Mirage Live

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I love Mirage because you get the music as is. Christine plays an upright, they do play a lot of non-singles. I hate when a band plays nothing but singles. It's not overproduced, It's not full of back up players. They don't care about getting every note right. Or harmonies for that matter!

I agree for those reasons completely! I love the Mirage concert. I love it for its rawness...and they had a great set list. And it was the only tour when Love In Store and Hold Me were ever performed.

I saw them on this tour and it was an amazing show. No one felt that something was missing because 10 other musicians weren't there to replicate the sound of a studio recording. Since 1975 they always adapted their heavily layered studio songs for live performance with just four instruments and three voices. It made for surprisingly different renditions...very suitable for a rock and roll arena show...much more raw and honest.

The Mirage concerts marked the end of this era. After Lindsey ditched the band, perhaps they lost some confidence in that more minimal approach on stage. Hired two guitarists, and added vocalists and numerous backup musicians. And alas, that overwrought tradition still continues to this day (although I understand with the exit of Christine, some backup is needed).

When it comes to live performances, I generally prefer the era 1975-1982. Yes, since then the band became more technically proficient in delivering the songs with a slicker more fuller style. But the sound lost some soul.

Given Lindsey's new mindset and minimal approach to Under The Skin, perhaps that will translate over to a new approach with Fleetwood Mac...whenever that happens. I'd love to see him and Stevie do something like he just did with his new solo album. Under The Skirt anyone?