LOL, isn't the Post-Intelligencer the more reputable paper in Seattle, anyway? Or do I have that backward?
I work for a newspaper myself, and I'd guess that the regular rock reviewer was on vacation or something. Cross-beat assignments are a necessary evil during the vacation season, and with a subjective thing like a review, it's a little stickier than, say, sending the education reporter to cover the courthouse for a day. I'm rather more impressed that bigger city papers even have the luxury of reviewers dedicated to one particular genre. We only have one music guy who covers everybody from Britney Spears to Ozzfest. Oh yeah, that was the guy who spelled McVie as "McVee" when he reviewed the Ford Pavilion show.
(Although, in his defense, I gathered after talking with him a bit about the show that he likes the Mac and is familiar with them--he knew about Mick having used the drums under his vest in the past. I think he's just not the best speller.
)
Oh, and before anyone asks me why I didn't write the review: Trust me, you
don't want me writing about Fleetwood Mac or any of it's members--I'm the obituary writer!
As far as Stevie's singing goes, I've only heard on recordings or videos how she sounded on past tours, but I was quite impressed with how her voice is holding up. I mean, maybe she can't quite belt out Rhiannon like she did on the 1980 live album...but after hearing remarks from reviewers about her voice deteriorating in recent years, I was pleasantly surprised to hear her last month, and it seems the critics are noticing the same thing.
Eileen