tgee
05-21-2003, 11:36 PM
I don't know how to edit myself, so you might want to grab a beer and settle in before reading this one. It's more of a novella than a concert review. I would normally put ramblings of this nature on my own website but the damn thing disappeared while I was gone and my webhost is refusing to respond to my pleas for help.
Last week AirTran had a sale. Elga (aka Regina, our goddess) and Farrah have been trying to get me to go to New York for years. I always let all my insecurities win out and said no every time, (even when the Mac were on the Today show) and I would always kick myself afterwards every time I did this. So I checked Ticketmaster and found an 11th row ticket for Philadelphia. This was a hell of a lot better than the crappy fan club seats I got for the Atlanta show so I bought the damn thing in spite of myself. Then I bought the plane tickets (well, they were on sale!). So I check Ticketmaster again, and can get a seat as far away from the band as is physically possible in Atlantic City...I actually considered buying it, but Elga said to wait. (One must always listen to Elga.) The next day, I got second row. On Lindsey's side. Ok, maybe I should really go this time.
Skip ahead to Saturday morning, and I actually get on the plane. When I get to Philly, Miss blackcat herself is waiting for me, ready to drive me to Atlantic City. I had just asked her for a hotel recommendation a few days earlier, and she volunteered to take me wherever I wanted to go. When we get in the car, she hands me maps of Philadelphia, books detailing the city and some incredibly tasty Penguin mints (they're decaffeinated, too). This totally brings me back to the day when I first found the Ledge six years ago. The Penguin has only gotten better year after year and it's a DAMN SHAME it wasn't made the official site. And now to be met with such generosity by one of the women who inspired me to start posting here in the first place (cause you know I was a lurker for months) was completely overwelming.
So we pick up Mo (who's first words to me were 'I didn't know you were blonde!'), they feed me, entertain me during the ride and drop me off safely at my hotel in AC. I finally get Regina on the phone (she may be a goddess, but she's not good with the cell phones), and agree to meet them at the Taj Mahal. Now, everyone had warned me that it was going to be 'chilly' in AC. But Atlanta just doesn't get the same brand of 'chilly' because it was freaking COLD. So I walk as fast as I can in my sandals down to the large white elephantine Trump hotel. I finally spot Elga and Farrah huddled together on a bench and we say hello to each other in person for the first time. Then we get the good sense to go inside. They show me around the casino and make me gamble a little (I suck at it) and about 20 minutes later, Elga wins herself $200.
We were waiting for Farrah's aunt, uncle and her aunt's friend to show up so they could all get checked in (since they'd all be sleeping together). They finally get there and I get to see the view from their fancy pants hotel room. Farrah's uncle asks where I'm from and when I tell him I'm from Atlanta, he asks me if I brought any beads. I was confused for a minute before realizing he had confused my hometown for New Orleans. Farrah's family rocks.
We catch a ride on a half-bus thing that I forget the name of and Elga buys us dinner (hanging out with winners has its advantages). We then walk down to Boardwalk Hall and I go to the Will Call window and get my ticket. Row 2, Section 2. HOT DAMN! It's really real. We get wanded by the security guards (always a thrill), but they didn't notice (or care about) my camera. We walk down to our seats and find that Elga and Farrah are sitting right next to Violett and her mom. And they are all just behind where I am sitting. All that bad karma that the fan club had thrown our way had to be made up for somehow, and we were reaping the benefits tonight. Blackcat had upgraded to my row (claiming that me and Elga were bad influences) and I got to meet her friend, Silvergirl. This person was so kind and had so many nice things to say about my website, but I had no idea how she was going to affect my whole trip later on.
Now, I am the most shy person in the known universe, and Elga knows this, but she spotted George in the row in front of me (and yes, there was only one row in front of me) and promptly ran up and introduced me to him. I had already been wanting to hide somewhere until the lights went out. Blackcat passed out glowsticks and signs for the band to see (mine said 'Thank you').
*********** Those of you who are desperately searching for anything actually Fleetwood Mac related can start here **********
There can be nothing like the sight of the band entering the stage for a Mac fan (especially for one standing in the second row). First Mick, then John, then Lindsey delivering Stevie to her mic. And there can be nothing like the opening drums and bassline of The Chain. Lindsey said they could never open with it again, but it's so right that they decided to do it anyway. Dreams was beautiful. And I actually hated that song for a while and was mad that it always made the setlist. But when Stevie means it, I remember how good the song is. And she meant it.
I was terribly upset when Eyes of the World was performed at the first Dance show and then dropped because I thought that I would never get to hear it live. I will always love the Mirage version that they did with Christine and Lindsey trading off vocals at the beginning, but it was pretty thrilling to hear the new version. I loved the Beach Boys-ish ness of it. And at this time I was realizing how close I was to Lindsey. Have I mentioned yet that he was RIGHT IN FRONT of me? Cause he was.
Say You Will is such a fun song and it's less cloying live than on the album (though I still love it on the album). Never Going Back Again is one of my all-time favorite Lindsey songs and it is awesome to hear Stevie harmonize on it.
Rhiannon. I don't miss the piano intro. Stevie hasn't lost it. No, she doesn't do it like she used to and she won't ever again, but the way she does it now is still amazing and much more energized than it was on her solo tour. I think this is one of the songs that just needs Lindsey to be there for her to give it her all. Stevie wrapped her arms around her like she did back in '77 during the Young Music Special, and it's amazing how she can give the audience a look and *be* her younger self in that moment.
The Song Known As Come (TSKAS - as dubbed by Elga) is Lindsey as sex. He makes love to the audience through his guitar. Diddling his axe, indeed. He is Mr. Intense standing off the crowd. He plants his feet on the stage and leans out over the audience and stares them down. Do you know what it's like for him to point right at you during that song? I do. (So do a bunch of others, but still.) And the guitar strings go flying. He earned that standing ovation.
I love Gypsy. I don't understand how they can perform Gypsy just fine and have problems doing Sara, but whatever. They are both masterpieces of production on their respective albums and are incredibly different live and I hope one day they'll brave Sara again, but for now, this child is enough. Lindsey still laughs during this song. I don't know what it is, but he's been doing it since The Dance. I thought it was an odd choice to follow up such a blazing perfomance piece as TSKAS, but Elga explained to me that he needed to rest after giving so much of himself to the audience. (One must always listen to Elga.)
Big Love is one of my favorite songs to watch Lindsey do. This is when they raise the banner behind him and you can see a large (but very grainy) projection of him peforming the song. (Course when you're in the second row, you don't really need that, do you?) I just wish Stevie would do her harmony on it. I love, love, love what she does for this song.
I don't remember them doing a dedication for Landslide at AC. But I do remember the little kiss Lindsey gave Stevie afterward. It was too quick for me to get a photo of, but it was so adorable. Totally an 'Awwwww' moment. And I had thought that I would be somewhat blase about the song itself since it has been played more than any other FM song, but it felt fresh and sincere and the kindness with which Lindsey gave her that little peck and the hug was just so sweet. I'm so grateful to have been able to see it in person after missing the AC Silver Springs where Lindsey had to finish the song for Stevie.
Say Goodbye starts. Say Goodbye is my favorite song on the new album. It may well be my favorite Lindsey song ever. Several people get up to go get beer as soon as the unfamiliar melody starts. WHY??? Anyway, I try my best to concentrate on Lindsey and Stevie. They are singing directly to each other, so softly. It's so beautiful. I want to cry, but refuse to do so in public. The guitar did sound "off", but it may have been where I was sitting because it sounded much better in Philly.
What's the World Coming To is better live than on the album, I think. I don't hate it, but it's not one of my favorites on the album and I wish he'd do Red Rover instead.
Stevie said something about how she didn't think she'd get to do Beautiful Child live. I'm so glad she was wrong. She does sound younger on this tour. She really shines during this performance. And Lindsey lets his vocals wrap around hers and you realize this is Buckingham Nicks up there for a moment.
I'm So Afraid always felt too...long during the Dance. It's just so dark that I could never attune myself to it. Maybe it was just the fact that so much energy was coming from Lindsey, but I really enjoyed it this time.
Silver Springs was amazing. I don't think it's possible for them to ever match the Dance version of this song (the song that was the clencher in my fandom), but this was damn close. There is no showdown between Stevie and Lindsey, but the song is so beautiful and there is still passion in the performance.
Tusk was fun to watch. Stand Back was AWESOME. Both times. Much better than any of her TiSL shows. Stevie was totally into it. I still wish she'd do Everybody Finds Out. Same energy, new song. Please?
Go Your Own Way. Lindsey didn't care about hurting his hand. He was smacking those cymbals and flailing around on his guitar like a madman.
Stevie forgot that she had to sing World Turning for a second, but she pulled it through. I love her 'alternate' lyrics for the song and didn't miss Christine one bit. I could have lived without Mick's drum solo. He's such an ass. I actually don't mind the talking drum part, but the vest gives me a headache, and no Mick, I'm not with you. If you're in my corner on this one, just watch Lindsey during Mick's display. Lindsey is much more interesting and seems to be having a great time on the sidelines.
Don't Stop. This is another one that I've hated for a while. Didn't miss Christine this time, either. And I thought I would. I love Chris, but Stevie sounded just fine on her vocals, and the whole thing packs more of a punch without her.
Goodbye Baby was such a sad song to use as a closer that I was afraid it would bring me down, but it was performed so beautifully that I couldn't leave unhappy. Lindsey was so giving during the concert. He was shaking hands and blowing kisses and interacting with as many fans as he could.
So we all gather together after the show. Totally high off Mac. Farrah waves her finger in my face and they're all excited about my moment with TSKAC. Violett got the finger during this song too ;) Silvergirl got a wink out of Stevie at some point during the show. A bunch of us got together for drinks after the show. I got to see Torri again, and I met Travis for the first time. These people are all so wonderful. Never, ever pass up an opportunity to hang with them.
After we had gotten kicked out of the bar, me, Elga and Farrah made our way down the boardwalk to our hotels. I thought I was going to crumple to the ground and die from cold, but I made it. I think I got about 2 hours of sleep that night. I'm sure Farrah had even less since she was sleeping with Elga.
The bus was full by the time we reached the thing, but the bus driver was kind enough to take us to a bus station (Elga worked some magic there) and I finally came to New York. When we went through the Holland (?) tunnel, Elga covered her eyes. It was cute. Who knew goddesses were afraid of tunnels that are under water? Elga and Farrah took me on a boat ride around the city. Course, neither one wanted to sit next to me, so they picked the section where only two seats were together instead of two rows further up where three could sit in a row. I wasn't offended. Nope, not me. Elga bought proof of my existance from the photo vendors when we got off the bus and we were worrying what would become of the leftover pictures. I feel certain that Natalie got ahold of them somehow.
They walked me through Times Square and Elga seemed proud that I could walk down a sidewalk all by myself. This didn't stop her from warning me to be careful crossing the streets when she left me at the hotel. Farrah had called Natalie and arranged the much anticipated, never truly expected Tour of Whitestone. While I was waiting for them to get together and come back for me, I trundled on down to the Eiffel Tower, no wait...the Chrystler Building, no...you know, the tall building with the elevators. It was nice and peaceful up there, and I got to hear a little boy tell his dad all about the city. I could also hear a concert from one of the parks below. Then I checked out Macys and was duly impressed by the escalators. I finally got back to the hotel and suffered through another bout of cold chills, but was warmed by the sight of the few photos of Lindsey that had actually turned out (I had dropped off my film on the way into the Eiffel Tower).
So I meet Natalie for the first time and she and Farrah take me on the seven train (I think) to their hometown. Natalie drives like a maniac (so very unlike me), but she has good taste in music. Farrah shows me the school where her teacher told her she should be a writer (and she is) and the place where she and Natalie met. Then they do the unthinkable. They take me to this place called something Cherry, which is fitting because they forced me to eat my very first (and hopefully very last) cheese fry with gravy. They then take me to a great little place called the Witches Brew. Now, the place is charming and the people are well-mannered goth kids and all I'm thinking while sitting there in my Target t-shirt and bluejeans is the Sesame Street song 'one of these kids is not like the others.' Oh I fit in so well there. But Natalie and Farrah have such a great energy together. (The power of best friends is like no other.) And they make for great tourguides. I had a drink called a 'blackcat' in her honor (it tastes like peanut butter and chocolate). Farrah makes sure I'm delivered back to my hotel safely (though the old guy and the roadie were scary). And I got to see some of NY at night, including another tunnel (but my eyes were wide open).
I meet up with Elga the next morning and we cross the street to Penn Station to get my Amtrack ticket back to Philly. We get to talk about a lot of the things we e-mail each other about, which was fun. Elga got us a cab we could share because she's probably thinking I couldn't get one on on my own. (I am a hopeless case.) Then she comes and gets me an hour later and walks me down to the Reading Market and shows me the hand-sewn Amish catnip carrots that I thought she'd made up. She was only getting two...meanwhile, she has three cats, so I ask her which cat she doesn't love and she is then guilted into buying another one (goddesses are such softies). She then proceeds to buy breakable items which look heavy and walks me across Philadelphia to catch the trolley (that we could have caught at the market, had we been paying attention). Our tour guide was new, but the driver was a hoot. He kept fussing at the slow-street-crossers and the not-ready-with-their-tickets-passengers, but he knew a lot about the city that Lisa (the trolley guide) didn't.
I feel like Mick at this point, "Are you with me!?!" Don't worry, I'm bound to end this thing eventually. I've only got so much steam left at this point.
Blackcat calls Elga during our ride and arranges to come and get us for the concert (yes, I am getting back to the Fleetwood Mac related stuff). We have enough time to walk halfway around Philly again to our hotels and get cleaned up for the concert. I wait in the lobby because I have no idea which entrance they will be showing up at. Elga comes in to get me and says I may be mad at her. I'm thinking all manner of horrible things and she won't tell me till we're in the car because she has learned how hard of hearing I am. Then she announces that Silvergirl just called and said 2nd row seats were available did we want them? Elga did what Elga does and said YES please. Ok, how elated could I be!?! Oh baby. Twice in a row. I can't believe it. And I get to sit next to Elga. I'd wanted to do that for years. To see the white girl dance in person is an experience not to be missed.
So we get to the venue and express our undying love for Silvergirl for having done this wonderful deed for people she had only met two days prior. And Elga had not liked me up until that point (and really, it's still iffy), but this whole night made the trip worthwhile and it's all because of Silvergirl. I wish I could adequately express how terribly grateful I am to her.
We hang around the FU for a while and sign up to win an autographed something or other from the band and finally go inside to buy more merchandise and eat something. It's eight already, and me and Elga still have our original tickets in hand, so I run up the stairs and try to find people heading up to the fan club seats. I stop two young men who are looking a little desolate and ask them if they want our tickets. They looked dumbfounded. This sort of thing does not happen to fan club members. He started to ask me how much, and I explain they're free and that I have to go, do they want them, already? He says yes and takes them. And I hightail it back to my seat just in time for the lights to go out.
*************** Gee look, more FM related stuff ************
This time, we are on Stevie's side of the stage, basically the same distance and position as I was in front of Lindsey two nights before. Because of this, everything about the show was *completely* different. Stevie was just as captivating as Lindsey had been. She doesn't shine less brightly than Lindsey does. She's totally into ALL of her vocals, whether or not she's the one in the spotlight. I think people just aren't as used to Lindsey being so into his performances. And he did do the 'spider fingers' during one of his songs (I forget which) and I do think it is a direct reference to Stevie's own motionings during Gold Dust Woman, but it's not in a bitter or vindictive sort of thing. He's just enjoying the fact that he can get some of the same reactions from the crowd that Stevie can.
Speaking of Gold Dust Woman, she rocked so hard tonight. She was so into it. I love how she'll sing a line and back away from the mic and give us a look or a hand motion and then use her ribbons to find her way back. I love the spider fingers. I love the wails at the end.
During WTWCT, I was watching Stevie sing "and if I don't call for a reservation, they'll just turn me down" and you know she was thinking no way would that happen to her. She just had this smug little smile on her face that said it all.
After Silver Springs, she said, "You remembered." Like as if we could forget.
I asked Elga at one point if my flash was bothering her (cause for some reason the security guards didn't care at this show if you used one and my camera doesn't work properly when the flash is turned off) and she told me I could flash whatever I wanted. You gotta love her, right?
We tried getting up to the front of the stage, but the security guards were only letting the drunks who jump over chairs and hit and or/fall over people to get up there. Speaking of the crazies, at one point, the guy behind Elga started playing with her hair. He told her he loved her hair. Mo asked her afterward if she got his digits, but apparently Elga isn't into the whole being beat up by strangers thing.
During GYOW, Lindsey came over to our side of the stage and did a whole solo right in front of me and Elga. Right in front of us. I think he saw the prissy little security guard and decided to make it up to us ;)
I forget which song (again), but Lindsey said something about how important it is to keep a sense of spontenaiety and me and Elga both start laughing because he said the same thing during the AC show.
World Turning was even more on than the night before because Stevie was ready for her part and Lindsey looked proud of her for remembering ;) She rocks that song. I so don't miss Chris.
Afterward, we gathered again, and I got to meet Travis's friend, Mitch, who had been one of the lucky ones to shake Lindsey's hand. Yes, I made him shake mine so I could have second hand Lindsey ;)
When we got booted from the venue (like we had the previous show), we gathered around blackcat's car & she provided us with water and pretzels. None of us could remember how Destiny Rules went so Travis had to sing it to us.
We say our goodbyes to the rest of the gang and Mo and blackcat then take me and Elga on a night time tour of Philly. We get to see all the world famous firsts including the world's longest stretch of illegal parking. They then feed us Pat's world famous cheesesteaks. At this point, we are completely spent, so they take me back to the hotel and I say goodbye to Elga and Mo.
Next morning I try to sleep late, having had approximately four hours of sleep in three nights, but I keep waking up with this stupid grin on my face that I can't turn off. So I get up and decide to go for a walk. I wandered down to the Delaware and got to see Camden and then back up to see the Liberty Bell and finally get back to the hotel where blackcat has come for me early (she wouldn't tell me how long she'd been there). She then takes me on another tour of the rest of the city and when Elga calls to give an update of the condition of my photos, she is forced to go on the tour with us via the phone. Blackcat made sure to point out the most interesting characteristic of the William Penn statue (among many, many other things). And on the way to the airport she says (and this is really the whole experience in a nutshell), "I feel guilty taking you to the airport. Can I drive you home?" This is the kind of generosity I experienced the entire time I was gone. And it's all because of the Ledge and The Dance and the people the two brought together.
Last week AirTran had a sale. Elga (aka Regina, our goddess) and Farrah have been trying to get me to go to New York for years. I always let all my insecurities win out and said no every time, (even when the Mac were on the Today show) and I would always kick myself afterwards every time I did this. So I checked Ticketmaster and found an 11th row ticket for Philadelphia. This was a hell of a lot better than the crappy fan club seats I got for the Atlanta show so I bought the damn thing in spite of myself. Then I bought the plane tickets (well, they were on sale!). So I check Ticketmaster again, and can get a seat as far away from the band as is physically possible in Atlantic City...I actually considered buying it, but Elga said to wait. (One must always listen to Elga.) The next day, I got second row. On Lindsey's side. Ok, maybe I should really go this time.
Skip ahead to Saturday morning, and I actually get on the plane. When I get to Philly, Miss blackcat herself is waiting for me, ready to drive me to Atlantic City. I had just asked her for a hotel recommendation a few days earlier, and she volunteered to take me wherever I wanted to go. When we get in the car, she hands me maps of Philadelphia, books detailing the city and some incredibly tasty Penguin mints (they're decaffeinated, too). This totally brings me back to the day when I first found the Ledge six years ago. The Penguin has only gotten better year after year and it's a DAMN SHAME it wasn't made the official site. And now to be met with such generosity by one of the women who inspired me to start posting here in the first place (cause you know I was a lurker for months) was completely overwelming.
So we pick up Mo (who's first words to me were 'I didn't know you were blonde!'), they feed me, entertain me during the ride and drop me off safely at my hotel in AC. I finally get Regina on the phone (she may be a goddess, but she's not good with the cell phones), and agree to meet them at the Taj Mahal. Now, everyone had warned me that it was going to be 'chilly' in AC. But Atlanta just doesn't get the same brand of 'chilly' because it was freaking COLD. So I walk as fast as I can in my sandals down to the large white elephantine Trump hotel. I finally spot Elga and Farrah huddled together on a bench and we say hello to each other in person for the first time. Then we get the good sense to go inside. They show me around the casino and make me gamble a little (I suck at it) and about 20 minutes later, Elga wins herself $200.
We were waiting for Farrah's aunt, uncle and her aunt's friend to show up so they could all get checked in (since they'd all be sleeping together). They finally get there and I get to see the view from their fancy pants hotel room. Farrah's uncle asks where I'm from and when I tell him I'm from Atlanta, he asks me if I brought any beads. I was confused for a minute before realizing he had confused my hometown for New Orleans. Farrah's family rocks.
We catch a ride on a half-bus thing that I forget the name of and Elga buys us dinner (hanging out with winners has its advantages). We then walk down to Boardwalk Hall and I go to the Will Call window and get my ticket. Row 2, Section 2. HOT DAMN! It's really real. We get wanded by the security guards (always a thrill), but they didn't notice (or care about) my camera. We walk down to our seats and find that Elga and Farrah are sitting right next to Violett and her mom. And they are all just behind where I am sitting. All that bad karma that the fan club had thrown our way had to be made up for somehow, and we were reaping the benefits tonight. Blackcat had upgraded to my row (claiming that me and Elga were bad influences) and I got to meet her friend, Silvergirl. This person was so kind and had so many nice things to say about my website, but I had no idea how she was going to affect my whole trip later on.
Now, I am the most shy person in the known universe, and Elga knows this, but she spotted George in the row in front of me (and yes, there was only one row in front of me) and promptly ran up and introduced me to him. I had already been wanting to hide somewhere until the lights went out. Blackcat passed out glowsticks and signs for the band to see (mine said 'Thank you').
*********** Those of you who are desperately searching for anything actually Fleetwood Mac related can start here **********
There can be nothing like the sight of the band entering the stage for a Mac fan (especially for one standing in the second row). First Mick, then John, then Lindsey delivering Stevie to her mic. And there can be nothing like the opening drums and bassline of The Chain. Lindsey said they could never open with it again, but it's so right that they decided to do it anyway. Dreams was beautiful. And I actually hated that song for a while and was mad that it always made the setlist. But when Stevie means it, I remember how good the song is. And she meant it.
I was terribly upset when Eyes of the World was performed at the first Dance show and then dropped because I thought that I would never get to hear it live. I will always love the Mirage version that they did with Christine and Lindsey trading off vocals at the beginning, but it was pretty thrilling to hear the new version. I loved the Beach Boys-ish ness of it. And at this time I was realizing how close I was to Lindsey. Have I mentioned yet that he was RIGHT IN FRONT of me? Cause he was.
Say You Will is such a fun song and it's less cloying live than on the album (though I still love it on the album). Never Going Back Again is one of my all-time favorite Lindsey songs and it is awesome to hear Stevie harmonize on it.
Rhiannon. I don't miss the piano intro. Stevie hasn't lost it. No, she doesn't do it like she used to and she won't ever again, but the way she does it now is still amazing and much more energized than it was on her solo tour. I think this is one of the songs that just needs Lindsey to be there for her to give it her all. Stevie wrapped her arms around her like she did back in '77 during the Young Music Special, and it's amazing how she can give the audience a look and *be* her younger self in that moment.
The Song Known As Come (TSKAS - as dubbed by Elga) is Lindsey as sex. He makes love to the audience through his guitar. Diddling his axe, indeed. He is Mr. Intense standing off the crowd. He plants his feet on the stage and leans out over the audience and stares them down. Do you know what it's like for him to point right at you during that song? I do. (So do a bunch of others, but still.) And the guitar strings go flying. He earned that standing ovation.
I love Gypsy. I don't understand how they can perform Gypsy just fine and have problems doing Sara, but whatever. They are both masterpieces of production on their respective albums and are incredibly different live and I hope one day they'll brave Sara again, but for now, this child is enough. Lindsey still laughs during this song. I don't know what it is, but he's been doing it since The Dance. I thought it was an odd choice to follow up such a blazing perfomance piece as TSKAS, but Elga explained to me that he needed to rest after giving so much of himself to the audience. (One must always listen to Elga.)
Big Love is one of my favorite songs to watch Lindsey do. This is when they raise the banner behind him and you can see a large (but very grainy) projection of him peforming the song. (Course when you're in the second row, you don't really need that, do you?) I just wish Stevie would do her harmony on it. I love, love, love what she does for this song.
I don't remember them doing a dedication for Landslide at AC. But I do remember the little kiss Lindsey gave Stevie afterward. It was too quick for me to get a photo of, but it was so adorable. Totally an 'Awwwww' moment. And I had thought that I would be somewhat blase about the song itself since it has been played more than any other FM song, but it felt fresh and sincere and the kindness with which Lindsey gave her that little peck and the hug was just so sweet. I'm so grateful to have been able to see it in person after missing the AC Silver Springs where Lindsey had to finish the song for Stevie.
Say Goodbye starts. Say Goodbye is my favorite song on the new album. It may well be my favorite Lindsey song ever. Several people get up to go get beer as soon as the unfamiliar melody starts. WHY??? Anyway, I try my best to concentrate on Lindsey and Stevie. They are singing directly to each other, so softly. It's so beautiful. I want to cry, but refuse to do so in public. The guitar did sound "off", but it may have been where I was sitting because it sounded much better in Philly.
What's the World Coming To is better live than on the album, I think. I don't hate it, but it's not one of my favorites on the album and I wish he'd do Red Rover instead.
Stevie said something about how she didn't think she'd get to do Beautiful Child live. I'm so glad she was wrong. She does sound younger on this tour. She really shines during this performance. And Lindsey lets his vocals wrap around hers and you realize this is Buckingham Nicks up there for a moment.
I'm So Afraid always felt too...long during the Dance. It's just so dark that I could never attune myself to it. Maybe it was just the fact that so much energy was coming from Lindsey, but I really enjoyed it this time.
Silver Springs was amazing. I don't think it's possible for them to ever match the Dance version of this song (the song that was the clencher in my fandom), but this was damn close. There is no showdown between Stevie and Lindsey, but the song is so beautiful and there is still passion in the performance.
Tusk was fun to watch. Stand Back was AWESOME. Both times. Much better than any of her TiSL shows. Stevie was totally into it. I still wish she'd do Everybody Finds Out. Same energy, new song. Please?
Go Your Own Way. Lindsey didn't care about hurting his hand. He was smacking those cymbals and flailing around on his guitar like a madman.
Stevie forgot that she had to sing World Turning for a second, but she pulled it through. I love her 'alternate' lyrics for the song and didn't miss Christine one bit. I could have lived without Mick's drum solo. He's such an ass. I actually don't mind the talking drum part, but the vest gives me a headache, and no Mick, I'm not with you. If you're in my corner on this one, just watch Lindsey during Mick's display. Lindsey is much more interesting and seems to be having a great time on the sidelines.
Don't Stop. This is another one that I've hated for a while. Didn't miss Christine this time, either. And I thought I would. I love Chris, but Stevie sounded just fine on her vocals, and the whole thing packs more of a punch without her.
Goodbye Baby was such a sad song to use as a closer that I was afraid it would bring me down, but it was performed so beautifully that I couldn't leave unhappy. Lindsey was so giving during the concert. He was shaking hands and blowing kisses and interacting with as many fans as he could.
So we all gather together after the show. Totally high off Mac. Farrah waves her finger in my face and they're all excited about my moment with TSKAC. Violett got the finger during this song too ;) Silvergirl got a wink out of Stevie at some point during the show. A bunch of us got together for drinks after the show. I got to see Torri again, and I met Travis for the first time. These people are all so wonderful. Never, ever pass up an opportunity to hang with them.
After we had gotten kicked out of the bar, me, Elga and Farrah made our way down the boardwalk to our hotels. I thought I was going to crumple to the ground and die from cold, but I made it. I think I got about 2 hours of sleep that night. I'm sure Farrah had even less since she was sleeping with Elga.
The bus was full by the time we reached the thing, but the bus driver was kind enough to take us to a bus station (Elga worked some magic there) and I finally came to New York. When we went through the Holland (?) tunnel, Elga covered her eyes. It was cute. Who knew goddesses were afraid of tunnels that are under water? Elga and Farrah took me on a boat ride around the city. Course, neither one wanted to sit next to me, so they picked the section where only two seats were together instead of two rows further up where three could sit in a row. I wasn't offended. Nope, not me. Elga bought proof of my existance from the photo vendors when we got off the bus and we were worrying what would become of the leftover pictures. I feel certain that Natalie got ahold of them somehow.
They walked me through Times Square and Elga seemed proud that I could walk down a sidewalk all by myself. This didn't stop her from warning me to be careful crossing the streets when she left me at the hotel. Farrah had called Natalie and arranged the much anticipated, never truly expected Tour of Whitestone. While I was waiting for them to get together and come back for me, I trundled on down to the Eiffel Tower, no wait...the Chrystler Building, no...you know, the tall building with the elevators. It was nice and peaceful up there, and I got to hear a little boy tell his dad all about the city. I could also hear a concert from one of the parks below. Then I checked out Macys and was duly impressed by the escalators. I finally got back to the hotel and suffered through another bout of cold chills, but was warmed by the sight of the few photos of Lindsey that had actually turned out (I had dropped off my film on the way into the Eiffel Tower).
So I meet Natalie for the first time and she and Farrah take me on the seven train (I think) to their hometown. Natalie drives like a maniac (so very unlike me), but she has good taste in music. Farrah shows me the school where her teacher told her she should be a writer (and she is) and the place where she and Natalie met. Then they do the unthinkable. They take me to this place called something Cherry, which is fitting because they forced me to eat my very first (and hopefully very last) cheese fry with gravy. They then take me to a great little place called the Witches Brew. Now, the place is charming and the people are well-mannered goth kids and all I'm thinking while sitting there in my Target t-shirt and bluejeans is the Sesame Street song 'one of these kids is not like the others.' Oh I fit in so well there. But Natalie and Farrah have such a great energy together. (The power of best friends is like no other.) And they make for great tourguides. I had a drink called a 'blackcat' in her honor (it tastes like peanut butter and chocolate). Farrah makes sure I'm delivered back to my hotel safely (though the old guy and the roadie were scary). And I got to see some of NY at night, including another tunnel (but my eyes were wide open).
I meet up with Elga the next morning and we cross the street to Penn Station to get my Amtrack ticket back to Philly. We get to talk about a lot of the things we e-mail each other about, which was fun. Elga got us a cab we could share because she's probably thinking I couldn't get one on on my own. (I am a hopeless case.) Then she comes and gets me an hour later and walks me down to the Reading Market and shows me the hand-sewn Amish catnip carrots that I thought she'd made up. She was only getting two...meanwhile, she has three cats, so I ask her which cat she doesn't love and she is then guilted into buying another one (goddesses are such softies). She then proceeds to buy breakable items which look heavy and walks me across Philadelphia to catch the trolley (that we could have caught at the market, had we been paying attention). Our tour guide was new, but the driver was a hoot. He kept fussing at the slow-street-crossers and the not-ready-with-their-tickets-passengers, but he knew a lot about the city that Lisa (the trolley guide) didn't.
I feel like Mick at this point, "Are you with me!?!" Don't worry, I'm bound to end this thing eventually. I've only got so much steam left at this point.
Blackcat calls Elga during our ride and arranges to come and get us for the concert (yes, I am getting back to the Fleetwood Mac related stuff). We have enough time to walk halfway around Philly again to our hotels and get cleaned up for the concert. I wait in the lobby because I have no idea which entrance they will be showing up at. Elga comes in to get me and says I may be mad at her. I'm thinking all manner of horrible things and she won't tell me till we're in the car because she has learned how hard of hearing I am. Then she announces that Silvergirl just called and said 2nd row seats were available did we want them? Elga did what Elga does and said YES please. Ok, how elated could I be!?! Oh baby. Twice in a row. I can't believe it. And I get to sit next to Elga. I'd wanted to do that for years. To see the white girl dance in person is an experience not to be missed.
So we get to the venue and express our undying love for Silvergirl for having done this wonderful deed for people she had only met two days prior. And Elga had not liked me up until that point (and really, it's still iffy), but this whole night made the trip worthwhile and it's all because of Silvergirl. I wish I could adequately express how terribly grateful I am to her.
We hang around the FU for a while and sign up to win an autographed something or other from the band and finally go inside to buy more merchandise and eat something. It's eight already, and me and Elga still have our original tickets in hand, so I run up the stairs and try to find people heading up to the fan club seats. I stop two young men who are looking a little desolate and ask them if they want our tickets. They looked dumbfounded. This sort of thing does not happen to fan club members. He started to ask me how much, and I explain they're free and that I have to go, do they want them, already? He says yes and takes them. And I hightail it back to my seat just in time for the lights to go out.
*************** Gee look, more FM related stuff ************
This time, we are on Stevie's side of the stage, basically the same distance and position as I was in front of Lindsey two nights before. Because of this, everything about the show was *completely* different. Stevie was just as captivating as Lindsey had been. She doesn't shine less brightly than Lindsey does. She's totally into ALL of her vocals, whether or not she's the one in the spotlight. I think people just aren't as used to Lindsey being so into his performances. And he did do the 'spider fingers' during one of his songs (I forget which) and I do think it is a direct reference to Stevie's own motionings during Gold Dust Woman, but it's not in a bitter or vindictive sort of thing. He's just enjoying the fact that he can get some of the same reactions from the crowd that Stevie can.
Speaking of Gold Dust Woman, she rocked so hard tonight. She was so into it. I love how she'll sing a line and back away from the mic and give us a look or a hand motion and then use her ribbons to find her way back. I love the spider fingers. I love the wails at the end.
During WTWCT, I was watching Stevie sing "and if I don't call for a reservation, they'll just turn me down" and you know she was thinking no way would that happen to her. She just had this smug little smile on her face that said it all.
After Silver Springs, she said, "You remembered." Like as if we could forget.
I asked Elga at one point if my flash was bothering her (cause for some reason the security guards didn't care at this show if you used one and my camera doesn't work properly when the flash is turned off) and she told me I could flash whatever I wanted. You gotta love her, right?
We tried getting up to the front of the stage, but the security guards were only letting the drunks who jump over chairs and hit and or/fall over people to get up there. Speaking of the crazies, at one point, the guy behind Elga started playing with her hair. He told her he loved her hair. Mo asked her afterward if she got his digits, but apparently Elga isn't into the whole being beat up by strangers thing.
During GYOW, Lindsey came over to our side of the stage and did a whole solo right in front of me and Elga. Right in front of us. I think he saw the prissy little security guard and decided to make it up to us ;)
I forget which song (again), but Lindsey said something about how important it is to keep a sense of spontenaiety and me and Elga both start laughing because he said the same thing during the AC show.
World Turning was even more on than the night before because Stevie was ready for her part and Lindsey looked proud of her for remembering ;) She rocks that song. I so don't miss Chris.
Afterward, we gathered again, and I got to meet Travis's friend, Mitch, who had been one of the lucky ones to shake Lindsey's hand. Yes, I made him shake mine so I could have second hand Lindsey ;)
When we got booted from the venue (like we had the previous show), we gathered around blackcat's car & she provided us with water and pretzels. None of us could remember how Destiny Rules went so Travis had to sing it to us.
We say our goodbyes to the rest of the gang and Mo and blackcat then take me and Elga on a night time tour of Philly. We get to see all the world famous firsts including the world's longest stretch of illegal parking. They then feed us Pat's world famous cheesesteaks. At this point, we are completely spent, so they take me back to the hotel and I say goodbye to Elga and Mo.
Next morning I try to sleep late, having had approximately four hours of sleep in three nights, but I keep waking up with this stupid grin on my face that I can't turn off. So I get up and decide to go for a walk. I wandered down to the Delaware and got to see Camden and then back up to see the Liberty Bell and finally get back to the hotel where blackcat has come for me early (she wouldn't tell me how long she'd been there). She then takes me on another tour of the rest of the city and when Elga calls to give an update of the condition of my photos, she is forced to go on the tour with us via the phone. Blackcat made sure to point out the most interesting characteristic of the William Penn statue (among many, many other things). And on the way to the airport she says (and this is really the whole experience in a nutshell), "I feel guilty taking you to the airport. Can I drive you home?" This is the kind of generosity I experienced the entire time I was gone. And it's all because of the Ledge and The Dance and the people the two brought together.