Unleashed review says Stevie is bloated and sedated

[whitewingdove73]

I think this review is just cruel, cold and rude. That's my 2 cents.

[wheart]

Originally Posted by BTFLCHLD

john petric's on dope.

pattie was at columbus...
GDW

That was pretty damn good for being an "off " night. I"ve seen her angrier for this song but the vocals were excellent, better than Philly!

[Bella Figura]

She is getting some of the worst reviews of her life this tour.

this quote made me laugh , she always gets these rotten vindictive type of reviews from those typical guy rock journalist who get stuck reviewing "Fleetwood Mac, that girly group" when he's rather be at a Nickelback or Ozzy concert...

I've seen them again and again and again...certain mentypes just don't get it...so all I can say is thank god, I'm married to one who does...

[jannieC]

I agree that the wording in this particular review was harsh, unprofessional, and sh*tty, but the sentiment is the same among many (including a few fan reviews). It is what it is.

[GypsyJas]

Wow, that was painful to read. First of all, that was really unecessary for the writer to bring up her PAST addictions...the comments on her nostrils make me think this person doesn't like her to begin with. However, as someone that was up close and personal at the Philly show I did notice that she seemed pretty aloof. It was most apparant during GYOW when Lindsey and Stevie went to their respective sides to wave to the crowd...and everyone wanted Stevie to shake hands, but she did not and shook her head like "hell, no" as we were all screaming out to her. Anyone that has seen her solo concerts during the Edge walk knows how sweet she can be to the crowd, and this was in stark contrast to Lindsey who was very energetic and interactive. I did not think her vocals suffered at all though, she just seemed a bit disengaged. And bloated? WTF? I have seen her from the front row for the past 12 years and as soon as she came onstage I thought she looked more slender than ever.
Although I think there is a kernal of justification in this article, the writer's verbage comes across as supremely unfair.

[Musicman408]

Originally Posted by wheart

That was pretty damn good for being an "off " night. I"ve seen her angrier for this song but the vocals were excellent, better than Philly!

I know, right? Vocally she was a dream in Columbus!!

[BellaDonna93]

But when I read the reviews on the nicksfix from the columbus show it seems that it was a great show and that stevie was great too! http://www.nicksfix.com/index.htm

I don't like this review at all, that's why I have to be positive...
It made me sad...

However, hope that Stevie isn't sick or tired of being in The Mac

Love,
/Hanna

[BellaDonna93]

....and, one more video I find on youtube from Florida:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU1x61skco8

It's 5 days later, after the Columbus show, and it seems in this video that she is feeling better, or?
She laughs and smiles

[Nikolaj]

The review is mean, but Stevie is off on this tour. From the first show, some fans thought she was drunk, others 'high'-- Personally, i think boredom has set in for Nicks, and also disillusion- she's realized finally that she's been performing the same material for way, way, too long. It was in the 70s when she said 'I was so Rhiannoned out, I was so Landslided out' after a tour, and some 32 years later, I think that's where she's at again. I think also the reality of this tour not doing very well financially and critically, though it's possibly been kept from her, may be reaching her. We never really find out what goes on 'til a year or so after a tour, then she'll tell, as she did with the 'Say You Will' tour.
Then there's the silly issue of her platform boots, which cause her pain and affect her performances. Easy. The boots GO. Logical thinking would make her realize this. Painkillers may make the boots tolerable, and cloud her reasoning. She wouldn't have to wear Reebocks, but damn lady, if your feet are killing to you to the point where you reveal you can hardly concentrate on your singing because you're in so much pain, you ditch the damned footwear and wear something comfortable, and let the old dresses come down to the floor to hide your footwear. I think she's on painkillers. I believe it's possible she is NOT abusing them. But she's on painkillers, judging by the performance I saw and by the various photographs here on The Ledge and elsewhere. Her eyes look medicated to me.
There's been a lot of negative reviews for her performances, along with some good ones. But i think only a severe optomist could believe this tour will be remembered as a success. This 'lack of success' (hard to call it a failure when they are making some major millions of dollarson this tour) could possibly help any future projects (new cd of NEW material either solo or with Mac) if her revelations which seem SURE to come about what was going on with this tour reveal "I was on painkillers". "My performances weren't as good as they should have been and people NOTICED and i knew next stop was Betty Ford, not Europe"-- well, that's a comeback in the making, and how marketable are comebacks and/or farewell tours... I think we will have a confession of her being very reliant on painkillers on this tour, and the 2010 or 2011 Stevie will be back with fresh,new material and warnings of painkillers to tolerate platform boots, rather than the dangers of Botox. Notice how she's not talking about the Klonopin much anymore? But it could be in the future she will be on the Vicodin or Percocet warpath, which will explain her performances on this tour that some have found lacking, and lead to interest in how the painkiller-free Stevie is doing.
Just thinking this may be what is going on, and how it all can be 'spun' to make her next project a success. After 'Unleashed' i think Stevie will be in need of a 'comeback'-- and what better way to explain it all away than to reveal she was having medication issues?? Wishing her health and happiness, also.
Anyone have any other ideas as to how she will reflect on "Unleashed" say in a year or so?

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

you can respond to this article here:
http://www.theotherpaper.com/article...4005984460.txt

Lindsay raised us up; Stevie brought us down


By John Petric
The Other Paper

I have a theory about Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac: She’s really Nancy Reagan as seen through a slight time warp.

The former first lady was definitely there in the bloated weirdness of the mystical chanteuse Nicks Saturday night at the Mac’s well-attended, well-intentioned Nationwide Arena show.

Despite a wealth of fine and good songs, everyone’s parade of memories was mercilessly squalled upon by the lethargic and loopy Nicks. You’ve never seen a bigger psychic party pooper.

Thanks to gigantic video screens flanking the stage, Nicks’s eyes appeared as toxic slit-trenches honing down on us like Big Brother’s weird big sister—that is, when her eyeballs could occasionally be seen. Normally they were half-closed, as if Nicks were focusing on her inner Ouija board, conjuring up spirits of Manuel Noriega and other notorious cocaine kingpins to rescue her from the banal reality of singing the hits yet one more time.

And I’m not going to even talk about how large the screen made her nostrils. You can only imagine how much illegal activity those air passages have seen in their day.

Nicks was a living wreck. When she spoke between songs, she made no sense. Between her garbled story about growing up idolizing the Velvet Underground and her trademark bleating vocals, which were more half-hearted than the onset of age would allow for, one could be forgiven for thinking Nicks was a tad heavily sedated.

All of which made her the complete opposite of Lindsay Buckingham, the hyper-intense, emotional guitarist/singer/songwriter and her former love partner.

Buckingham, slim and trim and highly energetic; Stevie, low and slow and quite possibly affecting Earth’s orbit. Buckingham, jovial and happy to be alive, his personality definitely his own; Nicks, everyone from The View rolled into one person, but on their worst days only. (Nicks seemed to hate everyone for being at the show—her unhappiness was that visceral.)

Buckingham, raw passion; Nicks, quite possibly the most depressed woman to ever waddle onstage on platforms. Sad, really.

The hits sounded good, though: “Rhiannon,” “The Chain,” “Dreams,” “Landslide,” “Tusk,” etc. But I’d have to say this was only because they were so well-written to begin with and were supported by the dy-no-mite rhythm section of John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. Buckingham and Nicks—once the equivalent of Lennon and McCartney for the spoiled-rotten California narcissistic set—did an uneven job of selling them.

As the pair traded the spotlight, Buckingham would work the crowd into a frenzy only for Nicks to bring it down. He was a lightning strike with an inimitable guitar style. She had the happiness level of a gorilla fresh out of banana rehab. You didn’t want to be around her.

By the time the band got to “Say You Love Me,” Nicks—who clearly was Moby-Dick to Lindsay’s Captain Ahab by this point—began to seriously lose what little steam she had stored in the haunted old engine house called her soul. She seemed prepared to collapse onstage, her platforms and top hat destined to be her lasting memorial.

And then she surprised us.

When she came out from backstage after her latest costume change, she was draped in black for “Stand Back.” (No problem, lady.) She crossed her arms, black Mass-style, but unintentionally looked like a Mardi Gras float. Then she unloaded the song with a heretofore unseen amount of emotional energy: vitriol, pure vitriol.

The woman has issues, by God, and to her credit she finally made them work for her.

John Petric is a dumb ass. Enough said.

[wheart]

Originally Posted by Nikolaj

The review is mean, but Stevie is off on this tour. From the first show, some fans thought she was drunk, others 'high'-- Personally, i think boredom has set in for Nicks, and also disillusion- she's realized finally that she's been performing the same material for way, way, too long. It was in the 70s when she said 'I was so Rhiannoned out, I was so Landslided out' after a tour, and some 32 years later, I think that's where she's at again. I think also the reality of this tour not doing very well financially and critically, though it's possibly been kept from her, may be reaching her. We never really find out what goes on 'til a year or so after a tour, then she'll tell, as she did with the 'Say You Will' tour.
Then there's the silly issue of her platform boots, which cause her pain and affect her performances. Easy. The boots GO. Logical thinking would make her realize this. Painkillers may make the boots tolerable, and cloud her reasoning. She wouldn't have to wear Reebocks, but damn lady, if your feet are killing to you to the point where you reveal you can hardly concentrate on your singing because you're in so much pain, you ditch the damned footwear and wear something comfortable, and let the old dresses come down to the floor to hide your footwear. I think she's on painkillers. I believe it's possible she is NOT abusing them. But she's on painkillers, judging by the performance I saw and by the various photographs here on The Ledge and elsewhere. Her eyes look medicated to me.
There's been a lot of negative reviews for her performances, along with some good ones. But i think only a severe optomist could believe this tour will be remembered as a success. This 'lack of success' (hard to call it a failure when they are making some major millions of dollarson this tour) could possibly help any future projects (new cd of NEW material either solo or with Mac) if her revelations which seem SURE to come about what was going on with this tour reveal "I was on painkillers". "My performances weren't as good as they should have been and people NOTICED and i knew next stop was Betty Ford, not Europe"-- well, that's a comeback in the making, and how marketable are comebacks and/or farewell tours... I think we will have a confession of her being very reliant on painkillers on this tour, and the 2010 or 2011 Stevie will be back with fresh,new material and warnings of painkillers to tolerate platform boots, rather than the dangers of Botox. Notice how she's not talking about the Klonopin much anymore? But it could be in the future she will be on the Vicodin or Percocet warpath, which will explain her performances on this tour that some have found lacking, and lead to interest in how the painkiller-free Stevie is doing.
Just thinking this may be what is going on, and how it all can be 'spun' to make her next project a success. After 'Unleashed' i think Stevie will be in need of a 'comeback'-- and what better way to explain it all away than to reveal she was having medication issues?? Wishing her health and happiness, also.
Anyone have any other ideas as to how she will reflect on "Unleashed" say in a year or so?

I would like to think that at 61 (almost) years of age, Miss Nicks would have the sense, experience and wisdom not to go near anything that may plunge her back into the dark world of addiction. I really think she's learned her lesson. And I honestly don't think she would be taking pain meds just so she could wear her boots for 2 1/2 hours every night. If that was the case, she would have started taking them in '01 when her back/hip problems started and she never would have needed to wear those horrible reeboks.

However, your exact thoughts have crossed my mind recently. Her spark seems to be gone, or severely diminished on this tour. Her current performances, for me, have distinct resemblances to the klonipin years. At least, that's what came to mind while watching her perform in Philly. I don't really think she's back on anything. I think it's probably a combination of boredom and the continuing problem of being the only female in the band. This bothered her during SYW and it's still bothering her, no matter how well Lindsey is treating her.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by diamondsnake

She is getting some of the worst reviews of her life this tour.

But, I mean, look at this video. There is still real passion in her voice, even if she does seem a tad tired. It is as if all these reviewers decided this is the year to bash Stevie Nicks.

What does everyone think? Does she just not like being in FM anymore? Is she sick? Is she just getting too old to be the Stevie we are all used to?

I think her singing and actual performances are pretty great this tour, but she does seem tired, whether it be physically or mentally, I'm not sure....

Regardless of whether she is performing solo or in Fleetwood Mac, Stevie has a long history of being very inconsistant; sometimes she's on her game, other times she's way off.

Generally, she's not a very cheery, light-hearted person. And she doesn't seem able to check her issues at the door when it comes time to hit the stage. I thought the Live in Boston dvd was such a morose affair, mostly due to Stevie's presence -- stone-faced and unsmiling 95% of the entire show.

Also, it's interesting to note that, apart from her solo shows, when she is performing with Lindsey, she gets very subserviant. Hasn't anyone else noticed this? It's as if she knows she can't compete with the manic energy Lindsey brings to the show, so she doesn't even try. It sort of becomes the Lindsey show with Stevie as the guest.

It's not the matter of her being older or tired. It's about her attitude. She's done an amazing amount of touring over the past five years. Perhaps there are issues in her personal life that she escapes from by hitting the road. And now, she's possibly burning out.

I wish she would focus more on being a recording artist, and less on being a road whore. If the reviews for her recent performances have generally negative, then there is a good reason for that and it's complete justified. There is no agenda; no so-called "Stevie-haters." Granted, she's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think most of the reviews have been reasonably objective.

P.S. Please excuse my misspellings, as I am too lazy to consult a dictionary and, alas, this board doesn't have spell-check.

[Moz]

Originally Posted by Nikolaj

This 'lack of success' (hard to call it a failure when they are making some major millions of dollarson this tour)

Then why did you say the tour isn't doing well financially?

[David]

I like a lot of things you wrote.

Originally Posted by PenguinHead

Generally, she's not a very cheery, light-hearted person. And she doesn't seem able to check her issues at the door when it comes time to hit the stage. I thought the Live in Boston dvd was such a morose affair, mostly due to Stevie's presence -- stone-faced and unsmiling 95% of the entire show.

I didn't see Live In Boston, but I saw these guys in concert in 2003 at the Arrowhead Pond (the night that was broadcast on radio) & I thought Nicks was a million miles away.

Also, it's interesting to note that, apart from her solo shows, when she is performing with Lindsey, she gets very subserviant. Hasn't anyone else noticed this? It's as if she knows she can't compete with the manic energy Lindsey brings to the show, so she doesn't even try. It sort of becomes the Lindsey show with Stevie as the guest.

"Subservient" is a good way to put it. But I don't think it's a matter of one competing with the other. I think Stevie gets a negative vibe from the mix of people in Fleetwood Mac today. I don't think their vibe gives her that wonderful buzz that makes you smile giddily. You can love people -- as old friends or members of your family -- & still not enjoy the atmosphere when you're with them working. That doesn't mean they're trying to bother her. But people give off vibes when they're not even aware of it. For many years, I've suggested the possibility that Lindsey's personality rubs her the wrong way (& vice versa). I think maybe both Lindsey & John have that effect on her. The only reason I leave Mick out is that it doesn't seem to be true -- she socializes with Mick all the time, & she always has. They go to parties together, they go to movies together, they go to tourist attractions together, they go to hospitals together, they concertize together (without the rest of Fleetwood Mac). They are probably completely relaxed around each other. Stevie doesn't do that with the other members of the band.

It's not the matter of her being older or tired. It's about her attitude. She's done an amazing amount of touring over the past five years. Perhaps there are issues in her personal life that she escapes from by hitting the road. And now, she's possibly burning out.

We've all brought this up too. I think it's worth considering. Stevie tours virtually nonstop. Why? Doesn't she ever want to take a year off for a vacation, at home or somewhere else? She's driven to be out on the road, touring. What drives her, at her age, to want to do that?

I wish she would focus more on being a recording artist, and less on being a road whore. If the reviews for her recent performances have generally negative, then there is a good reason for that and it's complete justified. There is no agenda; no so-called "Stevie-haters." Granted, she's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think most of the reviews have been reasonably objective.

I don't believe there is any such thing as "objective" criticism. If someone could point out to me an example of it, I'd be much obliged. As for the bad review posted at the top of this thread, maybe Stevie's view is "Better bad reviews than none at all" -- the old show-business saw.

[jmn3]

Originally Posted by David

I think maybe both Lindsey & John have that effect on her.

I completely agree with what you are saying here and I've thought it for some time. I honestly think Lindsey doesn't intentionally try to piss her off, but he is also about 60 years old and hell, you don't change the attitudes of 60 year old people. The things he did that aggravated her thirty years ago are just going to be more amplified with age.

As for John, my personal thought, and certainly not fact based at all, is that he has had no use for Stevie for almost twenty years now. There's that interview, is it the Disney Coming Home thing from 1992 where John comments about Stevie and says something to the effect of "Fleetwood Mac anything is terrible in her opininon and all bad things in her life are because of the band etc." I know I have the quote wrong but at that time you can just see a complete look of contempt for her on his face. I can't really see what, in the time that has passed, would have convinced him otherwise. The Dance Reunion was a special time and the five of them were back together for the first time in 15 years. They were huge again, a successful tour and album - but it was all short lived. Within a year the band basically ceased to operate for many years again and when it did start again - there was no Chris! Anyway, ever since that time, I just see John sitting back with that subtle look of contempt on his face for her. I'm probably looking into it too much but I have seen it for a long time. Even if it's not hatred, they could just really have nothing in common at all I guess.