Jones Beach Thoroughly Enjoyable
 

The few extra days of rest the band got by cancelling some shows did them a world of good. I was trepidatious about Stevie in particular, but I am happy to report she was in top form. She sounded great, and she was very charming on stage.

The weather was a bit chilly, especially as the night wore on, and there was drizzle right through the first half the show. I realized after that I missed the antics of "Say You Will" as I struggled to put on one of those silly plastic ponchos as the drizzle turned into light rain. The rain stopped eventually.

Lindsey and Mick looked like they were having a blast up there. Mick's enthusiasm is infectious, and I daresay he is a singular showman. I even enjoyed his drum solo, even though I took a bathroom break just as it started. Still, it didn't feel like it went on forever, as during the Dance tour, and Mick's amusing mannerisms were quite entertaining. A friend of mine who had last seen Fleetwood Mac in 1975 found Mick very amusing as well.

My friend is a fan of Stevie's. He was intrigued by her stage persona and amused at times. He had heard a lot from me about Lindsey, and as of last night, I believe he is a big Lindsey fan as well. My friend is a novelist/poet/ journalist/songwriter, and he seemed very intrigued by Lindsey's "Peacekeeper" and "Red Rover."

We got a huge kick out of Lindsey's "Come" solo. This song truly comes alive on stage. The "I'm So Afraid" solo was long and very entertaining. It might be the longest I've seen Lindsey play it. I like that it retains some of the same elements from tour to tour but Lindsey always throws in some extra tweaks to freshen it.

The highlight for me was "Say Goodbye." This is my favorite song on "Say You Will," anyway, and I was thrilled to see how Lindsey slows the tempo and does a lot of highs and lows in the right places to stress the drama of the song. Truly brilliant. "Beautiful Child" was, well, beautiful. I am not even a fan of this song, but this was another highlight. Stevie was right on. "Red Rover" was chilling. Lindsey's delivery was perfect. I believe Lindsey's was the only guitar on this song, and he was backed by Brett on keys, Mick on some funky drum and Taku on shakers.

Truly, the band was in top form last night. Even "Peacekeeper," which has struck me as lackluster live, sounded good. Lindsey missed a couple of notes on "Never Going Back Again" but his vocal delivery was excellent. "Rhiannon" sounded great, way better than the Dance version. Stevie seemed very much into it. She was also very energetic on "Stand Back." Lindsey cracked me up with his guitar-humping bit. Really, I couldn't even hear his guitar on this song. Is it really on?

The only song that I thought dragged was "Gold Dust Woman;" it still just kind of fizzles at the end. I keep wanting the percussion section to blast this song out, but that's not how they do it. Lindsey's guitar was too low on "Go Your Own Way" and again after the drum solo on "World Turning."

Overall, an excellent, rocking show.

Great review and I'm glad you had a good time! :wavey:

I am so pumped you had a great time. I think you hit the nail on the head when you were talking about PK. I think there is an energy to FM that sometimes does not translate well or at all to audio and video taping of the concerts. I mean, as Dissention pointed out, sometimes people say "that was the best version of that song I ever heard" - then the boot indicates it was okay. But, the people that were there scratch their heads and go, well it WAS good. I think PK is one of these songs. I think when you are there seeing it - it works because of that energy. Then again, I may just be a loon :laugh:

I am glad you had a great time and I wish I could have been there. I actually had tickets and a plane ticket. But, I cancelled when Hershey cancelled (I had tickets to that as well). I was scared NYC would cancel and did not want to get stuck, etc.

:nod:

Say Goodbye is a classic already. It's my fave on the album, too, but it just has a new life onstage. And the harmony from Stevie is spot-on, I love it when she sings in that low, soft voice.

ITA - I think the CD cut is great, but the live versions are stellar. I think the way they look at each other with 30 years of emotion reflected in their lambent faces.

Lambent, hey? That word-a-day calendar is paying off, my friend. ;)

But I know what you mean. I didn't think it was possible to love this song even more. But the live version is positively brilliant.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: SHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Carne!!!
 

Glad to hear Fleetwood Mac is all okay. Say Goodbye is mesmerizing. I love it.

As I revel in the recent memory of this wonderful show, a couple of other observations come to mind:

The beams of light shot from the back of the theater into the stage created a pleasant effect while it was drizzling. The light cutting through the relative darkness danced around the drops of moisture in an incoherent choreography that added an element of mysticism to the show. The effect was a perfect complement to the Fleetwood Mac mystique. I only noticed it had stopped raining when I looked up some time later and realized the dancing light was now just steady beams. I almost missed it at that point.

The crowd seemed to be taylor-made to my taste. (Surely, I've mentioned I hate crowds!?) Just the right amount of rowdiness without being obnoxious. I was especially lucky that there was no one particularly obnoxious around me. You know what I'm talking about; there's almost some dolt or other who likes to shout unsuccessful witticisms at the most inappropriate times.

After the "Come" solo, one of the fellows behind me said, "I had no idea he could play like that. No idea." I looked back and gave him a knowing grin. I can only hope that gentleman runs out today and buys "Say You Will."

reply
 

I think Red Rover has transformed excellent onto the stage. Its an awesome song and Lindsey plays it so well. It was one of my favorites. I didn't really enjoy it as much on the album but its awesome live.

Jimmy

I've been holding my breath for days for you on the other side of the ocean, due to all those cancelations etc. I'm really thrilled you had a blast. Isn't it amazing that that energy is still there in this band? With so little setvariation and so many shows? Ah, and I KNEW Lindsey would get you by the throat in that Come-solo. Weren't you in awe as he just rambled and rambled on? It's just hypnotic!.

Somebody out there: make a sign and bring it to the next shows:

CARNEVACA thought you ROCKED!

yes, you too stevie!


PS: Congrats, Carne, this must have been a great birthdaypresent.

:laugh: :laugh: Great idea.

As far as "Come," from the first bar of come, I was into it. I so wanted to see how the song would translate to the stage. While that opening riff on the record sounds almost timid, on stage it grabs you by the throat. Lindsey's delivery was amazing, especially the angry part. The solo was of course great. Loved it.

It was a nice birthday present.

I'm glad to hear you had such a great time, CV... looks like waiting until this leg of the tour paid off for you! :)

Your comments about "Say Goodbye" reminded me of how anxious I am to hear the 'Live In Boston' version. Based on the bootlegs I've heard, and the Anaheim radio broadcast, it might yet become one of my favorite Lindsey songs (I already love the lyrics, I've just never been pleased with the 'SYW' take).

Oh, and Happy Belated Birthday! :woohoo: :wavey:

Have you heard the actual boot from the taping? Say Goodbye is fantastic. I'm telling ya, Stevie's harmonies are chilling. And Liddy Buck sings so softly.