Indianapolis Star - June 25, 2003
 

Indianapolis Star
June 25, 2003

Concert review
Fleetwood Mac still bewitches fans
By David Lindquist

If you remember the goose-bumps moment when Sonny Bono and Cher reunited on the old David Letterman show, you have a good idea of the thrill Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham are giving audiences every night of the current Fleetwood Mac tour.

The show played to an estimated crowd of 10,000 Tuesday night at Conseco Fieldhouse, where the ex-hottest ex-couple in rock seemed to be on especially friendly terms.

Nicks and Buckingham held hands as they walked onstage, and she rested her head on his shoulder as he played the guitar solo of "Landslide."

They sang to each other during "Say Goodbye," a tune from current album "Say You Will." If given a chance at radio, this sophisticated kiss-off might provide a commercial rally for the band.

The enchanting old flames -- joined by drummer Mick Fleetwood and bass player John McVie but not retired keyboard player-vocalist Christine McVie -- didn't push their new material at the expense of the crowd's enjoyment.

The performance featured several selections from "Rumours," the unstoppable chart-topper from 1977, and other hits ranging from 1975 to 1987.

The comfortable groove of the title track from "Say You Will" suggests the sparkling past of Fleetwood Mac but also leaves the impression that it's a better song than what producer Buckingham captured in the studio.

Nicks confirmed this inkling with a lively rendition in concert. Although the 55-year-old diva dodged a high note here and there, she was generous and grateful throughout -- in other words, everything her devoted fans were looking for.

Birthday boy Fleetwood (61 on Tuesday, according to many published sources, but just 56 according to himself and witness Buckingham) rushed the pace of "Rhiannon," but Nicks rescued the classic at its bridge.

All it took was a twirling-cape dance and some spot-on singing.

Buckingham's shining moment proved to be "Big Love," which he performed alone with an acoustic guitar. In addition to a fine musical performance, the production scored visual points by projecting the singer's image onto a freshly dropped vertical scrim.

It was if a Times Square billboard had come to life.

Buckingham and Fleetwood put some giddy-up into the pop-rock hit parade with hyper-rockabilly chestnut "Eyes of the World." Buckingham needlessly negated this point, though, when he thrashed out the ill-fitting and unhinged "Come" from "Say You Will."

The mystique of Fleetwood Mac depends on making things sound and look easy.

On the bright side, nothing else seemed as natural as the affection shared by star-crossed Nicks and Buckingham.

Pictures
 

Woops, forgot to mention that the IndyStar site has a couple of pictures too. Follow the link and click their "Photo Gallery" link.

http://www.indystar.com/print/articl...-6829-062.html

"Buckingham and Fleetwood put some giddy-up into the pop-rock hit parade with hyper-rockabilly chestnut 'Eyes of the World.' Buckingham needlessly negated this point, though, when he thrashed out the ill-fitting and unhinged 'Come' from 'Say You Will.'"

LMAO - Poor "Come" - either you hate it or you love it. :laugh: Personally, I like it, but have gotten up during it as it is not my favorite of the set (all of which I like).

Nothing against Say Goodbye, but I cannot imagine radio embracing it these days. It just doesn't fit with the crap that's being played.

I like how this reporter covered himself regarding Mick's age.

Anybody else bristling at the thought of Lindsey being compared to Sonny (albeit in a superficial way)? (All due respect to the former Mr. Cher, may he RIP.)

I'm not sure I agree with the line about FM's mystique being based on making things look & sound easy.

- Jake

Yeah, i don't get the connection between Sonny and Lindsey either, whatever, the reporter was reaching for a comparison I guess.

The reporter wasn't comparing Lindsey and Sonny. He was comparing the reactions between the two reunions: Sonny and Cher back in the 80s on Letterman and Stevie and Lindsey onstage. He's saying that seeing them reunite onstage is akin to seeing the reunion of Sonny and Cher on Letterman.

That's what I meant by in a superficial way. I know it wasn't a direct comparison, but the idea that there was any comparison makes me bristle. JMO.

- Jake