Concert review: Stevie Nicks, Don Henley

[Johnny Stew]

Concert review: Stevie Nicks, Don Henley
(Reuters, Tuesday June 7)

HOLMDEL, N.J. (Hollywood Reporter) - Big-ticket heritage acts have been propping up the listing concert business for years now, and if this is the way it must be, the industry would do well to take a close look at a novel (but too-brief) new tour from Stevie Nicks and Don Henley -- one of the most magical rock shows in a long while.
More than just the standard double bill, these songwriting legends (and fronts for two of the greatest bands of all time, Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles) work hand in hand, interpreting each other's stuff in a way rarely done by truly big stars.

On the second night of this 10-date swing, Henley, up first, got things rolling with some dry wit and a well-received "Witchy Woman." Quickly he was into the big stuff -- "Hotel California" -- during which Nicks sauntered in from the wings to join him, setting off the kind of frenzied, organic ovation that touring's modern-day corporate labs simply cannot manufacture.

Superstar pairings are best, of course, when there is mutual admiration between the artists and a career path that is somehow parallel yet also different -- as with Billy Joel and Elton John. Tortured friendships are also great for the box office (Eric Clapton and George Harrison) -- and if the two were also lovers back in the day, well, that's a grand slam.

Henley and Nicks -- both pioneering California rockers -- were indeed an item in the late 1970s (after her split from FM bandmate Lindsey Buckingham) and have remained friendly. While they don't quite set off the unrequited sparks that the Nicks/Buckingham-led Mac still produces to this day, there is a familiarity about them that lends both comfort and renewal to hits such as "The Last Worthless Evening" (his) and "Gold Dust Woman" (hers).

On this particular night, there was also a defiant "Stop Dragging My Heart Around," a wistful "New York Minute" and their lone hit together, 1981's "Leather and Lace."

Each also worked hard separately. From his seemingly inexhaustible supply of frothy radio singles and sturdy album tracks, Henley pulled out "Dirty Laundry," "Life in the Fast Lane" and the brilliant "Heart of the Matter." Nicks, who only gets better with age, countered with an ethereal "Rhiannon," and dramatic versions of "Stand Back," "Edge of Seventeen" and others from her long career, all set off by her usual costume array of flowing ribbons, scarves and ponchos.

Though this terrific evening ran almost three hours, there was still a lot missing, including the rumored set-closer "Desperado" -- something they're bound to get to if this limited run becomes the full-fledged tour promoters are said to be banking on for next year.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

. . . Nicks sauntered in from the wings to join him, setting off the kind of frenzied, organic ovation that touring's modern-day corporate labs simply cannot manufacture . . . .

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

. . .Nicks, who only gets better with age . . .

Yep - he gets it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

-- something they're bound to get to if this limited run becomes the full-fledged tour promoters are said to be banking on for next year . . . .

Someone better tell Glenn Frey he needs a Miami Vice reunion show

[amber]

Oh, Stew.

that article mad me cry. It's so beautiful. I'm going to die. It's everything I love about everything.
I want to quote bunches of stuff, and talk about it, but I'm too verklempt.

Thanks for posting.

*Strand will be filling in for all of my quoting/posting needs.

[MacMan]

if this limited run becomes the full-fledged tour promoters are said to be banking on for next year.

Uhhhh... Hello!

Okay.. So nothing from Fleetwood Mac till '07!

Great review!!

[GardenStateGirlie]

EXCELLENT review...it's true...it's a show to not be missed

[amber]

kay, maybe just one.



"Quickly he was into the big stuff -- "Hotel California" -- during which Nicks sauntered in from the wings to join him, setting off the kind of frenzied, organic ovation that touring's modern-day corporate labs simply cannot manufacture."





*Amber weeps.

[Somajoseph]

Wow! Thank you so much for posting that, it's always great to read a good review.

All these wonderful pics that have been posted along with reviews like these make me so excited about Stevie's upcoming solo shows.

I really wanted to go to Red Rocks but cant afford it as I just had a trip to Florida and have a long Labor Day weekend in New Orleans booked. I will have to settle for the Concord Pavilion, which I actually like alot, but the Santa Barbara Bowl would have been nice too. I love a more intimate venue.

Thanks again for posting and thanks to everyone who has posted all their wonderful photos/reviews.

Joseph

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by amber

kay, maybe just one.



"Quickly he was into the big stuff -- "Hotel California" -- during which Nicks sauntered in from the wings to join him, setting off the kind of frenzied, organic ovation that touring's modern-day corporate labs simply cannot manufacture."





*Amber weeps.

either you are in or you are out

[amber]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

either you are in or you are out

I don't know who that mad face is for, because I am actually weeping.


sometimes there is too much beauty.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by amber

I don't know who that mad face is for, because I am actually weeping.


sometimes there is too much beauty.

I am thusly, your beast, but your beautiful beautiful BEEEUUUUTTTTIIIIIIFFFFFAAAAAHHHLLLLLLLLLUUULLLLLLLLL BEEEEEEAAAAASSSSTTTT!!!!

[amber]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I am thusly, your beast, but your beautiful beautiful BEEEUUUUTTTTIIIIIIFFFFFAAAAAHHHLLLLLLLLLUUULLLLLLLLL BEEEEEEAAAAASSSSTTTT!!!!

*still weeping.

[JazmenFlowers]

Good for them! I'm happy to see something nice and so enthusiastic about Stevie. To me, New York Minute and Circle Dance really showcase Stevie's ability to turn any song into her own. Hopefully, I can catch Stevie again in Dallas or Atlanta, but Vegas blew my savings out of the water so I may have to live on mp3's alone...what's a desperate houseboy to do???

[catinthedark]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

Concert review: Stevie Nicks, Don Henley
(Reuters, Tuesday June 7)

HOLMDEL, N.J. (Hollywood Reporter) - Big-ticket heritage acts have been propping up the listing concert business for years now, and if this is the way it must be, the industry would do well to take a close look at a novel (but too-brief) new tour from Stevie Nicks and Don Henley -- one of the most magical rock shows in a long while.
More than just the standard double bill, these songwriting legends (and fronts for two of the greatest bands of all time, Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles) work hand in hand, interpreting each other's stuff in a way rarely done by truly big stars.

On the second night of this 10-date swing, Henley, up first, got things rolling with some dry wit and a well-received "Witchy Woman." Quickly he was into the big stuff -- "Hotel California" -- during which Nicks sauntered in from the wings to join him, setting off the kind of frenzied, organic ovation that touring's modern-day corporate labs simply cannot manufacture.

Superstar pairings are best, of course, when there is mutual admiration between the artists and a career path that is somehow parallel yet also different -- as with Billy Joel and Elton John. Tortured friendships are also great for the box office (Eric Clapton and George Harrison) -- and if the two were also lovers back in the day, well, that's a grand slam.

Henley and Nicks -- both pioneering California rockers -- were indeed an item in the late 1970s (after her split from FM bandmate Lindsey Buckingham) and have remained friendly. While they don't quite set off the unrequited sparks that the Nicks/Buckingham-led Mac still produces to this day, there is a familiarity about them that lends both comfort and renewal to hits such as "The Last Worthless Evening" (his) and "Gold Dust Woman" (hers).

On this particular night, there was also a defiant "Stop Dragging My Heart Around," a wistful "New York Minute" and their lone hit together, 1981's "Leather and Lace."

Each also worked hard separately. From his seemingly inexhaustible supply of frothy radio singles and sturdy album tracks, Henley pulled out "Dirty Laundry," "Life in the Fast Lane" and the brilliant "Heart of the Matter." Nicks, who only gets better with age, countered with an ethereal "Rhiannon," and dramatic versions of "Stand Back," "Edge of Seventeen" and others from her long career, all set off by her usual costume array of flowing ribbons, scarves and ponchos.

Though this terrific evening ran almost three hours, there was still a lot missing, including the rumored set-closer "Desperado" -- something they're bound to get to if this limited run becomes the full-fledged tour promoters are said to be banking on for next year.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

I love when normal people (read: non-Ledgies!) get it.

[darklinensuit]

Originally Posted by catinthedark

I love when normal people (read: non-Ledgies!) get it.

I agree, except we're the normal ones.

And thanks, Mr. Stew.

- Jake

[GypsySorcerer]

Thanks, Brian.