I thought the recent RS reviewer actually didn't like the number of voices that chimed in on the choruses of a few songs, rather than commenting that they were needed to sustain the sound.
I think not being able to exactly recreate a song as it sounded on the album is something this incarnation has dealt with since they formed. There are two main tactics to take in this circumstance: 1) re-arrange the songs to be played live by the band; 2) use additional musicians to augment the sound. They've taken both tactics at different points. As the band started to use the additional musicians/backing singers beginning with the Tango tour (when Lindsey wasn't with the band), I don't think it's a question of his or anyone else
needing extra players on any of the instruments to make the sound they're going for now. It's a choice the band has made to use the extra players to augment the sound.
On top of that though, where Fleetwood Mac is more pop-oriented, more intricate, and tighter on record, they've always been a lot more rock and a lot more loose in live performance. A few in the band have mentioned that about themselves through the years.
PS - No problem, Johnny.
