Daily Variety review - July 13th

[Johnny Stew]

(Again, thank you to Mike for the heads-up on this review. And a little warning to everyone reading... this one is less than kind towards Lindsey, so be prepared.)



FLEETWOOD MAC
(Staples Center; 17,000 seats; $135 top)
By Phil Gallo

Evidence that a fissure still exists among the creatives in Fleetwood Mac is found throughout their troubled current Warner Release "Say You Will" and it carries over into their two-hour, greatest hits-dominated show.

On one side is Stevie Nicks, who has written more than half the tunes on the new disc and who plays the oldies the way they were recorded, even if it means a less-than intense performance. On the other hand is Lindsey Buckingham, who pens the rest of the material; he is on a mission to showcase himself in concert – to the detriment of the group - as a guitar god capable of playing in the same league as the Mac’s early six-stringers, Peter Green and Danny Kirwan. Buckingham seemingly no longer cares about his reputation as a master song craftsman.

But when the best of all possible worlds collide, as they did on "Landslide" and "Go Your Own Way" at the first of two sold-out nights at Staples Center, Nicks and Buckingham are a model of perfection. And on the disc, they proffer evidence that this can still be a vital act, mainly via the exquisite "Destiny Rules," which combines the classic elements that distinguished Fleetwood Mac during their popular run in the 1970s: Buckingham fingerpicking figures from which Nicks carves a melody, singing about romance in metaphysical terms over Mick Fleetwood’s snappy rhythm.

"Destiny Rules" didn’t make it into Friday’s 23-song set list, a pity considering the fact that it would be the one new tune that could hold the audience rapt. The title track works well enough in the show, though "Peacekeeper," with Paul Simon’s "Kodachrome" echoing through its chorus, lacks weight, and "Say You Will," (NOTE: I think he meant "Say Goodbye," as he had already mentioned the album's title track) with Buckingham and Nicks taking a stab at Simon & Garfunkel folkiness, feels unfinished and in need of lyrical editing.

But on Buckingham’s "Come," another wordy entry from the new disc, the guitarist turned savage and aggressively attacked the guitar in a hard and heavy manner rarely seen in this band since its late ‘60s blues-rock days. It’s shocking at first when Buckingham turns the act into a power trio, yet as self-indulgent as he gets – there’s no doubt that he is a remarkably inventive guitarist. It does open the door, in a pipedream at least, for Fleetwood and bassist John McVie to restore some of the early – and often brilliant – FM repertoire such as "Albatross" and "Oh Well." Unfortunately, Buckingham and the band waste the opportunity to explore those earlier classics, choosing instead to focus on Buckingham’s unrestrained and undisciplined musical tantrums.

Nicks, who leaves the stage when Buckingham goes his own way (as do many concertgoers) is now the melodic center of the band. She has her inconsistent moments – she stumbled on "Rhiannon" but enhanced "Dreams" with aged huskiness – though she’s now relied upon to hold the group together as a pop act. It all points to how much the piano and voice of Christine McVie are missed: The mother-child dynamic between Stevie and Christine, obvious more in hindsight than back in the day, is absent – as is the softness her keyboard work brought to their overall sound. (Keyboardist Brett Tuggle only got to shine on "Go Your Own Way.")

Fleetwood Mac isn’t quite ready to float completely on a wave of nostalgia and, as "Destiny Rules" suggests, their ability to work together is not a thing of the past. A little more focus, someone to reign in Buckingham’s excesses, elimination of "Tusk" – it doesn’t work without a live marching band – and a reduction in Fleetwood’s off-the-wall drum solo and war chant would go a long way to reclaiming the Mac of yore.

The show’s personality was energetic and comfortable, with the entire band obviously enjoying themselves and the moment. Sound technicians deserve special credit for making the Mac show one of the most listenable affairs in Staples Center’s four-year history. Instruments and voices had strong separation and clarity from start to finish with no glitches along the way.

Fleetwood Mac performs Wednesday and Thursday at the Pond in Anaheim.

[wondergirl9847]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
there’s no doubt that he is a remarkably inventive guitarist.

Well, he's not a TOTAL moron.

Thanks for posting JS!

[cliffdweller]

this person is obviously not a fan.

'nuff said .

[Les]

Sound technicians deserve special credit for making the Mac show one of the most listenable affairs in Staples Center’s four-year history.

Hehe, well that's a first in one of these reviews.

[strandinthewind]

I did not think it was THAT bad.

I did think, however, it is interesting that LB is being descrbed as "self-indulgent" and "he is on a mission to showcase himself in concert – to the detriment of the group." These are more often associated with Stevie when she used to be whirling dervish on stage.

Also, many kudos for the notice of Brett!!!!!! Hooray or Brett!!!!!! You cannot neet a nicer guy!

[gypsysara]

Ah-HEM! Brett's finest moment during the show was on STAND BACK!

[seteca]

What's this guy reviewing....the concert or "Destiny Rules"...???

I'm not quite sure what the logic is in employing somebody who is blatantly stuck on the whole (and very childish and OLD) "Lindsey vs Stevie" thing to write a review about a Fleetwood Mac concert...?

"Buckingham's unrestrained and undisciplined musical tantrums".....go blow it outta ur a**, Phil.

The only thing that's completely "undisciplined" is this stupid review. This idiot most likely cannot differentiate between a 6-string and a g-string.

[wondergirl9847]

Originally posted by seteca
This idiot most likely cannot differentiate between a 6-string and a g-string.

LMAO!!!!!!!

Yeah, you know, I wonder how many concerts a year these "reviewers" go to...and overall, do they like a particular type of music or all kinds or what????