Golden Dreams: Boston Globe Review

michelej1 · #1 03-12-2009, 02:10 PM

Boston Globe, March 12, 2009 http://www.boston.com/ae/music/artic...leetwood_mac/?

With no new album to plug, Fleetwood Mac is on the road again for the best and right reason: to have fun with the band's 40-year catalog.

Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham admitted as much last night at the TD Banknorth Garden, which was just shy of selling out but long on fervent audience enthusiasm.

The 2-hour show didn't present the band's greatest hits in a new light, but rather was a striking reminder of their endurance. If I didn't already own them, I would have rushed out to buy "Rumours" and "Tusk" after realizing how timeless songs from those seminal albums still sound.

Fleetwood Mac has always thrived on, for better or worse, the dynamic among its members, and that tension was a vital part of the show's ebb and flow. Introducing "I Know I'm Not Wrong," Buckingham said the band has had "a complex and convoluted emotional history."

Case in point: After singing "Sara," Stevie Nicks sauntered over to Buckingham's microphone, peered into his eyes, and sang the last verse directly to him. Even though the song is more about Nicks's relationship at the time with Mick Fleetwood, Buckingham collapsed his head on her shoulder. Scripted or not, it was the evening's most poignant highlight. "We didn't rehearse that one," Buckingham said afterward, looking a bit flushed.

Nicks, ever the beloved rock goddess at 60, often kept her strength in the reserves. With her signature shawls and gold-flecked black scarves dangling from her mike stand, she was unusually tepid on "Dreams" early on but then a lively, black-magic woman on "Rhiannon" a few songs later. "Gold Dust Woman" ended with Nicks cast in silhouette, arms outstretched and her back, covered in long blond hair, to the audience.

Buckingham, however, was a man on fire, showing a youthful elasticity in his singing and guitar playing. He's 59 going on 40. Some songs were clearly tailor-made to showcase his guitar prowess, namely a bombastic take on "Big Love" and a searing, extended solo on "I'm So Afraid."

Meanwhile, every time the cameras caught him, Mick Fleetwood looked like the mischievous kid who had scampered onstage to pummel the drums on his favorite songs. Chrome-domed and still sporting a ponytail, he was the evening's designated ham - and eminently watchable. And bassist John McVie looked happy where he's always been: anchoring the group from the shadows. Fleetwood Mac's other anchor, Christine McVie, decided to skip this world tour.

Even without her, the band was at its most thrilling when all its members were in synch with the crowd. On "Go Your Own Way" and "Don't Stop," you couldn't tell how much of the volume was coming from the stage or from the surround sound of stadium-size singalongs.

It says something, though, when an entire arena falls silent for spectral ballads such as "Landslide" and the evening's farewell, "Silver Springs." Sometimes the greatest hits, even with some dust on them, are indeed still the greatest.

James Reed can be reached at [email protected].

michelej1 · #2 03-12-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Boston Globe, March 12, 2009 http://www.boston.com/ae/music/artic...leetwood_mac/?

Case in point: After singing "Sara," Stevie Nicks sauntered over to Buckingham's microphone, peered into his eyes, and sang the last verse directly to him. Even though the song is more about Nicks's relationship at the time with Mick Fleetwood, Buckingham collapsed his head on her shoulder. Scripted or not, it was the evening's most poignant highlight. "We didn't rehearse that one," Buckingham said afterward, looking a bit flushed.

Ok, now I'm really sad I couldn't see it. If they keep doing it, it won't mean as much as the first time.

But as far as Lindsey looking flush, he always looks that way. We're getting dermatologists on it.

Michele

Phoenix · #3 03-12-2009, 02:15 PM

I liked that review.

kathy1 · #4 03-12-2009, 02:33 PM

great review.

David · #5 03-12-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

BOSTON GLOBE MUSIC CRITIC WROTE:
Some songs were clearly tailor-made to showcase his guitar prowess, namely a bombastic take on "Big Love" ...

To quote Inigo Montoya, I do not theenk it means what you theenk it means.

LikeAWillow · #6 03-12-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

[on bombastic] To quote Inigo Montoya, I do not theenk it means what you theenk it means.

Ha. Glad I wasn't the only one bothered by this.

Skyveris · #7 03-12-2009, 03:52 PM

Great read. Thanks for sharing.

WelshWitchPMD · #8 03-12-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Ok, now I'm really sad I couldn't see it. If they keep doing it, it won't mean as much as the first time.

But as far as Lindsey looking flush, he always looks that way. We're getting dermatologists on it.

Michele

Yes, it was the highlight. He was kissing up her arm too. Of course I didn't even have my camera out at that time.

GODDESS6 · #9 03-12-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshWitchPMD

Yes, it was the highlight. He was kissing up her arm too. Of course I didn't even have my camera out at that time.

i would love to see that

~

badanimals87 · #10 03-12-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

To quote Inigo Montoya, I do not theenk it means what you theenk it means.

"My name is Inigo Montoya...you killed my father...prepare to die!"

michelej1 · #11 03-12-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshWitchPMD

Yes, it was the highlight. He was kissing up her arm too. Of course I didn't even have my camera out at that time.

You mean like Gomez and Morticia?

Where there's a heartbeat, it never really dies.

Michele

Kelly · #12 03-12-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshWitchPMD

Yes, it was the highlight. He was kissing up her arm too. Of course I didn't even have my camera out at that time.

Swoon. I hope someone recorded Sara!

WelshWitchPMD · #13 03-12-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly

Swoon. I hope someone recorded Sara!

There is a video on Youtube but it was filmed from the opposite side so you can't see LB kissing her.

StreetAngel86 · #14 03-13-2009, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Case in point: After singing "Sara," Stevie Nicks sauntered over to Buckingham's microphone, peered into his eyes, and sang the last verse directly to him. Even though the song is more about Nicks's relationship at the time with Mick Fleetwood, Buckingham collapsed his head on her shoulder. Scripted or not, it was the evening's most poignant highlight. "We didn't rehearse that one," Buckingham said afterward, looking a bit flushed..

gah ****
i am a pile of GOO!

ISA is hands down the sexiest song live ever
it's hypnotic hmmmmmmm

louielouie2000 · #15 03-13-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Christine McVie, decided to skip this world tour.

Anybody else catch this? I wonder if this guy knows something we don't, or if he's just assuming the band will be on a world tour?