Nicks lacks spark (Cincinnati Review)

[MacMan]

Nicks lacks spark
By Bill Thompson
June 26, 2008
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...NT03/306260023

Stevie Nicks brought a treasure trove to National City Pavilion Thursday night.

It included a handful of legendary songs (“Rhiannon,” “Dreams,” “Gold Dust Woman” and “Edge of Seventeen”), a dazzling array of shawls, vintage video that chronicled her career since she joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, and photographs that paid homage to her late father, Jess.

She also brought a talented 10-piece band and more than 30 years of experience as a big-time rock star.

What she didn’t bring, however, was a spark; that certain something that sets a concert apart from a rote reading of greatest hits.

The majority of the 3,000-plus fans didn’t seem to mind. They stood and cheered from the first notes of “Stand Back,” yelped when she went into her patented twirling dervish moves (made even ... twirlier ... by silhouette lighting), and waited patiently during extended instrumental breaks while she changed from a black dress to a white one, then a different white one.

Folks love their Stevie, and it’s not surprising. She’s the real deal, a bona-fide Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter who was at the core of one of the most popular bands of all time.

But that’s precisely the reason she should be held to a higher standard. Even though Nicks turned 60 last month (she’s closer to the edge of seventy than seventeen), she’s still in fine voice. But the stage show settled for ritual -- an interminable trip across the front of the stage to shake hands with every member of the front row of the audience while a security guard held her from behind -- instead of a passionate performance of those classic tunes, which had women in the crowd high-fiving each other despite the lackluster delivery.

Nicks has settled for a comfortable niche instead of searching for that inner vixen that helped to fuel the phoenix that was Fleetwood Mac in its heyday. In a way, it’s understandable. She’s worked hard, and if the rumors are close to true, lived hard as well. She deserves to enjoy her success.

But it would be great to see some of the fire in her eyes that you hear in her voice on songs such as “Silver Springs” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.”

Ironically, it was during the simplest song of the night that Nicks allowed a peek behind the scripted banter. After dedicating “Landslide” to her father, she sang loud and clear accompanied by longtime compadre Waddy Wachtel on acoustic guitar, as the photos of her life flashed across the background.

Moments like those are what gives one hope that she will dig deeper to uncover her treasures next time around.

[wheart]

I think this review sums up very eloquently what many of us have been feeling for quite some time.

Thanks for the post.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by MacMan

Nicks lacks spark
By Bill Thompson
June 26, 2008
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...NT03/306260023

Stevie Nicks brought a treasure trove to National City Pavilion Thursday night.

It included a handful of legendary songs (“Rhiannon,” “Dreams,” “Gold Dust Woman” and “Edge of Seventeen”), a dazzling array of shawls, vintage video that chronicled her career since she joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, and photographs that paid homage to her late father, Jess.

She also brought a talented 10-piece band and more than 30 years of experience as a big-time rock star.

What she didn’t bring, however, was a spark; that certain something that sets a concert apart from a rote reading of greatest hits.

The majority of the 3,000-plus fans didn’t seem to mind. They stood and cheered from the first notes of “Stand Back,” yelped when she went into her patented twirling dervish moves (made even ... twirlier ... by silhouette lighting), and waited patiently during extended instrumental breaks while she changed from a black dress to a white one, then a different white one.

Folks love their Stevie, and it’s not surprising. She’s the real deal, a bona-fide Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter who was at the core of one of the most popular bands of all time.

But that’s precisely the reason she should be held to a higher standard. Even though Nicks turned 60 last month (she’s closer to the edge of seventy than seventeen), she’s still in fine voice. But the stage show settled for ritual -- an interminable trip across the front of the stage to shake hands with every member of the front row of the audience while a security guard held her from behind -- instead of a passionate performance of those classic tunes, which had women in the crowd high-fiving each other despite the lackluster delivery.

Nicks has settled for a comfortable niche instead of searching for that inner vixen that helped to fuel the phoenix that was Fleetwood Mac in its heyday. In a way, it’s understandable. She’s worked hard, and if the rumors are close to true, lived hard as well. She deserves to enjoy her success.

But it would be great to see some of the fire in her eyes that you hear in her voice on songs such as “Silver Springs” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.”

Ironically, it was during the simplest song of the night that Nicks allowed a peek behind the scripted banter. After dedicating “Landslide” to her father, she sang loud and clear accompanied by longtime compadre Waddy Wachtel on acoustic guitar, as the photos of her life flashed across the background.

Moments like those are what gives one hope that she will dig deeper to uncover her treasures next time around.

On this comment I couldn't disagree more. The only lackluster songs performed last night were "Outside The Rain" and "Dreams". She nailed every other song. I've never seen her bring more life and verve into GDW than last night. She and her OUTSTANDING band perfectly captured the mood of the song. She was bright, animated and playful with "Sorcerer" doing her air guitar movements. She even told us that she wrote the song on guitar. So she said to picture her going around she and Lindsey's apartment while SHE was on guitar and Lindsey reacting like, ARE YOU CRAZY?! It was funny. She rocked EDGE and R&R like there was no tomorrow. Landslide brought tears to my eyes. My parents are in their 80s now and I worry about them everyday. The fear of losing them hangs over me like a dark cloud. I was thinking a lot about this during the song because of Stevie paying homage to her Dad and how he is gone from her now. The last shot shown during the video was of a frail Jess in a wheel chair waving goodbye. No wonder Stevie has a hard time watching that. HAEWAFY was flawless. It was poignant with the tribute to our soldiers in the background. THIS WAS THE BEST CONCERT I'VE EVER SEEN STEVIE PERFORM!! SHE IS ON FIRE! Not only that, but she seems happy and in a very good place in her life. Good for her. She is beautiful and very fit. Her hair looks so good. It just looks so soft and shiny. Damn, that woman has it going on! I guess the only real disappoinment I had last night was that she didn't do HSML! It figures. I've got some pics and mini movies(I mean real mini, like seconds) that I'll share over the next few days/weeks. They are not the best, as I am somewhat of a rookie at this picture taking thing. There were a lot of people taking pictures and filming the show last night. Way too many for security to handle! People were four rows deep at the stage from beginning to end. These concerts go by way too quickly, almost like a blur. So I am a little disappointed it's over, but so very thankful and grateful that I got to see Stevie one more time. THANK YOU STEVIE for everything you've done and continue to do!! I for one am glad you are here with us still singing those songs and enchanting us with your beauty and grace! NO SPARK?! WHAT A FREAKIN' JOKE!!

Rhiannon- don't leave me now! Cincy 06/26/08


A little dark, but I think it fits the song!


They're short:

Edge- Stevie Rockin'



I like the doves flying by in the background!

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by jwd

She was bright, animated and playful with "Sorcerer" doing her air guitar movements. She even told us that she wrote the song on guitar. So she said to picture her going around she and Lindsey's apartment while SHE was on guitar and Lindsey reacting like, ARE YOU CRAZY?! It was funny.

That sounds like a great story. I've heard her talking about doing IDWTK on guitar, going to each of them with the different tunings Lindsey left lying around. I didn't know about Sorcerer. I would love to hear that.

Originally Posted by jwd

The fear of losing them hangs over me like a dark cloud.

Yeah, I never thought about it before. My grandmother started ailing so much that when her death came it felt more natural. But my dad's stroke and subsequent death happened so suddenly and I'd thought he was so healthy . . . I don't think I have yet reconciled losing him in 2005 and ever since then, I have been thinking about my mother's mortality -- and heck my own -- constantly. Time goes by so fast. Even if you told me something would last for another 20 years, that would not seem like enough. Every time I see an old person looking fragile or confused it gets to me and the video with Jess is very moving.

Michele

[jwd]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Yeah, I never thought about it before. My grandmother started ailing so much that when her death came it felt more natural. But my dad's stroke and subsequent death happened so suddenly and I'd thought he was so healthy . . . I don't think I have yet reconciled losing him in 2005 and ever since then, I have been thinking about my mother's mortality -- and heck my own -- constantly. Time goes by so fast. Even if you told me something would last for another 20 years, that would not seem like enough. Every time I see an old person looking fragile or confused it gets to me and the video with Jess is very moving.

Michele

Michele I'm sorry to hear about you losing your grandmother and father. When we are younger we take so much for granted. Death doesn't even cross our minds. But we come to realize that the time we get to spend with our loved ones becomes more and more precious with every passing year. My Mom never does not kiss me and tells me she loves me, and I in return, when we say goodbye. "Landslide" resonates with so many people because we can all relate to "getting older" and the passage of time and how precious it becomes.

[David]

Originally Posted by jwd

Michele I'm sorry to hear about you losing your grandmother and father. When we are younger we take so much for granted. Death doesn't even cross our minds. But we come to realize that the time we get to spend with our loved ones becomes more and more precious with every passing year. My Mom never does not kiss me and tells me she loves me, and I in return, when we say goodbye. "Landslide" resonates with so many people because we can all relate to "getting older" and the passage of time and how precious it becomes.

Joe, I hope your mom will continue to be ok.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by David

Joe, I hope your mom will continue to be ok.

Thank you David. She has a very loving family to watch after her. My Dad is remarkably fit for his age and I also have two brothers and sisters who will be there for her, whenever and however she needs us.

[jwd]

Here's another, showcasing (at least a little ) her fabulous red shawl. It's beautiful folks. Pictures do not do it justice. I love how she tosses it back over her shoulder, taking on a whole new look with just the simplest change.




I cropped and photoshopped this one a little bit. Please bear with me because I'm nowhere close to some of you expert picture takers on here. I'm trying though.

[jwd]

I like how this one turned out, edited of course.

[Sahara]

Any reports I've read lately have given Stevie much more credit than this. And putting down the the 'interminable' Edge walk is all very well if you're not a fan, but for those who get a handshake or a smile, it must be an unforgettable moment.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by wheart

I think this review sums up very eloquently what many of us have been feeling for quite some time.

Thanks for the post.

I couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted by MacMan

Folks love their Stevie, and it’s not surprising. She’s the real deal, a bona-fide Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter who was at the core of one of the most popular bands of all time.

But that’s precisely the reason she should be held to a higher standard. Even though Nicks turned 60 last month (she’s closer to the edge of seventy than seventeen), she’s still in fine voice. But the stage show settled for ritual -- an interminable trip across the front of the stage to shake hands with every member of the front row of the audience while a security guard held her from behind -- instead of a passionate performance of those classic tunes, which had women in the crowd high-fiving each other despite the lackluster delivery.

Nicks has settled for a comfortable niche instead of searching for that inner vixen that helped to fuel the phoenix that was Fleetwood Mac in its heyday. In a way, it’s understandable. She’s worked hard, and if the rumors are close to true, lived hard as well. She deserves to enjoy her success.

But it would be great to see some of the fire in her eyes that you hear in her voice on songs such as “Silver Springs” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.”

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by jwd

Here's another, showcasing (at least a little ) her fabulous red shawl. It's beautiful folks. Pictures do not do it justice. I love how she tosses it back over her shoulder, taking on a whole new look with just the simplest change.

One thing I liked about the pre-superbowl show is the way she dropped her shawl. I don't know if it slipped and she just left it or if she actually ditched it, but it was a cavalier gesture which added "attitude" to the performance.

I also love the Rhiannon backdrop, how they have the soft intro and then when the pounding beat starts, the curtain over the backdrop drops with a rapid sweep, as if to say, "That was sweet, but now it's time to rock!"

Michele

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by wheart

I think this review sums up very eloquently what many of us have been feeling for quite some time.

Thanks for the post.

Yup. Stevie's *songs* will never fail to move and inspire me, but her performances of them for approx the last 10 years (with a few exceptions) have seemed empty to me. Many times I have left her shows wishing she at least appeared more emotionally present. I really believe it is a result of just too much touring with not enough new material. The way she felt when she wrote these songs (and first began singing them) can't possibly be the way she feels about them now. I would certainly hope not, anyway. But the music itself has taken me through so many situations in life; romances, deaths, loss, etc and for that, I will always be grateful to her. I'll probably still continue to see her when I'm able to, but I have come to expect less from her, performance wise.

[Keith]

Friday evening and I'm kicked back drinking a glass of red wine and... baby baby baby.. you should see me now.. listening to one of my favorite boots.. 5/19/07 Greek Theater..L.A....

Thanks for the review Joe.. I saw Stevie last Saturday at Atlantic City and she and her awesome band were on Fire.... as I was reading your review, I was nodding my head.. I felt the sparks.. even for the stale setlist, Stevie and her band are at the top of their game.. thanks for sharing your experience..

headed up to New York in the morning to see Ms. Nicks at the beach.. ironed my shorts, my Crystal visions (with the sleaves cut off) tee, rolled my doobie, sync the ipod with some Stevie live.. and getting excited about the journey....

now just need a really good ticket.... send me some Stevie karma......

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Keith

Friday evening and I'm kicked back drinking a glass of red wine and... baby baby baby.. you should see me now.. listening to one of my favorite boots.. 5/19/07 Greek Theater..L.A....

Thanks for the review Joe.. I saw Stevie last Saturday at Atlantic City and she and her awesome band were on Fire.... as I was reading your review, I was nodding my head.. I felt the sparks.. even for the stale setlist, Stevie and her band are at the top of their game.. thanks for sharing your experience..

headed up to New York in the morning to see Ms. Nicks at the beach.. ironed my shorts, my Crystal visions (with the sleaves cut off) tee, rolled my doobie, sync the ipod with some Stevie live.. and getting excited about the journey....

now just need a really good ticket.... send me some Stevie karma......

Well Keith, I think YOU, ARE ON YOUR WAY! Sending you MUCH Stevie karma in snagging a really good ticket for her show in New York. It'd be nice if you wrote a full review when you get a chance. You're one of the best review writers here on The Ledge.


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