Unleashed review says Stevie is bloated and sedated

[Jondalar]

you can respond to this article here:
http://www.theotherpaper.com/articles/2009/04/23/music/doc49f0b3f7281b4005984460.txt

Lindsay raised us up; Stevie brought us down


By John Petric
The Other Paper

I have a theory about Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac: She’s really Nancy Reagan as seen through a slight time warp.

The former first lady was definitely there in the bloated weirdness of the mystical chanteuse Nicks Saturday night at the Mac’s well-attended, well-intentioned Nationwide Arena show.

Despite a wealth of fine and good songs, everyone’s parade of memories was mercilessly squalled upon by the lethargic and loopy Nicks. You’ve never seen a bigger psychic party pooper.

Thanks to gigantic video screens flanking the stage, Nicks’s eyes appeared as toxic slit-trenches honing down on us like Big Brother’s weird big sister—that is, when her eyeballs could occasionally be seen. Normally they were half-closed, as if Nicks were focusing on her inner Ouija board, conjuring up spirits of Manuel Noriega and other notorious cocaine kingpins to rescue her from the banal reality of singing the hits yet one more time.

And I’m not going to even talk about how large the screen made her nostrils. You can only imagine how much illegal activity those air passages have seen in their day.

Nicks was a living wreck. When she spoke between songs, she made no sense. Between her garbled story about growing up idolizing the Velvet Underground and her trademark bleating vocals, which were more half-hearted than the onset of age would allow for, one could be forgiven for thinking Nicks was a tad heavily sedated.

All of which made her the complete opposite of Lindsay Buckingham, the hyper-intense, emotional guitarist/singer/songwriter and her former love partner.

Buckingham, slim and trim and highly energetic; Stevie, low and slow and quite possibly affecting Earth’s orbit. Buckingham, jovial and happy to be alive, his personality definitely his own; Nicks, everyone from The View rolled into one person, but on their worst days only. (Nicks seemed to hate everyone for being at the show—her unhappiness was that visceral.)

Buckingham, raw passion; Nicks, quite possibly the most depressed woman to ever waddle onstage on platforms. Sad, really.

The hits sounded good, though: “Rhiannon,” “The Chain,” “Dreams,” “Landslide,” “Tusk,” etc. But I’d have to say this was only because they were so well-written to begin with and were supported by the dy-no-mite rhythm section of John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. Buckingham and Nicks—once the equivalent of Lennon and McCartney for the spoiled-rotten California narcissistic set—did an uneven job of selling them.

As the pair traded the spotlight, Buckingham would work the crowd into a frenzy only for Nicks to bring it down. He was a lightning strike with an inimitable guitar style. She had the happiness level of a gorilla fresh out of banana rehab. You didn’t want to be around her.

By the time the band got to “Say You Love Me,” Nicks—who clearly was Moby-Dick to Lindsay’s Captain Ahab by this point—began to seriously lose what little steam she had stored in the haunted old engine house called her soul. She seemed prepared to collapse onstage, her platforms and top hat destined to be her lasting memorial.

And then she surprised us.

When she came out from backstage after her latest costume change, she was draped in black for “Stand Back.” (No problem, lady.) She crossed her arms, black Mass-style, but unintentionally looked like a Mardi Gras float. Then she unloaded the song with a heretofore unseen amount of emotional energy: vitriol, pure vitriol.

The woman has issues, by God, and to her credit she finally made them work for her.

[WildHeart69]

:shocked::shocked::shocked:

I mean, I wasnt THERE and I know she has some off nights, but was it that bad? Anyone there? Or is the author just a Nicks hater? Maybe there is some arguing btwn bandmates again? I dunno!

[WildHeart69]

OH! This was the Columbus show they are talking about!?!

[jedw]

"Bloated and Sedated"

This review sounds like it was written by sombody who just looked up Fleetwood Mac on wikipedia 10 minuites before they wrote the article.

[jannieC]

I really do think we cut Stevie a LOT of slack because we love her so much. I doubt that negative reviewers are Stevie "haters"- they're just watching her with an objective eye; something many of us here on The Ledge don't have. :shrug:

[ontheEdgeof17]

I really do think we cut Stevie a LOT of slack because we love her so much. I doubt that negative reviewers are Stevie "haters"- they're just watching her with an objective eye; something many of us here on The Ledge don't have. :shrug:

:nod:

We have a tendency to say, "Well, she is sixty". "Her hip hurts." "She's this." "She's that." Obviously these things we overlook, some can't and it comes off as sluggish and boring. To me, she is sluggish and boring on this tour. If she wants to be on stage, then she should act like it. It's a live show, not a record. There has to be the visual aspect of it, too.

[diamondsnake]

I think this article is completely harsh. Bloated? No! I think she looks great. See my pictures in the Rumours era forum. Compared to Stevie Nicks in 1975? Yes, she is bloated! But, considering her age, she looks absolutely gorgeous. Even stunning.

I will say that I did notice that Stevie did not seem happy and somewhat withdrawn when I saw her Monday night. She seemed more like she was in pain than anything else. Like she wished she could just be in bed ordering take-out and watching I Love Lucy reruns. She didn't seem sick in a flu-like sense. Indeed, she looked gorgeous! But I think she did not seem as mobile, like she pulled a muscle or something. And, the fact that she is wearing that fabric around her arms, the so-called fingerless gloves, leads me to believe that she somehow hurt herself. Sprained or pulled something.

However, I will say, when it was her time to go up to bat, she put her game face on and belted out her songs with excellent vocals. Even though she was not as energetic as I have seen her, I do think she delivered some of the more impressive vocals I have seen. Gold Dust Woman was particularly passionate. Storms gave me goosebumps. Sara was awesome! Say You Love Me was fun! Dreams actually seemed to have new life breathed into it. So, she actually did deliver when it was her turn. Even the Standback twirls were on fire!

But, when Lindsey was doing his thing and the lights dimmed where Stevie was standing, if you looked over and looked at her, you could tell she was ready to call it a night and looked exhausted. She's getting older, too.

[wheart]

:nod:

We have a tendency to say, "Well, she is sixty". "Her hip hurts." "She's this." "She's that." Obviously these things we overlook, some can't and it comes off as sluggish and boring. To me, she is sluggish and boring on this tour. If she wants to be on stage, then she should act like it. It's a live show, not a record. There has to be the visual aspect of it, too.

Well, the guy who wrote this either is a hater or a really big,disappointed fan. I'm not sure which. Yes, he was very harsh, never letting up on his criticism and certaintly singling Stevie out the entire time. I did find myself laughing, though, at times while reading the review. I think he overexaggerated her flaws to perhaps an intended comedic response. I didn't really understand the whole Moby Dick reference. However, I agree that she is sluggish and boring on this tour, at least in my eyes. It is a live show.I think I get the whole mystical image she's trying to portray, perhaps in an effort to even out Lindsey's hyperactiveness but she needs to try just a tad bit harder. Or maybe even a lot harder. I know she's 6 years older than she was in 2003 but her performances during the SYW tour (minus the first month or so) and now are like night and day.

[gold_dust]

Was there any need to say half of what was written in that 'article'? She's like a gorilla out of banana rehab? Like everyone from the View on their worst days? That she seemed to be affecting the earth's orbit? WTF? That's just spiteful.

I'll readily admit that, from what I've heard, this tour isn't Stevie's greatest triumph, but I wouldn't but it down to her weight, her personality, even her past drug addictions. I'd put it down to something being wrong, and the fact that she's almost 61. You don't want to use the whole age card, but you can't avoid it. There's only so many years left before she'll say, 'I'm too old to do this now'. Even if she's said that she'll do this 'til she dies. Her heart and soul may be rocking, but her body doesn't sound as keen.

We cut her slack because we're fans and we love her, but even haters don't sounds as vicious as that. There's criticism and then there's this. It's not professional to sound so nasty. It's just poor journalism.

[DigYourGrave]

That was unneasy reading, to say the least.

I wouldn't mind if the usual "Lindsey v's Stevie" style review was written, but Jesus, that made me really angry. The referrences to her weight? The (tiresome) reminder that Stevie was a coke addict (oh, and dont forget, the ONLY one who snorted back in those days..)?
That was a waste of my time. it's like the guy wrote the review not to actually comment on how great the guys sound, but to add them as a sidenote to his blatant and often plain spiteful Stevie bashing. Sorry, but that was just rubbish.

And I know we all have rose coloured glasses on, especially in this forum, but anybody would say that was unjustified and overly harsh.

[BTFLCHLD]

it's called taking the stage night after night after crap reviews...not a good feeling.

anyways... this person has about 10 vids from the 4/23 show here... (http://www.youtube.com/hartsfelder)

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[gldstwmn]

WTF is going on? :confused:

[BellaDonna93]

it's called taking the stage night after night after crap reviews...not a good feeling.

anyways... this person has about 10 vids from the 4/23 show here... (http://www.youtube.com/hartsfelder)

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What??? That wasn't bad at all....or am I wrong???
Stevie may be tired but she still rocks!!

[BTFLCHLD]

WTF is going on? :confused: IDK I'd say seems obvious she is not happy with the tour... i.e. standback...during her tour she turns and giggles with carlos...now she turns in frown. and from all appearances...she hesitates her approach to the mic...she's tense, timid and tired. I hope the rest of this tour moves rabbitpace so she can get back to what she wants to do...which is? IDK but it's not this. :shrug:

[BTFLCHLD]

regardless...the guy that wrote this review is a douche.
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[diamondsnake]

regardless...the guy that wrote this review is a douche.
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She is getting some of the worst reviews of her life this tour.

But, I mean, look at this video. There is still real passion in her voice, even if she does seem a tad tired. It is as if all these reviewers decided this is the year to bash Stevie Nicks.

What does everyone think? Does she just not like being in FM anymore? Is she sick? Is she just getting too old to be the Stevie we are all used to?

I think her singing and actual performances are pretty great this tour, but she does seem tired, whether it be physically or mentally, I'm not sure....

[RockALittle250]

I really do think we cut Stevie a LOT of slack because we love her so much. I doubt that negative reviewers are Stevie "haters"- they're just watching her with an objective eye; something many of us here on The Ledge don't have. :shrug:

But the thing is, this review is NOT objective...it made constant references to Stevie's weight and implied that Stevie was pulling a Paula Abdul during this show. And to say that her soul is a "haunted old engine house" is just insane.

[diamondsnake]

IDK I'd say seems obvious she is not happy with the tour... i.e. standback...during her tour she turns and giggles with carlos...now she turns in frown. and from all appearances...she hesitates her approach to the mic...she's tense, timid and tired. I hope the rest of this tour moves rabbitpace so she can get back to what she wants to do...which is? IDK but it's not this. :shrug:
I agree. I really hope that this tour is not dragged out for years if Stevie is unhappy. I kind of hope that it ends this summer and she can move onto something else (whether that be a new studio album or a new FM album- regardless I am pretty sure another tour is not what Stevie immediately wants to do. From her latest interviews it seems like she is more interested in recording soon)

[shackin'up]

What??? That wasn't bad at all....or am I wrong???
Stevie may be tired but she still rocks!!

Come on, belladonna93. READ. The ONLY positive remark in the whole article is about the clip you quote: stand back.

[shackin'up]

Let's be fair people, it's too harsh, but she just chooses three songs to really get into and the rest is bloated routine. She sounded ten times more alive on that Isaakshow.

I don't know why she wants to be there outside of the doe and the nostalgia.

[BTFLCHLD]

Come on, belladonna93. READ. The ONLY positive remark in the whole article is about the clip you quote: stand back. Gerald, the review is of the columbus show. The standback clip is from Florida; there doesn't appear to be any columbus videos uploaded yet.
I probably shouldn't have posted Florida...but just wanted to gauge her most recent performance.

[jrpjr]

i have not seen FM this time around but i have seen stevie on Fallon, Today and the most current YouTube videos from this "unleashed" tour. it is a fact...stevie is deteriorating right in front of our eyes. she has lost interest, she has lost ALL her magic..it's truely gone...and her voice fluctuates sooooo much it's not even fair to say her voice is "great" all the time..this is really sad because she is just fading away...she should go out while she still has a shred of her old self....PLEASE don't misunderstand... i love her to death!! she has done soooo much for music, other female rockers and for me personally w/her beautiful songs...but he is done..she said she did her latest DVD/C D for the up and coming female rock stars???? I have seen 20 somethings laughing at her and calling her a joke..she is an embarrasemnet to the current tour...she should have left and christine should have stayed...maybe christine realized what was to be and got out before fleetwood mac just fades away.

[ShangriLaTroubl]

She is getting some of the worst reviews of her life this tour.

But, I mean, look at this video. There is still real passion in her voice, even if she does seem a tad tired. It is as if all these reviewers decided this is the year to bash Stevie Nicks.

What does everyone think? Does she just not like being in FM anymore? Is she sick? Is she just getting too old to be the Stevie we are all used to?

I think her singing and actual performances are pretty great this tour, but she does seem tired, whether it be physically or mentally, I'm not sure....

I don't think they all got in a room and decided to bash her. She had been getting great reviews on her solo touring from 2005-2007. She just doesn't seem to be having that much fun, I don't know what it is.

[michelej1]

I didn't really understand the whole Moby Dick reference.


Well, you could think of it in terms of Lindsey's determination, his hunting spirit, his coming back to be the conquerer, driven by the fact that Stevie has bitten off his leg in the past, but I think it's just another way for this guy to call Stevie a bloated whale, as he did 10 other times in the review.

Regarding the reviewers, I agree with the post that said they don't all get in a room and decide what to say, but for some of them, I think it's obvious that they have read reviews in other papers, before writing theirs. Sometimes, I think they ducked out of the show early and just copied the conclusions made in other reviews. They cheated, took a night off, and let someone else do their homework.

Michele

[shackin'up]

Gerald, the review is of the columbus show. The standback clip is from Florida; there doesn't appear to be any columbus videos uploaded yet.
I probably shouldn't have posted Florida...but just wanted to gauge her most recent performance.

But still, the thing is that the reviewer said that SB was surprising in a positive way. And I dont think it was a 100% different the other night.

[diamondsnake]

she has lost ALL her magic..it's truely gone....she is an embarrasemnet to the current tour...

Wow. I don't know if you are purposefully overexaggerating or not, but I respectfully could not disagree more.

I saw her on Monday and got goosebumps during Storms. And I thought all of her songs, her vocals were great. And, she looked gorgeous. Absolutely stunning. In a thread in the Rumours forum, we compared pictures from the SYW tour and I think she looks healthier and more beautiful on this tour. Certainly thinner.

And, she just released her soundstage DVD and CD and I think it is even better than the Dance. She is ten years older than when that DVD was released, but I don't think she has lost an ounce of "magic" if you were to compare those two concert DVDs back to back.

[Moz]

It sounds like the Klonopin era all over again!

[BTFLCHLD]

the reviewer
john petric's on dope.

pattie was at columbus...
GDW
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[BTFLCHLD]

Exhibit A

To be fair, this is from 2007 ;)

WHERE IS JOHN PETRIC??
Could it be that the hated and scorned The Other Paper reviewer has been forced out??? Browsing through the music section of the other paper today, his columns are no where to be found. All the music reviews are penned by Joel Oliphint. They did add a few more angry letters to the editor. Did they finally listen to readers that were sick and tired of his one sided condescending reviews?

2008 Petric goes to war (http://www.theotherpaper.com/articles/2008/07/31/blogs/petric_goes_to_war/doc4890edad9b309280808892.txt)

sean wrote on Oct 6, 2008 11:50 AM:
" wow. you are an absolutely horrific writer. here's hoping you have another career to fall back on. " :laugh:

Joe wrote on Aug 15, 2008 1:03 PM:
" I heard John left after only a day with the men because it was too hot for him. " :laugh:

Harry wrote on Aug 15, 2008 12:11 PM:
"Our oppressed brothers in the ’hood know of what I speak, yo."
I love it when men who are almost 60 years old, and white, talk jive. " :laugh:

[gold_dust]

I agree. I really hope that this tour is not dragged out for years if Stevie is unhappy. I kind of hope that it ends this summer and she can move onto something else (whether that be a new studio album or a new FM album- regardless I am pretty sure another tour is not what Stevie immediately wants to do. From her latest interviews it seems like she is more interested in recording soon)

As much as I want to see them come to Europe, I'd much rather they didn't if it meant that Stevie is happier/comfortable not touring. For some reason, as soon as she reunites with that band, it's like she's a different spirit on stage. It's also very easy for people to say that she's on a downer, etc, because most of her songs are about breaking up, or something of equal depressing measure. Notice when it comes to solo Stevie, she doesn't have that low vibe with her. She's singing stuff which isn't just about breaking up, or dying - she sings rock covers, has duets with other artists, it's almost like she's comfortable to just sing now.

[whitewingdove73]

I think this review is just cruel, cold and rude. That's my 2 cents. :mad:

[wheart]

john petric's on dope.

pattie was at columbus...
GDW
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That was pretty damn good for being an "off " night. I"ve seen her angrier for this song but the vocals were excellent, better than Philly!

[Bella Figura]

She is getting some of the worst reviews of her life this tour.




this quote made me laugh :lol: :lol:, she always gets these rotten vindictive type of reviews from those typical guy rock journalist who get stuck reviewing "Fleetwood Mac, that girly group" when he's rather be at a Nickelback or Ozzy concert...

I've seen them again and again and again...certain mentypes just don't get it...so all I can say is thank god, I'm married to one who does... :)

[jannieC]

I agree that the wording in this particular review was harsh, unprofessional, and sh*tty, but the sentiment is the same among many (including a few fan reviews). It is what it is. :shrug:

[GypsyJas]

Wow, that was painful to read. First of all, that was really unecessary for the writer to bring up her PAST addictions...the comments on her nostrils make me think this person doesn't like her to begin with. However, as someone that was up close and personal at the Philly show I did notice that she seemed pretty aloof. It was most apparant during GYOW when Lindsey and Stevie went to their respective sides to wave to the crowd...and everyone wanted Stevie to shake hands, but she did not and shook her head like "hell, no" as we were all screaming out to her. Anyone that has seen her solo concerts during the Edge walk knows how sweet she can be to the crowd, and this was in stark contrast to Lindsey who was very energetic and interactive. I did not think her vocals suffered at all though, she just seemed a bit disengaged. And bloated? WTF? I have seen her from the front row for the past 12 years and as soon as she came onstage I thought she looked more slender than ever.
Although I think there is a kernal of justification in this article, the writer's verbage comes across as supremely unfair.

[Musicman408]

That was pretty damn good for being an "off " night. I"ve seen her angrier for this song but the vocals were excellent, better than Philly!

I know, right? Vocally she was a dream in Columbus!!

[BellaDonna93]

But when I read the reviews on the nicksfix from the columbus show it seems that it was a great show and that stevie was great too! http://www.nicksfix.com/index.htm

I don't like this review at all, that's why I have to be positive...
It made me sad...:(

However, hope that Stevie isn't sick or tired of being in The Mac :)

Love,
/Hanna

[BellaDonna93]

....and, one more video I find on youtube from Florida:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU1x61skco8

It's 5 days later, after the Columbus show, and it seems in this video that she is feeling better, or?
She laughs and smiles :)

[Nikolaj]

The review is mean, but Stevie is off on this tour. From the first show, some fans thought she was drunk, others 'high'-- Personally, i think boredom has set in for Nicks, and also disillusion- she's realized finally that she's been performing the same material for way, way, too long. It was in the 70s when she said 'I was so Rhiannoned out, I was so Landslided out' after a tour, and some 32 years later, I think that's where she's at again. I think also the reality of this tour not doing very well financially and critically, though it's possibly been kept from her, may be reaching her. We never really find out what goes on 'til a year or so after a tour, then she'll tell, as she did with the 'Say You Will' tour.
Then there's the silly issue of her platform boots, which cause her pain and affect her performances. Easy. The boots GO. Logical thinking would make her realize this. Painkillers may make the boots tolerable, and cloud her reasoning. She wouldn't have to wear Reebocks, but damn lady, if your feet are killing to you to the point where you reveal you can hardly concentrate on your singing because you're in so much pain, you ditch the damned footwear and wear something comfortable, and let the old dresses come down to the floor to hide your footwear. I think she's on painkillers. I believe it's possible she is NOT abusing them. But she's on painkillers, judging by the performance I saw and by the various photographs here on The Ledge and elsewhere. Her eyes look medicated to me.
There's been a lot of negative reviews for her performances, along with some good ones. But i think only a severe optomist could believe this tour will be remembered as a success. This 'lack of success' (hard to call it a failure when they are making some major millions of dollarson this tour) could possibly help any future projects (new cd of NEW material either solo or with Mac) if her revelations which seem SURE to come about what was going on with this tour reveal "I was on painkillers". "My performances weren't as good as they should have been and people NOTICED and i knew next stop was Betty Ford, not Europe"-- well, that's a comeback in the making, and how marketable are comebacks and/or farewell tours... I think we will have a confession of her being very reliant on painkillers on this tour, and the 2010 or 2011 Stevie will be back with fresh,new material and warnings of painkillers to tolerate platform boots, rather than the dangers of Botox. Notice how she's not talking about the Klonopin much anymore? But it could be in the future she will be on the Vicodin or Percocet warpath, which will explain her performances on this tour that some have found lacking, and lead to interest in how the painkiller-free Stevie is doing.
Just thinking this may be what is going on, and how it all can be 'spun' to make her next project a success. After 'Unleashed' i think Stevie will be in need of a 'comeback'-- and what better way to explain it all away than to reveal she was having medication issues?? Wishing her health and happiness, also.
Anyone have any other ideas as to how she will reflect on "Unleashed" say in a year or so?

[jwd]

you can respond to this article here:
http://www.theotherpaper.com/articles/2009/04/23/music/doc49f0b3f7281b4005984460.txt

Lindsay raised us up; Stevie brought us down


By John Petric
The Other Paper

I have a theory about Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac: She’s really Nancy Reagan as seen through a slight time warp.

The former first lady was definitely there in the bloated weirdness of the mystical chanteuse Nicks Saturday night at the Mac’s well-attended, well-intentioned Nationwide Arena show.

Despite a wealth of fine and good songs, everyone’s parade of memories was mercilessly squalled upon by the lethargic and loopy Nicks. You’ve never seen a bigger psychic party pooper.

Thanks to gigantic video screens flanking the stage, Nicks’s eyes appeared as toxic slit-trenches honing down on us like Big Brother’s weird big sister—that is, when her eyeballs could occasionally be seen. Normally they were half-closed, as if Nicks were focusing on her inner Ouija board, conjuring up spirits of Manuel Noriega and other notorious cocaine kingpins to rescue her from the banal reality of singing the hits yet one more time.

And I’m not going to even talk about how large the screen made her nostrils. You can only imagine how much illegal activity those air passages have seen in their day.

Nicks was a living wreck. When she spoke between songs, she made no sense. Between her garbled story about growing up idolizing the Velvet Underground and her trademark bleating vocals, which were more half-hearted than the onset of age would allow for, one could be forgiven for thinking Nicks was a tad heavily sedated.

All of which made her the complete opposite of Lindsay Buckingham, the hyper-intense, emotional guitarist/singer/songwriter and her former love partner.

Buckingham, slim and trim and highly energetic; Stevie, low and slow and quite possibly affecting Earth’s orbit. Buckingham, jovial and happy to be alive, his personality definitely his own; Nicks, everyone from The View rolled into one person, but on their worst days only. (Nicks seemed to hate everyone for being at the show—her unhappiness was that visceral.)

Buckingham, raw passion; Nicks, quite possibly the most depressed woman to ever waddle onstage on platforms. Sad, really.

The hits sounded good, though: “Rhiannon,” “The Chain,” “Dreams,” “Landslide,” “Tusk,” etc. But I’d have to say this was only because they were so well-written to begin with and were supported by the dy-no-mite rhythm section of John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. Buckingham and Nicks—once the equivalent of Lennon and McCartney for the spoiled-rotten California narcissistic set—did an uneven job of selling them.

As the pair traded the spotlight, Buckingham would work the crowd into a frenzy only for Nicks to bring it down. He was a lightning strike with an inimitable guitar style. She had the happiness level of a gorilla fresh out of banana rehab. You didn’t want to be around her.

By the time the band got to “Say You Love Me,” Nicks—who clearly was Moby-Dick to Lindsay’s Captain Ahab by this point—began to seriously lose what little steam she had stored in the haunted old engine house called her soul. She seemed prepared to collapse onstage, her platforms and top hat destined to be her lasting memorial.

And then she surprised us.

When she came out from backstage after her latest costume change, she was draped in black for “Stand Back.” (No problem, lady.) She crossed her arms, black Mass-style, but unintentionally looked like a Mardi Gras float. Then she unloaded the song with a heretofore unseen amount of emotional energy: vitriol, pure vitriol.

The woman has issues, by God, and to her credit she finally made them work for her.

John Petric is a dumb ass. Enough said.

[wheart]

The review is mean, but Stevie is off on this tour. From the first show, some fans thought she was drunk, others 'high'-- Personally, i think boredom has set in for Nicks, and also disillusion- she's realized finally that she's been performing the same material for way, way, too long. It was in the 70s when she said 'I was so Rhiannoned out, I was so Landslided out' after a tour, and some 32 years later, I think that's where she's at again. I think also the reality of this tour not doing very well financially and critically, though it's possibly been kept from her, may be reaching her. We never really find out what goes on 'til a year or so after a tour, then she'll tell, as she did with the 'Say You Will' tour.
Then there's the silly issue of her platform boots, which cause her pain and affect her performances. Easy. The boots GO. Logical thinking would make her realize this. Painkillers may make the boots tolerable, and cloud her reasoning. She wouldn't have to wear Reebocks, but damn lady, if your feet are killing to you to the point where you reveal you can hardly concentrate on your singing because you're in so much pain, you ditch the damned footwear and wear something comfortable, and let the old dresses come down to the floor to hide your footwear. I think she's on painkillers. I believe it's possible she is NOT abusing them. But she's on painkillers, judging by the performance I saw and by the various photographs here on The Ledge and elsewhere. Her eyes look medicated to me.
There's been a lot of negative reviews for her performances, along with some good ones. But i think only a severe optomist could believe this tour will be remembered as a success. This 'lack of success' (hard to call it a failure when they are making some major millions of dollarson this tour) could possibly help any future projects (new cd of NEW material either solo or with Mac) if her revelations which seem SURE to come about what was going on with this tour reveal "I was on painkillers". "My performances weren't as good as they should have been and people NOTICED and i knew next stop was Betty Ford, not Europe"-- well, that's a comeback in the making, and how marketable are comebacks and/or farewell tours... I think we will have a confession of her being very reliant on painkillers on this tour, and the 2010 or 2011 Stevie will be back with fresh,new material and warnings of painkillers to tolerate platform boots, rather than the dangers of Botox. Notice how she's not talking about the Klonopin much anymore? But it could be in the future she will be on the Vicodin or Percocet warpath, which will explain her performances on this tour that some have found lacking, and lead to interest in how the painkiller-free Stevie is doing.
Just thinking this may be what is going on, and how it all can be 'spun' to make her next project a success. After 'Unleashed' i think Stevie will be in need of a 'comeback'-- and what better way to explain it all away than to reveal she was having medication issues?? Wishing her health and happiness, also.
Anyone have any other ideas as to how she will reflect on "Unleashed" say in a year or so?


I would like to think that at 61 (almost) years of age, Miss Nicks would have the sense, experience and wisdom not to go near anything that may plunge her back into the dark world of addiction. I really think she's learned her lesson. And I honestly don't think she would be taking pain meds just so she could wear her boots for 2 1/2 hours every night. If that was the case, she would have started taking them in '01 when her back/hip problems started and she never would have needed to wear those horrible reeboks.

However, your exact thoughts have crossed my mind recently. Her spark seems to be gone, or severely diminished on this tour. Her current performances, for me, have distinct resemblances to the klonipin years. At least, that's what came to mind while watching her perform in Philly. I don't really think she's back on anything. I think it's probably a combination of boredom and the continuing problem of being the only female in the band. This bothered her during SYW and it's still bothering her, no matter how well Lindsey is treating her.

[PenguinHead]

She is getting some of the worst reviews of her life this tour.

But, I mean, look at this video. There is still real passion in her voice, even if she does seem a tad tired. It is as if all these reviewers decided this is the year to bash Stevie Nicks.

What does everyone think? Does she just not like being in FM anymore? Is she sick? Is she just getting too old to be the Stevie we are all used to?

I think her singing and actual performances are pretty great this tour, but she does seem tired, whether it be physically or mentally, I'm not sure....

Regardless of whether she is performing solo or in Fleetwood Mac, Stevie has a long history of being very inconsistant; sometimes she's on her game, other times she's way off.

Generally, she's not a very cheery, light-hearted person. And she doesn't seem able to check her issues at the door when it comes time to hit the stage. I thought the Live in Boston dvd was such a morose affair, mostly due to Stevie's presence -- stone-faced and unsmiling 95% of the entire show.

Also, it's interesting to note that, apart from her solo shows, when she is performing with Lindsey, she gets very subserviant. Hasn't anyone else noticed this? It's as if she knows she can't compete with the manic energy Lindsey brings to the show, so she doesn't even try. It sort of becomes the Lindsey show with Stevie as the guest.

It's not the matter of her being older or tired. It's about her attitude. She's done an amazing amount of touring over the past five years. Perhaps there are issues in her personal life that she escapes from by hitting the road. And now, she's possibly burning out.

I wish she would focus more on being a recording artist, and less on being a road whore. If the reviews for her recent performances have generally negative, then there is a good reason for that and it's complete justified. There is no agenda; no so-called "Stevie-haters." Granted, she's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think most of the reviews have been reasonably objective.

P.S. Please excuse my misspellings, as I am too lazy to consult a dictionary and, alas, this board doesn't have spell-check.

[Moz]

This 'lack of success' (hard to call it a failure when they are making some major millions of dollarson this tour)

Then why did you say the tour isn't doing well financially?

[David]

I like a lot of things you wrote.

Generally, she's not a very cheery, light-hearted person. And she doesn't seem able to check her issues at the door when it comes time to hit the stage. I thought the Live in Boston dvd was such a morose affair, mostly due to Stevie's presence -- stone-faced and unsmiling 95% of the entire show.I didn't see Live In Boston, but I saw these guys in concert in 2003 at the Arrowhead Pond (the night that was broadcast on radio) & I thought Nicks was a million miles away.

Also, it's interesting to note that, apart from her solo shows, when she is performing with Lindsey, she gets very subserviant. Hasn't anyone else noticed this? It's as if she knows she can't compete with the manic energy Lindsey brings to the show, so she doesn't even try. It sort of becomes the Lindsey show with Stevie as the guest."Subservient" is a good way to put it. But I don't think it's a matter of one competing with the other. I think Stevie gets a negative vibe from the mix of people in Fleetwood Mac today. I don't think their vibe gives her that wonderful buzz that makes you smile giddily. You can love people -- as old friends or members of your family -- & still not enjoy the atmosphere when you're with them working. That doesn't mean they're trying to bother her. But people give off vibes when they're not even aware of it. For many years, I've suggested the possibility that Lindsey's personality rubs her the wrong way (& vice versa). I think maybe both Lindsey & John have that effect on her. The only reason I leave Mick out is that it doesn't seem to be true -- she socializes with Mick all the time, & she always has. They go to parties together, they go to movies together, they go to tourist attractions together, they go to hospitals together, they concertize together (without the rest of Fleetwood Mac). They are probably completely relaxed around each other. Stevie doesn't do that with the other members of the band.

It's not the matter of her being older or tired. It's about her attitude. She's done an amazing amount of touring over the past five years. Perhaps there are issues in her personal life that she escapes from by hitting the road. And now, she's possibly burning out. We've all brought this up too. I think it's worth considering. Stevie tours virtually nonstop. Why? Doesn't she ever want to take a year off for a vacation, at home or somewhere else? She's driven to be out on the road, touring. What drives her, at her age, to want to do that?

I wish she would focus more on being a recording artist, and less on being a road whore. If the reviews for her recent performances have generally negative, then there is a good reason for that and it's complete justified. There is no agenda; no so-called "Stevie-haters." Granted, she's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think most of the reviews have been reasonably objective.I don't believe there is any such thing as "objective" criticism. If someone could point out to me an example of it, I'd be much obliged. As for the bad review posted at the top of this thread, maybe Stevie's view is "Better bad reviews than none at all" -- the old show-business saw.

[jmn3]

I think maybe both Lindsey & John have that effect on her.

I completely agree with what you are saying here and I've thought it for some time. I honestly think Lindsey doesn't intentionally try to piss her off, but he is also about 60 years old and hell, you don't change the attitudes of 60 year old people. The things he did that aggravated her thirty years ago are just going to be more amplified with age.

As for John, my personal thought, and certainly not fact based at all, is that he has had no use for Stevie for almost twenty years now. There's that interview, is it the Disney Coming Home thing from 1992 where John comments about Stevie and says something to the effect of "Fleetwood Mac anything is terrible in her opininon and all bad things in her life are because of the band etc." I know I have the quote wrong but at that time you can just see a complete look of contempt for her on his face. I can't really see what, in the time that has passed, would have convinced him otherwise. The Dance Reunion was a special time and the five of them were back together for the first time in 15 years. They were huge again, a successful tour and album - but it was all short lived. Within a year the band basically ceased to operate for many years again and when it did start again - there was no Chris! Anyway, ever since that time, I just see John sitting back with that subtle look of contempt on his face for her. I'm probably looking into it too much but I have seen it for a long time. Even if it's not hatred, they could just really have nothing in common at all I guess.

[gldstwmn]

I think Stevie would much rather be promoting the Soundstage release than doing this. And rightly so. It's an excellent retrospective of her work. Right now she probably feels like she's out there doing the same old. FM has nothing new to promote. Plus the length of the show probably really takes it out of her.
As for the writer of this review, he seems to have made a name for himself being a bitter betty. :shrug: I haven't been to a show yet so I can't really comment on Stevie's performances (or the lack thereof).

[gldstwmn]

I would like to think that at 61 (almost) years of age, Miss Nicks would have the sense, experience and wisdom not to go near anything that may plunge her back into the dark world of addiction. I really think she's learned her lesson. And I honestly don't think she would be taking pain meds just so she could wear her boots for 2 1/2 hours every night. If that was the case, she would have started taking them in '01 when her back/hip problems started and she never would have needed to wear those horrible reeboks.


She did admit to taking Neurontin. I've heard the side effects from it aren't great. At 61, there is only so much physical therapy you can do. With her work schedule, I would not be surprised in the least is she is taking some kind of pain medication to make it through.

[gldstwmn]

Then why did you say the tour isn't doing well financially?

The band is paid via a guarantee in their contract. Live Nation (or whomever is underwriting this tour) is taking a major bath on this one.

[RockALittle250]

I think Stevie would much rather be promoting the Soundstage release than doing this. And rightly so. It's an excellent retrospective of her work. Right now she probably feels like she's out there doing the same old. FM has nothing new to promote. Plus the length of the show probably really takes it out of her.
As for the writer of this review, he seems to have made a name for himself being a bitter betty. :shrug: I haven't been to a show yet so I can't really comment on Stevie's performances (or the lack thereof).

I completely agree, and i think you hit the nail on the head. The two weeks that Stevie was promoting the album and the DVD, she had multiple interviews, cheering fans, album signings, parties, photo ops...and now it's back on the road with the band, and all the "fun" is gone. She probably realized during that 2 week break that right now she could be having a lot more fun doing her own thing than going back on the road and arguing with Lindsey.

[gold_dust]

We've all brought this up too. I think it's worth considering. Stevie tours virtually nonstop. Why? Doesn't she ever want to take a year off for a vacation, at home or somewhere else? She's driven to be out on the road, touring. What drives her, at her age, to want to do that?


Maybe I' ve gotten it completely wrong, but I always thought it was strange that she didn't just cancel the rest of the Gold Dust tour when her father got sick. She just kept saying that she wanted him to 'hold on' until she finished. I mean, if I knew my father wasn't going to make it much longer, no amount of fans would persuade me to lose valuable time away from him. Something like that - a person who's dear to you - you can't just tell them to wait until it's convienent for you to be with them. You can't delay the time you'll have left with them, but you can delay concerts. Those things can come around again. I just thought that was a very strange thing to do - keep on touring. But that's just me.

[gldstwmn]

Maybe I' ve gotten it completely wrong, but I always thought it was strange that she didn't just cancel the rest of the Gold Dust tour when her father got sick. She just kept saying that she wanted him to 'hold on' until she finished. I mean, if I knew my father wasn't going to make it much longer, no amount of fans would persuade me to lose valuable time away from him. Something like that - a person who's dear to you - you can't just tell them to wait until it's convienent for you to be with them. You can't delay the time you'll have left with them, but you can delay concerts. Those things can come around again. I just thought that was a very strange thing to do - keep on touring. But that's just me.

Interesting. I always wondered why she chose to sing Circle Dance at that time too.

[jedw]

As for John, my personal thought, and certainly not fact based at all, is that he has had no use for Stevie for almost twenty years now. There's that interview, is it the Disney Coming Home thing from 1992 where John comments about Stevie and says something to the effect of "Fleetwood Mac anything is terrible in her opininon and all bad things in her life are because of the band etc." .

er, is he not just referring to the articles coming out back then that reported her fued with mick over not letting her have "Silver springs" for "timespace"

ancient history I would have thought.

[wheart]

I think Stevie would much rather be promoting the Soundstage release than doing this. And rightly so. It's an excellent retrospective of her work. Right now she probably feels like she's out there doing the same old. FM has nothing new to promote. Plus the length of the show probably really takes it out of her.
As for the writer of this review, he seems to have made a name for himself being a bitter betty. :shrug: I haven't been to a show yet so I can't really comment on Stevie's performances (or the lack thereof).

I totally agree here. She seemed like another person while doing her Soundstage promotions. She did say she was very, very proud of the release and probably would have done much more promotion, had her schedule allowed. I'm beginning to wonder if this tour with FM was really worth it for Stevie.

[Cornflake Girl]

Interesting. I always wondered why she chose to sing Circle Dance at that time too.

Snap! If only she would answer some more 'ask Stevie' questions. :laugh:

I have always been interested in the thought process behind choosing that particular song since it has such poignant lyrics.

[gold_dust]

Snap! If only she would answer some more 'ask Stevie' questions. :laugh:

I have always been interested in the thought process behind choosing that particular song since it has such poignant lyrics.

The more I listen to Circle Dance, the more I see it as a song not sang from Stevie's point of her view, but from her father's.

[michelej1]

There's that interview, is it the Disney Coming Home thing from 1992 where John comments about Stevie and says something to the effect of "Fleetwood Mac anything is terrible in her opininon and all bad things in her life are because of the band etc." I know I have the quote wrong but at that time you can just see a complete look of contempt for her on his face. I can't really see what, in the time that has passed, would have convinced him otherwise.

What has changed is that Stevie was going around badmouthing the band then and she's not doing that anymore. She stopped doing that a long time ago. She might bad mouth Lindsey, but not FM as a whole. So, I think when that whole estrangement ended, with her wanting out, feeling bitter, and being mad at Mick over Silver Springs, etc., I think any bad feelings that John might have had for Stevie dissipated then as well.

Whenever I see them interact, I think John and Stevie seem quite affectionate and silly together. But they probably have very little in common and that's why they are not friendly. They probably could commune when they were both high, but have little to share now when they are sober or when one is high and the other is sober. While I do think that Lindsey and John still get on each other's nerves, I really doubt that John rubs Stevie the wrong way. I would imagine that she is more tiring to him and he might keep somewhat of a distance. When he's not drunk, her emotional roller coaster is not exactly something that he wants to ride, but I don't think he impacts her enough to effect her mood.

But, on the other hand, I always did wonder what he was doing that would make her talk about his drinking as late as in that Dance interview for Rolling Stone. She said they would throw him up against a wall and force him to stop if they could. So, it sounded like he still had some destructive issues back in 1997, when I would have thought they had been resolved.

Michele

[jmn3]

er, is he not just referring to the articles coming out back then that reported her fued with mick over not letting her have "Silver springs" for "timespace"

ancient history I would have thought.

Of course it's ancient history but sometimes those feelings aren't something that just fades especially as people get older. I mean, I think there was some deep resentment at that time of those comments she was making about the band given it was the band which gave Stevie her fame and was the launching pad of her success. I am not saying I know anything for sure, it's just a feeling I get. I just sense that when it comes to John, he felt it a personal slap in the face when Stevie was out basically bad mouthing the band (OK, Mick, which basically reflected on the band as a whole). After that, I'm not saying he hated her forever and secretly tries to get Stevie and Lindsey to switch sides of the stage so that he doesn't have to stand behind her (!), I'm just suggesting that he got to a point where he put her behind him completely, wrote her off. Now when the band gets together every five or so years, I just sense that John and Stevie are on different planets and really have no desire to have any relationship beyond what is necessary for the band to function.

[jmn3]

What has changed is that Stevie was going around badmouthing the band then and she's not doing that anymore. She stopped doing that a long time ago. She might bad mouth Lindsey, but not FM as a whole. So, I think when that whole estrangement ended, with her wanting out, feeling bitter, and being mad at Mick over Silver Springs, etc., I think any bad feelings that John might have had for Stevie dissipated then as well.


Good point and I totally see what you are saying. Like I said, it was only a feeling that I got and wasn't anything concrete. See, in my happy little mind, Mick would be more likely to forgive and forget. If nothing else, Mick wants money. Lots of money. And I think the cash flow during Time-era of the band versus the cash flow during the Dance era would certainly make Mick completely remove any bad feelings Stevie had for the band from his mind. Again, back to my head, I see John as forgiving it and moving on, quietly....but really never getting past some of what she said.

And really, as much as I like Stevie, the whole Silver Springs thing was so stupid in hindsight. I mean, if it was so important to her, why wasn't she playing it live during all those years of solo tours? But, I digress, that's a whole other topic that has been discussed ad nauseum...

[Drummergrl]

i have not seen FM this time around but i have seen stevie on Fallon, Today and the most current YouTube videos from this "unleashed" tour. it is a fact...stevie is deteriorating right in front of our eyes. she has lost interest, she has lost ALL her magic..it's truely gone...and her voice fluctuates sooooo much it's not even fair to say her voice is "great" all the time..this is really sad because she is just fading away...she should go out while she still has a shred of her old self....PLEASE don't misunderstand... i love her to death!! she has done soooo much for music, other female rockers and for me personally w/her beautiful songs...but he is done..she said she did her latest DVD/C D for the up and coming female rock stars???? I have seen 20 somethings laughing at her and calling her a joke..she is an embarrasemnet to the current tour...she should have left and christine should have stayed...maybe christine realized what was to be and got out before fleetwood mac just fades away.
That's pretty harsh coming from someone who says they love her.

[aleuzzi]

Was there any need to say half of what was written in that 'article'? She's like a gorilla out of banana rehab? Like everyone from the View on their worst days? That she seemed to be affecting the earth's orbit? WTF? That's just spiteful.


I agree with you.

While Stevie's performances are falling below par (lack of energy seems the most obvious problem) the reviewer spent a lot of time attacking her appearance, her weight, etc... It was mean-spirited and ultimately irrelevant to the music.

His review could have been boiled down to this: with the exception of "Stand Back" Stevie seemed lethargic and uncommitted, especially in contrast to Buckingham's driving energy and enthusiastic stage presence. Instead, he tried to be "funny" and "witty" with a series of low blows. Bad journalism.

[David]

I'm just suggesting that he got to a point where he put her behind him completely, wrote her off. Now when the band gets together every five or so years, I just sense that John and Stevie are on different planets and really have no desire to have any relationship beyond what is necessary for the band to function.This is precisely how I view their relationship in more recent times. Their only emotional tie now is a historical one (unlike the emotional ties she still has with Lindsey, Mick, & to a slightly lesser extent Christine).

Fleetwood Mac seems to be more of a drudging job to Stevie than it has ever been.

[Phoenix]

I agree with you.

While Stevie's performances are falling below par (lack of energy seems the most obvious problem) the reviewer spent a lot of time attacking her appearance, her weight, etc... It was mean-spirited and ultimately irrelevant to the music.

His review could have been boiled down to this: with the exception of "Stand Back" Stevie seemed lethargic and uncommitted, especially in contrast to Buckingham's driving energy and enthusiastic stage presence. Instead, he tried to be "funny" and "witty" with a series of low blows. Bad journalism.

Exacally. This was not a review of a concert. it was just an excuse to make an attack. :rolleyes: But, Stevie Nicks will be remembered for a long time, And for the good things her contribution to music, for example, this reviewer on the other hand? what was his name again? oh that's right, who cares. Stevie, thank you for storms, but seriously, put on some comfortable shoes, wrap it up with fleetwood mac, and go back to the other things u might rather do.:angel:

[gold_dust]

I agree with you.

While Stevie's performances are falling below par (lack of energy seems the most obvious problem) the reviewer spent a lot of time attacking her appearance, her weight, etc... It was mean-spirited and ultimately irrelevant to the music.

His review could have been boiled down to this: with the exception of "Stand Back" Stevie seemed lethargic and uncommitted, especially in contrast to Buckingham's driving energy and enthusiastic stage presence. Instead, he tried to be "funny" and "witty" with a series of low blows. Bad journalism.

For these kind of journalists, it's not in their best interest to 'gush' over someone because it doesn't show the edgy kind of writing that they wanted to convey in the piece. They want to be contemporary, a little bit out there, intelligent, and relevant. As much as it pains me to say, it's been a long time since FM were any of those things. These writers know that and run with it, but it goes too far when they start using irrelevant things (ie. Stevie's weight) to make their piece seem relevant (her weight's affecting her performance, etc). You can be objective, and have an impartial view to something, yet still criticise constructively. But when you're getting malicious, you're not longer objective, you're subjective - and like I said, that's just bad journalism.

[Nikolaj]

Then why did you say the tour isn't doing well financially?

I meant that Stevie, Lindsey, Mick and John are doing very well financially because of their contracts and they're known to have a very high per-show guarantee from their promoter(s). So, they're raking it in, but the backers of the tour have seen a good number of venues face poor sales, even some cancellations, so the promoters don't "make their money back" once they've paid Fleetwood Mac.
Luke, who knows far more than I ,wrote that two promoters from the 'Say You Will' tour faced bankrupcy after paying the bands high guarantees, and 'Unleashed' may be doing comparable business to 'SYW' (though I don't think so)-- and with the economy so shot, the tour is affected. So, i think it's been great for the bands bank accounts, but not great for anyone paying for the elite services of Fleetwood Mac.

[jmn3]

Fleetwood Mac seems to be more of a drudging job to Stevie than it has ever been.

Agreed. I mean, hell, they all do it for the money, but Stevie really at this point seems completely bored with the band altogether and appears to just go through the motions. I saw it on Say You Will as well. SHe just isn't into it anymore - and whether Chris being there has anything to do with it or not, her lack of desire for the band seems to coincide with Chris retiring.

I think Lindsey loves playing with Mick especially, and to an extent, with Mr. McVie. They are a hell of a rhythym section and I truly at this point could see the three boys going out on the road alone. I just wonder if they'd be willing at this point in time to call themselves Fleetwood Mac. I will restate again that I really like Stevie..her music is timeless and she was a huge part of Fleetwood Mac's success for 30+ years...but if she hates being there so much, then stop. Quit tha band again and go your own way.

[Cornflake Girl]

I will restate again that I really like Stevie..her music is timeless and she was a huge part of Fleetwood Mac's success for 30+ years...but if she hates being there so much, then stop. Quit tha band again and go your own way.

Exactly. If Stevie really is still enjoying herself then she should keep rocking until the enjoyment drains- from this thread alone it's evident that she is still making people happy and they enjoy seeing her live. However, if she's not happy and it's taking a toll on her performance, I don't know why she's bothering. I don't actually think it's for the money, she has plenty to keep her and her family in a very comfortable lifestyle.

[wheart]

Exactly. If Stevie really is still enjoying herself then she should keep rocking until the enjoyment drains- from this thread alone it's evident that she is still making people happy and they enjoy seeing her live. However, if she's not happy and it's taking a toll on her performance, I don't know why she's bothering. I don't actually think it's for the money, she has plenty to keep her and her family in a very comfortable lifestyle.

I'm not sure what her motivation is for staying with FM, at this point. I think it may have to do somewhat with a sense of loyalty to the band but who knows. I do think money has something to do with it, maybe not a lot, but something. In interviews, she says she loves being part of this "elite rock band" and still gets butterflies, etc. etc. yet her demeanor on stage says something else entirely.

[michelej1]

In interviews, she says she loves being part of this "elite rock band" and still gets butterflies, etc. etc. yet her demeanor on stage says something else entirely.

Too many butterflies will make you look like that. Michele

[starshine]

Good point and I totally see what you are saying. Like I said, it was only a feeling that I got and wasn't anything concrete. See, in my happy little mind, Mick would be more likely to forgive and forget. If nothing else, Mick wants money. Lots of money. And I think the cash flow during Time-era of the band versus the cash flow during the Dance era would certainly make Mick completely remove any bad feelings Stevie had for the band from his mind. Again, back to my head, I see John as forgiving it and moving on, quietly....but really never getting past some of what she said.

And really, as much as I like Stevie, the whole Silver Springs thing was so stupid in hindsight. I mean, if it was so important to her, why wasn't she playing it live during all those years of solo tours? But, I digress, that's a whole other topic that has been discussed ad nauseum...I recall all that mess surrounding SS back during TS period. I love what you said about why didn't she perform that song solo. Thats really a great question. Plus I'd add to that there are many, many songs she could've performed of her solo songs or Fmac songs at anytime. Sad that she didn't mix up those setlists 'Years' ago. (Fmac could've also done this instead of the same tired setlists year after yr) but well I digress also. We can say all the would've, could've, & should've's til the cows come home and it won't actually change what is will it. That could be many many of the same topics we all have discussed here about Stevie & Fmac & they'll be discussed again as well I'm sure. It is what it is and nothing from the past can be changed. There are many songs I wish Stevie would've performed just from all her solo lps...she didn't even do some of the actual singles either (ex: Long Way To Go from Mirror/which was a single)....you would think if you are permoting said LP/Mirror that you would want to perform as many songs from it that you can esp the singles? I guess I don't understand that really. Than there is 'b' sides etc. Movie songs. Anyway......it is what is.......I can't comment either on Stevie or Mac from this tour since I chose not to see them this time around. So maybe the reviewer was harsh. But he is entitled to his opinion....even if you don't agree with it...just as we are here. Its not worth getting all worked up about. We all have good days & bad days in our own live's......just let it go and move on. Life does go on........its only a concert too....IMO anyway......:shrug:

[vivfox]

two promoters from the 'Say You Will' tour faced bankrupcy after paying the bands high guarantees, and 'Unleashed' may be doing comparable business to 'SYW' (though I don't think so)
For the SYW Tour FM first asked Live Nation to promote them but LN passed on them thinking there was no money to be made so FM went with the Number 2 promoter, AEG Live and both the band and promoter made a lot of money. That's probably why from 2006 on Stevie and now FM are solely with Live Nation. LN would have never taken FM on as a client if there was no money to be made. I have an article from Billboard Magazine from 2004 that talks about this. The article said FM's asking price then was $650,000.00 per show.

[michelej1]

I have an article from Billboard Magazine from 2004 that talks about this. The article said FM's asking price then was $650,000.00 per show.

Here's a Forbes article that mentions that, from July 7, 2003:

http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2003/0707/078_2.html

Two companies fueled this live-band boom: SFX Entertainment, the Robert Sillerman-led roll-up of concert promoters and concert venues; and Clear Channel Communications (nyse: CCU - news - people ), the San Antonio radio and advertising conglomerate that swallowed SFX in 2000. Under Sillerman SFX cobbled together several dozen concert venues and a network of regional concert promoters, a seat-of-the-pants crew that estimated how much each act could generate in revenue, offered a guarantee and kept a piece of any remaining profit from each concert. Combining the two let SFX drive popular acts to its own amphitheaters and arenas, then capture any ancillary revenue, like parking fees. Clear Channel executives, who thought the business made even more sense combined with its advertising arm--they could promise marketers that fans who flocked to Clear Channel concerts would also see ads the company placed in and outside of its amphitheaters--took it off Sillerman's hands for $4.4 billion.

The strategy drove both companies to place ever-bigger bets on the concert business in the form of guarantees paid to music acts booked at their venues. Ten years ago a large per-show guarantee ran about $200,000; anything over that was shared by artist and promoter, usually in an 85-15 split. Now bands like Fleetwood Mac command $650,000 per show, and profit splits run closer to 90-10 for hot acts.

[Lee]

The Unleashed review is full of sh*t. Look at my signature picture below taken in Philly & I ask you, does Stevie look bloated & sedated to you? She certainly didn't to me. She was smiling, kidding around with Lindsey & her voice was in good shape.

She's different when she's with Fleetwood Mac; she lets Lindsey do his thing & shine in the spotlight. At her solo shows, she's more chatty & always shakes hands during Edge.

Lee :)

[PenguinHead]

That's pretty harsh coming from someone who says they love her.

There's a thin line between love and hate (Great song by The Pretenders}

[ontheEdgeof17]

She's different when she's with Fleetwood Mac; she lets Lindsey do his thing & shine in the spotlight. At her solo shows, she's more chatty & always shakes hands during Edge.

Lee :)

The question is why does she do it? It does make her look bored to "give him the spotlight". It's a Fleetwood Mac show, not Lindsey ft. Fleetwood Mac.

[LukeA]

For the SYW Tour FM first asked Live Nation to promote them but LN passed on them thinking there was no money to be made so FM went with the Number 2 promoter, AEG Live and both the band and promoter made a lot of money. That's probably why from 2006 on Stevie and now FM are solely with Live Nation. LN would have never taken FM on as a client if there was no money to be made.

I can count at least six things wrong with this paragraph.

[LukeA]

Took me a few minutes to shake the "WTF" out of my head

For the SYW Tour FM first asked Live Nation to promote them but LN passed on them thinking there was no money to be made

FM took part in extended negotiations with both CCE and AEG- ultimately, FM chose AEG for the first 50 dates of the tour as much for monetary reasons (which were on par with CCE's offer) as also the fact that Irving Azoff still served as co-chair of AEG at the time.

so FM went with the Number 2 promoter, AEG Live and both the band and promoter made a lot of money.

By the end of the tour in '04, I believe CCE promoted as many shows as AEG did- at least in North America. Additionally, numerous indie promoters (Frank Prod., Outback, and a bunch of random dumbasses that bought FM at rack rate who are all probably out of business by now) bought shows too. A lot of shows did very well, but many were disasterous. The wealth/losses were spread around.

That's probably why from 2006 on Stevie and now FM are solely with Live Nation.

About half of Stevie's tour dates since then were unassociated with Live Nation.