MacMan
04-11-2007, 07:10 AM
The Fleetwood Mac guitarist rules the Val Air Ballroom in an impressive performance, with or without backup.
By DREW MANROE
SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER
April 11, 2007
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/ENT04/704110378/-1/ENT05
Thirty years ago, Lindsey Buckingham dared Fleetwood Mac bandmate and then-girlfriend Stevie Nicks to "Go your own way." These days, Buckingham is going his.
And judging from Tuesday's solo performance before 758 at the Val Air Ballroom, he's doing all right by himself.
With a set built around tracks from last year's "Under the Skin" album - Buckingham's fourth solo effort - Mac's creative driving force made a case for himself as one of popular music's more dynamic and underappreciated live entertainers.
It all starts with his guitar playing. Buckingham's dextrous, Speedy-Gonzales-on-Red-Bull fingerpicking style would make any classical virtuoso jealous. Even more remarkable is that the 57-year-old manages to sing at the same time.
Buckingham's songs aren't too shabby, either.
He opened with the pensive gem "Not Too Late," one of several "Under the Skin" selections with a sparse, intimate quality that lends itself well to live performance. He followed with solid solo renditions of his 1981 hit "Trouble" and "Never Going Back Again."
From this point on, Buckingham was occasionally joined by a three-piece band. This allowed the singer to rock out with a frantic intensity on Fleetwood-era favorites like "Second Hand News," "I'm So Afraid" and, of course, "Go Your Own Way."
At times Buckingham's intensity level became so manic, you wondered if he was about to pull a Joe Cocker. Fortunately, the guitar strapped around his chest prevented any Cockeresque flailing about. Buckingham expressed his frustration at this fact by sporadically beating on his guitar with both hands like a monkey.
Still, the 19-song set did have its moments of levity. "Tusk" was as wild and goofy as ever. And the closing seconds of "Holiday Road" - of "National Lampoon's Vacation" fame - found both Buckingham and the audience barking like dogs.
If the concert had one shortcoming, it was that Buckingham's guitar was overwhelming his vocals in the opening numbers. This problem was quickly corrected, however.
In closer "Shut Us Down," Buckingham repeated the words "I will stay around, as long as I can."
Tuesday night's show left fans wishing he could stay a little longer.
Drew Manroe is a freelance writer from Des Moines.
By DREW MANROE
SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER
April 11, 2007
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/ENT04/704110378/-1/ENT05
Thirty years ago, Lindsey Buckingham dared Fleetwood Mac bandmate and then-girlfriend Stevie Nicks to "Go your own way." These days, Buckingham is going his.
And judging from Tuesday's solo performance before 758 at the Val Air Ballroom, he's doing all right by himself.
With a set built around tracks from last year's "Under the Skin" album - Buckingham's fourth solo effort - Mac's creative driving force made a case for himself as one of popular music's more dynamic and underappreciated live entertainers.
It all starts with his guitar playing. Buckingham's dextrous, Speedy-Gonzales-on-Red-Bull fingerpicking style would make any classical virtuoso jealous. Even more remarkable is that the 57-year-old manages to sing at the same time.
Buckingham's songs aren't too shabby, either.
He opened with the pensive gem "Not Too Late," one of several "Under the Skin" selections with a sparse, intimate quality that lends itself well to live performance. He followed with solid solo renditions of his 1981 hit "Trouble" and "Never Going Back Again."
From this point on, Buckingham was occasionally joined by a three-piece band. This allowed the singer to rock out with a frantic intensity on Fleetwood-era favorites like "Second Hand News," "I'm So Afraid" and, of course, "Go Your Own Way."
At times Buckingham's intensity level became so manic, you wondered if he was about to pull a Joe Cocker. Fortunately, the guitar strapped around his chest prevented any Cockeresque flailing about. Buckingham expressed his frustration at this fact by sporadically beating on his guitar with both hands like a monkey.
Still, the 19-song set did have its moments of levity. "Tusk" was as wild and goofy as ever. And the closing seconds of "Holiday Road" - of "National Lampoon's Vacation" fame - found both Buckingham and the audience barking like dogs.
If the concert had one shortcoming, it was that Buckingham's guitar was overwhelming his vocals in the opening numbers. This problem was quickly corrected, however.
In closer "Shut Us Down," Buckingham repeated the words "I will stay around, as long as I can."
Tuesday night's show left fans wishing he could stay a little longer.
Drew Manroe is a freelance writer from Des Moines.