Third backup singer added!?

[BigAl84]

I just watched a clip from yesterdays MSG show - they added a new backup singer. Didn't they start the tour with just Sharon and Lori!?

[blemelin]

My seat was stage left (Lindsey's side), so I had a pretty good view of the backup singers and I noticed her right away. Mick introduced her after Sharon and before Lori, as if she'd always been there. She's very pretty and smiled a lot. She was obviously having a lot of fun. Who wouldn't?

Her name is Stephanie "Stevvi" Alexander. Here's the link to her wiki page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevvi_Alexander

[Tango]

Can't tell from the pic who the new singer is- is it Mindy Stein?

[hopingtofly]

Who wouldn't is right. She seems very young..this must be a dream gig for her!

[DashingDan]

I'm so glad they added another singer. Having some young blood up on that stage is good for everyone.

[BigAl84]

I guess with the insane ticket prices and mostly sold out status, they figured they could afford another backup singer again without losing too big of a piece of the pie...hahahaha....

I love Lori and Sharon but the fact that there were only two of them made them sound very thin in the live mix over the past couple of years.

[BlueDenimLamp]

I guess with the insane ticket prices and mostly sold out status, they figured they could afford another backup singer again without losing too big of a piece of the pie...hahahaha....

I love Lori and Sharon but the fact that there were only two of them made them sound very thin in the live mix over the past couple of years.

Wonder if she will suffer the same fate as Jana Anderson?

[aprilsrain]

Can't tell from the pic who the new singer is- is it Mindy Stein?

What happened to her? I thought she was great on The Dance tour.

[michelej1]

This seems like the last thing they needed. We're trying to hear more of the three singers and they hire yet another person to, in their heads, fill out the sound.

Wow, SMH.

Michele

[Macfanforever]

Wow another Stevie "Stevve" in the band.Looking at her Wikipedia bio.She is a busy body doing everything.She worked with who's who in the industry.

I do remember her from somewhere since she's in with alot of people.

Jana and Mindy work with FM/Stevie before.Wonder why they added a third singer.

Jana went to sing country music and I dont know what Mindy is up to.

Others were Marilyn Martin,Carolyn Brooks and other I cant think of at the moment.

[michelej1]

New singer would have started at the beginning of the tour, but it took her an extra week to learn how to do that sway movement in time with Sharon and Lori.

Michele

[AbbiJoy78]

This "new" singer was there on Monday night -- hidden on the floor beside the stage.

A bunch of us has side stage seats for that night (109), and when we looked down, there she was at the mic. In fact, it almost looked like there were two different girls switching for parts of the show. Kinda weird.

There were times when I heard harmonies being sung -- now I forget which song, and when I looked at Sharon and Lori, they were not singing anything, and then I saw this girl, but saw the back of her head...maybe it was her? Or pre-recorded??

This new girl smiled the entire time. It made it ever-apparent how Sharon and Lori don't really smile much. The 3 of them probably get a good view of all the carrying on in front of Lindsey in the front row, hahaha. Maybe that's why she smiled so much - we amused her??:shrug::D

[AbbiJoy78]

@Michele: She did more than sway! I noticed that too! She would do extra things with her hands and her movements that the other two did not do, which broke that mechanical synchronization of those two! Was interesting to watch!

[michelej1]

She would do extra things with her hands and her movements that the other two did not do, which broke that mechanical synchronization of those two!

No one asked her to do that! The last thing we need is improvisation from the new girl.:laugh:

Michele

[SteveMacD]

Wow another Stevie "Stevve" in the band.Looking at her Wikipedia bio.She is a busy body doing everything.She worked with who's who in the industry.

I do remember her from somewhere since she's in with alot of people.

Jana and Mindy work with FM/Stevie before.Wonder why they added a third singer.

Jana went to sing country music and I dont know what Mindy is up to.

Others were Marilyn Martin,Carolyn Brooks and other I cant think of at the moment.
There were also Elisecia Wright and Lynn Mabry.

[Macfanforever]

There were also Elisecia Wright and Lynn Mabry.

Thanks .Those are the girls I'm thinking about.

[Sanne2]

She posted some pics from the tour on instagram. I wonder why her first show was New York and not actually the first date of the tour?

http://i.imgur.com/flTPDGu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aq0yxVe.jpg

[Tango]

What happened to her? I thought she was great on The Dance tour.

As I remember, Mindy left for maternity and I think that's when Jana came in (that was a long time ago). Thank you for the info blemelin and the pic/update Sanne.

[FM77]

She posted some pics from the tour on instagram. I wonder why her first show was New York and not actually the first date of the tour?

http://i.imgur.com/flTPDGu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aq0yxVe.jpg

She was in Chicago. I met her.

[wheart]

This seems like the last thing they needed. We're trying to hear more of the three singers and they hire yet another person to, in their heads, fill out the sound.

Wow, SMH.

Michele

I agree!!!

[Steviegirl]

This seems like the last thing they needed. We're trying to hear more of the three singers and they hire yet another person to, in their heads, fill out the sound.

Wow, SMH.

Michele

Amen to this. Good grief.

[blemelin]

I think Stevvi is cute as can be and I liked her movements. Anybody and anything that gets the main players to the point where they are as comfortable and at ease as they were on stage last night, playing and singing the way they did (which was friggin' amazing), gets a gold star in my book. The Fleetwood Mac Army put on an awesome show. I've never seen the principal members have so much fun. Even Lindsey showed some joy, and that's not easy to come by.

[nicepace]

This seems like the last thing they needed. We're trying to hear more of the three singers and they hire yet another person to, in their heads, fill out the sound.

I completely agree. There are way too many sounds coming from the stage that aren't being created live by the main five.

[Macfanforever]

Thats a good question .Why they added a 3rd backup singer.I have nothing against Stevve.

Now that Chris is back .She can do some oohs and ahhhs backup for Stevie when she sings and Stevie can do the same for Chris .This would save them to get another voice.

Thinking now Stevie has to step off stage to change her wardrobe.Chris got to stay out to play the keys .

I dont remember seeing any other backing musicians for Chris and the guys.
Does anybody know anything about that.

[Macfan4life]

2 backup singers was a lot to swallow but now 3. I'm sorry but I don't agree. I want to hear the Mac harmonize without annoying backups. Just imagine if the best live album ever (Fleetwood Mac live) had background singers? It would be nails down a chalkboard. The amazing harmonies on Over and Over, Sara, Say you love me, over my head and dreams would be overtaken by background singers.
Put me in the "no back up singers" camp. I want to hear the 3 harmonies without any distractions.

[pwyll]

Amen to this. Good grief.

As I stood there and listened last night inside MSG, I heard way too many voices. I couldn't agree more with this. I loved the show, but if I had my way, I would have rather heard the "three". Little Lies in particular sounded like it was being sung by a chorus group. Too much going on vocally.

Just my opinion.

[nicepace]

I dont remember seeing any other backing musicians for Chris and the guys.
Does anybody know anything about that.

I haven't been to any shows (yet), but my understanding of it is that in addition to the three backing vocalists, they have an extra keyboard player, an extra drummer, and at least one extra guitarist, as well as various pre-recorded backing tracks that they use on some songs. Someone correct me if this is wrong.

[HomerMcvie]

I haven't been to any shows (yet), but my understanding of it is that in addition to the three backing vocalists, they have an extra keyboard player, an extra drummer, and at least one extra guitarist, as well as various pre-recorded backing tracks that they use on some songs. Someone correct me if this is wrong.

Nope, you nailed it.

I've said it before, but again, in their defense, almost every new act does it now(and I HATE it, I'd rather just hear the 5, warts and all - that's what makes it special, to me).

I guess people now just want to hear the hits sound exactly like the record...:mad:

There's also music in ~the spaces~...people forget that.

[bethelblues]

There's also music in ~the spaces~...people forget that.

That's an excellent point. Music is both the sounds you hear and the rests between. Sometimes, it's the rests and the emptiness that makes music more powerful.

[nicepace]

I've said it before, but again, in their defense, almost every new act does it now(and I HATE it, I'd rather just hear the 5, warts and all - that's what makes it special, to me).

I guess people now just want to hear the hits sound exactly like the record...:mad:

There's also music in ~the spaces~...people forget that.

And for this, fans pay three hundred dollars and more? I love this band, and I especially love Christine, but I can't see paying that kind of money for "The Fleetwood Mac Experience."

When you say "every new act does it," you are referring, of course, to major, famous, stadium acts. But there is a whole world of music (rock, folk, alt-americana, etc.) in which the performers actually perform, live, warts and all. These are not the famous bands that everyone on this board has heard of. These are the "under the radar" acts that perform at places like the Iron Horse in Northampton, Mass., or the Towne Crier in Beacon, NY, or the Bull Run in Shirley, Mass. I think I will stick with that kind of music.

[kak125]

I would prefer for them to not have any backup singers or any extra musicians. I dont need there to be a full sound I just want to hear them and that's it. I hate that there are all those extra people on stage. Its not the 70's anymore so I dont expect them to sound the same. They dont need to do all of that.

[HomerMcvie]

And for this, fans pay three hundred dollars and more? I love this band, and I especially love Christine, but I can't see paying that kind of money for "The Fleetwood Mac Experience."

When you say "every new act does it," you are referring, of course, to major, famous, stadium acts. But there is a whole world of music (rock, folk, alt-americana, etc.) in which the performers actually perform, live, warts and all. These are not the famous bands that everyone on this board has heard of. These are the "under the radar" acts that perform at places like the Iron Horse in Northampton, Mass., or the Towne Crier in Beacon, NY, or the Bull Run in Shirley, Mass. I think I will stick with that kind of music.

I know. And I paid $350 to see them on Oct 21st. This is a ONE TIME thing for me, believe me! They've been the soundtrack to my entire life, and they're getting old,....so if this is the last time, I NEED to be there for it(BECAUSE Chris is back - if she weren't I'd do the cheapest nosebleeds I could get!:lol: ).

That said, they just announced Nashville and Louisville today, both drivable for me. I told my FM geeks that I'll do nosebleeds for those shows, but I'm sure as hell not paying $350 again!

I know there are tons of acts that don't need an orchestra, and play to "tracks". I don't know why FM feels they have to. I think THEY think it has to be as perfect as is possible, or they can't sell out the big venues.

[WatchChain]

I am entirely sure that this "third backup singer" was Stevie's decision. She probably wants to sound more full. Also, I would NOT COUNT OUT "Stand Back" being added to this set list before the tour's end.

[sodascouts]

She posted some pics from the tour on instagram. I wonder why her first show was New York and not actually the first date of the tour?



She sang in Chicago, but she was hidden offstage. If I hadn't been sitting at the extreme side of the stage, I wouldn't have seen her. She was in really high heels and looked dressed to be seen, so it was weird that she and her microphone were next to guitar boxes and sound equipment in the dark. I bet she was in Minneapolis too, unseen. I'm glad she's up top now because honestly, it seemed a bit unfair to have her sing all the same parts as Lori and Sharon but not receive any acknowledgement.

[WatchChain]

She sang in Chicago, but she was hidden offstage. If I hadn't been sitting at the extreme side of the stage, I wouldn't have seen her. She was in really high heels and looked dressed to be seen, so it was weird that she and her microphone were next to guitar boxes and sound equipment in the dark. I bet she was in Minneapolis too, unseen. I'm glad she's up top now because honestly, it seemed a bit unfair to have her sing all the same parts as Lori and Sharon but not receive any acknowledgement.

Perhaps she joined this whole entourage rather late in the game, missing out on the bulk of rehearsals in LA. Maybe she had to learn her parts quick and preferred to be offstage for the first few nights until she was "ready for prime time". Nonetheless, it's seems like she's in full swing now. However, did we really need a third backup singer?

[Macfanforever]

I haven't been to any shows (yet), but my understanding of it is that in addition to the three backing vocalists, they have an extra keyboard player, an extra drummer, and at least one extra guitarist, as well as various pre-recorded backing tracks that they use on some songs. Someone correct me if this is wrong.

Nope, you nailed it.

I've said it before, but again, in their defense, almost every new act does it now(and I HATE it, I'd rather just hear the 5, warts and all - that's what makes it special, to me).

I guess people now just want to hear the hits sound exactly like the record...:mad:

There's also music in ~the spaces~...people forget that.

That's an excellent point. Music is both the sounds you hear and the rests between. Sometimes, it's the rests and the emptiness that makes music more powerful.

And for this, fans pay three hundred dollars and more? I love this band, and I especially love Christine, but I can't see paying that kind of money for "The Fleetwood Mac Experience."

When you say "every new act does it," you are referring, of course, to major, famous, stadium acts. But there is a whole world of music (rock, folk, alt-americana, etc.) in which the performers actually perform, live, warts and all. These are not the famous bands that everyone on this board has heard of. These are the "under the radar" acts that perform at places like the Iron Horse in Northampton, Mass., or the Towne Crier in Beacon, NY, or the Bull Run in Shirley, Mass. I think I will stick with that kind of music.


I love to hear FM acapella or unplugged.

I also agree most bands have backing musicians.

Classic country music which I love is will known for overpowered backup singers with loud oohhs and ahhhs and harmonizing with the band lead singer or artist .It does not work good with pop rock music.

What does annoy me is overpowered electric guitar playing in any kind of music.

[nicepace]

I am curious: do they have a spare bass player? We know they have at least one spare guitarist.

[Turn It On]

I am curious: do they have a spare bass player? We know they have at least one spare guitarist.

No, just a guitarist, drummer, keyboardist and the three backing singers. They might have some pre-recorded bass tracks, of course.

[bethelblues]

No wonder why they never change there set list. It is such a production. There are probably so many pieces that go into each song it'd be very difficult to prepare another and have it ready to go: pre-recorded parts, background singers, background instrumentation, arrangements, the sound design+engineering, and then all the visual production (but that's not very elaborate with FM).

[jwd]

No wonder why they never change there set list. It is such a production. There are probably so many pieces that go into each song it'd be very difficult to prepare another and have it ready to go: pre-recorded parts, background singers, background instrumentation, arrangements, the sound design+engineering, and then all the visual production (but that's not very elaborate with FM).

I was thinking about that while I was watching them perform Gypsy with the background playing behind them. It's so about the song, that if they dropped Gypsy and put in Sara, it would most certainly have to be changed as well.

[HomerMcvie]

I am curious: do they have a spare bass player? We know they have at least one spare guitarist.

John is the only one who doesn't NEED help on his parts!:thumbsup:

[nicepace]

John is the only one who doesn't NEED help on his parts!

Thus, he becomes a little ray of authenticity in an otherwise absurdly overproduced Concert Event.

[SpyNote]

Does anyone else hear Ja'nae or Da'nae when he's introducing her? It doesn't sound like Stephanie or Stevvi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNbCFVponsk

[PoetofRhiannon]

@Michele: She did more than sway! I noticed that too! She would do extra things with her hands and her movements that the other two did not do, which broke that mechanical synchronization of those two! Was interesting to watch!

Haha. This was the only thing that I did NOT enjoy in Boston.

She should have been coordinated with Sharon and Lori. Bothered me a lot. :mad::mad:

[Macfanforever]

Does anyone else hear Ja'nae or Da'nae when he's introducing her? It doesn't sound like Stephanie or Stevvi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNbCFVponsk

I heard Mick say that too.Maybe that the way her name is said or a nick name.

[Josh2003]

Does anyone else hear Ja'nae or Da'nae when he's introducing her? It doesn't sound like Stephanie or Stevvi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNbCFVponsk

It sounded in Columbus like it's pronounced "Stev-AY."

[WatchChain]

No wonder why they never change there set list. It is such a production. There are probably so many pieces that go into each song it'd be very difficult to prepare another and have it ready to go: pre-recorded parts, background singers, background instrumentation, arrangements, the sound design+engineering, and then all the visual production (but that's not very elaborate with FM).

You hit the nail on the head (or "hit it on the nail")! Due to age, Fleetwood Mac no longer travels as a 5 piece unit with an extra acoustic guitarist. This is now such a full scale production, that songs cannot be dropped and changed on a whim. I think there are pre-recorded parts that lend to a more full sound. Love it or not, this set list is set in stone. HOWEVER, I still think "STAND BACK" will rear its head by the January tour dates.

[HomerMcvie]

HOWEVER, I still think "STAND BACK" will rear its head by the January tour dates.

Thank god our tix are for tomorrow!!!:lol: