Sparky - your post was very well written. You just summed it up for me. I've been there - excited & thrilled, really impressed by a performance. The solo LB shows I attended were some of the best concerts I've ever seen by anyone. As recently as '07 I was posting reviews about how Stevie was "on fire" after seeing her. I am not a bitter former fan - I am a diehard Mac & Stevie fan. But I am no longer blindly in love with them, eating up everything & anything they do. I'm realistic & more unbiased than in the past.
I know that a Youtube vid can't capture the moment & it's always better when you see it in person. But it can usually give you a good idea. I still literally get chills from the vids of B&tB from the first 2 Vegas shows in '05. I have been really impressed by footage of recent performances (Stevie solo spring or summer '08? That Rhiannon - when she hit several high notes? WOW.) But none of the vids from Sunday's show impressed me at all.
For the first time in 12 years, I am seriously considering not going to a show this tour.
I was that let down. I am going to give it a few more shows, hopefully it was just an off night. I really want to meet up with friends who I haven't seen in a while (I'm talking to you, Canuck!) so I would like to go & experience it one more time. But I really can't justify spending almost $200 to do it. I dunno. I'm ambivalent at this point.
To those crying about the negative posts - this is a message board. It's a public forum. People are free to express their opinions about the band, the music, the clothes, whatever the hell they want to. Debate it, disagree with them, talk about your difference of opinion. Back up your thoughts on the matter with details & let's talk about it. But to tell someone to stop whining & complaining, or "shut up & don't go"? It's really immature & childish. You're basically saying "you're a big stupid head, Stevie is the best singer of all time ever anywhere" and walking away in a huff. It doesn't prove your point at all.
Most people I've seen expressing a less than positive opinion have done so in a really detailed way. "I didn't like the way they did so&so & here's why..." They haven't put down anyone who did enjoy the show. They didn't come here & say "wow, they really suck" or "I can't stand Mac." They explained why they have that opinion & gave reasons. Nothing wrong with that.
And I don't think Scoop is a troll either. I don't think his supposed "inside scoop" was much to get excited about, but he seems like a rational person.