**SPOILER** Opening Night of Crystal Visions Tour

[Dayaz]

Hi all,
I haven't posted to the Ledge in years; however, after reading some of the comments in anticipation of and after last night's performance, I have to agree that over the past few years, Stevie's show has left me disappointed and I have simply stopped going.

After my inital FM/SN experience on the Tango tour; I was mesmerized -- so much that I went out and got every single bootleg show of earlier shows that I could get my hands on. The one thing that amazed me was how Stevie would 'spin' each performance with her style, flair, vocals -- each one was a bit different than the other. Some songs she would completely go off into different keys, etc. She was dynamic, she was spontaneous...

I traveled all over the place (planes, trains, automobiles) to see Mask, Timespace, Angel, Dance, Enchanted, TISL, and SYW shows; my friends would do everything possible to get a coveted first five rows with the chance of reaching up and shaking her hand, etc. Now, I know there were several other 'influences' in the early days; however, through the late 90s, we would still see the spontaneity shine through now and again. The Enchanted tour being a prime example (esp. the Radio City show where I finally got to see a glimpse of the rock out-speaking in tongues Stevie!) and when Lindsey came back, we saw a livelier Stevie up on stage...

However, as time went by, so did the 'magic' that I loved seeing. Yes, there were a few 'sparks' - the covers on the Gold Dust Tour -- but I became a bit resentful, why would Stevie go to covers, when there are so many songs (hits even) from her own career that her fans would die to hear. We gasped when she brought Sara back -- but what about the countless others? And I understand Stevie has gotten older; I'm not asking for cartwheels on stage, just a bit of spontaneity in song choice and/or arrangement.

So, in light of ticket prices being so expensive these days, I always defer to The Ledge postings before I buy any ticket to a show. My friends have long stopped going; they say, "why bother? same 'ol songs, same 'ol performances." I never want to admit that Stevie is becoming a 'lounge' or 'cabaret' act -- simply singing the 'oldies but goodies,' yet, it appears to be happening. Yes, I know that the majority of audiences aren't long-time followers of Stevie or FM, who know every lyric to every song on every setlist ever created; she does need to appeal to the 'OMG I love that Landslide song' audience as well as her long-time fans. Stevie has always been quite frank about having to perform 'those songs' in her set -- and I respect that (I could see Stand Back, Gold Dust, and Rhiannon 1000x and never get sick of them -- after all, they've become her trademarks); but, these days, 'I've gotten older too' and I've seen it all before.

Grace Slick spoke candidly when she said 'no one wants to see their grandmother rock on stage' when asked why she doesn't perform anymore. While I believe Stevie to be a truly amazing artist, beautiful in every way, I'm not planning to go to any of the shows on this tour. I don't want to see the depleting audiences, and the archaic set lists anymore. The more I see online, the more it appears she's simply 'going through the motions.' I love Stevie and will continue to turn her up in my car and in my house.

I hope everyone has a magical time on this tour -- especially, all the new fans out there who might be experiencing Stevie for the first time. Have a blast and don't let us old timers bring you down -- I have so many amazing memories of my SN shows, the fans, the excitement, the energy. But, after reading many of the posts in anticipation, last night's setlist was a bit of a let down for me personally. Yes, she may change it, and I might still check out a Jersey or NY show (from the lawn probably), but for now -- I'll defer to the rising ticket prices and gas prices, and stay at home w/ my memories and CDs.

Thanks for reading....
Dave

[wheart]

OK...I'm a little speechless. When I first read the set list, I thought maybe it was "speculation" and I was trying to find the real set list somewhere else in the thread. I honestly cannot believe it. I didn't expect major changes but I expected some changes. Very disappointing. Makes me feel not so bad that she's not coming to South Florida on this tour.

[Kelly]

This whole thing makes me a bit sad actually. She really has no spontaneity and I can really see why there were problems onstage on the last Mac tour. She is not flexible, where LB would pretty much try anything. It has to be very difficult to work in a situation like that.
Difficult and a complete drag.

With so many hard core, LOYAL fans bailing on multiple shows, I think sales will be a huge problem. I do not think the promotor will pull the plug because between Eye Sack and Nicks fan, they should sell enough tickets to at least break even.

Stevie really needs to wake up.

[jkmaletic]

Originally Posted by amber

First off, Chris Isaak kicks ass. His voice is beautiful, his band is great, he's funny, and hot. I would see him again by himself, were it cheaply enough. He made some great Stockton trailer jokes, too. He's from Stockton, so is my fam. on the mom side.
It was funny and good.

That being said, Stevie's vocals on the "same old songs" were incredible. And I'm not talking incredible, like "there was one new part on one song". I'm talking incredible like, tear the house down.
She added new cool stuff to GDW, her Fall From Grace practically set my awesome dress on fire, and her HSML was amazing. It was just all different and fresher, vocally. But not just a little, a LOT.

Plus, usually I don't like Enchanted live, and this time I did. It was faster. It was like, everything was faster. Her whole singing pace was way better and more dynamic. And like was said before, there was different notes. In fact, everything sounded a bit different and better. And I'm not just saying that. Even Dreams seemed rockin'. It was weird, I was suprised my ownself. Even BATB, which has been spectacular these couple years, but mostly the same - seemed different. It's hard to describe, kinda, but basically all her vocals were better, more dynamic, and either subtly or obviously different. Not different like a whole new song, but different like...well, different. Better, faster, stronger, different emphases. It was weird. And awesome.
So, if you are pissed about the setlist, don't go. If you want to hear the setlist infused with fire and more greatness, go.

***WARNING! TOTALLY OT!!!***

And now, since we didn't take pics, I feel I must show some fuzzy ones I took at home. Mainly because my dress rocked, and you can't see in the pics, but there is gold sparkle all through, which is important in the Brown/Beige/Gold scheme of it. It was tight, yet inexplicably flattering.
Even with my little girl boobs. And my pimple, DEB. P.S., if you're trying to find something to inspire Golden Braid, a pimple is the key. I've never seen her so full of jokes.
Who cares about my dress, you ask? If you saw the dress, you wouldn't ask. And, B, I ALWAYS care about the dress. Dressing up is the best part. Yes, I love clothes that much.
And for those "in the know", it randomly yet perfectly matched my Fleetwood Mac sweatshirt. Brown and gold wise. And also the necklace I made 2 years ago. Ah, fashion serendipity. I love it so. Also included is a fuzzy shot of my Stevie back tat. It's cool, but it's hard to tell. Trust me on this. Also, I don't know why I can't take any non fuzzy pics. But who cares? Also, remind me to clean my bathroom mirror. Thx.

Amber -
Great pics! Great dress!

I'm glad you had a great time last night and I'm glad you posted about it. It was pretty gloomy in here last night as you can probably tell. So glad to hear her energy is high and that even tho it's same old same old, Stevie (and you) obviously had fun with it.
Did you get to the stage for Edge?

~jamie

[markolas]

Well, now I don't feel so bad about not spending $200-300 on tickets for the Houston show.

[rbs3676]

Originally Posted by sparky

Looks like I can confirm my tentative sunday night booty call and turn down the comp ticket. At least this dude occasionally surprises me.

LMAO

I hear ya, Sparky! I'm bypassing The Woodlands show and going to Austin the next night to see Albert Hammond, Jr. play. That sounds like much more fun than seeing the same old show.


rbs

[JazmenFlowers]

I think by ME saying I will not go to a show during this tour unless something changes dramatically over the next couple of shows says it all.

[Tango]

Was Lori on stage? Any one have any specifics about the back up singers? Anyone go to the microphone with Stevie? (like Sharon)

It's really disappointing that there wasn't more focus on SOLO material. Stevie did use strong rock and roll songs: Stand Back, I Need To Know, Fall From Grace, Edge of Seventeen, Rock & Roll. It's the rest of the Fleetwood Mac filler that needs to be replaced. Lori wrote on the Nicks Fix "Nightbird" was one of her most favorite songs. Anything solo would be appreciated: Destiny, Blue Denium, even the simple guitar song from TISL, "It's Only Love," would have been a welcome change. Something different from Bella Donna besides "Stop Draggin'," "Edge of Seventeen," "Leather and Lace." In the end the list is Wild Heart focused: Nothing Ever Changes.

YES, I love Stevie Nicks. YES, I'm glad she's alive, YES, I'm thrilled she is touring at all. If the top ticket price was $55.00 maybe some of this would make sense. Especially in view of the Ticket Master Auctions that are pulling in in some cases over $1000 per seat!

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by Tango

YES, I love Stevie Nicks. YES, I'm glad she's alive, YES, I'm thrilled she is touring at all. If the top ticket price was $55.00 maybe some of this would make sense. Especially in view of the Ticket Master Auctions that are pulling in in some cases over $1000 per seat!

this part made me chuckle. and I agree.

I'll always love Stevie just as much as I ever did, but I just can't keep paying such an exorbitant amount of money 2 and 3 times a year to see her rehash the same old concert. if she was coming within 100 miles or so, I'd go in a heartbeat; but I just can't see getting a plane ticket, hotel room, spending money, concert ticket...equaling $1000...twice this summer for the same show. I've just reached that point. nothing will beat Vegas 05 unless she changes some things. and I did the Vegas thing, have it on DVD, spent a couple thousand dollars. if that's all we're going to get from now on, then I'm just as happy in my pajamas watching it on DVD, cranked way up.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

I think by ME saying I will not go to a show during this tour unless something changes dramatically over the next couple of shows says it all.

word.

[SortaSavageLike]

You people just aren't listening. If you listened harder, you'd notice that she always sings her more obscure songs backwards while she's doing her hits. Like when she did that awesome version of SOTM while singing Landslide on the Today Show back in 2005.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by jkmaletic

Booty call?? You can get one o' those anytime, can't you Sparky? Just take the comp ticket and have fun with it. You can call your booty call after the show.

To be honest, it is easier to go see Stevie than find an interesting guy to spend two hours with. It is all about standards.
Anyway, I'd be too annoyed after the show to be bothered with booty.

It's shocking really. I've been a fan for 30 years. Been to every tour here in LA since 1994 - usually to multiple shows of every tour stop. And I can't be bothered to drive 15 minutes with a free ticket.

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by Tango

Was Lori on stage?

Yes

Anyone go to the microphone with Stevie? (like Sharon)

No

[Tango]

Thank you Ryan.

[SNicksed]

Well, apparently Stevie has mis-placed her copy of the new setlist. It's a good thing I have a copy. Will someone who has her email addy be so kind to shoot this off to her?

Thanks!

Gold Dust Woman
Dreams
I Can't Wait
Sable On Blonde
Rooms On Fire
Rhiannon
No Spoken Word
Sara
Stand Back
Think About It
Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind
Sorcerer
Edge Of 17

I Need To Know
Rock & Roll
Beauty & The Beast