My Vegas Recap

[rbs3676]

I would like to add my two cents to some of the very well written reviews (especially Sparky’s – I concur with much of what you had to say. Sorry I didn’t meet you at the Seahorse, either).
I’ve seen Stevie on every tour beginning with Tusk. I’ve seen her perform magnificently and I’ve seen her perform in a comatose state. What I witnessed Friday and Saturday nights were two incredible shows that will be with me for a very, very long time. I thought Friday night’s show was better because she was more intense, more serious and more bewitching and those are the qualities that first drew me to Stevie so many years ago. Saturday night she was in a really fun mood and you could tell – she was relaxed and she was having a blast. Everything to her was “sexy”! LOL
I didn’t have any complaints about the set list other than I would have chosen another opener (save Enchanted for later in the set) and she should pick something else other than Petty’s I Need To Know – she has too many other songs in her catalog that need to shine. I mean, whatever happened to Golden Braid?
Not enough can be said for BATB – it made the trip worth it on so many levels. The theatrics were perfect – and it was the only time during the show where I felt like they utilized the venue fully. Her voice was/is in mighty fine form and she pulled all the punches on that song, with the film playing behind her, the costume bringing her to another level…it was just perfection. Hands down, the best performance that Stevie has given in well over a decade. GDW has always been one of my favorite live songs and from the moment the cow bell and sitar started, I was hooked. I thought the Friday night performance was fabulous – the whispering ending and the way she cloaked herself and her shawl around Waddy was intense. Stand Back rocked – she even did a high kick Saturday night.
HSML was a huge surprise to me as she hasn’t played this in well over ten years – she was very sultry, very magnetic. Again, I liked Friday’s version just a little bit better because the ending seemed to last longer and she was totally getting into it. Now, I know a lot of people think its heresy when she plays Landslide without Mr. Buckingham, but I thought it actually sounded better with the two guitar players and the ladies.
The band was outstanding – really a perfect mix. In my opinion, Waddy should always be her guitar player as he knows just what to do, and Scott’s keyboard skills are just as good if not better than Roy Bittan’s. The new drummer was great and the new percussionist gave a little Latin-flair here and there. Of course, it was great to have Lori back on stage – I was expecting maybe two songs, not half of the show, so that was nice. She looked happy to be back and sounded great.
All in all, these were two very memorable evenings. If these shows are to continue, better graphics should be used (get rid of the white wing dove, please!) and some sort of stage design would be needed. I expected more Viva Las Vegas and what I got were two fantastic rock concerts with one incredible number at the end that totally blew everyone away. So, thank you for that, Stevie…you convinced me that you haven’t lost it.

rbs

[stevierocks87]

thanks for the great review!!!

adam

[Livia]

Hi, Brucie! Great review and I'm so glad we got to experience it together!

I'll add my 2 cents to your thread cuz you and I have already discussed it (to death!) LOL

The "I Can't Wait" video clip at the beginning was such a tease! I thought THAT would have been a great opener...with some crazy remix of the "How will we feel 20 years from now..." looping and mixing w/ other parts of the song....

I would have liked to have seen better use of the LED screen...clips of the Sorcerer video would have been cool during that song, especially since she looks so gorgeous in it! (ahem, my avatar)

I also would have liked to have seen some more closeups of her during BATB, or at least one quickie at the beginning, to take her all in! I'm SO glad we were both good and stayed away from the boards and avoided spoilers...it really makes it more fun, imo.

I was a little disappointed there was no Nightbird or Leather and Lace, w/ the 3 girls at the microphone together, like the Bella Donna tour. I was also disappointed w/ some of the same old, same old, set list....I love the new little things in GDW, especially the "baby, baby, baby, baby....."

There's always something so magical about the Vegas shows....guess I'd better head over to that thread now.....

[strandinthewind]

Ahhhhhh Bruce - its Jason - it was great to hang with you on Sat.!!!!!!!!!! Love your review - it is spot on!

Take Care!

[highpriestess53]

Originally Posted by rbs3676

I would like to add my two cents to some of the very well written reviews (especially Sparky’s – I concur with much of what you had to say. Sorry I didn’t meet you at the Seahorse, either).
I’ve seen Stevie on every tour beginning with Tusk. I’ve seen her perform magnificently and I’ve seen her perform in a comatose state. What I witnessed Friday and Saturday nights were two incredible shows that will be with me for a very, very long time. I thought Friday night’s show was better because she was more intense, more serious and more bewitching and those are the qualities that first drew me to Stevie so many years ago. Saturday night she was in a really fun mood and you could tell – she was relaxed and she was having a blast. Everything to her was “sexy”! LOL
I didn’t have any complaints about the set list other than I would have chosen another opener (save Enchanted for later in the set) and she should pick something else other than Petty’s I Need To Know – she has too many other songs in her catalog that need to shine. I mean, whatever happened to Golden Braid?
Not enough can be said for BATB – it made the trip worth it on so many levels. The theatrics were perfect – and it was the only time during the show where I felt like they utilized the venue fully. Her voice was/is in mighty fine form and she pulled all the punches on that song, with the film playing behind her, the costume bringing her to another level…it was just perfection. Hands down, the best performance that Stevie has given in well over a decade. GDW has always been one of my favorite live songs and from the moment the cow bell and sitar started, I was hooked. I thought the Friday night performance was fabulous – the whispering ending and the way she cloaked herself and her shawl around Waddy was intense. Stand Back rocked – she even did a high kick Saturday night.
HSML was a huge surprise to me as she hasn’t played this in well over ten years – she was very sultry, very magnetic. Again, I liked Friday’s version just a little bit better because the ending seemed to last longer and she was totally getting into it. Now, I know a lot of people think its heresy when she plays Landslide without Mr. Buckingham, but I thought it actually sounded better with the two guitar players and the ladies.
The band was outstanding – really a perfect mix. In my opinion, Waddy should always be her guitar player as he knows just what to do, and Scott’s keyboard skills are just as good if not better than Roy Bittan’s. The new drummer was great and the new percussionist gave a little Latin-flair here and there. Of course, it was great to have Lori back on stage – I was expecting maybe two songs, not half of the show, so that was nice. She looked happy to be back and sounded great.
All in all, these were two very memorable evenings. If these shows are to continue, better graphics should be used (get rid of the white wing dove, please!) and some sort of stage design would be needed. I expected more Viva Las Vegas and what I got were two fantastic rock concerts with one incredible number at the end that totally blew everyone away. So, thank you for that, Stevie…you convinced me that you haven’t lost it.

rbs

Nice review!!!........is there a suitable punishment for stupidity? If so then I need to be punished.....for being stupid and NOT going to Las Vegas....and no I don't care that it would have been a round trip of 17000kms it's not like haven't done it before....on a weekend!! Do you get the feeling...that I am a little ticked off?? LOL!!

[High Priestess]

I was in Las Vegas for the Opening of "Dreams" at Ceasars Palace. I was so thrilled as I am a Vegas Native traveling from Los Angeles back to my home town to support Stevie.I was excited after hearing the Jim Ladd Interview that she was going all out in this Venue to create an evening never seen before.In the Interview she spoke of "pulling out old songs never or rarely performed live"..maybe Storms..maybe Sisters Of The Moon..maybe Highwayman..old Video Clips playing behind her...vintage costumes from past tours..and major production..taking full advantage of the huge IMAX Screens used currently by Celine & Elton. There were also several Interviews Stevie gave to local radio stations saying that "Talk To Me is my favorite Video and I intend to open the show with it."
Unfortunately none of the above occured.
Stevie was wonderful as always! She was in good voice despite dodging many high notes.
The set was brief..and there were really no surprises for anyone who follows her solo set lists.
The Highlights were If Anyone Falls..were she used a brief ballet clip from the video and her Finale of Beauty & The Beast..(her best performance of the evening).She had a cool opening clip from I Can't Wait Video..(breaking through the wall). Other than that 90% of the show
was her usual set list. She was only shown once on the large screen towards the end..which I found odd..I would have preferred to see her than the psycadelic projections behind her through most of the show. She did not spin at all..not even on Stand Back..not one. No Boots.And she never even mentioned anything about being in Las Vegas.There were no new or old costumes. Only black. Lori looked and sounded amazing as did the whole band!!! It was great to see Waddy Wachtel up there again! I have seen every Stevie solo & FM show..I love, admire and respect her tremendously and always will. It seemed thrown together very fast. What was promised and what was delivered were two different things.