New York Town Hall

[elle]

Lindsey Buckingham
Town Hall
September 26, 2011


NEW YORK, NY—Fingerpicking maestro and ‘70s rock god from Fleetwood Mac turned his guitar at the Town Hall into a six-stringed weapon of massive destruction. Lacing the crowd with its finger-flicked twangs and hammer-downs of contorted pop, Buckingham stretched well beyond the confines of the Mac’s soft rock as he took the crowd on a trip that went from the experimental to the harmonic thunder of the Beach Boys.

He reinvented the wheel once again for an incredible night of blistering guitar work and crunching melodies. Keeping an eye on the small machine that he likens to this solo work (as opposed to the Fleetwood Mac’s big machine), Buckingham followed his muse to the beat of a different drummer as he let his guitar playing show the way that he wrapped his vocals around in harmonic wails reminiscent of the pop candy of psychedelic stewards Brian Wilson and Syd Barrett.

In support of his sixth solo album the band blew the lid off the studio versions of the homemade albums letting the music breathe, bleed and spill over the adoring crowd. Buckingham delivered the goods like a stoneyed, mischievous youth as he carefully mixed in the new stuff with Mac faves that kept both hardcore Buckingham fans and Mac fans on the edges of their seats.

He must have gone through at least 10 guitars over the course of the night. Looking fit, trim and with a beaming smile to boot, in a leather blazer, Lindsey worked the crowd like a man on a mission. His guitar pyrotechnics were incredible to watch and feel as they combined flamenco and Travis-picking styles (the use of alternating bass notes that is one of the cornerstones of the blues and country music) into uniquely metamorphosised blasts that were staccato, spitfired and frenetic one second, then calm and serene the next.

His band supplemented the multitracked studio versions with some great background singing, faithfully adding depth and diversity to the originals. Starting off solo on acoustic Buckingham was a one-man army as he let his fingers do the licking over his vocals that went from a soothing whisper to a cathartic wail as they built up tension before release.

Opening up with “Shut Us Down,” from 2006’s Under The Skin, six solo acoustic jammies followed, including “Go Insane,” the hit “Trouble” and ending with Fleetwood Mac’s “Big Love.” The rest of the night was a full-blown rock out. Starting off slowly on “I’m So Afraid,” Buckingham took the crowd on a whirlwind swirl through his demented genius by pulling them in softly then ripping it with terse blasts of twisted, edgy psychedelia.

“Go Your Own Way,” “Never Going Back Again” and the junglefied beats of “Tusk” took us all back to the ‘70s. The newer numbers reflected the contemplative tone of a man on the edge of a nervous breakdown. On “Stars Are Crazy” and the closer “Seeds We Sow,” Buckingham exorcised his inner demons to the crowd’s delight, ending an incredible night by an incredible musician.

—by Glyn Emmerson, October 19, 2011

http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/10/1...ham-town-hall/

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by elle

The newer numbers reflected the contemplative tone of a man on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

I wouldn't say that. Well, maybe the chorus of IOOT, but that's all.

Michele

[WelshWitchPMD]

Better late than never I guess.

[WelshWitchPMD]

I still have a super close up ISA video from this show. Maybe this weekend.

[michelej1]

^Thanks Pattie.

The light looks like sun beams in the second picture. In the first it's nice the way it bathes his jeans, making them glow.

The bead of sweat at his temple.

I wonder if he's shaving any part of his head, to make a clean line. It's like he didn't want thinning patches to show here and there, so he shaves it all to make it smooth. It forms a perfect right angle, looking at the top photo.

Michele

[Regina]

Thanks, Pattie.
That last picture is hysterical. Lindsey's shadow completely wipes me out in the corner there! It's a Lindsey Eclipse! Too funny.

[michelej1]

That's really neat. I didn't even notice the shadow on the wall initially. I love shadows, especially a profile like that. Michele

[elle]

Originally Posted by michelej1

I wonder if he's shaving any part of his head, to make a clean line. It's like he didn't want thinning patches to show here and there, so he shaves it all to make it smooth. It forms a perfect right angle, looking at the top photo.

interesting you would say this. somebody reposted this video from les paul awards yesterday and i was surprised to see how different his hairline is now vs then - he definitely rapidly lost the hair in the front (like in just the last year) and so this may have occurred naturally, but he definitely doesn't have any thinner hair in the front now as was visible in this video:


(lindsey comes on around 7:50 mark)

[Nico]

^ He looks a bit worn/tired in that video but it's a great reference elle. I think I've finally come to terms with his hair to the point that I can speak about it objectively and not get overly sentimental over the greatness that it once was. I appreciate what it is now, I really do. For one, it's a gorgeous color. And frankly, he has the definitive type of facial bone structure that most men would DIE to have. This means that, no matter how much hair he may lose, his facial structure still retains a youthful sex-appeal and doesn't look all raisin-like and gummy- like some old men. I mean, for now at least...

[michelej1]

This reminds me of Anne Heche telling her friend about him and saying yes he was old, but not OLD and dissipated like some men his age.

But he was in his early forties then and he was GORGEOUS. Few men in their twenties looked like that. The last thing she needed to do was make excuses to her friends, as to why she was with an old guy. I wouldn't have even bothered to respond to such inquiries. I'd have just told my friend, "Um, go to Tower records and pick up a copy of Out of the Cradle. Look at the photos; play the CD. If you have any other questions about why I'm attracted to him, call a shrink."

Michele

[Nico]

Originally Posted by michelej1

I'd have just told my friend, "Um, go to Tower records and pick up a copy of Out of the Cradle. Look at the photos; play the CD. If you have any other questions about why I'm attracted to him, call a shrink."

Michele

THIS. LB was/is one of the most gorgeous men who ever embarked in rock and roll music. He's in the freaking top list is all I'm saying. Anne Heche......she's probably my LEAST favorite lady LB ever was with. I can't stand that woman. CAH is an angelic swan in comparison.

[WelshWitchPMD]

Here is the video I got of I'm So Afraid.

[WeepingWall]

Originally Posted by WelshWitchPMD

Here is the video I got of I'm So Afraid.

I remember when he walked over to you and I have been waiting to see your video since then! Thank you so much for sharing. Not sure this could have been anymore sexual!

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by WeepingWall

I remember when he walked over to you and I have been waiting to see your video since then! Thank you so much for sharing. Not sure this could have been anymore sexual!

Ha. Maybe that's why he says it's one of his favorite songs to perform. Michele

[Edgeof27]

Originally Posted by WelshWitchPMD

Here is the video I got of I'm So Afraid.

By far the best u-tube video of this recent tour.

You really should have tried to get closer.