Chicago Review

[Erin]

First things first. The venue did not allow cameras at all. We were told that Lindsey had requested this, and we needed to return our cameras to our cars. A bit of a problem for those of us who took the L in. Once again thanks to Tiffany and Nancy for letting us put our cameras in your car. I'm curious to see if this will be a permanent Lindsey policy. Stevie and he on the same page about this is pretty surprising to me.

Anyway this left me free to completely enjoy the show, which I haven't done in quite a long time. Chicago blew Milwaukee out of the water. We all stood and cheered the whole time. Amazing crowd and Lindsey and the band really fed off the energy. I hadn't been in the Lindsey standing over you position during the I'm So Afraid guitar solo for a couple of years. I'd forgotten how mesmerizing he can be (and sweaty:laugh:). I'm too afraid to touch him or the guitar though!

I got one of the setlists! Yay!!! I'm sad this was the last show I'm able to see, but I'm so happy that it was such a better experience than last night.

And once again nice to see everyone: Susan, Dell, David, Tiffany, Nancy, and Gretchen!

Oh and I forgot, we got an extremely brief teaser of Rock Away Blind, but he said he wasn't tuned up for it, unfortunately. He also teased us earlier in the show by saying there might be some time at the end of the show for requests. I told him I had a list prepared. He laughed, I don't think he though I was serious! ;)

[michelej1]

Oh great news about Rock Away Blind. He's thinking of it. Oh, I'll tune your guitar for you Lindsey, just weave that into the setlist.

I remember during the UTS tour, I was at several shows where they really cracked down on cameras. Once, I waited until the very last song and took my camera out for Holiday Road and the security guard came over and told me to put it away. I was so mad.

And I don't know what happened. I might have thought I slipped it in my purse and I really dropped it, but I lost my Leica camera that night in Santa Barbara. I blame Lindsey.:mad:

Chicago sounds like it was great. Thanks. Michele

[Lori40]

I wonder why the totally different stands on cameras at the different venues. While we were walking into the Pantages in Minneapolis, they just kept saying, you can take photos as long as you don't use a flash, and it appeared that everyone abided by the rules.

[wondergirl9847]

The Good: Chicago crowds are terrific. I saw him on the UTS and GOS tours in Chicago and both were fantastic. :thumbsup:

The Bad (and frustrating): Chicago is horrible if you wanna take pics! I'm sure some on this board know I was thrown out of the Chicago show back in
'06 for taking out my camera during GYOW. Yes, the security guy had pounded it into our heads while we stood in line about cameras, but for frick sake, it was during GYOW and he was almost done. :rolleyes: I felt like a 6 year old when they took me in the lobby and talked down to me. Pfftt.

Anyway, glad it was an awesome show and WOOHOO about Rock Away Blind...I hope he puts it in the setlist!!! :D

Oh and I don't believe for a SECOND that Lindsey requested it.

[gretchen]

There was something different about this show. There seemed to be a pale blue flame of spirit burning about Lindsey. A renewed power. Intensity and quiet at the same time. Blew my mind. :nod:

The show was just so crisp and tight.
The bar has been raised.

And Erin, it was nice to see you again too!

[Erin]

The Good: Chicago crowds are terrific. I saw him on the UTS and GOS tours in Chicago and both were fantastic. :thumbsup:

The Bad (and frustrating): Chicago is horrible if you wanna take pics! I'm sure some on this board know I was thrown out of the Chicago show back in
'06 for taking out my camera during GYOW. Yes, the security guy had pounded it into our heads while we stood in line about cameras, but for frick sake, it was during GYOW and he was almost done. :rolleyes: I felt like a 6 year old when they took me in the lobby and talked down to me. Pfftt.

Anyway, glad it was an awesome show and WOOHOO about Rock Away Blind...I hope he puts it in the setlist!!! :D

Oh and I don't believe for a SECOND that Lindsey requested it.


The Vic and the Park West are owned by the same people. Hence the camera woes. When he played at House of Blues here in Chicago, it wasn't a problem. I have plenty of pics and videos from those shows.

Nancy talked to the head of security and he said Lindsey did request it, because normally they allow pictures. So maybe they offered him the the option of no photos and he just agreed to it. Who knows?

Anyway nice write up in the Tribune:

Lindsey Buckingham goes his own way, with intensity

By Joshua Klein, Special to the Tribune

12:00 a.m. CDT, September 19, 2011

Fleetwood Mac's 1979 masterpiece "Tusk" features a famously unusual credit: "Special thanks from the band to Lindsey Buckingham." Buckingham, of course, had by then already been a member of the band for some time. Yet that credit emphasized that Buckingham brought something more than the mere practical merits of his singing, songwriting, production and guitar playing to the group. That ineffable something was in full effect Sunday night, when Buckingham played a modestly attended but very enthusiastic Vic in support of his album "Seeds We Sow," the latest salvo in a particularly fruitful period of his sporadic solo career.

If Buckingham's various talents mesh perfectly in the context of Fleetwood Mac, watching him on his own provided an illuminating vantage into his particular genius. For close to two hours, Buckingham -- first solo then later with a small band -- seamlessly integrated his graceful folk and manic Baroque sides, with the fusion of those two approaches resulting in songs such as "Turn It On" and "That's the Way Love Goes," rousing pop tunes delivered with an idiosyncratic sensibility. Buckingham's approach to both guitar and composition also allowed him to deconstruct "Go Insane" and "Big Love" into solo guitar showcases, emphasizing aspects of the melodies and rhythms not always obvious in the way they were originally recorded.

Of course, those original recordings were hits (one modest, one huge), and Buckingham, even solo, knew better than to turn his back completely on his massive success. Still, he tackled a handful of Fleetwood Mac songs on his own terms, never more striking than by juxtaposing the deceptively upbeat strum of "Second Hand News" against the paranoid stomp of "Tusk." With a voice and energy belying his age (now 61, with a healthy glow), Buckingham never betrayed any impatience with radio staple ringers such as "Go Your Own Way," instead injecting them with a intensity at odds with the countless times he's played them.

As for the lesser-known solo songs, products of what he termed the "small machine" (as opposed to Fleetwood Mac's "big machine"), Buckingham performed the likes of "Trouble" and "Treason" with a passion that showed he's willing to follow his muse wherever it leads him, to stadiums and clubs alike.

[jcalzaretta]

This show was simply amazing. I had great seats. LB sounded absolutely amazing. What an amazing guitarist that man is. Brilliant show.

[michelej1]

Ooooh, I'm sad the show was "modestly attended," but glad it was greatly enjoyed by all who were there.

Michele

[Steakman]

I too attended the Vic performance and simply loved it! I agree with the above observation that he seemed to have an additional "spark" or energy about him during the show. What a treat to see him live again. And I have to say, In Our Own Time sounded awesome. I thought his Conan performance was just ok, and I like the song on the album, but this was surprisingly one of my personal highlights of the show.

Wish I could take time and follow him around to a few more cities....

[michelej1]

[change the last song, Linds]

Illinois Entertainer, September 19, 2011
http://illinoisentertainer.com/2011/09/lindsey-buckingham-live-3/

Lindsey Buckingham’s a great, albeit underrated, guitarist and he knows it. Perhaps that’s why he opened the Chicago stop of his Seeds We Sow tour with a one-man acoustic set that amply showcased his nimble (though occasionally self-indulgent) frethand and well-persevered vocal pitch. Whether it was solo staples like “Go Insane” and “Trouble” or Fleetwood Mac’s “Never Going Back Again,” the 61-year-old was in superb form, ushering in a welcome sense of intimacy often lost on his full-time band’s arena tours.

In solo contexts, Fleetwood’s “Big Love” was rearranged as a fiery finger-picker undercut by impassioned wails, which have since replaced the hokey ’80s production and synthesizer overdose. The newer “Under The Skin” was a little less magnetic given its meandering, middling approach, though Buckingham’s vocals demonstrated additional warmth and closeness.

However, the mood soon shifted toward a big-rock-show vibe with “In Our Own Time” paving the way for Buckingham and his backing trio’s power, a trait that was fully realized come Fleetwood’s shiny “Second Hand News” and the progressive jam “Tusk.” The fresh “Stars Are Crazy” was an acoustic guitar-centered speed exercise that is among the strongest on Seeds We Sow, though considering it sounds like a bookend to “Big Love,” seemed out of place in the full-band segment.

However, Buckingham and band were a collective force to be reckoned with across the ’70s psychedelic barnburner “I’m So Afraid” (though he could’ve shaved off a minute of the overly showy solo) and the now legendary Rumours anchor “Go Your Own Way,” both of which brought to light his significant but sometimes overlooked contributions to the Mac. (He bowed dramatically after both, though it was unclear if he was basking pompously in his brilliance or humbly in the audience’s adoration).

In comparison to that initial double-decker finale, the encore was anti-climatic given solo choices like the easygoing, adult contemporary groove “Treason” and the experimental, but far from infectious “Seeds We Sow.” It probably wasn’t the most fitting way to end the career-spanning set, but it nonetheless reinforced Buckingham’s commitment to his craft over the temptation to rest in a commercial comfort zone.

– Andy Argyrakis

[elle]

[change the last song, Linds]

yes. something more energetic would work better... maybe turn it on, followed by seeds we sow, followed by hmmm - you do or you don't? wait for you? or at least rodeo, if it has to be acoustic...

or better yet, turn it on, followed by seeds we sow - acoustic, followed by seeds we sow - electric with that nice guitar solo at the end :) and then we can call him back out for another encore :D

[Nico]

I'd love for LB to do "You Do Or You Don't" or "Countdown" (though would that be a good last song?) or something upbeat for the last song as well.

[kak125]

does anybody know if lindsey has an opener at all? if not does he come on right at 8?

[elle]

does anybody know if lindsey has an opener at all? if not does he come on right at 8?

no opener. people said he started almost right at 8 most dates.

[elle]

I'd love for LB to do "You Do Or You Don't" or "Countdown" (though would that be a good last song?) or something upbeat for the last song as well.

i don't like countdown nearly as much... but you do or you don't - i've been listening to his 1992 tour version on youtube and it was sooo good:xoxo:! wish he'd do that one again...

[Nico]

i don't like countdown nearly as much... but you do or you don't - i've been listening to his 1992 tour version on youtube and it was sooo good:xoxo:! wish he'd do that one again...

Yes, "You Do Or You Don't" is just amazing live. I am with you elle. That would be an awesome one...*sgh* Well I will see him tomorrow and will have to deal with what I get with straight happiness.

[elle]

Yes, "You Do Or You Don't" is just amazing live. I am with you elle. That would be an awesome one...*sgh* Well I will see him tomorrow and will have to deal with what I get with straight happiness.

right, Pittsburgh already tomorrow - wow! let us know how it went when you can...

[Nico]

right, Pittsburgh already tomorrow - wow! let us know how it went when you can...

You know I will!!

[elle]

http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-in-chicago/lindsey-buckingham-at-the-vic

Chicago / Arts & Entertainment / Music
Lindsey Buckingham at the Vic

Add a comment
Alex Kluft, Chicago Classic Rock Examiner
September 19, 2011 - Like this? Subscribe to get instant updates.

Lindsey Buckingham played an incredible show at the Vic Theater last night for nearly 2 hours in support of his new album “The Seeds We Sow” which was released September 6th. Whether Lindseys playing solo acoustic, with Fleetwood Mac, or his own band he always brings his A game. Although the show was seated, Lindsey kept the audience on their feat through out the show. The rain and the Emmys didn’t keep the show from being sold out. Lindsey opened the set with “Shut Us Down” followed by Go Insane, Trouble which was his first solo hit from the album “Law and Order”, then played 2 Fleetwood Mac songs “Never Going Back Again” and “Big Love”, and played “Under the Skin” before being joined by his dynamic band consisting of Brett Tuggle (Fleetwood Mac, David Lee Roth)- Guitar, Bass, and Keys; Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Steve Winwood, Santana)-Drums and Percussion; The band kicked off their set with “In Our Own Time”, then “Illumination” two more Fleetwood Mac songs “Second Hand News” and “Tusk.” Lindsey ended with one of the biggest Fleetwood Mac songs “Go Your Own Way” before the encore which included “Turn It On”, “Treason” and the title track to his latest album “Seeds We Sow.” Linsey showed off his finger picking guitar skills on every song and played a variety of Godin guitars.. He is truly one of the best “underrated” guitarists. “The Seeds We Sow” is truly a solo album; it is only Lindsey on guitar and vocals. After hearing Lindsey play several songs off of it I could tell it is completely worth listening to the album as a whole. The US part of the tour ends on November 14th.



Continue reading on Examiner.com Lindsey Buckingham at the Vic - Chicago Classic Rock | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-in-chicago/lindsey-buckingham-at-the-vic#ixzz1YSpg5fx2

[slc4236]

First things first. The venue did not allow cameras at all. We were told that Lindsey had requested this, and we needed to return our cameras to our cars. A bit of a problem for those of us who took the L in. Once again thanks to Tiffany and Nancy for letting us put our cameras in your car. I'm curious to see if this will be a permanent Lindsey policy. Stevie and he on the same page about this is pretty surprising to me.

Anyway this left me free to completely enjoy the show, which I haven't done in quite a long time. Chicago blew Milwaukee out of the water. We all stood and cheered the whole time. Amazing crowd and Lindsey and the band really fed off the energy. I hadn't been in the Lindsey standing over you position during the I'm So Afraid guitar solo for a couple of years. I'd forgotten how mesmerizing he can be (and sweaty:laugh:). I'm too afraid to touch him or the guitar though!

I got one of the setlists! Yay!!! I'm sad this was the last show I'm able to see, but I'm so happy that it was such a better experience than last night.

And once again nice to see everyone: Susan, Dell, David, Tiffany, Nancy, and Gretchen!

Oh and I forgot, we got an extremely brief teaser of Rock Away Blind, but he said he wasn't tuned up for it, unfortunately. He also teased us earlier in the show by saying there might be some time at the end of the show for requests. I told him I had a list prepared. He laughed, I don't think he though I was serious! ;)

Both shows were really good but Chicago was by far the best. It was really nice too see you and everyone else again. Are new friend Dell is very nice.

[erwk05]

Both shows were really good but Chicago was by far the best. It was really nice too see you and everyone else again. Are new friend Dell is very nice.

for me personally minneapolis was still the best! i liked the low stage, maybe its due to it being my first lindsey solo show or maybe it was meeting him!
chicago the lack of cameras and seemingly disorganised staff let the show down but the crowd were absolutely awesome the atmosphere was 10/10

still to come pitts, glenside, boston and nyc!

thanks for getting me back to my hotel too susan :)

del

[TrueFaith77]

[change the last song, Linds]

Illinois Entertainer, September 19, 2011
http://illinoisentertainer.com/2011/09/lindsey-buckingham-live-3/

Lindsey Buckingham’s a great, albeit underrated, guitarist and he knows it. Perhaps that’s why he opened the Chicago stop of his Seeds We Sow tour with a one-man acoustic set that amply showcased his nimble (though occasionally self-indulgent) frethand and well-persevered vocal pitch. Whether it was solo staples like “Go Insane” and “Trouble” or Fleetwood Mac’s “Never Going Back Again,” the 61-year-old was in superb form, ushering in a welcome sense of intimacy often lost on his full-time band’s arena tours.

In solo contexts, Fleetwood’s “Big Love” was rearranged as a fiery finger-picker undercut by impassioned wails, which have since replaced the hokey ’80s production and synthesizer overdose. The newer “Under The Skin” was a little less magnetic given its meandering, middling approach, though Buckingham’s vocals demonstrated additional warmth and closeness.

However, the mood soon shifted toward a big-rock-show vibe with “In Our Own Time” paving the way for Buckingham and his backing trio’s power, a trait that was fully realized come Fleetwood’s shiny “Second Hand News” and the progressive jam “Tusk.” The fresh “Stars Are Crazy” was an acoustic guitar-centered speed exercise that is among the strongest on Seeds We Sow, though considering it sounds like a bookend to “Big Love,” seemed out of place in the full-band segment.

However, Buckingham and band were a collective force to be reckoned with across the ’70s psychedelic barnburner “I’m So Afraid” (though he could’ve shaved off a minute of the overly showy solo) and the now legendary Rumours anchor “Go Your Own Way,” both of which brought to light his significant but sometimes overlooked contributions to the Mac. (He bowed dramatically after both, though it was unclear if he was basking pompously in his brilliance or humbly in the audience’s adoration).

In comparison to that initial double-decker finale, the encore was anti-climatic given solo choices like the easygoing, adult contemporary groove “Treason” and the experimental, but far from infectious “Seeds We Sow.” It probably wasn’t the most fitting way to end the career-spanning set, but it nonetheless reinforced Buckingham’s commitment to his craft over the temptation to rest in a commercial comfort zone.

– Andy Argyrakis

Wow! I don't like reviews like this (adjectives and ups-and-downs) but this writer DOES peg Lindsey's self indulgence. :lol: ouch

[kak125]

no opener. people said he started almost right at 8 most dates.

great - thank you!!

[sodascouts]

It was a great show - I had a blast! Great to meet/see again some fellow fans as well!

The head of security told me that Lindsey only communicated with the venue at a relatively short time before the show that he didn't want photos taken, leaving them all scrambling (which is why they apparently didn't have any place to check cameras beforehand). It was all very odd. I guess we'll find out after the Pittsburgh show whether or not Lindsey has decided to instate a "no cameras allowed" policy. They certainly acted like Lindsey would have a meltdown if he saw anyone taking a photo, but that might have been venue BS designed to manipulate his fans into compliance.

So much for photos... now to the important stuff. Lindsey nailed each and every song with the exception of a weak moment vocally during "Never Going Back Again." He got a bit too whispery on it, which can suck the emotion out of the song. Otherwise, he was flawless to my ears.

I thought the setlist was overall well chosen and I appreciated that he included cuts from all of his album. I did miss "Holiday Road" and I don't think "Shut Us Down" really plays well live - certainly not as an opener - but that's just me. The ending of "Shut Us Down" is incredible, but it just takes too darn long to get there for the song to work live. Despite that, it is certainly an improvement over "Not Too Late" which Lindsey inexplicably opened with on a prior tour. That was an awful choice.

I had some reservations about some of the songs on Seeds We Sow because I don't like it when Lindsey manipulates his voice in the studio. I feel such digital contrivances drain vocals of passion and power, and they are so noticeably unnatural that they can distract the listener from concentrating on the song as a piece rather than its "enhancements." I know it distracts me, at least. I like his voice natural - and that's what I get live. Thus, songs that I didn't appreciate as much on the album gained a new appeal when I heard them live. I can now say that a song that used to annoy me, "That's the Way Love Goes," I now find enjoyable. The front rows almost felt like a mosh put during the whole "in the dungeon"/"saw your secret" bits. Very cool. I have gone from being ambivalent about "Illumination" to really liking it. "Stars Are Crazy" was much more powerful live as well. "End of Time", already one of my faves from the new album, was delivered very emotionally and had a great impact. Another fave of mine, "In Our Own Time," absolutely rocked.

I was also delighted that two pieces from my favorite album of his, the magnificent Out of the Cradle, were included. I loved hearing "Turn It On" as did everyone around me. However, I will admit that I would have much preferred "Soul Drifter" (my all-time favorite), "Countdown", "You Do or You Don't", or "Don't Look Down" instead of "All My Sorrows." It has beautiful harmonies but is not as strong as the other material on that masterpiece.

Finally, his penultimate song "Treason" was for some reason especially moving and I was surprised at the number of people singing along; "Seeds We Sow" was indeed a bit anticlimactic after that. I hope he does add "Rockaway Blind" because I find it very catchy. If he likes keeping the ending low-key, another song that could perhaps replace "Seeds We Sow" is one of my current favorites, "Gone Too Far." Maybe he could start varying encores again.

Due to the weather and the show's poor promotion, the audience seemed to have a higher percentile of hardcores there than is the norm. It definitely gave the show an extra amount of energy. Lindsey ate it up and put it back out there tenfold. I was lucky enough to be at the front, and experiencing my favorite "I'm So Afraid" from that close was so intense I thought I would freaking pass out. LOVED. IT.

Can't wait to see him one more time in Atlanta!

[wondergirl9847]

I am so confused about the camera issues this time around. :shrug: From someone who mugs and all when a lens is pointed toward him, you'd think he'd be cool with them, but perhaps the goofy faces showing up on the net is what is causing this...that or.....flashes going off.

Who knows. Can't wait to hear about the Pittsburgh show and cameras.

I'm still taking a camera in with me, even if I get escorted out again. Heh. NEVER leave it behind. You just never know how security will be.

[sodascouts]

Frankly, if this is indeed at Lindsey's behest, I think he might have been seeing a few too many unflattering photos popping up and wanted to put an end to it. I know I hate it when people tag me in unflattering photos on Facebook. Men can be vain, too - especially rock stars who have been accustomed to the majority of their photos looking hot!

He still looks freaking good to me, though, especially when he's into the music and just radiating passion. The years drop away. "Can you feel it?" YES.

[michelej1]

Regarding the camera edict, I think it comes from Lindsey's camp and I think he's always been adverse to cameras.

I remember how much harder it was to get pictures of him during the UTS tour than it had been to get pictures of Fleetwood Mac during the SYW tour.

It's common for venues to say no cameras, but they usually don't enforce it. For the UTS tour, it was enforced at Lindsey shows. Security would come up to you and tell you to put the camera away. This was done at venues where other acts would freely allow cameras, so I figured it was a Lindsey-thing.

Furthermore, I've seen Lindsey give looks to people who were using cameras in a way that was not mean, exactly, but it wasn't friendly or smiling. But it was like he took himself away from concentrating on the song to specifically look at the camera holder.

Now, I don't think he minds pictures, because he'll pose for them very readily. I think maybe he doesn't like videotaping. With me, I know I keep my camera out so long trying to get a good shot that maybe it looks like I am taping, when I'm not. I think he doesn't like it. I think he thinks it is distracting and taking away from the energy of his show if all the people in front are recording.

I know it was more lax for the GOS tour, but I remember being disappointed at how scared I was to use my camera for the UTS tour and I always thought, rather uncharitably, "Why does he think people want to take his picture? If cameras are good enough for FM, why aren't they ok with him?"

So, this time around, it's not a surprise to me. It seems just like a return to UTS form.

Michele

[Erin]

I was jokingly saying to everyone around me in line that the goofy picture I took of him in Milwaukee and posted was the last straw, maybe it was! D'oh!:laugh:

Seriously, I hope that's not the case, and you will all be allowed to happily snap away (without flash, of course)!

[michelej1]

I think he embraces the unflattering pics, since he often deliberately mugs for the camera.

Not to mention the fact that he chose to make an extremely unflattering shot the cover of GOS.

Thinking of wacky candids, I'm sorry we haven't seen photos of him at the U. S. open this year.

Michele

[MrStevie]

I think he embraces the unflattering pics, since he often deliberately mugs for the camera.

Not to mention the fact that he chose to make an extremely unflattering shot the cover of GOS.

Thinking of wacky candids, I'm sorry we haven't seen photos of him at the U. S. open this year.

Michele

Right. He doesn't give a damn what he looks like in photos. What he does care about is people paying attention. If he sees everybody holding gadgets in the air, snapping away, it comes off like nobody's listening carefully. That goads him big time. I know it would bother me.