The Republican / The Courant - Mohegan Reviews

[MacMan]

Stevie Nicks thrills Mohegan Sun crowd

by The Republican
http://www.masslive.com/entertainmen...mohegan_s.html
Monday April 21, 2008, 9:23 AM
By DONNIE MOORHOUSE

UNCASVILLE, CT - While it may not have been as it was billed, the "Very Best of Stevie Nicks," the Sunday night performance at Mohegan Sun turned out to be the least of Stevie Nicks. The singer recited her biggest hits during a too short 13-song set in front of a sold out crowd.

Except for a few occasions, most notably a relatively earnest version of "Rhiannon," many of Nicks' offerings were more recited than rendered with any passion. If it was the "best" it was only in relative sense.

She opened with "Stand Back," relenting to her trademark twirl with her outstretched arms draped in a sheer cape. Following with "Enchanted," and "If Anyone Falls in Love," the night seemed filled with nostalgic promise.

Nicks can still hit all the notes and while her vocal mix both on stage and off (she spent much of the early part of the night adjusting the volume on her ear piece) seemed a little harsh, it was more the memories the songs inspired that carried the performance.

The first real stumble of the night was an ill-advised cover of Dave Matthews' "Crash" a song Nicks has recorded for an upcoming PBS "Soundstage" show that will air in the summer. It was a truly amateurish interpretation of the song.

Nicks recovered with the aforementioned "Rhiannon," and followed it up with "Dreams," telling stories of how the songs were written. She also offered some insight into the early years when she and Lindsey Buckingham were dropped from Polydor "waiting for Fleetwood Mac to come find us," and she went back to waiting tables.

"It's not very show biz-like to stand up here and tell these stories but what do I care," she said. "I'm almost 60 years old." After digesting that morsel of reality, the crowd was rescued with strong versions of "Gold Dust Woman," and "Landslide," which Nicks dedicated, as always, to her late father.

She introduced the band, and the audience tolerated a drum / percussion duet and Waddy Wachtel guitar solo simply because they recognized the riff of "Edge of Seventeen."

Nicks was called back to encore and delivered a strong cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll," finishing the song with a primal scream. She finished the show with "Beauty and the Beast."

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Stevie Nicks Show Pleasant, Padded

By THOMAS KINTNER Special To The Courant
http://www.courant.com/entertainment...,2899009.story
April 22, 2008

Stevie Nicks has seen more than her share of ups and downs over the last two decades, but the music she made with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo act has seen its popularity endure and given her any number of second chances. The 59-year-old singer's show Sunday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville played on that still-considerable nostalgia.

Settling comfortably into the raspy bark at the high end of her voice, Nicks belted her way through the opening "Stand Back," its thick synthesizer pulse rising from her 10-piece band's driving backdrop. True to the singer's long-established image, her multiple costume changes were largely exercises in donning new shawls and lace wraps, and though she kept her shows of agility to the barest of minimums, when she did extend her arms and spin in slow motion, the notably enthusiastic audience roared as though she were turning handsprings.

Her singing came largely in two packages, either the nasal bleating with which she batted at the chorus of "If Anyone Falls," or the more conversational manner with which she delivered verses like those of "Rhiannon." There was frequently an unbecoming monotony to her delivery, an evenness that played on her familiar sound in tunes such as "Gold Dust Woman," but never quite captured any mood.

During her cover of Dave Matthews' "Crash," she sang comfortably alongside the acoustic guitar rhythm laid down by Carlos Rios. Also pleasantly nuanced was Nicks' navigation of "Landslide," its wistful character enriched by her gentle vocal quaver.

Nicks was almost bubbly as she chatted between tunes, and took her time telling stories before the likes of the expansive "Sorcerer." Between her reminiscing and curiously long trips through the likes of "How Still My Love," there was room for only 13 songs in a set that ran just short of two hours.

Nicks muscled her way through most of the show's highlights, such as the buoyant sway of "Dreams," but her show-closing trip through "Edge of Seventeen" was bloated from its too-long guitar and percussion introduction to its expansive finish. She was the least dynamic element onstage during an undistinguished encore take on Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll." She closed the show with the piano ballad "Beauty and the Beast," its lyrics prodded and stretched as she took her time getting through one last number.

[steviefan59]

hi mac man...well i'm more than a little ticked at both of these reporters...nasal bleating, monotony...least of stevie nicks...amateurish...why can't they say anything positive about a woman who was crowned the queen of r&r 25 years ago and is still performing with all the gusto and joy she had 40 years ago...it's such a shame that altho her voice is huskier and lower than it was she's still up there singing and entertaining her fans and gets crap reviews written about her...take care...pat

[SortaSavageLike]

One would almost assume that pretentious middle-aged male music critics don't exactly fall within Stevie's primary demographic, do they?

[skuncles]

Just an FYI, the Hartford Courant reviewers have been trashing Stevie's shows for years. Nothing new here at all. The review for the infamous Bristol CT show from the '89 tour commented more on Stevie's weight than anything else. Reviewers in general don't like Stevie, mostly because they don't "get" her.

[David]

Come on, folks. Don't confuse criticism with marketing.

[Sanne2]

Originally Posted by skuncles

Reviewers in general don't like Stevie, mostly because they don't "get" her.

That is so true.

[StandbackStevie]

These reviews are sometimes done by people that are not fans of her at all and the sold out crowd that was singing and cheering thru the whole show with her I thought Stevie put on an amazing show as always so these reporters suck and the republican is a local paper of mine out of waterbury and try not to read reviews of shows cause its only one persons opinion vs. 10,000 screaming and partying fans that had an incredible time at this show. Stevie was perfection and flawless as always. Stevie rocked the arena the whole night had so much fun.


Peace,

Steve

[StandbackStevie]

Originally Posted by skuncles

Just an FYI, the Hartford Courant reviewers have been trashing Stevie's shows for years. Nothing new here at all. The review for the infamous Bristol CT show from the '89 tour commented more on Stevie's weight than anything else. Reviewers in general don't like Stevie, mostly because they don't "get" her.

Yes,I was at that show too awesome show and agree with you about the reviews they do trash her because they don't get her like we do and the shows are for us anyway not those reporters.


Steve

[gerryger]

I was at the show @ Mohegan and thought she sounded and looked fantastic. My first reaction to the very first note out of her mouth was that this woman sounds better than ever....which is what I have been reading in the forums from previous shows. I don't know why I was in a hurry to read the reviews in the paper the next day - I kinda expected the poor reviews - especially the Courant. They ripped her in the 80's and they are still ripping her today.

I took my 2 teenage daughters to this concert and they loved it. They know her music from me and I know they will pass it on to their children. They witnessed a true female performer that night...a performer who shows a pure, genuine adornness and dedication to her fans.

To me, she has given me 40 years of musical enjoyment filled with this incredible aura that surrounds her which makes her very, very unique. She has maintained that mystique for a very long time. How many 60 year old female singers can you say that about.

Thanks for the incredible night, Stevie...my daughters and I will never forget you. Their perspective of the show means a lot more to me than a review from someone who doesn't understand why fans love this woman so much....the VOICE...the BEAUTY....the GRACE....the MYSTIQUE

[MacMan]

Originally Posted by gerryger

I was at the show @ Mohegan and thought she sounded and looked fantastic. My first reaction to the very first note out of her mouth was that this woman sounds better than ever....which is what I have been reading in the forums from previous shows. I don't know why I was in a hurry to read the reviews in the paper the next day - I kinda expected the poor reviews - especially the Courant. They ripped her in the 80's and they are still ripping her today.

I took my 2 teenage daughters to this concert and they loved it. They know her music from me and I know they will pass it on to their children. They witnessed a true female performer that night...a performer who shows a pure, genuine adornness and dedication to her fans.

To me, she has given me 40 years of musical enjoyment filled with this incredible aura that surrounds her which makes her very, very unique. She has maintained that mystique for a very long time. How many 60 year old female singers can you say that about.

Thanks for the incredible night, Stevie...my daughters and I will never forget you. Their perspective of the show means a lot more to me than a review from someone who doesn't understand why fans love this woman so much....the VOICE...the BEAUTY....the GRACE....the MYSTIQUE

Nicely put! And welcome to The Ledge!

[GoldDustOrphan]

The first review is badly written. A few sentences are particularly awkward. What is an off-stage vocal mix?

"Nicks can still hit all the notes and while her vocal mix both on stage and off (she spent much of the early part of the night adjusting the volume on her ear piece) seemed a little harsh, it was more the memories the songs inspired that carried the performance."

[sasja]

Originally Posted by David

Come on, folks. Don't confuse criticism with marketing.

[kathy1]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan

The first review is badly written. A few sentences are particularly awkward. What is an off-stage vocal mix?

"Nicks can still hit all the notes and while her vocal mix both on stage and off (she spent much of the early part of the night adjusting the volume on her ear piece) seemed a little harsh, it was more the memories the songs inspired that carried the performance."

great picture.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by gerryger

I was at the show @ Mohegan and thought she sounded and looked fantastic. My first reaction to the very first note out of her mouth was that this woman sounds better than ever....which is what I have been reading in the forums from previous shows. I don't know why I was in a hurry to read the reviews in the paper the next day - I kinda expected the poor reviews - especially the Courant. They ripped her in the 80's and they are still ripping her today.

I took my 2 teenage daughters to this concert and they loved it. They know her music from me and I know they will pass it on to their children. They witnessed a true female performer that night...a performer who shows a pure, genuine adornness and dedication to her fans.

To me, she has given me 40 years of musical enjoyment filled with this incredible aura that surrounds her which makes her very, very unique. She has maintained that mystique for a very long time. How many 60 year old female singers can you say that about.

Thanks for the incredible night, Stevie...my daughters and I will never forget you. Their perspective of the show means a lot more to me than a review from someone who doesn't understand why fans love this woman so much....the VOICE...the BEAUTY....the GRACE....the MYSTIQUE

VERY.WELL.SAID. And WELCOME! So glad u had a good time.