Entitled jerks
 

nice and balanced, plainly stating the facts. not regurgitated pre-written fawning word-for-wording reusing of phrases sent out by fakewood PR team. example of how normal reviews look like.

https://www.free-times.com/music/wit...V-3_ErPSwktu3c

TOP STORY
LIVE REVIEW

Without Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac Offered as Many Gems as Duds

By Jordan Lawrence Feb 23, 2019 Updated 3 hrs ago


Fleetwood Mac; Colonial Life Arena, Columbia; Feb. 22, 2019

Fleetwood Mac ripped the bandaid right off.

The bass drum started that familiar thump, keying one of classic rock’s most recognizable slow builds, forming into the bittersweet anthem “The Chain.” But on this night, it wasn’t guitarist Lindsey Buckingham yowling out the opening number’s searing rejoinder — “And if you don't love me now / You will never love me again / I can still hear you saying / You would never break the chain.”

Friday in Columbia, New Zealander Neil Finn, best known for his time fronting Crowded House, took lead vocal duties. He and former Tom Petty backer Mike Campbell joined Fleetwood Mac following Buckingham’s dismissal last year. Finn never quite mustered the frenzied indignation that gives the song its spark, making for an uneven start to an equally uneven concert, one that offered stirring highs and frustrating missteps in equal measure.

Regardless of whether they feel they were justified in firing Buckingham, Mac’s remaining core of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie broke the chain. And while their new hires brought impressive skills to the table, their insistence — displayed during “The Chain” — that they could sub Finn and Campbell in without losing anything marred some of the band’s best songs. It also made them seem like entitled jerks.

Though they’re both great guitarists, neither Finn nor Campbell could replicate the crisp, percussive fingerpicking that surges through the jauntier highlights from group’s famed '70s triptych of Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk. And Finn’s voice was somehow both too close and too far away from Buckingham’s — similar enough in tone, but lacking the nervy exuberance that made his predecessor's performances pop. To my ear, it was like taking a sip of milk that’s not quite fresh but not quite sour, still drinkable but with a nagging aftertaste.

As such, some songs were doomed to fail, and probably should have been avoided all together. The punchy hallmark “Second Hand News” fell frustratingly flat, with a vocal approach that felt blunted and mirthless compared to Buckingham, and with Campbell taking bluesy swings around the rhythm rather than playing quickly within it, zapping the song’s irrepressible momentum. Similar vocal issues plagued pre-encore closer “Go Your Own Way,” and while the sweeping kiss-off was still big and energetic, Finn and Nicks’ chummy glances fell limp compared to the fiery tension that came when she sang the song with her old flame.

To be fair to all involved, many of the songs really worked. The band stretched out some of its more smoldering epics, exploring heady extended grooves that Buckingham’s proclivity for zippy concision would have likely precluded, and exploiting the looser-limbed tendencies of the new members. The Nicks-led stunners “Rhiannon” and “Gold Dust Woman” benefited greatly from such treatments, and the singer filled each with the biting but beautiful presence that is her trademark. She might not be able to hit all the high notes anymore, but as she showed during an equally impressive — and occasionally spine-tingling — performance of the stripped-down ballad “Landslide,” hers remains one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most powerfully emotive voices.

Also exciting were performances of tunes from the blues band era that preceded Nicks and Buckingham’s conscription and the group’s chart-scorching second life in pop-rock. Nicks leaned into her trademark rasp for an appropriately murky and mystic trip through “Black Magic Woman” — yes, it was Fleetwood Mac, not Santana, that originated that one. And “Oh Well,” a blistering showcase for founding guitarist Peter Green, offered a similar opportunity for Campbell, who proved that his lackluster moments were due to fit, not skill. (Finn got his own well-deserved redemption during a swaying spin through the beautiful Crowded House hit “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”)

Still, it was in poor taste that the band made a point to sing the praises of former contributors like Green when introducing these dives into its back catalog, while never once giving a nod to Buckingham when playing his songs. Given the fact that the former guitarist underwent emergency open heart surgery earlier this month that may have permanently damaged his vocal cords, the omission felt particularly glaring.

Fleetwood Mac is a different band following Buckingham’s exit. And until it takes full ownership of that fact, it’ll never be more than a serviceable imitation of its former self.

Lindsey has a puckish personality that comes through in his songs that cannot be replicated. Imp, egotist, artist.

I would not say that he is known for zippy concision. Just the opposite.

Lindsey was muzzled on recent FM tours. all his jazzing up of guitar parts have been heavily criticized as "showing off on Stevie's songs instead of letting her shine". it's hugely amusing to now read the glowing reviews of Campbell jazzing up some guitar parts that were oh so short in Lindsey's versions, from the same people who were spitting all over Lindsey when he tried to do way less. Lindsey was heavily criticized for "too many guitar solos" while the sole real guitar solo he was doing was ISA. people who criticized him for that must have only gone to pop shows (possibly disguised as rock) and live in a bubble.

that was a thing i loved so much when Christine came back - she let Lindsey improvise and jazz up if ever so slightly his guitar parts on her songs, the way Stevie so obviously disallowed him on hers. watch You Make Loving Fun from 2014-15 and especially BuckVie tours. you can see how much fun he's having playing a guitar on that song, how much he missed not having it in the set.

Yes, but when they were apart Christine also complained about long guitar solos. What irked me is that she cast shade on Lindsey and then let her nephew Dan go to town. What in the devil? Of course, I think she was miffed when she said she hated guitar solos. I know she knows what LB’s guitar means to YMLF, for example.

I don’t see any contradiction in Christine’s attitude about guitar solos. For decades she and Lindsey (and before him Danny Kirwan) hated guitar solos that are improvised. Christine (and LB) like part playing—the excellent guitar solo on YMLF is NOT the kind of solo she was talking about in her ITM interviews. For example. That guitar part is a part with an identifiable melody and restrained number of bars. Dan Perfect’s guitar parts on ITM are partially influenced by LB—and he said so. Heck, even when Rick Vito was on board the solos never turned into the open-ended jamming solos Christine hates. If anything, her comments on the ITM interview show her to be pretty consistent to a fault: after decades of replays, a little more jamming and extension could really help some old FM tunes.

But you also have the long live versions of ISA and NTF which she participated in and I do not think she did so grudgingly.

LOL
Shouldn't this review be in the "current band" section?

The band is sort of a cover band of themselves. Stevie is used to keep the fans attention during Mac classic Black Magic Woman and even Crowded House's Don't Dream its Over. She is given lines to sing to make sure the audience does not run to the bathroom. That tells you all you need to know who is showing up at the concerts.

well i posted a review that was not all fawning about the current band in that section once and got ran out on the rail by all the "positive people" there.:laugh: so i don't go there anymore since i have no interest in the "new band" and seeing anything about them. and also, i think at some point it was decided that any fawning about the "present band" goes in that forum and anything more realistic or even critical about them goes here. so here it is!

i'm sure FM propaganda machine is not happy they let this one slip through and will multiply their efforts from now till whenever their tour ends to keep insisting only their pre-written pre-supplied pr text of 4 x re reviews gets published. :lol::angel:

Besides, this is a "we miss Lindsey" article, so I'm sure all the positive/we are happy like Stevie/we're selling out arenas people over there won't be happy to read anything supporting Lindsey. Because we're "oh, so much better!" without Lindsey. And we're still selling arenas without him. Because people only go to FM concerts to see Stevie.

With tickets still available 1 hour before the show, but still…. :D


Anyway, so happy finally someone had the guts to face the FM PR machine. :thumbsup:

back to this article. i bolded all the little gems in it. all the stuff i felt just seeing / hearing little snippets from these shows, and why i know i would never be able to make it through the current band version of the show. and why i'm stunned that people who supposedly love Fleetwood Mac Classic band are blind and deaf to these things. it just makes no sense not to notice them. if you are solely Nicks fan, sure. if you are Green era or Mason era or Welch era fan, sure. but if you are classic era fan how can you not? if you love the Chain, something is very wrong with your ears if you don't hear exactly what this guy describes. and that's not being positive or negative, just realistic. :shrug:

Finally, a review that isn’t cut and paste.

I’ve noticed that many of the fans who post gushing reviews, also state that it’s their first FM concert. So they really haven’t got the Rumours 5 version to compare it to.

Reviewer was probably denied backstage access and decided to be revengeful.

Yes, I’m sure there are no LB fans in Ohio.... Stevie would never allow it.

50% of the current FM fans are AHS teens fans who are only there for witch Stevie...

Sure, she enjoyed playing on those, but even those “extended” versions are really carefully woven parts. It’s never just jamming solos. I have watched the NTF live Mirage version countless times and marveled at how well-structured it all is. Extended, yes, but very much part playing with little room for improv. The same goes for the ISA live versions.

True. What’s annoying is that even this mixed/critical review of the new lineup does what so many of the rave articles have done—it (largely) praises Stevie’s performances and practially ignores Fleetwood and the McVies. So even if it’s taking a different slant than the raves, the only FM members who are considered (on musical terms) are SN-LB vs. SN and LB’s replacements.

Well if we needed any proof you aren't attending the current shows, there it is.

Did I say 100%? I don't think so. I saved a place for you. Next to Stevie....

No, you said 50%. And that's ridiculous.

That’s because it’s all about praising Stevie now.

Under other circumstances I’d feel sorry for the rest of the band. Now, I simply don’t care. I’m sure they don’t care either. They took the money and looked the other way.

Kristen Buckingham posted a link to this review on her twitter.

i hope the reviewer (who i'm sure is getting tons of hate from blind stans) is gratified to know he did lots of good with his writeup. adding to LB's healing process.

one sad person even decided to jump on LB's wife for liking the review stating the facts about her husband, and KB was extremely gracious to respond to the troll. making it very clear in the process how much the stress of the last year and continuing FM PR throwing shade at LB and his importance in FM legacy every step of the way have contributed to where he is right now.

While I believe in “making kindness the norm”, I also believe in fairness and honesty. I hope our children possess these qualities while compassionately being able to speak their truth...that is kindness. I’ll quit now😊 @desilu_who

— Kristen Buckingham (@KBChrush) February 24, 2019

I am kind. I am sympathetic. I am empathetic and I am flawed no doubt. The fact that I posted a review in which I share its sentiment doesn’t make me petty, it just shows I’m human and love my husband. It’s nice to know he’s missed after all he’s done for the band. #Kindreview

— Kristen Buckingham (@KBChrush) February 24, 2019

It's kind of a shame that she can't go her own way. I don't understand why she lets the negativity of FM into her life. It just goes to show that money can't buy happiness.

Great answer! What was she supposed to do? Stay quiet to not upset Stevie's fans? She has every right to defend herself and her family.

It's a good thing they all have each other in this time of distress. It's good to have a family and real friends that support you when things go bad. :nod::nod::nod:

Awards and money mean nothing now.

The negativity of FM kicked in the front door and barged in.

She can afford pretty strong locks.

straight through Lindsey's heart. glad he has such fierce eloquent loving woman by his side.

FM should really stop diminishing his life's work. they've done enough damage. aren't their tickets supposedly selling ok? if so, there's no more excuses for what they've been doing. time to stop with all the garbage! it's way past time for them to finally take the positive turn. :nod:

What are you expecting them to do?

Pay homage to him, the way they would Peter Green, or Bob Welch.... wait, they're pretty much shameless scum, any way you look at them.

All this! So much!!!! :nod::nod::nod:

I'm sure they're not happy with this article. It just shows who they all are today.

haha, let's not be delusional now. :laugh:

good first step would be to stop with regurgitated PR garbage with exact same verbiage so obviously sent out by band's marketing to be pasted into every review.

this was my tweet, soon after his heart attack / emergency open hear surgery -

dear @fleetwoodmac @MickFleetwood you know y'all have been given that rare second chance.

time to pull the plug on all that "new and better band" bull**** PR that's been pushed this whole tour.

time to actually start mending fences & being kind to one another.

— elle (@ellellew) February 12, 2019

that would be honorable and kind thing to do.

I haven't watched ONE clip of the "new" band. You mean to tell me they are calling out Peter Green, and others but NOT Lindsey? These people are DISGUSTING POS's. Seriously shi * ty people.

They have ZERO class. Not one of them. Absolutely shameless.

I haven’t either but I’m not surprised. They were forced by Neil Finn’s comment to acknowledge Lindsey’s condition, so anything it’s possible with this disgusting group.

Yes, you have. Here's just one example from less than 2 weeks ago:

someone said they went to Mick's m&g (i think?) and Mick brought up LB. not exactly sure what about him though.

Control damage. They have already started. They know they screwed it up, and Lindsey's health scare was something they certainly were NOT expecting.

i don't know. Mick usually blabs out stuff during his m&gs. back in 2013-14 we'd ask him what's happening with new FM album since they recorded all that new music in 2012.

They are done. In ten years nobody is going to give two cents about that one time they decided to hire Mike / Neil and oddly made a tom petty tune the single highlight of a Fleetwood Mac show.

What will be remembered is how they threw their guitarist of 43 years into the proverbial woodchipper and acted like it was no big deal.

I cannot wait for this sad circus of a tour to wrap up. They should have plenty of time to ponder what a sad sack of idiots they really are.

They're playing, RIGHT NOW, a few blocks away from me. I have two good friends who are there. As much as I hate to admit it, I pondered getting the cheapest ticket out there, and going. But I just couldn't make myself do it. I can't honor the band of my life, when they dishonor the architect of their sound, in such a disrespectful manner. Without him, they'd be nothing. Piss on them.