Calgary May 17

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Nicks certainly wasn't the vibrant, flaky, hippie Gypsy lady of days gone by. Her voice familiar, but when it wasn't buried in the mix, was only a shadow of what it once was - as a half-hearted Landslide and a remarkably tepid version of her solo song Stand Back revealed - and her stage presence that was neither the expected sexy nor even seemingly remotely interested,

If you'd ever seen her perform before, alone or with Mac, you'd have been left wondering whether or not she even wanted to be there or was merely punching a clock because this was where she felt comfortable.

And even drummer Fleetwood, in previous shows a fun and energetic ham who was more than happy to step up and take the spotlight that his name and talents afforded him, was little more than a bit player - his by-the-books encore solo only underscored that - albeit in a show in which there were no stars.
So the night, instead, relied on the tried and true plot, content to rarely if at all diverge from the recorded reminiscence of those songs, and when it did, it certainly didn't improve upon them.
Take another solo Buckingham on the glorious Never Going Back Again, which was little more than a pub performance that made you wonder if a dreary, Guinness-soaked, drunken shouted cover of American Pie was next.

Even a version of Tusk - one of the most underrated, upbeat and adrenalized pop songs the world has ever known - was a flaccid, cheerleader-less take on that great tune, and made you only want to go back to the original.
Three decades later, Fleetwood Mac, Friday night at the Saddle-dome, were old, worn and what once was.

Usually it is Stevie that'll get a bad review from a show. This is the first time I read a review where the writer was disappointed with the entire band.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by vivfox

Usually it is Stevie that'll get a bad review from a show. This is the first time I read a review where the writer was disappointed with the entire band.

Based on what this reviewer said, if someone threw me a shovel, I'd start burying them now, because the future looks pretty bleak.

But although I'm sure his observations had some merit, he went so far overboard in his disappointment that I think it impacted his credibility. It just became absurd, after a point. I'm not saying it's impossible they put on a lackluster show, but unless all of them are suffering from stomach flu, I don't think it can be as unrelentingly dismal as he painted it.

Michele

[MikeInNV]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Based on what this reviewer said, if someone threw me a shovel, I'd start burying them now, because the future looks pretty bleak.

But although I'm sure his observations had some merit, he went so far overboard in his disappointment that I think it impacted his credibility. It just became absurd, after a point. I'm not saying it's impossible they put on a lackluster show, but unless all of them are suffering from stomach flu, I don't think it can be as unrelentingly dismal as he painted it.

Michele

It strikes me as one of those reviews where the writer comes up with his premise ahead of time, and where actually seeing the show is just a formality before writing the review. Something like, "You know, Rumours is just the perfect album in every way. Wouldn't it be ironic if a tour designed to celebrate that album 35 years later was 180 degrees from that?" Then he trots off to the show to make sure it lives up (or down, rather) to his brilliant notion.

[jkmaletic]

I wasn't at this show, but considering all of the overwhelmingly positive reviews they've gotten so far, I'd take this one with a grain of salt.

Jamie

[Dex]

I suppose a keen writer doesn't typically think that describing a show as just "meh" really makes a good column, hence the exaggeration. I agree with Michele, though. While some of his complaints ring true to people who do find their recent tours disappointing, much of them were too over the top to seem credible. Complaining that a 64 year old woman is "not the expected sexy" in her stage manner is just downright silly.

I love the use of "cheerleader-less" as a serious adjective evaluating a musical performance though.









^ Super srs musiks.

[darkcat]

Well, I was certainly not disappointed in the show. Stevie sounded better than I than I had imagined she would. I really enjoyed Gold Dust Woman, it was really powerful and she brought so much emotion to it. sisters sounded great. They got a great reception for Sad Angel and a fair one for Without You. '
My brother is a casual fan at best and he was really impressed with them all,especially Lindsey. "Where is his pick? he doesn't use a pick?" He kept asking,lol.
Got in an argument with a woman in line ahead of me in the merchandise stand. she tried to tell me that Christine had died, and just would not let it go when I told her that she hadn't!
The arena was packed, very mixed crowd of all ages. We were sitting next to 3 teenage girls who were Stevie fans, they were a lot of fun.
Definitely worth the trek out to Calgary.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by darkcat

Got in an argument with a woman in line ahead of me in the merchandise stand. she tried to tell me that Christine had died, and just would not let it go when I told her that she hadn't!

I find this very interesting. Even slightly comical. In her mind she probably figured that Chris had to be dead or else she'd of certainly been performing onstage with the rest of the band.

[michelej1]

Out to lunch
By Nico Lehman, Calgary Herald, May 23, 2013

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/enterta...#ixzz2UADYAwrX

We think that Mike Bell's review of the Fleetwood Mac concert was absolutely terrible. He chewed them up and spit them out. He hacked them up to pieces, and why? He was mean, crude and just plain rude, and we disagree with his whole review.

Were you even at the same concert, Mike? Stevie Nicks' raspy, Gypsy-like voice was just what the doctor ordered, as she was stellar in her vocals, especially on Landslide, where there was not a dry eye in the house (except perhaps Bell's).

Lindsey Buckingham was monumental and had many great moments in the night where he was going nuts on the guitar. It was our first time seeing Fleetwood Mac and, even without Christine McVie, the rest of the band soared through the clouds and was still on top the whole night. Just thought Bell's review was out to lunch. Can't figure out if you are even a Fleetwood fan to begin with, or were forced to the show to write this review. We loved the show and were sadly disappointed to read what you wrote. We thought the concert was just stellar and we will certainly be back for more if Fleetwood Mac ever comes back again.

Nico Lehman and Glen Underwood, Calgary


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/enterta...#ixzz2UADhOxRY

[darkcat]

exactly! I thought it was a great show!