MSG - Oct 6

[jcalzaretta]

Anyone at show? I was. I was also at 10.2 in Chicago.

Chicago FAR better. Crowd way more into it. Half of NYC sat for the whole show.

Last night - during Gold Dust Woman. I think John messed up a bit. Could see the look between him and Stevie on it. Ultimate professionals. Did not phase anyone in the band. Killer performance. She danced her ass off!

Stevie also started telling her Gypsy story when Chris was supposed to tell her Over My Head story. Priceless. Lot of interaction between the ladies last night. Loved it.

Look forward to next show - DC!

[backtothegypsy]

I was there. Great show. Wonderful to see Chris back with the band.

[Lisa W]

I was there too. Fantastic show! I was thrilled with how well the band sounded with Christine back in the mix. The vocals sound so much more full and balanced and the visual of all five up there feels so much more complete. I was so moved when Chris talked about how she was lucky to get a second chance to do all this again. Stevie messing up the "Over My Head" intro was also so funny.

Overall it just felt like so much more of a celebration than it has in years. So glad I could be there to see it!!

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by Lisa W

I was there too. Fantastic show! I was thrilled with how well the band sounded with Christine back in the mix. The vocals sound so much more full and balanced and the visual of all five up there feels so much more complete. I was so moved when Chris talked about how she was lucky to get a second chance to do all this again. Stevie messing up the "Over My Head" intro was also so funny.

Overall it just felt like so much more of a celebration than it has in years. So glad I could be there to see it!!

How did Christine sound? From the youtubes she sounds pretty good, but all three sound good on the youtube, which is a good sign..

[Lisa W]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

How did Christine sound? From the youtubes she sounds pretty good, but all three sound good on the youtube, which is a good sign..

Christine sounded terrific and her positive impact on the harmonies is very apparent. She smooths out the sound and everything sounds so much more full and balanced.

I'm still so thrilled at the great spirits the band members are in. I've been attending their shows since 1979 and they've never seemed this happy and comfortable in eachother's company. You can see they sincerely appreciate this opportunity for all five to perform together at such a high level after all they've experienced over the years.

Another unusual occurrence were the balloons that started floating through the arena during Go Your Own Way. They appeared to be coming from one of the suites in the back of the arena and a few made their way onto the stage. At one point Stevie kicked one to keep it out of her way. I noticed that the colors -- yellow, purple and white -- and wondered if some Lakers fans had infiltrated the Garden!

So many sweet moments that people have been writing about. When Stevie got mixed up and started to introduce Gypsy when it was time for Chris to speak about Over My Head, the interaction between the two of them was like seeing a private, funny moment between the pair. I also really liked the stage and lighting effects. For instance, during Gypsy, the video playing on the wall behind the band was based on the original Gypsy video with the vintage look and rain. At the end of the song when Stevie does her twirls, they insert her live color image into the video shot to evoke the end of the original video when she is twirling on the cliff. I loved this and thought it was such a classy touch!

I'm in NYC for the week, so will post more as I can after upcoming shows.

[juniper]

Originally Posted by jcalzaretta

Half of NYC sat for the whole show.

I have to agree with that sitting thing – for first half of show I was in 8th row, and everyone was standing and loving it, then had to go back to my (actual) 22nd row seat. From there, people were sitting a lot! I don’t think I’ve ever sat through ISA before!! What! And I was on the aisle – good grief I’ve never seen so many people heading to and fro to get drinks at the bar constantly. Would you people just turn around and watch the show already?! But it was just that kind of older, casual fan crowd (around me, anyway) that were more just ‘having a night out’ than being psyched about any particular song/performance, Christine or any of that. Too bad for them..Oh well, that wasn’t my trip – I had a great time!

It was so great to hear and see Christine and her songs live -She sounded strong, so much energy; in particular, Little Lies was really good. Once again, after a FM concert, I always want to replace all my studio recordings with live ones – their sound and energy always take their songs to a better place.

Christine got a big cheer when she first started with YMLF, and as others have said, her words about returning were sweet and seemed heartfelt.

Overall, Stevie and Lindsey both seemed to have a lightness/happiness about them – They all just ‘looked right’ up there as it used to be. That was cool. Stevie seemed genuinely happy to have Christine there, and Lindsey’s intro to IKINW was really positive – saying how it’s a new chapter that will bear fruit, new music, more tours, etc.

Random notes: (sorry if I repeat things others have said)

I think Lindsey was mouthing the words to part of Dreams at one point, which was amusing.

I don’t get the giant Lindsey head on IKINW. He looked like the great Oz scolding everyone for being doubters of his genius. (lol well, yeah, maybe I do get it! )

All of Christine’s songs, which are in general, to me, on the light and fluffy side, sounded AMAZING live – they really took on some weight in a good way and it was like hearing them for the first time – great experience- OMH got a nice crowd reaction, and LL was really great-

When Stevie accidently preempted Christine with Gypsy, she did it with such good humor – she said ‘we’re still getting used to this!’ which reminded us that it’s kind of all new, all over again for them too, so, I don’t know, it was kind of refreshing to see the highly routinized S&L setlist get shaken up! Good!

Big Love – Of course, pretty great, but I’ve heard it so often now that my favorite part is watching and listening to the reactions from casual fans – they are blown away every time. Having said that, it was not his best rendition. I actually felt like the sound was a little off or guitar not precisely tuned or something – did anyone else think this? I found it distracting, but overall of course, it got huge crowd reaction.

All 3 had a moment or two of raspiness, but otherwise sounded strong and clear, and together, the three voices blended really well as we knew they would!

GDW – Stevie’s vocals great, better than last tour. Love that ending – so theatrical, and she pulls it off so beautifully – in recent Rolling Stone piece, Stevie said that Christine remarked something like how that ending is eerie and reminiscent of when they were all over the top into drugs. I would be the first to say if it was corny, but she really delivers that mood – it sounded so good I expected Mick to come out with a sheet of glass and a hammer—

LB had great interaction with the first few rows. He looked over at Christine with smiles quite a bit. His appearance during Songbird gets a thumbs up from me.

What a different vibe than last tour! As another poster said, last tour was so about the tension and chemistry of S&L (as close to BN as we may ever get), and last night was completely different –more working as a team enjoying performing – kind of like The Dance, except they seemed HAPPY-

That’s my top of mind – sorry so long post!! Have fun to anyone going tonight!

[applebucked]

I have a friend who went to the same show and people are being asked to sit down by the staff WTF??? Yelled at while dancing and having a good time too

[loverly13]

Originally Posted by applebucked

I have a friend who went to the same show and people are being asked to sit down by the staff WTF??? Yelled at while dancing and having a good time too

Noooo! I'm going tonight and I will do whatever it takes to get to the front!

[jkmaletic]

Have they been letting people to the front for these past shows?

Putting it nicely, are the "Lindsey girls" being led up to his side when the lights go down?

I only want to know because I haven't bought my tickerts yet snd need to work out my strategy.


Jamie

[rhiannondontgo]

Originally Posted by jkmaletic

Have they been letting people to the front for these past shows? Putting it nicely, are the "Lindsey girls" being led up to his side when the lights go down? I only want to know because I haven't bought my tickerts yet snd need to work out my strategy. Jamie

Yes security walked through the floor seats looking for groups of teenage or 20-something girls and lined us up on the side of the stage to run to stage when lights go down. It was pretty fun. I was right against the stage on Lindsey's side, directly against his monitor and mic. He was really fun. He had a sense of humor when we teased him and pointed at him during the "players only love you when they're playing" line, and smiled & gave us a look like he was saying "me?!". I accidentally hit him with a balloon at one point too. A drunk lady next to me kept smashing me into the stage and it was shaking his monitor and he looked amused by it. We got lots of Lindsey winks/smiles/points. He was really fun. Stevie comes to his side a lot too when she's dancing and hitting her tambo during Lindsey/Chris songs, so you still get a lot of Stevie action even on his side. She also comes right to his side during her "crackhead dance" in GDW and does it right in front of the Lindsey's mic area.
Anyway it was a really great show. Landslide was dedicated to Matthew who she called her stepson, and she said she is very proud of him. Chris sounded great and her prescence alone seemed to make Stevie so much more upbeat. I've never seen her smile so much in concert. My favorite song of the night was Little Lies for sure, it was so much fun. Highlight of the show to me was when Stevie stepped up to the mic to introduce her song with a story before Chris stepped up and looked at her funny and Stevie realized it wasn't time for her song, it was Christine's time for Over My Head. And then when it was time for Stevie's Gypsy story,she didn't remember it at first. She was funny, at one point she laughed at her mistake and said "At least I make myself laugh".

[juniper]

Yeah they were pretty adamant about keeping the aisles clear - badgering people who went into the aisle to take pictures to get back to their seats...I know they have a job to do, but it seemed like every time we stepped away from our aisle seats even for a minute, here comes that security guy! My advice is when/if you are trying to move up, have a drink in your hand - it seemed that if they thought you were going to/from the bar, they just let you by!

[SNicksed]

I'll be there tonight, front and center. No sitting for me!!

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by applebucked

I have a friend who went to the same show and people are being asked to sit down by the staff WTF???

It's usual at MSG. They did the same in 1997 during the Reunión (Dance) tour.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by juniper

When Stevie accidently preempted Christine with Gypsy, she did it with such good humor – she said ‘we’re still getting used to this!’ which reminded us that it’s kind of all new, all over again for them too, so, I don’t know, it was kind of refreshing to see the highly routinized S&L setlist get shaken up! Good!

Thank you for the wonderful review, Juniper. I can't get enough of those details. It is so funny for Stevie to say she doesn't know the background story for Over My Head. Nice save.

Michele

[michelej1]

By JAIME HOLGUIN - Associated Press - Tuesday, October 7, 2014


NEW YORK (AP) - Their “dream girl” is back.

The members of Fleetwood Mac each took a moment Monday night at New York City’s Madison Square Garden to welcome longtime bandmate Christine McVie back to the stage after a 16-year hiatus, thus restoring the band to its mid-1970s and most successful configuration.


In her trademark gypsy shawl, Stevie Nicks said the dream catchers she casts to the crowd each night finally netted her old friend. Lindsey Buckingham said her return marked “a beautiful, profound and poetic new chapter.” Mick Fleetwood simply looked to the ceiling and shouted “Amen.”

In between, they ripped through all their old hits with a fervor that belied their age.

The band opened with “The Chain,” a song emblematic of Fleetwood Mac’s lasting legacy, despite its many breakups and personal upheavals. The collective power of the three singers’ voices belting out the song’s refrain, “You would never break the chain,” seemed to drown out the quarrels and drug-fueled rancor that tore them apart over the years.

The McVie-penned and long-dormant “You Make Loving Fun” was back on the set list, and upon hearing her sing the opening line, “Sweet, wonderful you,” the crowd erupted in an approving roar. McVie, 71, looked comfortable and happy to be back. Her voice was strong and a welcome presence.

During the band’s concert in New York City last year, guitarist, singer and songwriter Buckingham, singer and songwriter Nicks, drummer Fleetwood, and Christine’s ex-husband and bassist John McVie powered through their catalog of classics. But despite a purposeful performance, it was hard to not feel shortchanged by the exclusion of Christine McVie’s songs.

With her return to the fold this time around, however, the band was free to explore its entire repertoire, including McVie’s songs “Over My Head,” ”Little Lies” and “Everywhere.”

One of the highlights of the night was “Second Hand News,” which the band played with the energy of young musicians playing for their first big break. The 65-year-old Buckingham, especially, attacked the guitar with such intensity and enthusiasm, you’d think it was his first time playing in front of a large audience.

Dressed in skin-tight jeans, he stomped in slow-motion across the stage during a hair-raising guitar solo for “I’m So Afraid,” as the large screen behind the performers zoomed in on his dexterous fingers plucking away at the guitar strings.

While age has not diminished his agility, it has taken a slight toll on Nicks’ voice. “Dreams,” took on a different feel to accommodate her on some of the song’s higher notes. A couple of backup singers helped out with the harder to reach registers and harmonies. But on her other signature songs, like “Silver Springs” and “Landslide,” Nicks’ voice was intact and cut through like a sharpened knife.

The New York show, the first of a two-night stint, is part of a 33-city “On With the Show” tour that started Sept. 30 in Minneapolis and is scheduled to wrap up Dec. 20 in Tampa, Florida.

Buckingham recently told The Associated Press that he, Christine McVie and Fleetwood have tracked some songs for a new album, but their concerted effort to finish it won’t begin until after the tour. For now, the band is content focusing on being back on the road, playing their classic hits with their long lost friend.

“You have to look at the five (of us) as a study in chemistry,” Buckingham told the AP. “What a lot of the fans really bought into was beyond music… it was this beautiful chemistry that they saw between the five of us.”

But the final encore Monday night belonged to only one: McVie. She performed her signature song, “Songbird,” solo on a baby grand piano, with a bit of help from Buckingham on the guitar solo. Her rendition brought the sold-out audience to a hush.

The significance of her return was not lost on her.

“I’ve been away quite a long time and you don’t often get a chance to do something you love so much twice in your life.”

___

Entertainment Writer Mike Cidoni Lennox contributed to this story.



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