New York Post 10-1-97

THERE'S nothing like absence (and the prospect of earning a couple hundred million dollars) to make the heart grow fonder.

Last night, at Continental Airlines Arena in the Meadowlands, '70s supergroup Fleetwood Mac - resurrected for a walk down the comeback trail - rekindled most of the songs and some of the fire to jar musical memories for older fans during the band's just under two-hour greatest-hits concert.

The performance, which opened with "The Chain," mirrored the trip into the past quality of FM's recently released disc "The Dance." To the fans' delight, the program conjured the band's golden era of 20 years ago, when their "Rumours" album ruled.

In content and concept, last night's Fleetwood Mac concert might have been the safest rock show since the Eagles regrouped for the "let's make money" tour a few years back.

Yet the Mac attack didn't have the Eagles' mercenary grab-the-gold feel. Maybe it was because Mac members - Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and John McVie - have so much shared history, including marriages and affairs, that this show was a little like a dysfunctional-family reunion.

To that end, the band, known for its in-fighting, worked and played well together, as if they realized they were getting another spin on life's turntable. This time 'round, the Mac is getting both success and a side of fun.

That was especially apparent during songs like "Gypsy," where Nicks ultimately gave up center stage for Buckingham's end-song solo. The two ex-lovers were all smiles, and shared the moment like new pals.

As the night progressed, the band warmed under the hot adoration of the fans. They got looser and more relaxed with each tune. Rockin' hits such as "Say You Love Me," "Go Your Own Way," "Rhiannon" and "Tusk" got the expected dancin'-in-the-aisles respect. Yet it was during the ballads, such as "Landslide," that the Mac chemistry was most in balance.

Nicks whirled and twirled like a dervish, making her seem larger than she is. The diminutive singer was in perpetual motion - often just a blur of long, blond hair and black veils and lace spinning on skyscraper heels.

Keyboardist Christine McVie also sang well, especially during her peppy solo tune, "Everywhere," played early in the evening.

Long, tall Fleetwood wore black velvet knickers and a crazed, open-mouthed face during most of the show. This is a guy who puts performance first every time.

His partner in beat, and group co-founder, John McVie was workmanlike in his bass delivery. Looking like a pirate, with a black bandana tied around his noggin, he displayed an unflappable confidence, although his playing lacked flash.

Lindsey Buckingham, who seems to have aged the least since the old days, more than made up for it as the group's musical master of flash. He remains an underrated guitar god of modern rock.

His solos, as in "Second Hand News," abounded, but it was his acoustic turns where he made his mark.

This was certainly more of a nostalgia event and spectacle than your typical rock show, yet even the hardest cynics would have to give the band its due, since they relied on the music rather than effects to make the fans say that you love me.