(Cinci Review) For Stevie Nicks, nostalgia is a good thing

[MacMan]

Concert review

By Chris Varias
Enquirer contributor
By Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

Stevie Nicks performed Tuesday night at Riverbend.

These are pictures....
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At this point in her career, it’s hard not to label Stevie Nicks a nostalgia rocker.

This isn’t discrimination. It’s less a case of ageism (the fabled Fleetwood Mac alumna turned 57 last month) than one of no-big-hits-in-a-mighty-long-time-ism. There wasn’t one significant new song performed during her show at Riverbend Tuesday night, probably because she hasn’t recorded a significant song in at least 20 years.

However, as far as the crowd was concerned, the last two decades don’t matter, and nostalgia is a good thing. As long as Nicks’ 2005 singing voice resembles the 1975 version, and the old tunes deliver those bygone chills, she will continue to twirl her way into her fans’ hearts.

Backed by a seven-man band and two singers, Nicks belted her way through a 16-song set that focused on her solo career, with occasional nods to the Mac. The band was outstanding, stacked with ace session players like guitarist Waddy Wachtel and longtime Fleetwood Mac collaborators like multi-instrumentalist Brett Tuggle

The hit parade began with “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” her 1981 duet with Tom Petty. Wachtel helped out on vocals for Petty’s parts.

It was soon followed by the one-two Fleetwood Mac punch of “Dreams” and “Rhiannon.” Nicks played with each number’s phrasing a bit, but never to the point of getting in the way of the song. She knew better than to spoil what was for the crowd a moment of back-to-back, adult-contemporary, yesteryear magic.

The lesser-known “Sorcerer,” with its fanciful imagery, offered Nicks the opportunity to switch into witchy-woman mode, as the video screen flickered with medieval visions of crystals and skeletons and wizards and such.

The next song, “Stand Back,” began with a long percussion intro, which served as the moment for Nicks to fetch her black and gold shawl from backstage. She would need the shawl to accentuate her many twirls (unofficial count: 18 360-degree turns) during the song’s guitar solo and climactic ending.

Other highlights that measured up to repeated spinning included a version of “Gold Dust Woman,” with its tick-tock drum opening immediately setting off cheers; a true-to-the-original acoustic version of “Landslide”; an epic “Edge of Seventeen,” with a lengthy percussion piece starting things off and few great Wachtel guitar solos along the way.

Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” was an interesting choice for an encore song. “It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled,” she sang, which could be her way of telling the world she’s a nostalgia act and proud of it.

Singer-piano player Vanessa Carlton, a 24-year-old who sings as pretty as she plays, did a 30-minute solo opening set that included familiar songs like “A Thousand Miles” and “Ordinary Day” plus a few new and unreleased tunes.

[Livia]

Crystals and skeletons and wizards! OH MY!!

She did SDMHA before Dreams? :shrug:

[trackaghost]

Cool pics. Thanks for posting!

[rbs3676]

Hasn't recorded a significant song in 20 years???!!!??? :shrug:

WTF?

rbs

[HejiraNYC]

Who took those pictures? Helen Keller? :eek: Out of a half dozen pictures, they could only produce one where Stevie's eyes aren't closed?

[henryscutter]

Hasn't recorded a significant song in 20 years???!!!??? :shrug:

WTF?

rbs

Really, this idiot went into the show with an attitude. He was gonna write this drivel no matter what the show was like. Anybody got this moron's email addy?

[trackaghost]

Really, this idiot went into the show with an attitude. He was gonna write this drivel no matter what the show was like. Anybody got this moron's email addy?

To be fair, most casual fans probably couldn't name anything Stevie has done since the mid 80s.

[wondergirl9847]

The 4th picture is cute...it's like she's going "What? Bring it." :laugh:

[gldstwmn]

Concert review

At this point in her career, it’s hard not to label Stevie Nicks a nostalgia rocker.

This isn’t discrimination. It’s less a case of ageism (the fabled Fleetwood Mac alumna turned 57 last month) than one of no-big-hits-in-a-mighty-long-time-ism. There wasn’t one significant new song performed during her show at Riverbend Tuesday night, probably because she hasn’t recorded a significant song in at least 20 years.


Ugh. Thanks dude. We'll never get to hear any chestnuts now, old or new. :rolleyes:

[gldstwmn]

Who took those pictures? Helen Keller? :eek: Out of a half dozen pictures, they could only produce one where Stevie's eyes aren't closed?

Not flattering, to say the least. :distress:

[SteveMacD]

Hasn't recorded a significant song in 20 years???!!!??? :shrug:

WTF?
Oh come on. The guy was talking about hits. Has she had a significant hit in 20 years? "Seven Wonders" and "Rooms On Fire" were quasi-hits at best. RAL seems to have been it on the hit front for Stevie.

[gldstwmn]

To be fair, most casual fans probably couldn't name anything Stevie has done since the mid 80s.

Most people don't know that Silver Springs was cut from Rumours.

[gldstwmn]

Oh come on. The guy was talking about hits. Has she had a significant hit in 20 years? "Seven Wonders" and "Rooms On Fire" were quasi-hits at best. RAL seems to have been it on the hit front for Stevie.

Ahem. Silver Springs?

[SteveMacD]

Ahem. Silver Springs?
I don't think that qualifies as a hit. It was off a hit album, but the singles themselves weren't really hits. Especially not on the scale of anything from the white FM album through RAL.

[AliceLover]

Who took those pictures? Helen Keller? :eek: Out of a half dozen pictures, they could only produce one where Stevie's eyes aren't closed?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :thumbsup:

[gldstwmn]

I don't think that qualifies as a hit. It was off a hit album, but the singles themselves weren't really hits. Especially not on the scale of anything from the white FM album through RAL.

What was the break out single that catapulted that release to #1 then?

[henryscutter]

To be fair, most casual fans probably couldn't name anything Stevie has done since the mid 80s.
Yes that's true there were a lot of clueless fans at the shows I went to ;) , but just because a song was'nt top of the charts does'nt make it insignificant

[AliceLover]

I think Rooms on Fire could be named. On all the boots I listen to the crowd always goes wild for the song. Even in 2000 when she did the millenium shows, it sounds like a lot of people know it. To me ROF was her last big one.

[SteveMacD]

What was the break out single that catapulted that release to #1 then?
Sorry, but that really had NOTHING to do with it. I saw the song maybe twice on MTV before "The Dance" was aired. "The Dance" was HEAVILY promoted on MTV as well as Clear Channel radio stations. It was broadcasted on both TV and radio simultaneously. It was an event that was bigger than any song.

[AliceLover]

Sorry, but that really had NOTHING to do with it. I saw the song maybe twice on MTV before "The Dance" was aired. "The Dance" was HEAVILY promoted on MTV as well as Clear Channel radio stations. It was broadcasted on both TV and radio simultaneously. It was an event that was bigger than any song.

I must have seen the chain and silver springs 1000000 times before the dance aired. By the time it actually aired I knew everything that was coming for those two songs. Then the night it aired the radio stations played it and then showed it on MTV. It was HUGE. Then after the event they played the whole cd on the radio. I agree this event was bigger than any song.

[gldstwmn]

Sorry, but that really had NOTHING to do with it. I saw the song maybe twice on MTV before "The Dance" was aired. "The Dance" was HEAVILY promoted on MTV as well as Clear Channel radio stations. It was broadcasted on both TV and radio simultaneously. It was an event that was bigger than any song.

We'll just have to agree to disagree then. :)

[Livia]

Who took those pictures? Helen Keller? :eek: Out of a half dozen pictures, they could only produce one where Stevie's eyes aren't closed?

Maybe Stevie was channelling Don. :rolleyes:

[trackaghost]

I've never even heard of this Silver Springs song of which you speak.

[gldstwmn]

I've never even heard of this Silver Springs song of which you speak.

It's a cute little ditty. You should check it out some time. :laugh:

[strandinthewind]

I don't think that qualifies as a hit. It was off a hit album, but the singles themselves weren't really hits. Especially not on the scale of anything from the white FM album through RAL.

Well, many know The Dance version of Landslide over the FM FM version, but it was a rehash so . . . .

Also, despite the awkward expressions, she looks sooooo thin and great in those pics compared to the last few years.

[darklinensuit]

To be fair, most casual fans probably couldn't name anything Stevie has done since the mid 80s.

Exactly my point in a recent post.

Though it would be nice if a reviewer knew (or would mention) that POTU hit #1 on a chart.

- Jake

[Rickypt]

Here is a little better review from another Cincinnati paper.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050629/LIFE/506290344/1005

The shawls and capes were flying. She had her patented sashays and twirly dance in fine form, too.

It was a night for vintage Stevie Nicks as the original witchy woman worked her magic at Riverbend Music Center on Tuesday for nearly 10,000 fans.

Nicks, 57, was in her best vocal form in years with her trademark nasal, gravely voice soaring on classics spanning her solo career and tunes from her Fleetwood Mac days.

The night continued what has so far unintentionally been Riverbend's summer of nostalgia following recent shows from classic rockers Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and John Fogarty.

Like those memory lane sets, Nicks, too, gave fans what they came for and also showed why she is one of rock's great female icons willing to both revel in her past and show she is a spirited contemporary singer.

Perhaps the night's centerpiece was a refreshing version of her classic "Landslide." Nicks didn't mind both parodying and saluting her past with the song's poignant refrain of "Well, I've been afraid of changin'. And I'm getting older" sung to a video of clips showing Nicks as a young, sensual rock vixen, a reminder of her often tortured and storied personal legacy. Nicks even briefly turned and smiled knowingly at her younger self in the video as she sang the tune.

And there were plenty of Nicks' famed costume changes. During some not always inspiring percussion and guitar solos, she managed to go from her basic black low cut flowing gown to a sparkly black dress, a black gold patterned look, sequined black and she topped off the black motif with a shiny gold shawl during her elegant and searing version of "Gold Dust Woman."

Nicks surrounded herself with great musicians in her seven-piece band anchored by legendary session guitarist Waddy Wachtel and two female back-up singers.

Overall, Nicks was as at ease as she has ever been with the audience - one could say at peace - running through plenty of Fleetwood Mac covers, which she has rarely done on solo tours.

There were searing versions of "Rhiannon," "Dreams" and a rollicking "Stand Back." And her recent material wasn't ignored either - such as a raved up version of "Fall from Grace," a tune from her last solo album, "Trouble in Shangri-La."

Nicks chose her covers well with a moving version of Bonnie Raitt's "Circle Dance," written for Raitt's late father, and Tom Petty's "I Need to Know."

And just when you think you know all Stevie Nicks' musical moods, she surprises you as if she's a feisty bar band chick singer and it's late at night and last call. She began her encore set with a rowdy version of Led Zeppelin's "Rock 'n' Roll."

Vanessa Carlton opened the evening with her too squeaky voice and gushing perhaps too much at how cool it was that Stevie Nicks chose her as an opener for this leg of the tour (Unfortunately, Cincinnati just missed the 10 dates that Don Henley was Nicks' opener).

Carlton is a solid songwriter and performer giving moving versions of her hit "A Thousand Miles" and the more intricate "White Houses." But her piano playing was better than her singing and she ought to really thank Nicks for letting her bring a luscious grand piano on stage as an opening act.

[Livia]

How can you "cover" a song you wrote? LOL

Also, I thought she dropped INTK and replaced it with Landslide. Other than those two bothersome remarks, yeah, nice review. :nod:

[thepoetinmyhear]

So, why do they say I Need to Know what done? Was that reporter at a different show? and "rarely done on solo tours"? It was a nice review, glad they enjoyed the show, but there is so much misinformation, I wonder if the reporter left early and just assumed the setlist didn't change.

[David]

Here is a little better review from another Cincinnati paper.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050629/LIFE/506290344/1005

The shawls and capes were flying. She had her patented sashays and twirly dance in fine form, too.Imagine a Bob Dylan review opening this way. It's insulting!

[strandinthewind]

Imagine a Bob Dylan review opening this way. It's insulting!

Actually, it would be insulting to see Dylan twirling in a shawl :laugh:

[lagringader&r]

To be fair, most casual fans probably couldn't name anything Stevie has done since the mid 80s.

Yep. I don't think it was a bad review. :shrug: Nobody but hardcore fans are ever going to write a review about Stevie and talk about how fresh her material seems, how great her skin looks, how her hands are soft, etc. If she released a new cd with all fresh material and it was really, really good (Rumours-like or Belladonna-like good in the casual fan's opinion) then she would get some nods. Rooms on Fire? If you ask someone who isn't a hardcore fan to name a Stevie Nicks' hit, ROF won't be on that list. I'll place bets on that. Dreams or Rhiannon or Edge will. In truth, she hasn't had a significant hit in 20 years. SYW doesn't count. The cd was marginally successful in sales and the single didn't get played much on the radio. Casual fans don't download or trade boots of Stevie's songs either. Most people don't get Stevie unless she's with FM 20 years ago. :nod: I'm sure she probably accepts that. I don't think this review was all that bad. He was just being honest about what the majority of peeps would think about a Stevie show right now, on this tour. It's different for us. We're obsessed. :xoxo:

[lagringader&r]

Imagine a Bob Dylan review opening this way. It's insulting!

Well, Bob Dylan doesn't twirl. :confused: Their styles are totally different.

[Elizabeth]

Actually, it would be insulting to see Dylan twirling in a shawl :laugh:

Yikes! I'll say. Quick somebody poke out my mind's eye :distress:

[KateTheCursed]

Yep. I don't think it was a bad review. :shrug: Nobody but hardcore fans are ever going to write a review about Stevie and talk about how fresh her material seems, how great her skin looks, how her hands are soft, etc. If she released a new cd with all fresh material and it was really, really good (Rumours-like or Belladonna-like good in the casual fan's opinion) then she would get some nods. Rooms on Fire? If you ask someone who isn't a hardcore fan to name a Stevie Nicks' hit, ROF won't be on that list. I'll place bets on that. Dreams or Rhiannon or Edge will. In truth, she hasn't had a significant hit in 20 years. SYW doesn't count. The cd was marginally successful in sales and the single didn't get played much on the radio. Casual fans don't download or trade boots of Stevie's songs either. Most people don't get Stevie unless she's with FM 20 years ago. :nod: I'm sure she probably accepts that. I don't think this review was all that bad. He was just being honest about what the majority of peeps would think about a Stevie show right now, on this tour. It's different for us. We're obsessed. :xoxo:

I think the issue of the review was far more one of word choice. Questioning one's significance is dangerous ground because there is a big difference beween the absence of success and the absence of message. There is a difference between resting on your laurels and an audience just not hearing all that you still have to say. And while I wouldn't argue with anyone about Stevie as a marketable hitmaker of the past 20 years, she is to me still just as relevant and significant as she ever was. When was the last time Bob Dylan had a radio hit? Or Neil Young? They (and a lot of other artists over a certain age) are not hitmakers, but they are anything but insignificant.

[SapphireSister]

Who took those pictures? Helen Keller? :eek: Out of a half dozen pictures, they could only produce one where Stevie's eyes aren't closed?

Ha ha!:laugh: :laugh:

She sure is showing some nice boobage these days.

[Rickypt]

Imagine a Bob Dylan review opening this way. It's insulting!

Can you elaborate? I think since Stevie's act continues to be about costume changes and twirling, then it seems like fair game to me.

[Serrart]

Imagine a Bob Dylan review opening this way. It's insulting!

I think he would be flattered. And finally Stevie could reveal who buys all these shawls for her. :nod:

Romy

[Serrart]

Yep. I don't think it was a bad review. :shrug: Nobody but hardcore fans are ever going to write a review about Stevie and talk about how fresh her material seems, how great her skin looks, how her hands are soft, etc. If she released a new cd with all fresh material and it was really, really good (Rumours-like or Belladonna-like good in the casual fan's opinion) then she would get some nods. Rooms on Fire? If you ask someone who isn't a hardcore fan to name a Stevie Nicks' hit, ROF won't be on that list. I'll place bets on that. Dreams or Rhiannon or Edge will. In truth, she hasn't had a significant hit in 20 years. SYW doesn't count. The cd was marginally successful in sales and the single didn't get played much on the radio. Casual fans don't download or trade boots of Stevie's songs either. Most people don't get Stevie unless she's with FM 20 years ago. :nod: I'm sure she probably accepts that. I don't think this review was all that bad. He was just being honest about what the majority of peeps would think about a Stevie show right now, on this tour. It's different for us. We're obsessed. :xoxo:

Trouble In Shangri La got excellent reviews. It seems obvious to me that the reviewer went to the show with already the article in his head. And a critic shouldn't write what a casual fan would write but offer some insight. That's his job, I think.

Romy

[David]

And a critic shouldn't write what a casual fan would write but offer some insight. That's his job, I think.Absolutely. Critics aren't there to speak for us; they're speaking for themselves. They should be good writers with interesting things to say about the artist & an interesting way to say it. For example, Edmund Wilson does not discuss Stevie in his great study of the Russian revolution, "To the Finland Station."

I notice that Stevie wears elbow-length sleeves a lot. Doesn't she ever wear sleeveless the way she used to in the old days? Why can't we see her bare arms all the way up to her neck? Is she shy?

[chiliD]

Well, Bob Dylan doesn't twirl. :confused: Their styles are totally different.

Have you seen Bob Dylan lately? SURE HE DOES!! :lol:

[Serrart]

For example, Edmund Wilson does not discuss Stevie in his great study of the Russian revolution, "To the Finland Station."

Yeah, I noticed it too.. Isn't it odd?

I notice that Stevie wears elbow-length sleeves a lot. Doesn't she ever wear sleeveless the way she used to in the old days? Why can't we see her bare arms all the way up to her neck? Is she shy?

Maybe her new companion is jealous. ;) You know you can't trust these women rockstars. All the time around, flirting with strange men on stage... and they don't even wash dishes. Poor guy.

Romy

[diamondsnake]

Speaking of hits within the last twenty years, why doesn't she do Rooms On Fire anymore? I was sure that this would be pulled out for Vegas, but it wasn't! Since she is not promoting any new material, isn't this the perfect time to dig a little deeper into her collection of hit songs (Instead of covering everyone elses songs? (INTK, CD, and R&R)?

[Livia]

I notice that Stevie wears elbow-length sleeves a lot. Doesn't she ever wear sleeveless the way she used to in the old days? Why can't we see her bare arms all the way up to her neck? Is she shy?

Upper chicken-arm waddle. All women get it eventually, unless you work out like a fiend! ;)

[lagringader&r]

Have you seen Bob Dylan lately? SURE HE DOES!! :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[David]

Yeah, I noticed it too.. Isn't it odd?HAHAHAHAA!!! Romy, you get my bizarreness! & you dish it right back up. I need that good laugh now & then!

[sparky]

Upper chicken-arm waddle. All women get it eventually, unless you work out like a fiend! ;)

The heartbreak of armhang.

[dissention]

As long as Nicks’ 2005 singing voice resembles the 1975 version, she will continue to twirl her way into her fans’ hearts.

Who is that deaf? :eek:

[AliceLover]

Here is a little better review from another Cincinnati paper.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050629/LIFE/506290344/1005

The shawls and capes were flying. She had her patented sashays and twirly dance in fine form, too.

It was a night for vintage Stevie Nicks as the original witchy woman worked her magic at Riverbend Music Center on Tuesday for nearly 10,000 fans.

Nicks, 57, was in her best vocal form in years with her trademark nasal, gravely voice soaring on classics spanning her solo career and tunes from her Fleetwood Mac days.

The night continued what has so far unintentionally been Riverbend's summer of nostalgia following recent shows from classic rockers Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and John Fogarty.

Like those memory lane sets, Nicks, too, gave fans what they came for and also showed why she is one of rock's great female icons willing to both revel in her past and show she is a spirited contemporary singer.

Perhaps the night's centerpiece was a refreshing version of her classic "Landslide." Nicks didn't mind both parodying and saluting her past with the song's poignant refrain of "Well, I've been afraid of changin'. And I'm getting older" sung to a video of clips showing Nicks as a young, sensual rock vixen, a reminder of her often tortured and storied personal legacy. Nicks even briefly turned and smiled knowingly at her younger self in the video as she sang the tune.

And there were plenty of Nicks' famed costume changes. During some not always inspiring percussion and guitar solos, she managed to go from her basic black low cut flowing gown to a sparkly black dress, a black gold patterned look, sequined black and she topped off the black motif with a shiny gold shawl during her elegant and searing version of "Gold Dust Woman."

Nicks surrounded herself with great musicians in her seven-piece band anchored by legendary session guitarist Waddy Wachtel and two female back-up singers.

Overall, Nicks was as at ease as she has ever been with the audience - one could say at peace - running through plenty of Fleetwood Mac covers, which she has rarely done on solo tours.

There were searing versions of "Rhiannon," "Dreams" and a rollicking "Stand Back." And her recent material wasn't ignored either - such as a raved up version of "Fall from Grace," a tune from her last solo album, "Trouble in Shangri-La."

Nicks chose her covers well with a moving version of Bonnie Raitt's "Circle Dance," written for Raitt's late father, and Tom Petty's "I Need to Know."

And just when you think you know all Stevie Nicks' musical moods, she surprises you as if she's a feisty bar band chick singer and it's late at night and last call. She began her encore set with a rowdy version of Led Zeppelin's "Rock 'n' Roll."

Vanessa Carlton opened the evening with her too squeaky voice and gushing perhaps too much at how cool it was that Stevie Nicks chose her as an opener for this leg of the tour (Unfortunately, Cincinnati just missed the 10 dates that Don Henley was Nicks' opener).

Carlton is a solid songwriter and performer giving moving versions of her hit "A Thousand Miles" and the more intricate "White Houses." But her piano playing was better than her singing and she ought to really thank Nicks for letting her bring a luscious grand piano on stage as an opening act.

10,000 fans showed!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Thats a big improvement if you ask me.

[diamondsnake]

Who is that deaf? :eek:
LOL! I'm not but I like her voice better today anyway.

[henryscutter]

LOL! I'm not but I like her voice better today anyway.
I agree her voice on this tour is amazing so much better than TISL ( which I still enjoy ) The way her voice is right now makes me want her to record new music ASAP :blob2:

[SteveMacD]

We'll just have to agree to disagree then. :)
Okay. Of course, had it been a huge hit, wouldn't they have put the live version on "The Very Best Of" instead of the "Rumours" era version?

[KateTheCursed]

Okay. Of course, had it been a huge hit, wouldn't they have put the live version on "The Very Best Of" instead of the "Rumours" era version?

I wouldn't use that as a barometer of success. If that was the simple basis for song selection then would we have not gotten the original Big Love and I'm So Afraid recordings rather than The Dance versions. After all they were the "hits." Personally I prefer The Dance version of Silver Springs, but I think that song and in particular the original recording is special to Stevie. In my opinion, the reason we received the original recording on The Very Best Of is because she still feels that the original song never got the attention it deserved. In my opinion, it was a personal choice not a reflection of any individual recordings popularity.