Red Rocks Review (Denver Post) & Pics
 

It's not positive... :(

In Nicks of time, Isaak pulls double bill into 2007

By Ricardo Baca
Denver Post Pop Music Critic
The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6009592


Create Your Own

Stevie Nicks - the rock star of few facial expressions - is nowhere near her prime.

The singer-songwriter who gained fame via Fleetwood Mac and furthered her career through a successful solo outing can't help being a little bit of an anachronism.

She's a legend from another decade, and while some of her music stands the test of time, most of it falls into the category of so-1980s. It doesn't help that her witchy wardrobe, including the free-flowing, black get-up she wore Monday night at Red Rocks, looks like something out of an episode of "Electric Company" or "Charmed."

While Nicks has refused to conform to many modern trends, don't ever let her rabid fans hear you call her anything but a goddess. Her fan base is one of those notorious groups - not all that unlike Jimmy Buffet's "Parrotheads" - known for their unconditional love. And as they applauded and worshiped their way through Nicks' co-headlining set Monday night, they failed to recognize the singer's main fault, which is her inability to move into the contemporary realm.

Nicks was one of the great American songwriters, but then she failed to evolve. Songs like "Landslide" and "Stand Back" remain powerful tracks. But as she sang "Stand Back" at the beginning of her set Monday night, the song's aged sentiment was obvious. About an hour into her set, "Landslide" encouraged an impressive singalong, but it was the only song of the night that resonated with any honesty in 2007.

And even then, it was obvious she was just going through the motions.

More entertaining was the always-effervescent Chris Isaak, who co-headlined the evening. His songs "Wicked Game" and "Somebody's Cryin"' were thoughtful meditations on love in the 21st century.

He later covered Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" and Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel," but they weren't nearly as exciting as his own "Bad Bad Thing" and the humor that littered his set. Isaak, sporting a hot-pink suit and later a mirror suit on Monday, stole the show with his very modern charm and affability.

Nicks, with a ribbony mic stand that looked as if it had been through a long Mardi Gras weekend, was left telling stories about the early '80s. The most modern element of her time on stage was the set-opening intro of a Destiny's Child song that heavily sampled "Edge of Seventeen." That actual song ended up unimpressively closing her set.

Contact pop music critic Ricardo Baca at 303-954-1394 or [email protected].

This guy obviously knows nothing about Stevie...what a clueless douchebag!

What doesn't he know?

I thought he captured many of Stevie's flaws, as hard as they are to swallow. Not everyone is going to enjoy a nostalgia show. I would expect similar reviews to pop up from time to time.

You make a good point. Granted, not all of the reviews are going to be positive as not everyone understands Stevie, or likes her show/setlist and they are quick to point out her flaws, but this guy was just plain condescending.

Ouch.

I've been saying that for years.:shrug:

Ditto.

The tone is harsh, but some of this is undeniable.

Actaully, I think Edge is always stong. Even in her most somnambulant shows, she is present during that song.

Yes, he was. I thought he took too many potshots. But, as much as I hate to admit it, I thought he was right in many ways. Stevie was one of the great American songwriters (and will always be known for that), but hasn't really evolved as a songwriter and her setlist is stuck in the 80's. I wish he had mentioned that her vocals are in fine form, though.

No critic is going to take away the fact that thousands are loving her performance. But from a critical perspective, he is rather spot on.

I agree. I have never seen or heard an unimpressive Edge.

Her face and songwriting are valid subjects to write about, but it seems odd that he says nothing of her voice.

- Jake

I don't know that I would call him condescending. He was certainly dispassionate and unimpressed.

The review was a little stilted. I think that even the most jaded could still be taken at least a bit by BATB and R & R. And her voice is in pretty good shape so far. But, if one is already of such a mind as he is about her and her schtick, then that isn't gonna happen.

Mr. Baca failed to take into consideration the fact that many of us gravitated toward Stevie because we like that she's somewhat old fashioned.

There's absolutely no shortage of songwriters writing about "love in the 21st century" -- what's wrong with Stevie having a different perspective? Even if it is one that's "behind the times"?

At any rate, what's most important is that the people who paid to see her, enjoyed themselves.

**** you! I have always wanted to use this word, in any form, in a sentence and you just did. bastard. :D
you are the modern one
I am the old-fashioned

yes, ouch!

i agree with what Sparky said, except for the evolving part. I get disappointed at her shows because she doesn't interract with the audience, and compared to all the bootlegs from 10+ years ago, she seems uninterested in the songs for the main part. No passion, the same song sung the same way seems to be the thing. Though she does try for the tv shows more than for the fans it seems.

Dont all hurt me now

ITA, that's what makes Stevie, Stevie! She's a non-conformist, and she refuses to be a follower. She goes her own way and isn't ashamed of it. She may always be in a timewarp (or her own "TimeSpace"), but that's just who she is. I do think she needs to shake-up that damn setlist, but besides that, i'm not complaining.

There are a few people who paid to see her at Red Rocks that were also a bit disappointed. :shrug: I have read one a few minutes ago on 7W. Set list is blah and she was going through the motions. Vocally she sounded
good.

One thing Stevie is not is a risk taker. She follows along with what she thinks the majority of the ticket buyers want to hear.

Certainly won't argue that.

But I won't argue this either. That is a huge part of the draw for me. That combined with her naivity and her carefreeness and sometimes somewhat childlike views is what's most appealing to me. It definitely beats a lot of other artists that get forced down our throats these days who can't seem to even think for themselves, let alone write and create their own songs.

I think the reviewer is putting apples and oranges together. Yes, certainly as an outsider her performance can come across as uninspiring, but don't blame it on the songs, the clothes or anything else that is essentially Stevie. She is what she is.

Well on the plus side (for me) I don't feel so bad for not being able to get to this show :p

Not meaning to negate anyone's opinion, but -- as I've pointed out before -- Stevie's been accused of "going through the motions" all the way back to the 'Rumours' Tour, when songs like "Dreams" and "Landslide" weren't even all that old.

Who knows why that is, but I'm sure fan expectations (even reasonable ones) and perceptions play a part in it. And I'm sure there are times when Stevie is on auto-pilot.

Hopefully though, her performances satisfy at least the majority of the people at the shows.

What does "going theough the motions" even mean???

Well I sure in hell wouldn't want Stevie to come out in a leather tube top plastic pants, and thigh long stiletto boots with her cordless mic and headphones to do Stand Back! I don't know about you, but if Stevie pulled a wanna be Britany Spears or Jessica Simpson 2007 modern stunt on stage I'd be heading for the hills! This man needs to realize that we as fans as well Stevie herself don't want her to be anything but herself which yes is a little old fashioned.
Jenni

Thanks for that, I agree. eww, "modern" Britney,hohan, *shudder* Stevie is NOT supposed to be that. and if she tried, then THAT would be a joke. its like when people complained that cher dressed funky for the oscars afew years back saying "thAT same old shtick was getting old" but thats just her, she is who she is. but then again, when tina turner was stevies age and on that diva thing, she was playin up her legs and singin proud mary!, but were people like, gosh, i just whish she would be more modern, im soo tired of "whats love got to do with it. sooo 80's....NO! thats what people want to see. this guy was just getting in little jabs. I WATCHED CHARMED ALL 8 YEARS AND SHANNEN DOHERTY,HOLLY COMBS, ALYSA MILANO, OR ROSE MAGOWIN DID NOT DRESS LIKE STEVIE. HES JUST GETTING A WHICH" JAB IN I love that stevie does not change. thats her whole thing ...platform boots when they werent "in style" Yes, id like her to switch it up abit, but i wouldn't want her to be tacky, wich the writer of this article seems to think is synonomus with "modern". chris eye sacks dirty jokes and sequined suits are fun and campy, but i dont want fun and campy, i want the singersongwritergypsyrock chick.:nod:

Interesting review and feedback...
I have seen Stevie perform at Red Rocks several times... Stevie LOVES Red Rocks!!! The critics/fans know this... she has made no secret. One would expect Stevie to put forth a little more effort...

This tour is a little tiresome... setlist, and energy... This review sums up what I have envisioned for this tour... I think Stevie has lost some of that energy and emotion this time around.

I also know that she will bounce back in a couple of years... Maybe a new FM record, or a solo record...

The pictures look great, but I think the reviewer is on something........:distress:

Gawd! I'd love to make it to Red Rocks to see Stevie. I hear the acoustics are fantastic. Although, i'd want to see stevie kick her feet up like in her redrocks ld/dvd. hahaha.

Red Rocks WOULD be a pheonomenal place to watch a show, if I could ever make it out that way....... That answer would be a no.

I think this reviewer perfectly summed up the show at Red Rocks this Monday. Stevie did sound great - her vocals were on and she seemed to belt out every song.

But the show left me feeling let down, in a way that is not entirely easy to explain. I think the assessment that she was 'going through the motions' is right on - every move seemed programmed and robotic....and I have to agree that she is stuck in the past. But that's not new.

This is the fifth time I've seen her, and the second time I've seen her at Red Rocks, but this show was not up to par. She blew me away in 2005 with an incredible show - but not this time.

how long was her set? was it 90 minutes like every where else?

Unfortunately and sadly, I can't argue with the observations of this reviewer.

My thoughts exactly... I was at the 2005 and it was incredible. I have also seen her there a few other times...

Yeah, that sounds about right.

It's a stage production of music/performance not IMPROV or The Second City.