The Ledge - LA: Proved too much for the man?

I can't resist a "Midnight Train to Georgia" reference.

So, like half the board, it seems, I was there last night in the Loge area, by an older couple who were cute on my right, a blase couple to my left, a few awesome older gentlement who were balding, but had grey pony tails down their backs and agreed with everything Lindsey did. Loudly. And with flying fists of, "Rock on!"

And in front of me were a young couple - a guy and his gal who didn't really care what was going on as long as she had a drink (and that there wasn't lipstick in her teeth, from what I suspect - watching her trying to put down a seat was comic genius). Another couple to the front of me toasted to Lindsey before. That's when I realized that there was booze and I could go get some now and have to leave to go to the bathroom later. I chose to will my bladder away.

I took a good friend of mine who's a musican, producer, and arranger for a belated birthday present. He was part of the reason why I got into Fleetwood Mac so heavily (I got the bug in 1996, then I cooled down a bit until 2004 when he mentioned how well produced Big Love was and I begun down the path of insane love once more and haven't stopped.)

I had waited ten years to see Lindsey in concert (I got bit by Walls and became downright infatuated upon relistening to Go Your Own Way shortly thereafter), so this was my first time listening to any of the more popular songs live. And...yeah, my ears are still ringing! But it drowned out the talking of the annoying couple right in front of me, so it was kind of a blessing.

What I loved about watching Lindsey perform (aside from the guitar work - it's like he waves his hand over it, and it makes good sounds. And I also believe in the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus) was just how into it he got and then when it was over, he looked a little sheepish, but proud.

For some reason, even though it's one of my favorite live tracks - and one of my favorite intro riffs - and all the spoilers I've read about the concert - Second Hand News took me by surprise and I couldn't help laughing (that's what I do when I'm happiest) and was surprised how well Brett and Neale made up for no Stevie harmonies.

Big Love went down like thunder. It was my first time seeing it (and I think like any good Buckyhead, I have way too many live mp3's of it and still think that it's not enough) and the applause was louder than the sound system that night. The grey-ponytails shook everything while proclaiming their faith in Lindsey. And nearly lost it with Go Insane. I kind of pictured them thinking about ex-girlfriends who didn't get "the dream" or something.

I'm So Afraid was like I'm So Afraid-Lite to me. Nonetheless, the Grey Ponies doled out much more praise. One guy in a peach silk shirt to the down-left corner of me stood and held his arms out very messiah like and shook to the beat. I'm inclined to think he had a few drinks and I couldn't tell, but it looked like his tie was tied around his head.

Awesome.

World Turning was more than I could have ever hoped for (that being Ms. McVie and then them going into Hold Me - ah, fangirl dreams) and I liked just Lindsey doing this - if anyone has a copy of him doing this on mp3, please - I beg! I will go begging for favors! - Taku was great and...here's where I turn into a very ignorant FM fan, but whenever Mick would do his solo, I'd joke that they turned the Englishman a Welshman and Lindsey did a bit of that, too, which made me a very happy girl.

Then Tusk happened. I went to my feet almost automatically. Another mp3 I would beg for favors for. Oh, and I danced. DANCED! As much as a girl could do without wanting to block the view of anyone beside her (I kept thinking of that SNL sketch with "Moondance" and Melanie Hussle gets up and dances to the chagrin of the people behind her). My dream of doing this with an all kazoo back up band thrives.

Brett is a god for including Holiday Road on the set list. A GOD.

The other thing I kept hearing around me was anytime a long haired blonde would be seen by anyone, there was a rush of, "IS THAT STEVIE?!?!?!?!??!!?!?!" (all punction was actually said) - which I would have laughed at more if I hadn't done the same thing at least once in my head...until I figured that she'd have better seats.

I wish I would have brought my camera - security, for all I heard around here and from people who have been to the Wiltern, was to be a concern. With metal detectors! But, much like the security at LAX, they didn't much care - they asked me to open my bag and THEN asked if I had a camera in there. (I learned my lesson last time after I said I had a couple of lipglosses I had intended to board my plane with without a Ziploc bag, which I was reprimended about quite a few times as I was sent to check in my bag, only to remember I had hand cream in my purse. I didn't say anything, and it went through. Keep America safe! End rant.)

I got a few camera phone pics during Save Me a Place (which is when I felt the safes to take it out) - this is my proud new wall paper for my cell phone:

Congratulations, Lindsey - you replaced the life sized Rock'em Sock'em Robots that have graced my phone for nearly a year. That's quite a feat.

My friend was damn cute - afterwards, he asked, "What's the "never going back again" song's name?"

"Never Going Back Again."

"I think that's my favorite from the new CD."

Well played, Buckingham!