Palladium GDW 1/31/13

[sparky]

]

This is the performance I referenced in the "You Can't Fix This" thread.

First off, I am a jackass for not driving down the hill 15 minutes and buying a craigslist ticket to this show. But I could not deal with the idea of a GA ticket and standing on Sunset for 5 hours to get in and get near the stage. I am old. My feet hurt. And I am grouchy.

No matter, as some wonderful person taped it. Not a perfect video, but the sound is awesome. I want to send this taper a check.

I bitch and moan when needed about Stevie's many and myriad faults. With no apology.
But this performance? THE BEST GDW I have ever seen. I was comparing this to the Bob Welch and friends version at the Roxy in 81. But I have now watched it many times.

No comparison.

This is the best band that has ever backed her. Bar 70's Fleetwood Mac. And even then it is a close call. The new arrangement makes it a show closer. A reprise of the chorus post vamp? Brilliant! Takes it from a fade out to a slam out. The song deserves it. It is an epic. This is sexy. Dangerous. Taylor Hawkins is beating the hell out of his drums after the high note. With a passion like that song owes him money. I would be so thrilled if Stevie was spanking that dude. He is probably married to a supermodel but who cares? Dude is sex on a bang stick and he knows how to swing it.

The sped up pace after the climax is something so lacking in her usual backing bands. Her song pacing has been dragging for 15 years. It is a push to call this closing sequence a rave up, but it is damn near a rave up. It changes the flavor of the song entirely. This band is pushing her. It it taking her to the level where she belongs. You can see it in her gestures, her posture, her strut, and her projection.

I can only imagine what this band would do with Rhiannon. No, they could not make her hit anything above an A. But they would rile her up and make her howl to the limits of her current vocal ability at a fast pace. And they would make her feel the emotion and project it to the back row like they did in this performance. Which she can still do, but rarely bothers to do anymore. For some reason these guys yanked the magic out of her again. For this song, anyway.

A friggin +. Other than that tiny snippet of Woodstock we got years ago from the Montreaux Ertegun tribute, this is the best Stevie performance since the 80's.

If she toured with this band I would stop working if needed and see every show I could.
No matter the cost.

Genius.

[Tango]

Thank you for posting this--the drummer is terrific, which is critical in this song. I also like the addition of the violinist, and the various backing guitars. Stevie seems energized!

[On Ice]

Very nice! Stevie hasn't shown that much passion in years, at least since the Dance video, but this was bar none her best in years. Put a smokin' hot band behind her and see the Stevie of yesteryear just begging to get out. She ought to be mighty pleased with this. Awesome.

[Angel69]

Damn! As much as I love Waddy and Co., this band is powerful. It may be time for Stevie to shake it up a bit with her touring band. Keeping Mr. Rios of course.

[caterwench]

Originally Posted by Angel69

Damn! As much as I love Waddy and Co., this band is powerful. It may be time for Stevie to shake it up a bit with her touring band. Keeping Mr. Rios of course.

My God, what more could I ask for other than STEVIE and My FOOS together, perfecto!