1997 FM Concert Reviews

[michelej1]

[This is a CD review]

Atlanta Journal and Constitution, August 14, 1997

Russ DeVault

The one constant during Fleetwood Mac's 30-year run has been Mick Fleetwood, so it's no surprise that his powerful percussion thumps open the reunion album with Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie and Lindsay Buckingham. What follows on the collection, due in stores Tuesday, isn't at all surprising, either ---but that doesn't mean it's not good listening.

This lineup, last together in '87, when the 10-year sales total of "Rumours" was in the millions, always sounded sublime but was capable of bogging down with bad tunes and mood-altering substances. So the group side-stepped the lame-tune woe by slightly reworking "Rhianon," "Landslide," "Go Your Own Way," "The Chain" and so many other familiar songs that you hardly notice four new tunes: "Bleed to Love Her," "My Little Demons," "Temporary One" and "Sweet Girl." All have solid vocals and music but aren't headed for hitsville.

Instead, what's alluring is the way the group, now claiming a settled-down maturity after more personnel changes, breakups, divorces and substance abuse problems than many major league sports teams, puts a live spin on the classics. Time has dealt fairly leniently with their voices, although the ethereal Christine McVie seems to have weathered it better than Nicks, once a supreme mesmerizer and now possessor of a pleasant voice that's lost some of the compelling urgency heard on "Rumours" and the follow-up "Tusk." Still, there are occasions ---notably on "The Chain" and "You Make Loving Fun" ---when the old magic sparks and the five musicians seem possessed by the music and united by the need to give it voice. Access code: 210

[michelej1]

Palm Beach Post, December 26, 1997

The Fleetwood phenomenon: Stevie Nicks' voice still wobbles, Mick Fleetwood is still goofy and the whole band seems lost in the soft-rock time warp of the mid '70s. But we still love Fleetwood Mac - and that love translated into huge sales for their comeback album (The Dance), TV special and tour. By the time the band came to Coral Sky in November, their Dance concert seemed a paint-by-numbers affair, with even Christine McVie's "thank you very much" sounding like it was prompted by a cue card. But I admit it: Every time I hear Silver Spring, I get a lump in my throat.

[michelej1]

Albany Times Union (NY), November 20, 1997

Section: PREVIEW

IS A $60 ARENA TICKET PRICEY OR REASONABLE?

With a top ticket price of $60 for their Pepsi Arena concert on Wednesday, the members of Fleetwood Mac know that they're running the risk of alienating a number of their fans.

Already more than 12,000 tickets -- $40 and $60 -- have been sold for Wednesday's show, according to a Pepsi Arena spokesperson.

When '70s rock veterans the Eagles reunited for their Hell Freezes Over tour a few years back, they set the high-water mark of $115 per ticket at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. And they didn't have any trouble finding fans willing to pay the price.

``Well, I don't know, really,'' said Fleetwood when asked about the ticket price, ``$60 or $65 actually sounds pretty reasonable to me.''

Reasonable?

``Yeah, it does, and I think that the show is really worth it.

``I mean, it's not like we're playing at the Fillmore West in 1968, now is it?'' -

-Greg Haymes

[michelej1]

Memphis Commercial Appeal (TN), November 15, 1997

Section: Appeal


JADED VIEW JUST CAN'T TARNISH FLEETWOOD MAC'S GEMS

Jody Callahan The Commercial Appeal

It would be very easy to be cynical. After all, the Fleetwood Mac concert at The Pyramid Friday night - before a sold-out crowd of 17,457 - was one show in a tour designed, at least in part, to pad bank accounts. (Or, as one wag dubbed it, the ``401(k) Tour.'')

The band is only nominally touring in support of its latest release, ``The Dance,'' which primarily features minimal reworkings of very familiar songs. This incarnation of Fleetwood Mac - on its first tour in 10 years - is playing live for the first time since the 1993 presidential inauguration, when it shamelessly shilled for a political party.

But no matter how easy it might be to take the jaded approach, to wonder again why musical nostalgia commands such respect, let's not, for a simple reason: the music - that instantly recognizable blend of folk, pop, rock and a hint of the blues.

Listen to the beautiful harmonies of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks - former lovers and the creative touchstones of the dysfunctional Fleetwood Mac family since they joined in 1974 - on the opening song, The Chain.

Or listen to Christine McVie's vocals and her natural gift for melody, particularly on songs like Everywhere and Temporary One, a new song from ``The Dance.'' Or listen to the mesmerizing playing from Buckingham - long an underrated guitar god - on songs Go Insane and Big Love.

Listen to Nicks's sultry voice on songs like Rhiannon and Landslide, proving that her '70s blend of fiery defiance and empathic vulnerability spawned dozens of today's female rockers.

Listen to all of that, and it's easy to understand why this band still commands such a following, 10 years since its most popular incarnation last recorded music together and 30 years since founders Mick Fleetwood and John McVie first played together.

Eight or 10 of the band's songs can easily be heard on the radio most any day, spanning a variety of formats. That helps explain why a number of those in the crowd weren't even born when ``Rumours,'' the band's defining record, was released in 1977.

That said, the show still had rough spots. Feedback peppered Buckingham's Bleed To Love Her. Despite his cleanly frenetic but rhythmic playing, Buckingham has a tendency to be overdramatic, particularly with his endless chatter. And drummer Mick Fleetwood's inane ``vest of drum pads'' could've easily been missed.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Palm Beach Post, December 26, 1997

The Fleetwood phenomenon: Stevie Nicks' voice still wobbles, Mick Fleetwood is still goofy and the whole band seems lost in the soft-rock time warp of the mid '70s. But we still love Fleetwood Mac - and that love translated into huge sales for their comeback album (The Dance), TV special and tour. By the time the band came to Coral Sky in November, their Dance concert seemed a paint-by-numbers affair, with even Christine McVie's "thank you very much" sounding like it was prompted by a cue card. But I admit it: Every time I hear Silver Spring, I get a lump in my throat.

I was at this show. The Palm Beach Post called Stevie "fat and flat." I do agree the show was very robotic. I had watched it on TV a million of times and every time Lindsey spoke to the audience it was the exact words from the recorded special. But it was great to see everyone on stage again. Lindsey's guitar string broke during GYOW and he was taken to the hospital right after the show. He got 7 stitches from where the guitar string cut his hand.
Chris just was not into these shows but was a reluctant participant. Donald Trump was in the second row for the concert.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I had watched it on TV a million of times and every time Lindsey spoke to the audience it was the exact words from the recorded special.

Oh yes, same as the NYC concert, including the "if my mom could see me now". Fortunately John was wearing a hawaiian shirt so I could realize I was at a different show.

[soul_drifter333]

By this point FM was a scripted affair. It was a multi-million gamble and they weren't going to take any chances. By gamble I mean they stood to make a lot of money and didn't want to take chances. I have to say Lindsey is the worse with the scripted dialog at the shows and interviews. I get they didn't want anyone to say anything embarrassing like "I'm not the boss", but it can be really boring for a rock show. That's one of the reasons I didn't like that version of Silver Springs. It in the wrong key causing her to strain and the ending is so planned out that I don't find it believable.

I only got to see one show. The Charlotte show got cancelled the day of the ticket on sale. By the time I bought a ticket to Atlanta I was left with a lawn (no) seat. They booked an outside show in Nov and it was ridiculously freezing outside, but there were a still few nice moments. Stevie wore a big coat through the whole show and it started late because the heaters on stage caused power issues. Who booked an outdoor concert in Nov?

[Penguin Emeritus]

"Miss McVie also shined. Sporting a velvet blazer that might have been worn previously by a member of the Partridge Family, Miss McVie precisely re-created classics such as "You Make Loving Fun" and "Don't Stop," from Fleetwood Mac' 1977 megahit album "Rumours."---

yeesh. ouch lol. i thought her blazers were cute. And why did they call these women 'Miss', are they 16? 'Ms.' should be a given for all women at this point, just as Mr. is for men. and so many of the articles spelled lindsey's name wrong, and i think i saw Rumours misspelled as well.

i do nitpick haha. interesting reviews though.

-Lis

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by Penguin Emeritus

so many of the articles spelled lindsey's name wrong, and i think i saw Rumours misspelled as well.

i do nitpick haha. interesting reviews though.

-Lis

People who can't spell should immediately accept their status as third class citizens.

Joking? Meh...

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Villavic

Oh yes, same as the NYC concert, including the "if my mom could see me now". Fortunately John was wearing a hawaiian shirt so I could realize I was at a different show.

So true. I never dreamed I would see those 5 together again. Perhaps I had played The Dance too many times before going but I remember feeling guilty walking away that I enjoyed the 1990 Farewell/BTM tour more. It had far more energy and fun than The Dance and it was real arena rock klonopin and all!

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

So true. I never dreamed I would see those 5 together again. Perhaps I had played The Dance too many times before going but I remember feeling guilty walking away that I enjoyed the 1990 Farewell/BTM tour more. It had far more energy and fun than The Dance and it was real arena rock klonopin and all!

But I remember they mentioned Lindsey's family in the audience and said hello to them, and were so glad they came to see their father and the band on Thanksgiving day. That was a nice gesture. It was nov 27 in NYC.

[Mr Scarrott]

I remember feeling crestfallen that the Mac never really extended their tour to the UK in 1997/98. It was a long wait to 2015 but that final tour of the five certainly felt more joyous, despite it's scripted moments, from my experience and from what I have read of the former.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

It was a long wait to 2015 but that final tour of the five certainly felt more joyous, despite it's scripted moments, from my experience and from what I have read of the former.

I agree I saw them happier in 2014 than in 1997, specially and definitely Christine. I saw Lindsey at his peak of happiness and energy in 2009. Stevie's excessive prominence was in 2014, not in the two previous shows I saw. She did well in 2009, but I thought she looked a bit tired.

I loved the 1997 show because it was my first opportunity to watch them live. But I was at "210" seat segment at MSG. It's in the upper level and not close to the stage. There were no big screens so I couldn't see their face expressions. Their cloned phrases from the Dance video didn't bother me, but it did pique my curiosity.

Stevie was good in all three shows I've been, I'd say an average level, I mean singing. But too much speech in 2014. At the end of that show (after Songbird), she stayed on the stage and talked for quite a while. The audio wasn't very good, and I honestly couldn't understand much; remember, english isn't my native language. She was talking happily, but since I couldn't understand well, I took the opportunity to leave the venue before she said goodbye, trying to avoid the crowd.

Lindsey was great in 2009, his best performance I've watched. And Christine, 2014 was her year. Again, that's my perception about the only three concerts I went to.