Unleashed review says Stevie is bloated and sedated
 

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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.

: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!

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

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

WTF is going on? :confused:

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

I M O
 

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:

regardless...the guy that wrote this review is a douche.

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....

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.

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)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

It sounds like the Klonopin era all over again!

john petric's on dope.

pattie was at columbus...
GDW

Exhibit A

To be fair, this is from 2007 ;)

2008 Petric goes to war

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.

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

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!

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... :)

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:

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.

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

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

....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 :)

Next Stop Betty Ford?
 

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?

John Petric is a dumb ass. Enough said.