Boston Globe review of Worcester - it aint very good

[jeffs]

This one just isn't very positive... It is like they are watching another show or something!

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/14...journey+.shtml

[SmthngOfADreamr]

What's really driving me nuts about all these reviews is the fact that they are all fixated upon the back up band. Each review has insinuated that 7 extra musicians have replaced Christine McVie. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is nothing new. Even with Christine there were always enough musicians used to form 2 or 3 Fleetwood Macs!

[John Run]

Steve Morse, the reveiwer, is a good guy and a big mac fan. I mentioned the fact about the musicians to him yesterday and he said he did not remember them having the extra guitar players before. I gave him crap about it. He actually liked the show and loves the new album. He was just put off by the pacing and he was genuinely surprised he missed Christine McVie. On the other hand I was there and no one I know has any idea what he is talking about during Rhiannon. He claims he heard it. No one else did. For a counterpoint here is the review from the cross-town Boston Herald.

http://www2.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/fmac05282003.htm

[Les]

Ha! Woops, sorry John. Must have been posting at the same time.
----------------------------

Funnily enough, the Boston Herald review of the same show is quite positive.

Boston Herald
May 28, 2003

Fleetwood and cohorts win in a Landslide at the Centrum

by Sarah Rodman

It has been nearly seven years since the classic lineup of Fleetwood Mac regrouped for their hit live album "The Dance."

While that release showcased a still vital band faithfully re-creating, and in some cases reinventing, its best-known songs, it was nevertheless a happy surprise when the group released "Say You Will" last month. The Mac's first album of all new material in more than 10 years, and its first without stalwart keyboardist-songwriter Christine McVie in more than 30, is a remarkably solid, tuneful and tough set.

The same could be said of the band's show last night at a sold-out Worcester Centrum, in the first of two nights at the venue.

Playing 24 songs, old and new, over the course of a smartly paced two-hour and 20-minute set, the core quartet, augmented by seven backing musicians, proved they are not yet ready for the rock and roll pasture, but still delight in familiar stances.

Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham especially made his vibrancy crystal clear in a string of incredibly lyrical and stinging guitar solos throughout the night on hits like "Go Your Own Way" and "Big Love," which featured an impossibly fast acoustic solo.

On opener "The Chain" he coaxed out piercing high notes. On the dark, tribal rocker "Come" he howled both vocally and with his instrument, summoning low growls and fleet arpeggios in a virtuosic display.

Although she has lost some of the high end of her voice, Stevie Nicks, resplendent in black gown and tails, is still the captivating high priestess of the band. Many of her songs were highlights of the night, including a roiling "Gold Dust Woman," the dramatic piano ballad "Silver Springs" - one of her best vocals of the show - and her kicky solo synth anthem "Stand Back," during which she gave the crowd one of her signature twirls. But for sheer elegance and simplicity, "Landslide" ruled the night. The 55-year-old Nicks sang, "I'm getting older, too," without bitterness or regret but a radiant peace.

Mick Fleetwood tastefully and forcefully kept the crowd moving with snappy grooves on tunes like "Tusk" and "Second Hand News."

Stalwart bassist John McVie anchored the whole affair with his deep rumblings and stoic presence.

[Janet]

That first review wasn't that bad.

Yeah, I agree, they could say before Dont Stop " we miss you Chris" but they don't even mention her. That would have been classy.

And he was just commenting on maybe the drum section...why can't there just be Mick? I wonder that as well.

It wasn't the worst review. No one has said " FM HAS LOST IT" they are just starting this tour and another 10 shows under their belt maybe things will be tighter.

I don't think it was bad at all! He wasn't that mean.

[Cristian]

Perhaps they don't feel it's right to do it, but still I have to say it... this part of the review:

"Still, it would have been nice if Christine McVie was at least acknowledged. The Mac encored with her signature song, ''Don't Stop,'' but never mentioned her by name. Even a little flash of her face on one of the video screens would have meant something, but there was nothing. Somehow, that didn't sit well. It seemed almost impolite. After all, she did play with them for three decades. A brief mention of her would have been classy."

is absolutely my way of thinking. It's not like they're playing tribute to Bekka Bramlett or Dave Walker... this is Christine McVie and she played for a lot of time with them, and now they don't seem to remember. Perhaps "they" sounds too massive. From reading the last interviews and reviews, I think "he" doesn't seem to remember. That's just my point of view, people.

Thanks for the links, all.


Song of the moment - Everybody Finds Out

[Tango]

You have all been amazing with the info your finding. I appreciate it! I want to read your reviews when you've seen the shows yourselves. That's what will really count for me.

[belladonnamoon]

Originally posted by SmthngOfADreamr
What's really driving me nuts about all these reviews is the fact that they are all fixated upon the back up band. Each review has insinuated that 7 extra musicians have replaced Christine McVie. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is nothing new. Even with Christine there were always enough musicians used to form 2 or 3 Fleetwood Macs!

EXACTLY!
This last review said that there were 'just too many bodies onstage'. WHATEVER. I don't know about anyone else but I was so fixated on Stevie and Lindsey that I barely even NOTICED the extra musicians!

~Renae

[tamaraluvsFM]

Originally posted by belladonnamoon
I don't know about anyone else but I was so fixated on Stevie and Lindsey that I barely even NOTICED the extra musicians!

LOL! Me too! I did however notice the extra drummer behind Mick who I have to say did most of the work. He really jammed and pounded on songs that required alot of bass sound it seemed. But I am no musician.
But yes there were just as many players on the stage as when the dance tour. Some people just so casually forget I guess when its counts. But all in all, I think the reviews were not that bad.

Tamara

[FiercestCalmSea]

Yea ok...so Chris is not there..what the hell are they supposed to do..shrivel up and die?? She left....they didn't kick her out and she didn't die..get over it. As for Rhiannon..I was 4th row...i didn't notice a problem..it rocked...(wow that was bitchy,lol)

[jmn3]

Originally posted by Cristian
... this is Christine McVie and she played for a lot of time with them, and now they don't seem to remember.

But seriously, did they say anything like "We miss ya Lindsey!" on the Tango tour before "Go Your Own Way?"

[Cristian]

Read the Greatest Hits booklet. At least that's a small gesture.


Song of the moment - Caught In The Rain