Phoenix - and how I accidentally dissed Stevie for Lindsey

[sodascouts]

I had SUCH a great time in Phoenix, it was SO awesome! I got the donor package and it was totally worth it. I arrived early and met Livia, darklinensuit, gypsyrhiannon and her sister Julie, Drummer Deanna, Janine (forgot your screen name, sorry!), Jessica Leigh, and WelshWitchPMD. Later, at the concert, I was right next to blackcat and Patti. Very cool!

I will focus on my experiences at the concert, then get into more detail about the concert itself, so it's gonna be long, lol.

First, I was sitting on the front row, so when everyone stood up I positioned myself in the middle of the first row. I knew I wouldn't be in position to touch Lindsey or his guitar, but I also knew that if I did get in guitar-touching position, it would be hard for Lindsey to make eye contact with me. Well, let me tell you something, it was SO worth it to be in the middle instead because Lindsey engaged me SEVERAL times and I was just blown away!

Every time he looked over at me, I was just wearing this dopey wide grin, and he would smile at me or even laugh. A couple times I said "Hey" and he mouthed "hey" back. He met my eyes so much I entertained the outlandish thought that I would be the "Come" girl but, alas, I forgot that right only seems to belong to those of the blond persuasion, lol, despite Patti's valiant efforts to claim him for brunettes. And if anybody could, she could!

It doesn't matter, though, because during "Come" he played his solo RIGHT in front of my face. I mean, SQUARELY positioned in front of me so that I looked straight up at him and he just went on and on and on - that was the longest, most intense version I'd ever heard, I SOOO hope somebody recorded it - but they did lots of extended/extra improvisations that night on songs - anyway, I thought I would friggin' pass out at the end it was so intense and awesome. I almost hope he didn't see me, right under him, going into a frenzy lol.

Afterwards, during Gypsy, when he was wiping all the sweat off and trying to get his breath back, lol, I met his eyes again and fanned myself and mouthed "WOAH"! And he laughed.

For "I'm So Afraid" I thought he would go way over to Stevie's spot like usual, but he actually was just a couple people down from me, so I again got a stellar view. He held the ISA climax longer than I'd ever heard before and I don't know how he bears it, from the look on his face! Again, I was getting a little worked up, so this time I didn't meet his eyes afterwards, lol.

OK, so, the night continues, and I didn't really get as much Lindsey interaction after this - I figured he was tired of me, honestly, lol. But at the end, during "Goodbye Baby" he met my eyes again and sang, looking right at me as I mouthed it with him, "You were with me all the time, I'll be with you one day". Well, after that "moment" lol, I gave him such a huge grin that he laughed a little. Guys, you gotta know, I could not wipe the friggin' smile off of my face.

During GYOW, I was actually able to get down near him, but I was suddenly shy and didn't touch him. It was almost like now that I'd met his eyes so many times, I didn't want him to think I was a hussy! lol So I stuck my hand up to strum it but he was getting ready to doggy paddle, so he accidentally struck my hand. It's cool, I got to touch him in Indy, so no prob.


-------


The after party and reason for my title: At the after party, all we did was take a photo with them, no sigs, in groups of 6, and we could talk to them VERY briefly. When I got there, I was the first one out in our group. I moved down and stopped at Lindsey rather than move all the way down to Stevie. I smiled and joked, "We have to sit on the floor!" (They were making some of the group crouch down.) Then, Stevie reached out and grabbed my hand and started talking to me, so I finally turned towards her, lol. Now I was totally unprepared for that, because I didn't realize she was going to do that,and I was looking at LIndsey and didn't see her reach for me. So I was just like "Oh, I can't believe you took my hand! That's so cool!" Then I realized how I must sound and said "I know that sounds stupid" and I laughed and then dropped her hand and turned back to Lindsey, and didn't even realize that she'd put her hand on my shoulder for the photo or anything.

When I look back, I realize how rude that was (although I doubt she cared, lol) but I just wanted to talk to Lindsey so badly that I wasn't thinking. I remember how afraid I was to speak to him beforehand, but he is so cool and makes you feel like he's glad you're there. It was actually easier for me to talk to him than Stevie, can you imagine? My already sky-high admiration for him was quickly escalating into new levels of adoration, lol.

Well, I took his hand and shook it and then said "I was in the front row" and he said "I know, I saw you" and the patented mile-wide Nancy smile was back. Before I could respond, the photographer yelled at me to turn around, so I didn't get to say another word. I just crouched at Lindsey's feet for the photo, which was only appropriate, lol.

Afterwards, others talked to Lindsey, so I moved down to Mick. Noone was talking to him and he looked bored. I reached out and put my hand on his vest and said "I'm so glad to meet you" and he smiled and called me "Sweetheart" - I'm not sure what he said before that - maybe "Thank you" or "Huh?" lol but I was then herded out before I could say anything else. I realized afterwards that I forgot to shake hands with John and that I had dissed Stevie for Lindsey, and I am still kicking myself for not being cooler with her, but otherwise it was such a perfect evening!!!


----


Other, non-Nancy related highlights lol:

There was NOTHING forced about how they were onstage. it was totally natural and just going with the moment, although I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing at Lindsey's rehearsed "The importance of spontaneity" speech, hehe.

They were all in such a great mood. After one song, Stevie started to talk, and then stumbled over a word and said "I'm sorry, I'm just so glad to be here in Phoenix doing this!" (or something like that, don't remember exact words. I SO hope someone was bootlegging this!!) From the outset they were totally ON. It was such a special concert, with a lot of extra improvisation on the songs as I said before, especially from Lindsey. SO cool!


Before "Dreams," Lindsey gave a little speech and I only really remember the gist of it, but it was about how he and Stevie used to come to Phoenix when they were trying to make it and they had struggled and then they met Mick and he says "And you know the rest of the story" and then he grinned and was all like "But we made it - and here we are!" Very sweet. Of course Stevie was moved, although I only gave her a glance (sorry, guys, this happened a lot, lol).

Another highlight: "Second Hand News"! I've noticed they almost always sing this to each other. The look on Stevie's face when she harmonized "Been down so long, I've been tossed around enough!" was kind of like she was taking his words and throwing them back in his face - "Yeah, I was tossed around a lot too!"

"Say You Will" - Stevie danced and did her hand motions, and we all had them memorized and were doing them with her. I think this is one of the few times I knew Stevie kind of saw me, because she smiled at all the hand motion stuff I and the girls around me were doing. They often sang this to each other and during the solo Stevie came over and her face was like an inch from Lindsey's as he played.

"Never Going Back Again" was good as always. Everyone always cheered in the breaks, although I was cheering throughout, so he was never without yelling, lol. This pretty much holds true for all of his songs I'm not sure, but I believe it was before this song that Lindsey spotted a chain hanging from his guitar and he hollers to Ray Lindsey "What's this"? And then he's like "Has this always been there, for the whole tour? Oh, it has? And I just now noticed it?" He was kind of shaking his head at that. It was so funny.

For "Rhiannon," Stevie wore this gorgeous Oriental-design red robe. She looked absolutely GORGEOUS in it. I hope she continues to wear it. She looked gorgeous throughout, though. She's lost that lame cardigan and started her chiffon layers again. I can't get over how small her waist is. But the best thing about "Rhiannon" was how she extended it. Of course she didn't go high, but she sure when off low, going into the 'take me like the wind, baby, take me with the sky...." Afterwards I was like "YOU GO STEVIE!" lol

Now, I told you about "Come" (I still can't get over all the extra stuff he did during that guitar solo) but I also wanted to add I loved how he changed the melody a little bit when singing "Tomorrow morning I will wake up hurting from the things we've said." Makes it more interesting.

I was still recovering from "Come" during "Gypsy," so I didn't notice much, except that I saw a guy and girl literally dancing to it when I looked behind me for a minute. Very cute.

"Landslide" was great, of course. She got behind Lindsey as usual and he leaned against her - but the part I found touching was when during the end and the "snow.... covered.... hills" - she took his hand and squeezed it. I remember this is also the part where Lindsey gets choked up during the Dance video. I wish I knew the significance of that! Afterwards the usual side hug - but a fun part was Stevie reached over and pretended to strum his guitar, and he was like "Go on, do it" but she then started to pull away and so he pulled her back and gave her a kiss on the head, then let her go.

"Say Goodbye" is always moving to watch. It always gets me that they can do this, look at each other so intensely, and it always feels fresh and real. Because of what was said earlier about how, all this time, they're still making music together, it added an extra dimension, I think.

When Stevie did "Beautiful Child" she added extra stuff onto the end, drawing it out, and during one of the improvisations I distinctly heard her say "I wish that you were mine... Sara ... I wish that you were mine." Her voice broke and one point and she seemed choked up. Wonder what the significance is there.

"Gold Dust Woman" - Stevie always shines during GDW and Monday was no exception. She did some spinning and extra improvisations - "Pray hard, pray harder..." and did a good old-fashioned extended howl. I love those!

I already mentioned how "I'm So Afraid" was extended, but he also played parts of the solo differently - after listening to this song so many times in so many different incarnations, it was a totally thrill to hear it done just a little differently. Oh, how I love this song live!

"Silver Springs" was another favorite. At the end, before the last choruses, Stevie very deliberately adjusted her microphone and turned to Lindsey and sang it to him ala "The Dance." Lindsey responded instantly in the same fashion. I think this was the first time she's done that on this tour, which made it VERY cool and, yes, spontaneous.

"Tusk" was different in that Lindsey unplugged his guitar and tossed the cord aside before going after Stevie. Then, when he did, she grabbed his hand and started spinning him around before he could "tusk" her. Frankly, I like the "tusking" better than the "Skip to my loo" spinning but it's all good, lol.

"Stand Back" rocked as always. I was totally getting down at this point, people near me beware! Stevie didn't do her high kick, but her trademarked spins were abundant, lol. I know I've said this before, but I love how Lindsey mouths "Stand back!" with her.

During "Go Your Own Way" we were all totally wild. Everyone was clamorning for Lindsey as he played with the audience. He really had everyone eating out of his hand, lol. The guy knows how to charm an audience, that's for sure, as had been mentioned in almost every review (except for a couple from people with 'tudes about Lindsey!)

I also got down during "World Turning" but when Mick came out, I got very bored and began to realize how much my feet hurt from dancing all night in very high heels. (I will say that the solo was better on Monday than it had been previously - less touching in areas best left alone until one is in private). Still, to be polite, I looked at Mick and clapped and screamed "YES!" when he cried "Are you with me?!" When Mick wasn't looking, however, I stole glances at Lindsey off to the side. He looked into it at points but at other points he looked bored with it too, lol. I seriously think he gets bored by it but feels obligated to look into it since people can see him and he doesn't want to be rude - but perhaps I'm just projecting my own aforementioned behavior onto him! I'd never seen Mick spray so much spit, by the way. On the shuttle to the airport a fellow concert-goer in the front row told me she actually got hit by some. Geez.

I told you about what happened to me during "Goodbye Baby" - and the rest of the song is a blur, so not much else I can add there.

As usual, they came back for the encore holding hands. Something a little different was that they held them up in kind of like a victory gesture. It made me think of the "We made it!" from earlier.

Well, that's pretty much the most interesting parts, although as a whole the experience is just too much for words! All I can say is, WHAT A TRIP!!!!!!!

[Merf]

Nancy, your review is amazing~ thanks for sharing all that with us. It sounds like you had the time of your life~ you big flirt you

Glad you're back!

xx Meredith

[WednesdaysChild]

GREAT REVIEW!!!!!!!

BTW--some say Sara is what Stevie planned on naming one of her children. Don Henley has also mentioned this in the infamous Vanity Fair (?) article...it would make sense for her to improv that into Beautiful Child.

[Patti]

Thanks for the great read, Nancy! It was great meeting you and I saw you when I moved back during the show. You looked like you were having a GREAT time! I did manage to capture Lindsey's attention a time or two (or three), so I feel it was a victory for the brunettes! And I had some great eye contact with him during the guitar stint on GYOW. There just wasn't anyone over on the Stevie side of the stage, so I was representin'! BTW, thanks for the compliment!

You had me LOL about your Stevie encounter. I made it a point to talk to LB and didn't go near Stevie. But they were trying to herd us through there and I wanted blackcat to have her moment in the sun with Stevie.

Thanks again for the review! Maybe we'll see each other again sometime under similar circumstances (wouldn't THAT be fun?!)!

Patti

[gldstwmn]

Nancy, this is great. I'm so glad you got to be flirtatious with Mr. B. and he with you. The Mick Fleetwood spit incident has me howling. Please, please post your photos with them!

[wondergirl9847]

Girl, lay off my man!!! LMAO!!! I am totally kidding, that is GREATNESS that so many fans are getting to see LB so up close and him "playing around" with you guys!! I hope I get my time with the man, hehe.

Mick spit.

I'm so glad you got to meet them and get a photo too!!! YAY to all Ledgies who got to meet em!!!!

[WelshWitchPMD]

It was almost like now that I'd met his eyes so many times, I didn't want him to think I was a hussy!

LOL Nancy, you did NOT look like one. I saw you right in front of LB. You looked like a huge fan having the time of her life. I thought that it was great that you were there. I got up to the second row right between SN and LB. Thats as far as I got.
That was a great review thanks for sharing.

[Pix]

That was one of the best reviews I have ever read!

Thanks so much for sharing it.

[sodascouts]

I forgot to say that I went to the afterparty with Sorceress (Amy) simply because we'd met before, and so I didn't count her among the new acquaintances I mentioned. Love ya, Amy!

[Hawkeye]

Now THAT was an AMAZING review.

[rcb77]

Great review, Nancy! Sounds like quite a night. I don't know what I'd do if I had as much contact with Lindsey and Stevie as you did. I probably wouldn't be able to speak, or I'd just say something incredibly dumb. Can't wait to see the pictures on your site!

[Tango]

I am really impressed that so many wonderful Ledgies got OUT and supported the Arizona Heart Institute Benefit. You ALL deserve a pat on the back and ALL the wonderful moments that you got to have during the show! Thank you for sharing your stories! Keep on rockin'!

[tamaraluvsFM]

Excellent story! I am definitely going to have to go there one day!
And I dont blame you at all for sort of dissing Stevie. This is the first time in a long time that Lindsey has been so accessible....we must take advantage of this...lol.

Tamara

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Wow Nancy! Thanks for sharing!!

Pip

[pwyll]

Hey Nancy!! I'm sooooo happy for you!

Shout hello when you get a chance.

Bob