain, passion, indecision, fear and commitment with Don't Look Down, The Chain, Trouble, Tusk, You Do Or You Don't and I'm So Afraid. It was as powerful a musical life-journey as one could want to experience.

Once again performing solo, he played the lovely instrumental This Nearly Was Mine then beautifully delivered the angst and heartfelt Street of Dreams.

But the final section and encores with the band were a whip-snapping rave-up. Buckingham playfully butted leads with each of his guitar players. Steve Ross and Janet Robin were among the standout lick-sters, although everyone in the band deserved equal praise. The capacity 20-to-40-something crowd came to its feet more than once.

As a solo artist, Buckingham hasn't received all the recognition due him, possibly because until now he hadn't found a straight-seamed, well-woven way to present his music live. It wasn't a Nicks he was missing, it was a proper niche - the right groove, the right group. If this Seattle performance was any indication, he's there.