My Vegas Recap

[rbs3676]

I would like to add my two cents to some of the very well written reviews (especially Sparky’s – I concur with much of what you had to say. Sorry I didn’t meet you at the Seahorse, either).
I’ve seen Stevie on every tour beginning with Tusk. I’ve seen her perform magnificently and I’ve seen her perform in a comatose state. What I witnessed Friday and Saturday nights were two incredible shows that will be with me for a very, very long time. I thought Friday night’s show was better because she was more intense, more serious and more bewitching and those are the qualities that first drew me to Stevie so many years ago. Saturday night she was in a really fun mood and you could tell – she was relaxed and she was having a blast. Everything to her was “sexy”! LOL
I didn’t have any complaints about the set list other than I would have chosen another opener (save Enchanted for later in the set) and she should pick something else other than Petty’s I Need To Know – she has too many other songs in her catalog that need to shine. I mean, whatever happened to Golden Braid?
Not enough can be said for BATB – it made the trip worth it on so many levels. The theatrics were perfect – and it was the only time during the show where I felt like they utilized the venue fully. Her voice was/is in mighty fine form and she pulled all the punches on that song, with the film playing behind her, the costume bringing her to another level…it was just perfection. Hands down, the best performance that Stevie has given in well over a decade. GDW has always been one of my favorite live songs and from the moment the cow bell and sitar started, I was hooked. I thought the Friday night performance was fabulous – the whispering ending and the way she cloaked herself and her shawl around Waddy was intense. Stand Back rocked – she even did a high kick Saturday night.
HSML was a huge surprise to me as she hasn’t played this in well over ten years – she was very sultry, very magnetic. Again, I liked Friday’s version just a little bit better because the ending seemed to last longer and she was totally getting into it. Now, I know a lot of people think its heresy when she plays Landslide without Mr. Buckingham, but I thought it actually sounded better with the two guitar players and the ladies.
The band was outstanding – really a perfect mix. In my opinion, Waddy should always be her guitar player as he knows just what to do, and Scott’s keyboard skills are just as good if not better than Roy Bittan’s. The new drummer was great and the new percussionist gave a little Latin-flair here and there. Of course, it was great to have Lori back on stage – I was expecting maybe two songs, not half of the show, so that was nice. She looked happy to be back and sounded great.
All in all, these were two very memorable evenings. If these shows are to continue, better graphics should be used (get rid of the white wing dove, please!) and some sort of stage design would be needed. I expected more Viva Las Vegas and what I got were two fantastic rock concerts with one incredible number at the end that totally blew everyone away. So, thank you for that, Stevie…you convinced me that you haven’t lost it.

rbs