Christine on the new tour... a back up singer?

[diamondsnake]

After the Ellen performance today, I am the most intrigued at how Christine will be incorporated into this new tour. They performed two songs and she didn't really sing in either of them. The fact that neither song included a single Christine solo (musically or vocally) is scary. This has to be purposeful. I did see her on the Buckingham McVie tour and she didn't have much vocal range, but she still had charisma. How will this work for the new tour? It will be quite odd if she isn't given at least 1/3rd of the songs in the set list. What is everyone's thoughts?

I'm sad. This should just be a Stevie solo tour, with guests. Coming from that perspective, this could be joyful. But calling this Fleetwood Mac is a disgrace.

[dontlookdown]

Chris's voice is shot.
I think they will do their best to "lift" her parts with other players, but I remember it sounding very shaky on the Buck/McVie tour.
She didn't keep up with the vocal training like Stevie did, and it shows.

[louielouie2000]

I wouldn’t read too much into the set list from the Ellen show. I suppose The Chain was inevitable, as was a Stevie-penned song. That unfortunately left Christine out... but this is unequivocally the Stevie Show now. The choice of both of these songs truly cements that. The Chain is the band’s anthem and only “group” song- this was the band’s way of legitimizing this new lineup. And there was no way the second song performed would be anything other than a Stevie tune. She’s not just the “star,” she’s now the boss. Hence why she was grinning like an imp the entire time, in spite of the rather sad renditions of each song.

[Sugar Mouse]

After the Ellen performance today, I am the most intrigued at how Christine will be incorporated into this new tour. They performed two songs and she didn't really sing in either of them. The fact that neither song included a single Christine solo (musically or vocally) is scary. This has to be purposeful. I did see her on the Buckingham McVie tour and she didn't have much vocal range, but she still had charisma. How will this work for the new tour? It will be quite odd if she isn't given at least 1/3rd of the songs in the set list. What is everyone's thoughts?

I'm sad. This should just be a Stevie solo tour, with guests. Coming from that perspective, this could be joyful. But calling this Fleetwood Mac is a disgrace.

I suspect Christine may decide to part ways with the band after this tour. Perhaps she'll join with Lindsey or perhaps she'll simply retire. I am surprised that the band didn't play a 3rd song (Little Lies?) that could have been web-only.

[BLY]

As much as I hate to come to terms with it but it’s over. Yes,Mick can still play the hell out of his drums but Stevie and Christine’s voices are done. Buckingham still has a lot of energy and creativity so his tour will be amazing. He may have pulled the Mac through for the 2018/2019 tour... but after the Ellen show I’m not sure. I think this is the END of the band. All good.

[SteveMacD]

It was two songs on a TV show and the first public performance of the band.

I think it’s way too soon to read into anything or reach any conclusions.

Rewatch that interview with the roadies. They weren’t instantly great with the Rumours band. There were growing pains. Stevie especially struggled early on that first tour.

[BLY]

It was two songs on a TV show and the first public performance of the band.

I think it’s way too soon to read into anything or reach any conclusions.

Rewatch that interview with the roadies. They weren’t instantly great with the Rumours band. There were growing pains. Stevie especially struggled early on that first tour.


True my friend but in their 20’s at the time not in their 70’s....just saying.😎

[SteveMacD]

True my friend but in their 20’s at the time not in their 70’s....just saying.��

Regardless of age, they still need to find their groove, which takes time and miles. If we had judged LBCM by their initial TV appearances, a lot of us would have missed out on some good shows.

[bombaysaffires]

I wouldn’t read too much into the set list from the Ellen show. I suppose The Chain was inevitable, as was a Stevie-penned song. That unfortunately left Christine out... but this is unequivocally the Stevie Show now. The choice of both of these songs truly cements that. The Chain is the band’s anthem and only “group” song- this was the band’s way of legitimizing this new lineup. And there was no way the second song performed would be anything other than a Stevie tune. She’s not just the “star,” she’s now the boss. Hence why she was grinning like an imp the entire time, in spite of the rather sad renditions of each song.

no, the version we have is truly a multi songwriter composition. Stevie wrote the chorus, but Lindsey wrote the verses, and from after the second verse on comes directly off of Christine's song, including the bass line John created and Lindsey's guitar solo. All the keyboards in that second half are from her song.

It's truly a collaboration between the 5, done when they were going through really tough times, and it's about the sticking together and getting through it. That's what makes it sad to hear with other players. I'm guessing they thought the message of sticking together through tough times and carrying on was somehow appropriate to their current situation, but when one of the key architects of the song isn't there it's a bit ironic.

[SteveMacD]

no, the version we have is truly a multi songwriter composition.

Reread the quote:

“I suppose The Chain was inevitable, as was a Stevie-penned song.”

In other words, The Chain AND a Stevie-penned song were inevitable.

[bombaysaffires]

Reread the quote:

“I suppose The Chain was inevitable, as was a Stevie-penned song.”

In other words, The Chain AND a Stevie-penned song were inevitable.

You're right. My mistake. I read it as "as it was a Stevie-penned song".

Apologies to the original poster.

[ryan4136]

She'll do what Stevie decides apparently. Like the rest.

[jbrownsjr]

She'll do what Stevie decides apparently. Like the rest.

You'll do as your told!!! :laugh:

Set List:

The Chain
Stand Back
Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Dreams/Outside The Rain
Has Anyone Ever Written with Mike on Piano
Gypsy
Seven Wonders
In Your Dreams
World Turning with Stevie on Christine's parts
If Anyone Falls
Landslide solo with pre-recorded track of ac guitar
Don't Stop (with Glee cast and Christine back stage)
Rhiannon
I Will Run To You

Encore
Silver Girl
No Questions Asked
Goodbye Baby

[lovethemac1]

You'll do as your told!!! :laugh:

Set List:

The Chain
Stand Back
Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Dreams/Outside The Rain
Has Anyone Ever Written with Mike on Piano
Gypsy
Seven Wonders
In Your Dreams
World Turning with Stevie on Christine's parts
If Anyone Falls
Landslide solo with pre-recorded track of ac guitar
Don't Stop (with Glee cast and Christine back stage)
Rhiannon
I Will Run To You

Encore
Silver Girl
No Questions Asked
Goodbye Baby


This made me laugh out loud, more than once!! Thank you!!

Mike on piano hahahahahahahahahaha.

[HomerMcvie]

Mike on piano hahahahahahahahahaha.

Hopefully doing that RIDICULOUS single finger plinking like he did yesterday!:laugh:

[jbrownsjr]

Hopefully doing that RIDICULOUS single finger plinking like he did yesterday!:laugh:

7 notes. I mean... what's going on ????

[HomerMcvie]

7 notes. I mean... what's going on ????

WTF were they thinking? Are they just trying to show how different he is from Lindsey, so let's let him look like a 2nd grader playing this(while TWO other keyboard players are on stage). No DOUBT this was idiot $tevie'$ idea!!!:lol:

[Nick]

Does anyone know if the blonde backup singer was Marilyn Martin?

[jbrownsjr]

WTF were they thinking? Are they just trying to show how different he is from Lindsey, so let's let him look like a 2nd grader playing this(while TWO other keyboard players are on stage). No DOUBT this was idiot $tevie'$ idea!!!:lol:

I guess MIke had nothing else to do because of how complex the song is to begin with.

I've never liked Gypsy live. Even in 1982/1983.

[Storms123]

Does anyone know if the blonde backup singer was Marilyn Martin?

Yes it is . No Lori Nicks this time around

[secondhandchain]

Christine is definitely facing the audience so you can't see you barely plays. This is such a farce.

[Feather Blade]

Christine is definitely facing the audience so you can't see you barely plays. This is such a farce.

I'm beginning to think Lindsey or no Lindsey, that is what she'd be doing in performances. :(

[jbrownsjr]

I'm beginning to think Lindsey or no Lindsey, that is what she'd be doing in performances. :(

Seemed like the case at the BuckVie shows.

[guillamene]

As far back as The Dance, she has been 'playing' less and less and, yes, the keyboard is positioned to hide this. Sad......I would actually prefer her to come out front and simply sing, rather than this charade. Even her 'singing' yesterday looked ….well.....suspect.
After watching yesterday's performance, I listened to the audio of 'Live in Boston' and it highlighted what this band has lost: chemistry and ,really, the ONLY guitar player for these songs that we all love so much.
2015 should have been the end.

[annabellee]

You'll do as your told!!! :laugh:

Set List:

The Chain
Stand Back
Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Dreams/Outside The Rain
Has Anyone Ever Written with Mike on Piano
Gypsy
Seven Wonders
In Your Dreams
World Turning with Stevie on Christine's parts
If Anyone Falls
Landslide solo with pre-recorded track of ac guitar
Don't Stop (with Glee cast and Christine back stage)
Rhiannon
I Will Run To You

Encore
Silver Girl
No Questions Asked
Goodbye Baby

At least it gives us a few songs we haven't heard live before! The cup is half full people!

[dreamsunwind]

The thing for me about Christine is that she's had tons of pitchy moments ever since she came back. Stevie and Lindsey's voices are also shot now but I've never really noticed either of them going off pitch. But with Christine, there's plenty. I saw a video of YMLF from the BuckVie tour and she hit one note that was a HUGE yikes.

[Nick]

Yes it is . No Lori Nicks this time around

Thank you.

[aleuzzi]

The thing for me about Christine is that she's had tons of pitchy moments ever since she came back. Stevie and Lindsey's voices are also shot now but I've never really noticed either of them going off pitch. But with Christine, there's plenty. I saw a video of YMLF from the BuckVie tour and she hit one note that was a HUGE yikes.

She's always been pitchy. Even in her prime, she'd have off nights or off moments.

At the end of the day, Christine is a fantastic studio singer and/or chamber singer. Her voice has never projected especially well live. I say this as one of the biggest Christine McVie fans ever. She had moments from 1974-79 where she sounded fantastic onstage, and then again from 1987-90. She sounded great on THE DANCE performances, but overall she's just not that kind of singer.

Still, I would welcome and prefer her pitchiness to her lipsynching.

And for what it's worth, some songs she still sings very well: "Too Far Gone" was routinely well executed on the LB/CM tour.

[sleepless child]

I think this is the beginning of the end.

Chris doesn't play You couldn't hear her sing at all. Or Stevie for that matter. It might have been a sound issue. We'll see when the tour starts.

I hate to say it, but without Lindsey, they just don't have it anymore. It's a shame this couldn't have been the great final tour it should have been.

I have always been the biggest Stevie fan, but I'm just mad at her now. I hate the black outfit and her stage movements, I can't stand. What is with all the hand gestures? I have been on the fence about going to see them in November, but this has showed me I'm better off saving my money.

[DownOnRodeo]

I have always been the biggest Stevie fan, but I'm just mad at her now. I hate the black outfit and her stage movements, I can't stand. What is with all the hand gestures?

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Some sort of attempt at a dark jedi mindtrick.

"The band you are watching do not suck."

[SteveMacD]

As far back as The Dance, she has been 'playing' less and less and, yes, the keyboard is positioned to hide this.

She’s been using a second full time keyboardist since 1984.

[aleuzzi]

She’s been using a second full time keyboardist since 1984.

Truth.

But her playing was still upfront and audible. She played a lot of parts all the way up to and through THE DANCE.

[Storms123]

Truth.

But her playing was still upfront and audible. She played a lot of parts all the way up to and through THE DANCE.

They had Brett with them right? My guess is Ricky is replacing Brett? But now apparently they need Mike too..doesn’t Neil play keys too?

[aleuzzi]

They had Brett with them right? My guess is Ricky is replacing Brett? But now apparently they need Mike too..doesn’t Neil play keys too?

Yes, Brett was with them then. But Christine still played a lot of her own parts. Her contribution was substantial.

[Feather Blade]

Did Christine ever stop smoking? It always mystifies me when people who make their living with their voices still smoke.

[David]

Hopefully doing that RIDICULOUS single finger plinking like he did yesterday!:laugh:
I was thankful for small favors—he hit the right notes.

[nicepace]

The single thing that makes me the saddest about this whole situation is the sixteen years when Christine was leading the quiet life in the England countryside instead of making music with the band. True, she put out an excellent solo record during that time, but didn't tour with it and hardly even did any promotion, and contributed almost nothing to the band. Think of what this band could have done if she had been active with them during those years. What a missed opportunity.

Now, we are debating about how much she is even playing or singing with the band on stage. We hear a few small notes on the piano and declare that she is indeed playing, but nothing like what she used to do. I watched her play and sing "Songbird" in 2015; that's only three years ago, but can she even do that much anymore? I heard her play and sing "Game of Pretend" last year, and I believed it was all live, but maybe not. Frankly, I want to hear her play and sing, and if her skills have escaped her so much that the band won't even put a microphone on her, then she needs to retire altogether from live performing. Maybe it's time for her to call her nephew and make another solo record, since she seems (based on BuckVie) to still excel in the studio.

[elle]

I watched her play and sing "Songbird" in 2015; that's only three years ago, but can she even do that much anymore? I heard her play and sing "Game of Pretend" last year, and I believed it was all live, but maybe not.

i don't know how much she played live on BuckVie, but she definitely sang. fast songs like You Make Loving Fun or Red Sun were rough / off pitch on verses. but ballads like Wish You Were Here and Game of Pretend were heavenly. she still has a voice, and on some songs it's definitely worth hearing. :):thumbsup:

but on other songs she is so off pitch that they don't let her sing on live tv - i'm guessing because it can be hit or miss. BuckVie mostly did only Lindsey songs on live tv. there was one of the Chris songs (was it Feel About You? can't remember) that was available on the youtube channel of the show they did, and hearing how off pitch she was made it very clear why they chose to air Lindsey-lead song instead.

[HomerMcvie]

I was thankful for small favors—he hit the right notes.

So WHY couldn't Christine play that?

[Macfan4life]

Did Christine ever stop smoking? It always mystifies me when people who make their living with their voices still smoke.
Christine and Stevie made a pact to stop smoking together right before the Dance tour. Stevie hired a voice coach and their pact worked.

[DownOnRodeo]

You know what would have made much more sense (while being equally ridiculous)?

If Stevie had plonked out those five notes on the keyboard, instead of Mike Campbell.

It's her song, and she's a bona fide plonker.
They could even put sticky dots on the keys she had to press.

Actually, how about a xylophone?

[Nathan]

Christine and Stevie made a pact to stop smoking together right before the Dance tour. Stevie hired a voice coach and their pact worked.

Whoa didn’t know that! Cool, thanks.

[AncientQueen]

Maybe Christine did not play during the Ellen Show because she was too nervous. She has a long history with stage fright and she always seemed especially nervous in TV settings, because she can't stay in the shadows. And - unlike some members of the band, she is down-to-earth and probably knows that FM has a lot to prove in the current situation - she certainly does not want to be the one who makes a crucial mistake. I highly doubt that the band is democratic and forgiving right now, espcecially towards the parea who toured solo with LB just last summer.

Of course I do not know how Christine feels in the band nowadays, I'm just speculating.

[David]

Actually, how about a xylophone?
How about triggering the part on a workstation module? It's kind of weird to see the grizzly old guitarist saunter over to the board and play a short part every so often. It's like watching Thomas Dolby, surrounded by instrumentation, playing with both hands and feet.

A - C - D - F
D - C - A - G
A - C - D - F
D - C - A - G - A

[DownOnRodeo]

Or replace Mike Campbell with Mike Oldfield.

#tubular_bells

[jbrownsjr]

Or replace Mike Campbell with Mike Oldfield.

#tubular_bells

Hahahaha!!!

[David]

Christine's suppleness and ability to articulate and navigate the keyboard are compromised by age (it could be chronic pain, too, like arthritis). A gal can't play deftly forever. But she was definitely playing still-fantastic piano in 1997: she played hard triplets in E major with blues grace notes on the "Don't Stop" outro and velvety Fender Rhodes funk on "You Make Loving Fun" with no loss of earlier dynamics or muscle memory. But the years of piano neglect (she admitted she stayed away from the piano after retiring in 1998) coupled with age seem to have eroded her keyboard ability, and it's sadly obvious now.

Songbird last year (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKXhOTpd1Ws)

[SteveMacD]

Christine's suppleness and ability to articulate and navigate the keyboard are compromised by age (it could be chronic pain, too, like arthritis). A gal can't play deftly forever. But she was definitely playing still-fantastic piano in 1997: she played hard triplets in E major with blues grace notes on the "Don't Stop" outro and velvety Fender Rhodes funk on "You Make Loving Fun" with no loss of earlier dynamics or muscle memory. But the years of piano neglect (she admitted she stayed away from the piano after retiring in 1998) coupled with age seem to have eroded her keyboard ability, and it's sadly obvious now.

Songbird last year (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKXhOTpd1Ws)

Explains why Lindsey played a guitar solo on it during the OWTS tour.

[jbrownsjr]

Her fingers look crooked when she's doing those weird hand gestures.

[sue]

But she must have played on “Songbird” The solo finale of the 2015
tour, mustn’t she?

[Storms123]

But she must have played on “Songbird” The solo finale of the 2015
tour, mustn’t she?

I am sure she did. It was, however, pulled from the set list quite a bit

[FuzzyPlum]

I don't think its a matter of nerves as somebody suggested. When she was promoting Buckingham McVie she played Songbird live on prime time BBC TV (The One show). It wasn't great but she did it. If she suffered from nerves there's no way she go on live national TV.
I strongly feel its just pain from arthritis. She can manage the odd performance but to be doing it on a regular basis must be painful so wherever possible she avoids playing.
As far as her singing- that's also a challenge. However, as far as the Ellen performance is concerned, in retrospect I suppose it makes sense to have played one Stevie song (the big name) and one that highlighted Mike and Neil (as the newbies) so I wouldn't necessarily read anything into that.

[nicepace]

Is there any evidence that Christine has arthritis in her hands, or is that just widespread speculation? Not every 70+ person gets arthritis.

[FuzzyPlum]

Is there any evidence that Christine has arthritis in her hands, or is that just widespread speculation? Not every 70+ person gets arthritis.


Pure speculation, but with a lot of strong hints.
Arthritis is much more prevalent in somebody who has used their fingers a lot throughout their life and then stopped.

[jbrownsjr]

Pure speculation, but with a lot of strong hints.
Arthritis is much more prevalent in somebody who has used their fingers a lot throughout their life and then stopped.

When I was in Vegas, I was wearing a necklace. Right up front. And she pointed at me. And I noticed her finger was not straight. So, this might be the case. :(

[Macfan4life]

When I was in Vegas, I was wearing a necklace. Right up front. And she pointed at me. And I noticed her finger was not straight. So, this might be the case. :(
There is a joke in that line somewhere :)

[jbrownsjr]

There is a joke in that line somewhere :)

Hahaha!!! I needed that.

[Nathan]

When I was in Vegas, I was wearing a necklace. Right up front. And she pointed at me. And I noticed her finger was not straight. So, this might be the case. :(

There is a joke in that line somewhere :)

Hahaha!!! I needed that.

Is this that sense of humor that The Ledge is known for?:shrug:

Hysterical.

[Hawkeye]

Honestly Christine’s role could just be introducing every song and sitting behind her keyboard drinking a glass of wine during every song and id still be greatful she was back in the band :laugh:

[Nathan]

Honestly Christine’s role could just be introducing every song and sitting behind her keyboard drinking a glass of wine during every song and id still be greatful she was back in the band :laugh:

That would be fine with me too actually! As long as we get as many 1, 2, 3, 4 count offs as possible.

[DownOnRodeo]

Christine is too down to earth and lacks that "crazy star" showpersonship you might want from an arena concert.

She would be a great MC if this was a lounge act or cruise ship revue.

Oh, wait...

[jbrownsjr]

Is this that sense of humor that The Ledge is known for?:shrug:

Hysterical.

See, there ya go. Glad you enjoyed. Smile, you might like it.

[jwd]

Christine's suppleness and ability to articulate and navigate the keyboard are compromised by age (it could be chronic pain, too, like arthritis). A gal can't play deftly forever. But she was definitely playing still-fantastic piano in 1997: she played hard triplets in E major with blues grace notes on the "Don't Stop" outro and velvety Fender Rhodes funk on "You Make Loving Fun" with no loss of earlier dynamics or muscle memory. But the years of piano neglect (she admitted she stayed away from the piano after retiring in 1998) coupled with age seem to have eroded her keyboard ability, and it's sadly obvious now.

Songbird last year (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKXhOTpd1Ws)

That's very interesting David. I'd think playing would be like riding a bike, or at least with a little practice it would come back fairly quickly.

[Storms123]

That's very interesting David. I'd think playing would be like riding a bike, or at least with a little practice it would come back fairly quickly.

OWTS should have been it for all of them. Stevie and Lindsey could pull Mick and John into their solo work, well Lindsey could. Christine and Lindsey could do another duets. The Grammy Museum could have pulled all 5 of them out for nostalgia shows here and there. But at least their legacy would be in tact. Total farce now

[SteveMacD]

That's very interesting David. I'd think playing would be like riding a bike

Imagine riding a bike with arthritis in your hips and knees.

[jwd]

Imagine riding a bike with arthritis in your hips and knees.

So you're saying the physical impairments keep you from re-learning a skill you once had?

[bombaysaffires]

So you're saying the physical impairments keep you from re-learning a skill you once had?

no you could still remember how, but the physical ailment could keep you from executing the actions necessary because your joints no longer can tolerate the movement or force required.

[Storms123]

Imagine riding a bike with arthritis in your hips and knees.

All the more reason OWTS should have been the swan song for this bunch!

[SteveMacD]

All the more reason OWTS should have been the swan song for this bunch!

It kind of was, at least for that configuration.

[Storms123]

It kind of was, at least for that configuration.

100% and from my perspective, for FM