Soundstage Press Review

[michelej1]

http://blogs.dailysouthtown.com/ghaa...ttack_for.html


Nicks and a big 'Mac' attack for WTTW

If even half of Stevie Nicks’ four-hour marathon concert held last night at WTTW’s Grainger studio makes her new DVD or the upcoming Channel 11 “Soundstage” presentation, audiences will be in for a sweet treat.

The Grammy-winning solo artist and Fleetwood Mac mainstay kicked off the fifth season of new “Soundstage” performances with a wide-ranging concert that featured more than a dozen songs from a pop-rock catalog that’s closing in on four decades of music.

Mac classics such as “Dreams,” “Rhiannon” and “Gold Dust Woman” were interspersed with her own chart-toppers, such as “Stand Back” and “Edge of Seventeen,” for a bewitching musical brew.

She also worked in some terrific renditions of songs by Dave Matthews and Bonnie Raitt and pulled friend and protege’ Vanessa Carlton up on stage for a couple of duets.

The final edit of the concert will be broadcast on “Soundstage” (in high-definition, as always) early in 2008.

The performer also announced that much of Thursday night’s footage was being assembled for an upcoming concert DVD, which explained the frequent costume changes that saw Nicks running backstage after every few songs. (During one stretch she changed outfits three times in five songs.)

Few were complaining. Sure, it made for a long night. The crowd was seated by 7:30 p.m., Nicks came on about 8 and waved goodnight just after midnight. Wow. But for a few taking a bathroom break, that is a testament to staying power.

Nicks is coming off her just-completed “Crystal Visions” tour, which featured a retrospective of her work, and she and her 10-piece band were in fine form.

Waddy Wachtel, the journeyman guitar player who’s played with luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Carole King, Carly Simon and Warren Zevon, rode roughshod over the herd of musicians all evening (in a good way). He even entertained the crowd with some impromptu guitar flights while Nicks was offstage suiting up for the next number.

Adding to the overall experience was a bit of backstory for several of the songs. I only hope some of her recollections make the broadcast or DVD cuts. Not only were they informative, they often revealed a humorous side to the performer that’s rarely scene in a regular concert.

Musical highlights were plentiful, from a gooseflesh-inducing rendition of “Rhiannon” to her bad-ass, screeching rock-goddess version of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.”

Surprises included a knockout cover of Dave Matthews’ “Crash Into Me” (with Nicks hiking up her skirt to match the song lyrics) and some sweet harmonizing with Carlton on “The One.”

It was a great way to kick off the new season, and with Earth Wind and Fire, Matchbox 20, John Fogerty and Daughtry on the docket, year five could be the best “Soundstage yet.