Stevie was awful tonight *spoilers*

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by sparky

SO many people are so enamored of Stevie (and her bank account thanks you for it) that she simply needs to show up and be alive for them to be thrilled. The expectations are bottom of the barrel.

I'm not trying to be contrary and disagree with your post, but I'd like to add a different perspective, if I may.

As someone who has checked out several Tina Turner and Madonna message boards, I have seen many of their fans issue the same complaints about them, that some of Stevie's fans have about her. "Lackluster," "phoned-in," "not as energetic as she used to be," etc.

You should have seen the clamor when Madonna fell during one of her shows last year.

I think it's almost universal among fan communities.

As far as professionalism... well, athletes have off-days too. As do actors. Even doctors and nurses. No matter how long you've been in your field, you're never going to reach perfection, as hard as you may try. People flub lines during the middle of 'Our Town.' They miss a free-throw that they've made countless times before. It happens.

Additionally, I don't think anyone's projecting their own insecurities or shortcomings onto Stevie by allowing for the fact that the woman is human. Seems to me that -- and this is only my opinion -- fans who are capable of seeing a celebrity as flawed and imperfect tend to be more realistic in their expectations.

[SandyMac]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I felt that Stevie was slightly off, but not much. It's worthy to note here specifically as it relates to the Standback twirls, she was wearing her normal boots, but the heels were almost like stilletto heels, I noticed that. And I think she was maybe trying to be careful. Just a thought. Overall I was very impressed, I would give it at least an 8 out of 10. Oh and one more thing, with all due respect to Sparky, I totally disagree with his take on Storms. I thought her getting into it and showing real emotion was probably the highlight of the night for me.

Twirls in boots with stilletto heels? Oh good God, no wonder her twirls were slower. Damn, can you imagine being 60 and wearing heels like that and twirling around? I would fall on my a$$ so fast. I say kudos to Stevie for not falling. Maybe she does not need to go as fast any more for an effect. She knows how to work a crowd's response with more seductive twirls with her shawl to get a crowd in a frenzy.

If she doesn't twirl for Stand Back... be honest, how many fans or just general fans would be sort of disappointed as it kind of is her trademark move for that song.

[wolfontherun]

Originally Posted by carrie721

i've never performed in a long-running show, but i've been involved in plenty of competitions and auditions. you don't get any credit for jitters. they're supposed to be professionals.

many violinists have to stop performing if they injure their hands or get arthritis or carpal tunnel. even if they could still physically perform, they can't play to the standards they have set for themselves. why would a vocalist be any different?

and finally, i do not love stevie nicks. i was a big fan for years, and i've given her plenty of leeway. but the love thing ... not so much.

Sorry that not everyone meets your standards. Luckily for most of us she will not be retiring anytime soon. What is that famous quote ??? something like the reports on my death have been highly exagerated???

[wheart]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Oh, and don't forget the opening night of Mama's residency at Caesar's in 2005. I wasn't there, but I saw the bootleg. She was a drunken hot mess! The only time (I can remember) that she had an outstanding opening night was on the Two Voices tour in Philly. But then again, it was less than a month after Caesar's, so I'm not sure if that really counts...

Anyway, I suspect Mama will be back to form soon enough...

See, I thought she was horrible opening night of Vegas (way nervous) but gave a performance on the last night the likes of which I hadn't seen in years. She was completely committed to each and every song, from the minute she stepped out on stage. I guess it's all about perspective

[wheart]

Originally Posted by badanimals87

I was at Ceasar's opening night in '05 as well and she did not look like a drunken mess. She was a little reserved but overall she put on a great show. I should add though that when I saw her in Chicago with Don Henley a month or so later, she was not reserved at all. In fact the Two Voice Tour had some of Stevie's finest moments since I started seeing her live in '98. She just seemed to be having the time of her life up there with Don Henley which made for an excellent show for us.

BTW Paula, I think my friend Kim and I were sitting next to you and your friend at that first Caesar's show and we spoke briefly. Did you make it up for the walk that night? I'm pretty sure your friend made it up there, but we were too far.

Tim

I'm glad you brought this up about the Two Voices shows since I haven't read much about them. I think that period was a sort of renaissance for Stevie, she seemed to be enjoying a renewed spontaniety, energy and love of performing. It was the closest she'd come to the "old Stevie" in a long time. This tour, including the Gold Dust part after Henley bailed on her, did absolutely contain some of her finest moments, far better than her TISL shows and probably better, IMO, than anything since.

[eric51078]

I was at the show. 7th row. All the way from Boston. Stevie was not awful. She was nervous. She was not limping. She did not favor a certain leg. She was being careful. Maybe she was a little stiff but its freakin opening night...give her some slack. Fleetwood Mac has more monitors and wires and cables on the stage then she does in her solo set. She normally enters and exits between the drummer and percussionst. She obviously needs to find another way towards the back and that would involve CAREFULLY moving around John and his stuff, Brett and his stuff, the other guitar players stuff...etc..etc..etc..She actually changed boots many times during the show. She started off with the burgundy ones...I thought she put the camel colored ones on for Rhiannon, then she changed into shorter boots, then she had the trademark black ones on. No she did not do massive twirls during Stand Back but vocally she sounded amazing and she looked amazing. She wasn't really chatty but her interaction with the audience towards the end was good. The top had for Go Your Own Way was awesome...and she was really into Silver Springs especially at the end. Everyone gets nervous for opening night and this is Fleetwood Mac...people have higher expectations for them. Mick ALWAYS walks her off stage...christ people are making it sound like she is an invalid. Go back and watch the Dance and Live in Boston...he always walks her offstage...that is his thing....anyways...just my two cents...nothing nasty.

[starshine]

Originally Posted by sparky

Scoop, I have no idea who you are and have had no interaction with you. But from this post alone, I will disagree with the many and deem you authentic and not a troll.

As if you give two rips what I think.



I've seen too many phoned in performances to think that your reaction is merely naysaying and dissing just to diss.
I get the impression that you really are a lifelong fan and you are going through the kind of thing I went through many many years ago.

I skipped the CV tour. And the Gold Dust tour, I think. I dunno. I can't remember anymore. I have seen so many shows it is very difficult to keep track anymore. I know there were a few shows I could have just drove 15 minutes to the Greek, got my comps and parking, gone backstage and done it all free. I couldn't be bothered.

But let me say this - I don't disbelieve a word of what you say.

SO many people are so enamored of Stevie (and her bank account thanks you for it) that she simply needs to show up and be alive for them to be thrilled. The expectations
are bottom of the barrel. I have been there. Just simply seeing her in person can be such a thrill, and such a fulfillment of a fantasy that all objectivity flies straight out the window.

Add to this the idea that she is this odd vessel that people project their own weaknesses and neuroses onto and you have an odd situation. People almost WANT her to be weak
and fragile. It fulfills some bizarre fantasy they have about her and themselves. "It's just nerves! It's only the first show! She must have had a bad day!"

It is a million and one excuses to make her seem more human and flawed in order to make her seem down to earth.

The fact is that she is, or should be, a professional. First and foremost. They had weeks of rehearsal. They should have a top notch sound and light crew. There is NO excuse for that monitor drama. No expense is spared, and they are asking for a king's ransom for each evening they perform. The ticket prices you people are paying reflect
that.

So should the audience expect perfection?

YES. Damn near, the audience should.

From people who have been doing this for a living for 40 years? Damn right they should expect perfect. Try flubbing **** and blowing lyrics and sleepwalking through a Broadway opening. 10 million gone. Show closed. Rock and Roll my ass. People expect professionals to be professionals. God knows my ass would be fired if my set sucked on the first shoot day.

Would Tina Turner's audience balk at her screwing up her dancing during Nutbush? Almost falling off as she scuttled across a scaffolding a few feet wide above the audience with no net?

Of course they would.

Would Madonna's audience howl and blog in horror if her dancing and interaction with her props and scenery looked clunky on the first night? Would they screech and hoot in disgust and call her a hack when they paid a fortune for a flawless performance?

You're damned right they would and with good reason.

They paid top dollar and expect a well rehearsed and professional show. No matter the fact that a mere human being is doing the performing. You demand over a hundred bucks for the privilege of watching you perform and you better damned well deliver.

For some incredibly screwed up reason, a lot of people love for Stevie to be weak. They sympathize, they love her for being nervous. They project their own shortcomings on her - being sick, being tired, being fat, you name it.
It humanizes her, but it also gives her carte blanche to turn in blase performances. Which she has done on and off for her entire career for various and sundry reasons.

Don't get me wrong. I have seen her be brilliant. And I ate it up and counted myself lucky. And I have seen her be dismal. Utterly dismal and unprofessional even in the past few years when purportedly sober.

There are lots of young fans here and even older ones who are still mesmerized by her every move. Of course her every gesture enthralls them. They are under the spell of her persona, which is still considerable. If I had a few bucks for every friend I drug to a show that intoxicated me and my guest said, "That's it?"



Love's a state of mind, indeed.

So, I don't fork over money anymore. I would rather remember the glory shows I have seen. I'm interested in
emotional involvement and full commitment in shows and performers.
Homegirl is just pulling a retirement paycheck these days and god bless her that she can. I hope she makes a few million on this tour, gets a kick ass face job from Catherine Deneuve's surgeon, gets truly inspired again, and does one more album.

Odds are highly against it but it would be a sweet coda to an uneven but fascinating career.

For now I've made my contribution to her bank account. Ten times over. I'm happy to watch the videos.

Thank you for your honest posts.

God knows people have chafed at mine over the years.

As for the performances...

Good god, Storms isn't supposed to be barked.

It ought to be whispered.

Points for effort, regardless.

Don't Stop made my teeth hurt. WTF with that hamhanded
piano from Tuggle?

And Rosie deserves a years late Emmy for her Stevie spinning impersonation on Arsenio Hall years ago.

The Stand Back spins from 3/1/09 confirmed her prophecy.

Slo Mo. Bored. Utterly disengaged.

Great post Sparky.....I'd agree with alot of it about Stevie....having been a fan myself some 20 yrs plus.....I've seen her solo 6 times & 3 times with Mac.....I don't like the phoned in performances either....personally the last 2 times I saw her for CV (07 &08)....she did all the right moves for every song etc....but it all seemed so staged and emotionless for me. Than her comments last yr about fans stealing her music really got to me...& this was before I was to see her last yr.....It all has left a bad taste in my mouth so to speak. I wasn't excited about seeing her than....& well I'm not seeing them this tour or if Stevie solo's again either. The set list things bothers me as well as the high ticket prices. I also have contributed to her bank acct (as well as Mac members) so.....I've decided to stop going. I can see things here etc. The live concert show lacks to me anymore. Esp when performers don't really want to be there on stage ......I have no more illusions about Stevie anymore or Mac.....All things should be set for this tour & for major issues to occur isn't right to all that have paid the high prices for it. Personally, why should Stevie have any nerves....how long has she been performing???? Really.....I can see the moment she walks out on stage but it should be gone than.....it's like she has done this most 'all' of ther life. No excuses here. Yes performers have off nights but opening night?? Interesting......I'm sure it will get better .....I do hope so for all that are going.....but from what I've seen on Youtube.....it doesn't look like I'm missing alot......but do enjoy yourselfs and I will enjoy reading your posts. I agree that this board is for discussing all things Mac/Stevie and its good to agree to disagree no matter how many posts a person has. The opinion is what matters......I have no rose colored glass in regards to Stevie or Fmac......no long nets of white cloud my memory......Its all good and it is what it is..........

[jrpjr]

Originally Posted by RockALittle250

You've been on here for a month, and your "setlist" was bogus...so take your scoop and troll another Mac forum.

What difference does it make how long this "memeber" has been here?? if this "member " thought she sucked....so be it. don't criticize just because u don't agree..so take ur rudeness and troll to another Mac forum. I've been here 2 months..u gonna tell me off now? moterators r watching people who are bulling memebers and as a "senior leggie" be nice and mentor the new folks. OK senior leggie?

[sparky]

Originally Posted by wolfontherun

BTW Broadway shows have enourmous amounts of practice and then do a run off broadway to work out the kinks.

I am familiar with the process of mounting a Broadway show.

I have seen her on every tour since 95 and CV was her best performance of them all sorry you missed that one.

I'm not. But thanks.

[Steviefan49]

Originally Posted by michelej1

You know, the NBA instituted some type of rule that the players all have to wear suits when they aren't on the court, if they are talking to the press or sitting on the bench and I thought, yes exactly. I expect my basketball players to emulate David Niven when they are not dribbling.

Michele

Oh.. but how we love our "dribbling" LOL - Sorry.. couldn't resist.. LOLOLOL- My keyboard gets it's daily dose.. ROTFL

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by sparky

I am familiar with the process of mounting a Broadway show.



I'm not. But thanks.

Sparky!!!

[RockALittle250]

Originally Posted by jrpjr

What difference does it make how long this "memeber" has been here?? if this "member " thought she sucked....so be it. don't criticize just because u don't agree..so take ur rudeness and troll to another Mac forum. I've been here 2 months..u gonna tell me off now? moterators r watching people who are bulling memebers and as a "senior leggie" be nice and mentor the new folks. OK senior leggie?

Excuse me...he came on here touting a setlist that he got from a "very reliable source" that turned out that the most desirable songs on it never happened to be on the official setlist for this tour, and therefore, some people gave their hopes up and got excited over nothing because it was bogus. So if you knew the actual situation instead of attacking me, you would understand that.

[jannieC]

I still feel like a point is being missed- it's not her lack of energy (as exhibited by twirling or kicks, etc.); it's her perceived lack of *interest*. One of the things I always loved to watch was Stevie becoming lost in the moment. When her face would shake with emotion.

That's the kind of thing I am referring to. She just seems totally bored and has for years. I adore her and I always will. I will also probably always try to check out as many tours as I possibly can, hopeful to catch a glimpse of the performer I love.

[wolfontherun]

Originally Posted by sparky

I am familiar with the process of mounting a Broadway show.



I'm not. But thanks.

You did not sound like you were hence my pointing it out to you.

Oh and you should be she was fabulous on CV sounded clear as a bell on many songs, she wa on fire, even Dreams sounded fresh and exciting again. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

[TheScoop]

Originally Posted by RockALittle250

Excuse me...he came on here touting a setlist that he got from a "very reliable source" that turned out that the most desirable songs on it never happened to be on the official setlist for this tour, and therefore, some people gave their hopes up and got excited over nothing because it was bogus. So if you knew the actual situation instead of attacking me, you would understand that.

First of all, the only thing I did was pass on information that was given to me from a reliable source in regards to a PRELIMINARY setlist. I never said "hey folks, here's the official setlist of the tour!". Secondly, of the original list that was passed on to me that I posted, 21 of 27 songs made it into the final set. Of the final list that was passed on to me that I posted, 23 of 27 songs made it into the final set. I have no idea what took place after what I posted back in early February that changed to what inevitably took place as the final set on March 1st. I do not claim to have any inside connections to the band, nor did I claim that the information that was passed on to me was in any way official. I'm sorry you got your hopes up, but I was only sharing whatever information that was given to me. FWIW, "Oh Well", "I Know I'm Not Wrong", "Monday Morning", & "Say You Love Me" (all of which are not exactly staples), which were all on the original setlist that was posted in early February seemingly made the cut, so take whatever you want from that. But I never promised you or anyone else on this board anything. I simply passed on what was passed on to me and that is all.