Nicks brilliant, despite guitarist

[MacMan]

Wednesday, July 04, 2007
By DONNIE MOORHOUSEMusic writer
Masslive.com

Backed by an over-indulgent seven-piece band and buried in a sound mix that seemed more conducive to Ozzfest, Stevie Nicks barreled through a 90-minute set at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Sunday night.

The show was unnecessarily heavy-handed and loud. There are bands who believe the value of music can only be measured in decibels that don't play this loud.

Blame guitarist Waddy Wachtel, longtime Nicks collaborator and current musical director, who seemed to take the opportunity of this particular show to turn up his own guitar and self-showcase with several over-the-top, Spinal Tap-like solos. All of the arrangements heavily favored his favorite instrument to the detriment of the real star of the performance.

For her part, Nicks was brilliant.

Highlighting the hits, the Fleetwood Mac songstress sounded better than ever as she harmonized with three backing vocalists and howled over Wachtel's guitar lines.

Nicks opened with "Stand Back," blaring through the song with all the bells and whistles, and followed it up with "Enchanted." Even a love song, "If Anyone Falls In Love," was delivered in brutish fashion and the long piano intro to "Rhiannon" was soon replaced with shredding guitar.

Nicks took time to discuss the origins of many of the songs, including her hit "Dreams," which apparently came about as a result of being kicked out of a Fleetwood Mac recording session.

She changed shawls for "Gold Dust Woman" before covering Tom Petty's "I Need to Know," referring to him as "my favorite rock star."

Nick's dedicated her hit "Landslide" not only to her father but "to the world," and made it through the song without a Wachtel guitar solo (he was finally playing acoustic). It was the single subtle and reflective moment of the night.

"Edge of Seventeen" was a 20-minute extravaganza that began with a five-minute drum-percussion workout and ended with Nicks shaking hands across the front of the stage. The encore included a fun take on Led Zeppelin's "Rock'n'Roll," and Nicks imploring the crowd to save the music business.

"The music business is dying," she said. "We need your help. Go to shows, buy albums, not just singles. Save the music business."

Apparently the whales, children in impoverished nations and the environment are getting enough attention elsewhere.

Vanessa Carleton opened the show with a 40-minute set.