Creating the Worst Possible Setlist

[bwboy]

I noticed several songs were chosen that were never performed live before, and that we think would sound awful based on how much we dislike the recorded song. That’s different, I think, from songs that FM have performed live that now sound awful. I have three examples; Never Going Back Again- a truly beautiful song that, in some misguided sense of passion I guess, Lindsey has unfortunately turned into a caricature of a song. Gypsy- part of it may be Stevie isn’t capable of singing it as well anymore, but what she’s done to compensate instead makes it even worse. A shadow of the song it used to be live, or is on the recording. Big Love is another example- I like the recorded version a lot, but the way it is performed live makes it a completely different song. Imagine Dragons played Big Love at MusisCares years ago, and it was awesome. If Imagine Dragons can do it justice, surely FM could!

What songs do you think FM performed poorly in the past, due to the arrangement or age or whatever?

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by bwboy

I noticed several songs were chosen that were never performed live before, and that we think would sound awful based on how much we dislike the recorded song. That’s different, I think, from songs that FM have performed live that now sound awful. I have three examples; Never Going Back Again- a truly beautiful song that, in some misguided sense of passion I guess, Lindsey has unfortunately turned into a caricature of a song. Gypsy- part of it may be Stevie isn’t capable of singing it as well anymore, but what she’s done to compensate instead makes it even worse. A shadow of the song it used to be live, or is on the recording. Big Love is another example- I like the recorded version a lot, but the way it is performed live makes it a completely different song. Imagine Dragons played Big Love at MusisCares years ago, and it was awesome. If Imagine Dragons can do it justice, surely FM could!

What songs do you think FM performed poorly in the past, due to the arrangement or age or whatever?

I don't think the band performed any songs poorly in the past. That was the beauty of the band. They were a different animal in concert. Big Love during the Dance was mind blowing. We never heard any version of the song live before and Lindsey's take was really good. In the last few tours with him, it was one of least favorite songs they performed.
I think we all like the older live versions of Over My Head and Rhiannon. Even Say You Love Me had a quicker tempo compared to the album. I love the almost country version of Gypsy on the Mirage tour. Eyes of the World was so much better in concert as was Over and Over. The issue I have was when technology made it easier for the band to sound like the album versions of the songs. Everything post 1997. I much prefer Little Lies in 1987 and 1990 compared to when Lindsey came back. I love his rocking ending he put on the song but I love those loud keyboards at the beginning and the song was bouncier compared to when Lindsey came back. Sisters of the Moon was better than the album on the Tusk and Mirage tour. But with OWTS it was horrible. It was neutered and Stevie could not do the song justice vocally either.
I never cared for any version of World Turning Live. I hate to say it but I think unconsciously Stevie ruins it. No live version has the magic of the album.

[WalkAThinLine.]

Originally Posted by bwboy

I noticed several songs were chosen that were never performed live before, and that we think would sound awful based on how much we dislike the recorded song. That’s different, I think, from songs that FM have performed live that now sound awful. I have three examples; Never Going Back Again- a truly beautiful song that, in some misguided sense of passion I guess, Lindsey has unfortunately turned into a caricature of a song. Gypsy- part of it may be Stevie isn’t capable of singing it as well anymore, but what she’s done to compensate instead makes it even worse. A shadow of the song it used to be live, or is on the recording. Big Love is another example- I like the recorded version a lot, but the way it is performed live makes it a completely different song. Imagine Dragons played Big Love at MusisCares years ago, and it was awesome. If Imagine Dragons can do it justice, surely FM could!

What songs do you think FM performed poorly in the past, due to the arrangement or age or whatever?

I actually like some of the songs that I included on my list. The selections that I made were more targeted at novelty songs like "Lizard People" and "Did You Ever Love Me", both of which I adore. It's certainly possible that there are certain songs that would surprisingly translate well live, but at this current juncture, that list is dwindling given that Lindsey's and Stevie's voices are deteriorating in quality. The studio version of "Sisters of the Moon" is terrific and the live versions found on the Tusk and Mirage tour are almost as good, but the quality absolutely tanked by the 2013 tour and On With the Show. I still enjoy the acoustic rendition of "Big Love" but would welcome a rendition that's more faithful to the studio recording.

As for other songs that FM has performed poorly in the past, I wasn't a fan of "Not That Funny" on their 2013 tour or even their original Tusk tour, but I love the studio version. "Hold Me" doesn't translate perfectly live, but it wasn't performed poorly. I don't understand why Fleetwood Mac kept "Blue Letter" in their live set up until 1990. In my opinion, that was a wasted slot.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by WalkAThinLine.

I actually like some of the songs that I included on my list. The selections that I made were more targeted at novelty songs like "Lizard People" and "Did You Ever Love Me", both of which I adore. It's certainly possible that there are certain songs that would surprisingly translate well live, but at this current juncture, that list is dwindling given that Lindsey's and Stevie's voices are deteriorating in quality. The studio version of "Sisters of the Moon" is terrific and the live versions found on the Tusk and Mirage tour are almost as good, but the quality absolutely tanked by the 2013 tour and On With the Show. I still enjoy the acoustic rendition of "Big Love" but would welcome a rendition that's more faithful to the studio recording.

As for other songs that FM has performed poorly in the past, I wasn't a fan of "Not That Funny" on their 2013 tour or even their original Tusk tour, but I love the studio version. "Hold Me" doesn't translate perfectly live, but it wasn't performed poorly. I don't understand why Fleetwood Mac kept "Blue Letter" in their live set up until 1990. In my opinion, that was a wasted slot.

The best part of Not That Funny live was Chris's honky tonk piano playing. It also made for some great visuals during the Mirage show. But on the Dance, I dont think Chris played on Not That Funny. The real piano was sort of retired after 1987

[WatchChain]

Originally Posted by WalkAThinLine.

The studio version of "Sisters of the Moon" is terrific and the live versions found on the Tusk and Mirage tour are almost as good, but the quality absolutely tanked by the 2013 tour and On With the Show.

By the 2013 and 2015 tours, pre-recorded backing tracks were being used in most live concerts by classic rock acts.

Those live versions of "Sisters of the Moon" were basically Stevie doing karaoke to a pre-recorded track. This is a perfect example of how pre-recorded backing tracks have ruined the live music industry. No spontaneity.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by WatchChain

By the 2013 and 2015 tours, pre-recorded backing tracks were being used in most live concerts by classic rock acts.

Those live versions of "Sisters of the Moon" were basically Stevie doing karaoke to a pre-recorded track. This is a perfect example of how pre-recorded backing tracks have ruined the live music industry. No spontaneity.

I dont think Sisters OWTS had any pre-recorded vocal tracks. Stevie stayed in her lane and gave a very muted performance. It could have used some pre-recorded tracks. Maybe the backing vocals were piped in but we are not used to a flat sisters but that is what we got.

[Mr Scarrott]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I dont think Sisters OWTS had any pre-recorded vocal tracks. Stevie stayed in her lane and gave a very muted performance. It could have used some pre-recorded tracks. Maybe the backing vocals were piped in but we are not used to a flat sisters but that is what we got.

Sisters was the only point on the 2015 tour that I felt my attention wandering slightly. I seem to recall the applause was somewhat muted, but I might be wrong.I really wish Stevie had chosen Sara instead, but I kind of understand why she didn't.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

Sisters was the only point on the 2015 tour that I felt my attention wandering slightly. I seem to recall the applause was somewhat muted, but I might be wrong.I really wish Stevie had chosen Sara instead, but I kind of understand why she didn't.

I agree. At one of the shows there was literally no applause. It was weird and I could almost feel Stevie's concern. Hardcore fans know the song and its wonderful but they made a pit bull of a song and turned it into a mouse. No rock out at the end either. YES YES YES, Sara would have been better. However I do give them credit for going into the vault and doing a fan favorite. It just did not go over well at all.

[jmn3]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I agree. At one of the shows there was literally no applause. It was weird and I could almost feel Stevie's concern. Hardcore fans know the song and its wonderful but they made a pit bull of a song and turned it into a mouse. No rock out at the end either. YES YES YES, Sara would have been better. However I do give them credit for going into the vault and doing a fan favorite. It just did not go over well at all.

I don’t even think the 2013-15 Sisters of the Moon was that bad. The arrangement musically stuck close to the recorded version which is exactly what I’d expect from this band at that point in time. Stevie’s choices vocally were definitely bland but so are most of her vocals in the last 20 years. I thought the repetitive “sister…sister…sister” was lame and the lack of the arrangement fans familiar with the song’s live performances on the Tusk and Mirage Tours was an expected letdown. If anyone thought this song was being resurrected 30+ years later and would remotely resemble the Mirage Tour Video performance, they were being delusional.

[jmn3]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

Sisters was the only point on the 2015 tour that I felt my attention wandering slightly. I seem to recall the applause was somewhat muted, but I might be wrong.I really wish Stevie had chosen Sara instead, but I kind of understand why she didn't.

Its placement in the setlist was always bothersome. Sisters was almost by design supposed to be a showstopper live. The encore song that brought the house down before closing the show. They perfected that during 1979-82. Plopping it dead center and then playing a muted version that forgot to rock out did not help it. Again, I personally didn’t find it offensive and was glad it came back in 2013, but I thought it was unnecessary to remain in the set during the 2014 show I saw.

[Villavic]

I won't think about a worst setlist. I will think about the worst outfits or looks for a last show (that now obviously won't happen)

Lindsey wearing Mick's typical costume (balls included)
Mick wearing Lindsey's "Miami Vice" Tusk suit, but pink.
John with Stevie's top hat.
Christine with a 80s B'52 haircut
Stevie wearing the yellow Breaking Bad overol

[bwboy]

Originally Posted by WalkAThinLine.

It's certainly possible that there are certain songs that would surprisingly translate well live, but at this current juncture, that list is dwindling given that Lindsey's and Stevie's voices are deteriorating in quality. The studio version of "Sisters of the Moon" is terrific and the live versions found on the Tusk and Mirage tour are almost as good, but the quality absolutely tanked by the 2013 tour and On With the Show.

I don't understand why Fleetwood Mac kept "Blue Letter" in their live set up until 1990. In my opinion, that was a wasted slot.

That is very true and unfortunate about their voices. They’ve certainly performed very well for a very long time, considering everything.

As for why they kept Blue Letter in the set for so long, well I have a few theories. First, it sounds like a FM song, musically and lyrically. I always assumed Lindsey wrote it when I first heard it. Second, I suspect they all liked performing it. Third, it’s a quick song, basically 3 and a half minutes long. Fourth, it showcases each of them at their best- the harmonies, the guitar, the bass, the drums. Fifth, it’s such a sing-a-long. Frankly, I was surprised Neil didn’t sing it in 2018-2019.

[WalkAThinLine.]

Originally Posted by bwboy

As for why they kept Blue Letter in the set for so long, well I have a few theories. First, it sounds like a FM song, musically and lyrically. I always assumed Lindsey wrote it when I first heard it. Second, I suspect they all liked performing it. Third, it’s a quick song, basically 3 and a half minutes long. Fourth, it showcases each of them at their best- the harmonies, the guitar, the bass, the drums. Fifth, it’s such a sing-a-long. Frankly, I was surprised Neil didn’t sing it in 2018-2019.

I believe they only played the song once on their 2018-19 tour. They actually did a decent job with it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6_seOMHgUY

[jmn3]

Originally Posted by WalkAThinLine.

I believe they only played the song once on their 2018-19 tour. They actually did a decent job with it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6_seOMHgUY

Similar to Hypnotized. It was trotted out then quickly put back in the closet. Neil actually sounded good singing it from what I heard. It fit his voice much better than a lot of Buckingham stuff he tried (GYOW was an abomination). But this band can’t help itself and just always eliminates songs that aren’t the same basic Greatest Hits Plus package.