After all these years, the simple fact is that the band has become lazy. There is no reason why tracks couldn't be added and subtracted on a nightly basis, but there is a continual reluctance to introduce anything new. I realise that the blame rests squarely on Stevie's shoulders as Lindsey would seem game for just about anything. However, the band as a whole ultimately agree to Stevie's whims and will only trot out what has been rehearsed to death.
Even if half a dozen rarely performed songs are included in this tour, they too will become stale within a few months. The trick would be to keep evolving and potentially running through their entire back catalogue as well attempting newly written material. Of course, this will never happen, but if this approach was adopted, even the old warhorses could be swapped out from time to time. If this were to occur, I wouldn't be resentful of Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Rhiannon, I'm So Afraid etc because there would be a chance they may not be played at the following show.
What mystifies me about Stevie's insistence upon playing "the hits" is that so many of them are continually ignored. This is more apparent with her solo shows whereby she virtually ignores many of her singles, but in regard to Fleetwood Mac, I can't believe they haven't dragged Seven Wonders out since the Tango tour. So many casual fans of the band seem to adore this track and it would also offer an upbeat alternative to the ill-judged inclusion of Stand Back in a Mac show. The same can be said for the likes of Sisters Of The Moon, Angel and That's Alright - these would all serve to energise the rather sedate offerings we've become accustomed to from Stevie. She really does need her face slapped.
|