The Ledge - Last Night In London, 9/27

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Last Night In London, 9/27

It's 11 p.m. in London. Reports? Christine DID come back for tonight, yes?

Yes! Back again for Don't Stop. Twitter and text reports slowly trickling in...

Yesterday's Gone.

Tonight's show wasn't as good as Wednesday's, but it was still breathtaking.

It crushed me that Christine did not return for the final bow, but I guess I realize that no matter what the circumstances and what the year 1997 or 2013, I'll never be prepared to see her for the last time and the discovery that I probably have will always be a surprising and unwelcome one.

Stevie dedicated Landslide to Christine who was a mentor, best friend and big sister to her. Christine played so many roles in her life and inspired and taught her. She doesn't think Christine knows how much she's done for her and wants the song to go out to her on this third night in London.

Oh, World Turning was interminable. The seconds tick tocked away with inexorable slowness. Finally they brought out that keyboard and they feigned wonderment again, but not as pronounced as before. Mick and said he beheld black and white keys in a familiar place, but without further ado he introduced a precious lady who had meant so much to the band's history. England's own, their songbird, Christine McVie.

She came out smiling. To the front briefly, holding hands with Stevie, but hugs soon equally and liberally bestowed. She took her place. I have to say I really didn't pay much attention to how Don't Stop sounded. I looked at Christine. I looked at Lindsey on his side, singing into her face, smiling. Stevie's tambo, shaking merrily.

When it was over, John collected Christine, more hugs, a group bow. Then it was over.

After Say Goodbye, when John came out, I thought Christine would be with him like before, but it was not to be. They didn't mention her again, but they gave us memories fans won't ever forget.

I'll be posting pictures and a review of the rest of the show in the next hour.

Michele

Nice shots!

I have to fly home before I can post mine. Great show tonight!!

Awesome pics, Michele. Thanks for sharing.

I remain jealous of Stevie's hair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildHearted (Post 1105232)

Awesome pics, Michele. Thanks for sharing.

I remain jealous of Stevie's hair.

Yes, I watched her running her fingers through it before GDW started. She likes it to fall across her face at the end of that song and it creates a really nice effect, the careless curls cascading.

Love your pictures from the center vantage point, HejiraNYC.

Michele

Some really great shots of Christine, Michele and Ed (also nice talking to you before the show, Ed). I ended up on Lindsey's side, so I had a hard time getting good shots of the Stevie and Chris, but here you go:

https://plus.google.com/photos/11640...51929366270065

Erin,

You got some really clear, crisp pictures of Christine's face when she was standing in the bow line. Thanks for sharing.

Michele

Thanks for all the great reports and photos! Wish Christine joined for the final bow and that this isn't the last we see of her.

Love those closeups you have of Stevie, Michele. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1 (Post 1105246)

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps14a6ff99.jpg

:eek::eek::shocked::shocked: AWESOME shot Michelle!

And as others have said, you did a GREAT job with Christine photos!

Quote:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...psd82f3928.jpg

Hey, hey, move along b*tch...That's MY man...

Well, I don't know if the Macsters had been fighting about the same things we Ledgies have been fighting over the last 2 days, but things seemed to start off a little chilly onstage.

I wouldn't say Stevie and Lindsey avoided eye contact. But when one looked in the other's direction, the other was looking away. So, I didn't see them lock gazes until Sad Angel, when they turned to sing to one another.

I think there was a sound problem. I didn't notice it, but when it was time for John's Chain solo, he made a slashing sound across his instrument as if to say there was zero sound. There was a pause and then he started playing the solo and it sounded ok to me, but after the song was over he started pacing and I saw him mouth the word "F***."

Stevie's intro to Dreams was rather sedate and simple. She said the tour had been a great experience and got to the party starting in short order.

Around this time, the speaker next to me started blasting music. I hadn't missed it when it wasn't there, but when it began it was pounding. I don't know if this means the sound problems on stage were over, but I didn't see John gesture to the techs any more.

During Lindsey's Sad Angel speech John and Stevie usually talk or smile, but tonight they faced each other, but both studiously stared only into the space in front of them, Stevie sipping her tea. No interaction, but by the time we swung into GDW later in the night they were bowing to each other and tipping their hats and smiling again. During World Turning I saw their eyes gleaming at each other and I imagined it was because they were anticipating Christine's momentary appearance.

Wow, Rhiannon! Stevie really changed some of the words around on this song, catching me by surprise as I tried to keep up singing along. She was throwing in extra or repeat phrases and ended with still cries, still cries out for her, don't leave me.

At the end of Sisters of the Moon, I see Stevie's lips turn in a smile and I know she's about to say the year. Oh yes. This is a battle of wills between her and us. She says that the experts tell her that they haven't done that song since 1980.

During Sara, when Stevie sings "undoing the laces" she's smiling and almost seems to be listening to the audience sing like she does during Landslide. She seems to get pleasure out of hearing the arena say "aaaaah" in between the "Saras". When she crosses to Lindsey's mic, he lets his nose briefly touch the velvet of her shoulder.

She turns and embraces him and her face is first sad, but then there's a smile, maybe a mournful one. They rock together. She taps his leather jacket rhythmically with one finger, before pulling back and floating away.

For the Big Love intro Lindsey says he's certainly told this story before. Oh really?? Is he keeping track of every story that he repeats now? That's a Herculean task.

For Landslide Stevie says she wants to dedicate the song to Christine, on their third night in London. Christine has played so many different roles to her, mentor, best friend, big sister. She inspired Stevie and helped mold her. She doesn't think Chris knows how much Christine helped her to be what she is here today. She says that Christine is out there somewhere tonight [Well, she better be backstage preparing to come on soon, rather than just "out there somewhere"].

For the Without You story Stevie says she wrote this poem and didn't put it to music. She probably put it in her pocket and then on the bedroom nightstand. When she and Lindsey came to Los Angeles, they had 12 songs and this poem. They made it into a demo and their demos were really, really great she says. She insists that she's not being conceited, they just really were that good. She says how she told the story about Mick telling her that she and Lindsey sang in counterpoint to the music and created this pyramid and that's one of the things -- or maybe Mick even said THE thing that drew him to them.

She concedes that Mick always did have a good ear and good judgment. So, she told this story about what Mick said attracted to him and then three weeks in Lindsey said, that's not what attracted Mick. Mick was attracted to me. Mick was attracted to Lindsey and not some cleaning woman. The audience boos at Lindsey. Stevie clarifies that Lindsey didn't say the part about her being a cleaning woman. That's what she said to herself when she thought she was screwed. Anyway, this caused her to say "hmmm" and she corrected her story.

She tells Mick that he owes her for this. She says he owes her a lot of money. He should buy her a new coat. A Ralph Lauren coat.

She talks about finding the song on Youtube and she didn't know whether to be happy or not happy it was there. She makes an "ack" sound at the back of her throat when she describes Youtube.

She doesn't ask Lindsey to jump into the story, nor does he do so spontaneously. Instead, she just thanks Lindsey, Mick and "Johnny" and she also thanks Christine, because Christine could have said, no, not another girl in the band.

At the end of Gypsy she goes over to Mick's small drum kit and they are playful with one another, grinning, pointing, touching fingers.

Finally, we get to the end of the World Turning introductions. Both Wednesday and tonight a security guard comes and stands at the stage. He says he has to watch it closely for the encores. Clearly he is there for Christine's entrance and I'm glad she's being protected, but how come the guy just materializes for her. Wasn't he afraid of the other Macsters being kidnapped too? Of course, if you know them, I suppose you know that if kidnapped, their captors would bring them back in about a day, because they're that maddening!

Christine's out and it's over so fast. Tour program, 15 pounds. Concert ticket, 120 pounds. Hearing Christine sing the iconic tune she created with her bandmates one last time: priceless.

At the end when Stevie comes out for her Dreamcatcher speech. She describes what a dream catcher is, how it looks, how it catches dreams, at least it does for her. Then, she realized that the FANS were the dream catchers; she says that we've been giving the dreams back for 35 years and it doesn't matter if there are 5 members of the band, four members, three members, two members or just her, we always give back. [Well, hold on a minute. There have never been three members of the band yet. Is someone leaving? Do I get to vote who goes?].

Mick closes the show. What an odyssey and I can't believe it's over. Well, just for me. For you lucky ones in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the ride continues.

Michele

Splendid review of the night, Michele. Must have been a very surreal, very memorable, certainly priceless ride of your life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SadAngel86 (Post 1105251)

:eek::eek::shocked::shocked: AWESOME shot Michelle!

And as others have said, you did a GREAT job with Christine photos!

Thank you. With the overhead stage lights, it's hard not to get a lot of blinding white in the photos. That makes it fun to get home, load them up and see what shots came out and which ones totally didn't.

Michele

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejb1969 (Post 1105259)

Spot on, Michelle!

Have a safe, smooth flight and I can't wait to see your pictures.

Michele

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1 (Post 1105254)

She tells Mick that he owes her for this. She says he owes her a lot of money. He should buy her a new coat. A Ralph Lauren coat.

Hell, he gave her the trouser snake. Shouldn't they be even by now?

Quote:

[Well, hold on a minute. There have never been three members of the band yet. Is someone leaving? Do I get to vote who goes?].

I'm sure there were a few songs before Jeremy came in that were done as a three piece. Okay, not exactly the same thing, but still...As for who to vote out, anybody but John. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, better mess with McVie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMacD (Post 1105262)

It sure won't be Fleetwood Mac without the Mac. :laugh:

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMacD (Post 1105253)

Hey, hey, move along b*tch...That's MY man...

love you! :xoxo:
was thinking the same, she's all like "oh pleeese, would you get it over with??". :lol: :lol:

great great great photos Michele!! and of course Erin! and of course loved reading your reviews, Michele, thanks so much for sharing so fast!

Great job once again Michele and I love your pictures. :thumbsup: :nod:

Erin your pictures are beautiful too. :nod::nod:
Even thought I defended Lindsey yesterday, I really am sad to see Chris go. She adds so much to the band, and when she's gone she's sorely missed.

That being said I can see what you mean about the tension on stage. It's obvious in the pictures too.

John seems to be unhappy with Lindsey. Chris looks a little miffed at him too.

Stevie seems sad that Chris is not staying, but also seems to be goofing around a little to try and ease the tension between John, Chris and Lindsey.

Mick is ignoring the band's undercurrent (sure he's use to that by now, you know "on with the show").

Lindsey doesn't seem mad at anyone, and at times seems genuinely sad (I guess because Chis is not staying?). He also seems to be trying to make nice with Chris, which Chris seems to be willing to do too. Also, I am not sure what he and Chris were talking about at the end, but (IMO) whatever it was does not appear to make him very happy and that maybe why Chris chose not to come back out for the final bow at the end.

Oh, and not trying to start anything but in one pic it looks like John maybe checking Chris's butt out, which I think is kinda funny.

I only hope now that Chris has played with the band once again that she will develop those warm and fuzzy feelings again when she get's back home and will want to be on stage again so badly that she will decide to somehow try and overcome her fear of flying or at least try to manage it enough so she can once again record and tour with the band.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deeshere (Post 1105272)

That being said I can see what you mean about the tension on stage. It's obvious in the pictures too.

John seems to be unhappy with Lindsey. Chris looks a little miffed at him too.

Stevie seems sad that Chris is not staying, but also seems to be goofing around a little to try and ease the tension between John, Chris and Lindsey.

:lol: :lol: :lol: have you read Michele's review? what she was saying is exactly the opposite from your conclusions. she was saying that Stevie seemed to have been in the doghouse with the rest of the band, and was wondering whether that was because macters were fighting about that interview we were discussing here.

I noticed that photo of John and Chris too. Can't seem to see much of a butt there. :lol:

Maybe that interview is causing the tensions. :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by elle (Post 1105273)

Yes, we will have to wait until the fluid videos start rolling in and then everyone can form their own analysis.

From my perspective, Stevie and John and Stevie and Lindsey seemed to have tension. Stevie and John's frigidity resolved itself and they were smiling and teasing each other by Gold Dust Woman.

John and Lindsey didn't seem to have a problem, one way or another. Didn't see anything warm happen between them, but nothing bad either.

Mick and Stevie were acting happy and frisky with one another as were Mick and John and Mick and Lindsey. In other words, Mick's relationship with everyone seemed loving and normal.

Christine and Lindsey were extremely kind to one another. In my mind, I think each was going out of his/her way for the other. Stevie and Christine were loving. Christine and John were loving and I think Christine deliberately took a little extra time with John tonight than she did on Wednesday.

Michele

Quote:

Originally Posted by applebucked (Post 1105274)

I noticed that photo of John and Chris too. Can't seem to see much of a butt there. :lol:

Ha. He was looking down to grasp the hand she was holding out to him.

Michele

Waiting for the videos too!

I wonder if they all had dinner at Christine's place before one of the shows, just like before...And that Lindsey actually showed up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1 (Post 1105276)

Ha. He was looking down to grasp the hand she was holding out to him.

Okay, but pretty sure he still couldn't resist checking out the gorgeous ex-wife. :p

I'll wait for the videos too - thanks for sharing the pictures and the awesome review!

But, I have to wonder if this will be the last time and they all know it? Everyone seemed just sad to me.

Maybe, I'll wait for the videos to form my conclusion. :shrug:

Also, I edited some of the photos, created a photoset and posted it on my Tumblr. Credits are given to both Michele (love that shot of Lindsey!) and Erin.
http://christinemcvied.tumblr.com/po...on-uk-09-27-13