Arizona Republic  10-23-97

Stevie: 'This is our town': Fleetwood Mac renews old hits

By Larry Rodgers

Halfway through the haunting Gold Dust Woman, her hair blowing in a cool autumn breeze, Stevie Nicks asked her Phoenix audience: "Is it over now, do you know how to pick up the pieces and go home?"

Nicks and the other members of Fleetwood Mac should know the answer. Ten years after they declared their multiplatinum ride over, they've picked up the pieces and gone on tour.

They haven't exactly picked up where they left off. This group has always had enough psycho-drama boiling below the surface to fuel a soap opera. The past decade has seen them exorcise the demons of drug and alcohol abuse and move past one failed marriage and one (actually two) love affair among two (actually three) band members (it's a long story).

And it may not be over. After a moving version of 1975's Landslide, Nicks planted two or three kisses on the lips of former amour Lindsey Buckingham. Nicks swore in Rolling Stone magazine this week they would rekindle their love "over my dead body," but you never know . . .

With its five "classic" members augmented by four other musicians, the Mac moved through a well-paced set kicked off by the blockbuster hits The Chain and Dreams. Nicks, in flowing black dress and knee-high spiked boots, was in fine whiskey-soaked voice, though she avoided many high notes.

She remains the strongest stage presence in the group, but Buckingham gave her a run for her money Wednesday night. His masterful guitar and tortured vocals on I'm So Afraid and Big Love showcased a persona every bit as complex as Nicks'.

Keyboardist/vocalist Christine McVie's rich, husky voice carried You Make Loving Fun, Say You Love Me and a new, little rocker, Temporary One.

Co-founder Mick Fleetwood - balding, pony-tailed and dressed like an English country squire - presided over the preceedings from behind his trusty drum kit. If Father Time has mellowed anyone in this band, it appears to be Fleetwood and bassist John McVie.

As the Mac rolled on like the smooth machine that has sold 70 million albums worldwide, Nicks, who has deep roots here, said "This is our town."

And for one night, Phoenix belonged to Fleetwood Mac.

Thanks to CLMoon for submitting this to the newsgroup.