We see no change in sight, watching THEIR decline......

The Tower · #1 04-25-2003, 06:04 AM

Is Stevie psychic????

I have been a "hard-core" fan of FM/LB/SN since 1978 and have attended all of their tours since that time. I have bought tickets for this upcoming tour, but I am telling you- I have really had it with the pedestrian set lists, retreads, and uninspired singing. I am really hoping that they get their act together on this tour and make some good choices.

Stevie CAN sing, fer chrissakes!!!! There's no reason on earth why FM SHOULDN'T do "Everbody Finds Out"- but, I'll bet you a million of those Silver Girl bucks that on tour they do something stupid like "Stand Back" instead of EFO.

UGH!!!

I WORSHIP FM/LB/SN, but I just have this sinking feeling that when I show up to the Staples Center in July, I'm gonna get uninspired performances of:

"Dreams" - ditch it! and stick in "Sara"
"The Chain" - yikes! "Frozen Love" instead
"Stand Back" - enough! "EVERYBODY FINDS OUT"!!!
"Go Your Own Way" - puh-leeze... anything else
"Rhiannon" - HELLO!!!! "Running Through the Garden", people!!!
"Silver Springs" - had its place in The Dance, but its steam has been all used up- stick "Crystal" in there fer chrissakes.....

Believe it or not, us Los Angeles people are usually close to the end of FM/LB/SN tours and we usually get screwed out of the "experimental" stuff. I was soooooooo pissed when I attended the TISL concert in Universal City and Stevie had DROPPED "Planets of the Universe" and "Bombay Sapphires" off of her set list.

Stevie's material on Say You Will is so great. But I have a feeling they will stay pedestrian and not reach for either "Running Through the Garden" or "Everybody Finds Out". Instead, we'll get "Say You Will", "Thrown Down" and "Destiny Rules"..... I love those songs, but I need some fire. And by "fire", I certainly DON'T mean "Rhiannon" or "Stand Back"..... bleeeccchhhh.....

I'm trying to stay positive, but I've been burned too many times.

"We see no change in sight" (In their setlists)
"Watching her decline" (With regard to the vocals)
"She gets on a midnight plane" (Yes, I know touring is rough)
"She's done it a thousand times..." (You mean, singing "Rhiannon" and "Dreams", yeah, I know....)

The Tower · #2 04-25-2003, 06:30 AM

P.S.- Anyone who thinks that "Sisters of the Moon" is going to pop its wonderful head out on this tour is totally living in a fantasy, dream world.

Unfortunately.....

SmthngOfADreamr · #3 04-25-2003, 07:33 AM

Frankly, at this point I'll settle for whatever they dish out, provided that they do it with some ENERGY! Judging from the latest performances, I think we'd end up being disappointed with any attempt at EFO. And I can't imagine the sleepy version of Sisters of the Moon that we'd get. Unless she wants to do it like the "weird" demo, that would be cool! I paid all this money, and I've been anticipating this for 5 years now, and I just don't want to be bored to death.

Christopher · #4 04-25-2003, 11:47 AM

Yeah totally!!....Ive seen the spark go out of Stevies performances over the last decade....ever since OSOTM....She actually kinda sparked again on the Street Angel Tour and had some terrific moments on that tour....only to play it safe again from 97' on out.

I was hoping Lindsey could coax the OLD mac out of their shells...since he was always against becoming a "Lounge Act"....maybe they left all the sparks and excitement in the studio...and are gonna play it safe out on the road...Who knows..But I'm not hopeful...I guess I could get excited over the recent rumor that they may do "Beautiful Child" which in itself is exciting but...there are so many OTHER more exciting songs they should be contemplating!!...

But I'm becoming less and less excited about the tour from the recent TV performances period!!...Blase BLAH BLAH BLAH....WTF is wrong w/ Stevie?!.....she is sounding good but her whole aura has changed...she really does need a stylist or fire the one she has...and cut those bangs...they do nothing for her but drag her face down and make her look older...And Lindsey sounds flat and off key in almost every perfomance...his harmonizing last night on SYW sucked

.....I know these guys are old and I should cut them some slack....BUT they built theri reputations around touring....and their dramatic live perfomances...and if their gonna look like they dont even want to try...then give up the road...and just record.

chiliD · #5 04-25-2003, 12:09 PM

Maybe Christine's sticking pins in her "I hate touring" voodoo doll and it has pervaded the rest of the band.

DrummerDeanna · #6 04-25-2003, 12:17 PM

I agree Tower...I am SICK of the pedestrian, as you say, setlists....

I am a student, I don't have a lot of money by any means...but I'm going to be SO pissed if I decide to buy an extremely over-priced ticket and they only do like a couple of songs off of the new album...then a bunch of "safe" stuff....I know a lot of people consider "GOYW" and "Rhiannon" as staples of sorts, but come on...I think they have done those songs at every single show they done since 98!!!!! Anyway, I had to buy a nice camera for a class...it cost around the same price as a top price FM ticket...I'm afraid I may not get to see them...but oddly enough, I'm not totally crushed about it

Eric · #7 04-25-2003, 12:17 PM

Ok, enough!

Look, we're all here because we are die-hard FM fans and would love to hear long lost tracks (I wouldn't mind Stevie and Lindsey doing an acoustic Gypsy). But let's face it, out of the 12,000-15,000 people who are coming to these shows this summer, how many know "Frozen Love" or would even acknowledge its significance if they did. Not many. When you play venues this size and charge this much money for people to see them - you're not going to throw long-lost oldies on them - you'll throw the hits at them. Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't want them to shake things up a little, but we have to keep that mind-set. Not everyone is as hardcore as we are - and they know that.

As for the TV performances - I have never, NEVER, seen anyone perform better on television than they do in concert. It's a very cold (at times literally) and emotionless medium where a performer can not loosen up or build up a head of steam. The lights are bright, there are cameras directly in your face, and you can't see what little of an audience there is. Sure the performances were not perfect, but remember, Lindsey and Stevie ARE only human.

dissention · #8 04-25-2003, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric
Ok, enough!

Look, we're all here because we are die-hard FM fans and would love to hear long lost tracks (I wouldn't mind Stevie and Lindsey doing an acoustic Gypsy). But let's face it, out of the 12,000-15,000 people who are coming to these shows this summer, how many know "Frozen Love" or would even acknowledge its significance if they did. Not many. When you play venues this size and charge this much money for people to see them - you're not going to throw long-lost oldies on them - you'll throw the hits at them. Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't want them to shake things up a little, but we have to keep that mind-set. Not everyone is as hardcore as we are - and they know that.

As for the TV performances - I have never, NEVER, seen anyone perform better on television than they do in concert. It's a very cold (at times literally) and emotionless medium where a performer can not loosen up or build up a head of steam. The lights are bright, there are cameras directly in your face, and you can't see what little of an audience there is. Sure the performances were not perfect, but remember, Lindsey and Stevie ARE only human.

I see your point, but I'd have to disagree.

Regardless if there are bright lights, an audience, and cameras, they've been on stage for 30+ years; I'm sure they're used to it. Lindsey and Stevie are only human, but it's their job. If Peacekeeper sucks live, don't perform it. If your voice isn't very good, don't charge people hundreds to see a sub-par performance. At work, if I were to overcharge a client or design a crappy room, I wouldn't have the luxury of saying the excuse "I'm only human." it wouldn't fly; if I did crappy work, I'd be punished.

I hope to god that they improve because I know they're capable of putting on a kick-ass show!! They're amazing talents and performers but the magic is missing as of late. And it's noticeable.

PS: If you think FM is the best show your gonna see, go buy a ticket to Tina Turner, Bette Midler, or Blondie; they'll knock your socks off!! Tina Turner will make you pass out from amazement.

But....unfortunately, she retired.

gldstwmn · #9 04-25-2003, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric
Ok, enough!

Look, we're all here because we are die-hard FM fans and would love to hear long lost tracks (I wouldn't mind Stevie and Lindsey doing an acoustic Gypsy). But let's face it, out of the 12,000-15,000 people who are coming to these shows this summer, how many know "Frozen Love" or would even acknowledge its significance if they did. Not many. When you play venues this size and charge this much money for people to see them - you're not going to throw long-lost oldies on them - you'll throw the hits at them. Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't want them to shake things up a little, but we have to keep that mind-set. Not everyone is as hardcore as we are - and they know that.

As for the TV performances - I have never, NEVER, seen anyone perform better on television than they do in concert. It's a very cold (at times literally) and emotionless medium where a performer can not loosen up or build up a head of steam. The lights are bright, there are cameras directly in your face, and you can't see what little of an audience there is. Sure the performances were not perfect, but remember, Lindsey and Stevie ARE only human.

Stevie's performances on Saturday Night Live and Solid Gold were truly something special. She and Lori Nicks singing Nightbird in the same mic, beautiful! And on Solid Gold, that red dress, singing Stand Back, Wow! It's like she's lost her nerve or something. As far as people not knowing about Buckingham Nicks, I have to diagree. That record is far more popular than anyone gives it credit for. We need a new setlist. i don't care if I ever hear Dreams, Rhiannon, Big Love "unplugged" or GYOW again. They have a huge catalog, utilize it, for chrissakes.

gldstwmn · #10 04-25-2003, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dissention
I see your point, but I'd have to disagree.

Regardless if there are bright lights, an audience, and cameras, they've been on stage for 30+ years; I'm sure they're used to it. Lindsey and Stevie are only human, but it's their job. If Peacekeeper sucks live, don't perform it. If your voice isn't very good, don't charge people hundreds to see a sub-par performance. At work, if I were to overcharge a client or design a crappy room, I wouldn't have the luxury of saying the excuse "I'm only human." it wouldn't fly; if I did crappy work, I'd be punished.

I hope to god that they improve because I know they're capable of putting on a kick-ass show!! They're amazing talents and performers but the magic is missing as of late. And it's noticeable.

PS: If you think FM is the best show your gonna see, go buy a ticket to Tina Turner, Bette Midler, or Blondie; they'll knock your socks off!! Tina Turner will make you pass out from amazement. But....unfortunately, she retired.

Let's not forget the eternal Cher or for that matter Madonna. Also, I saw John Fogerty a few years ago and he was incredible, in my top 5. It's not enough to dial in the performance.

gldstwmn · #11 04-25-2003, 02:50 PM

More great tv moments: Stevie and Lindsey on the Letterman show singing Big Love, with Stevie wailing "loooooooove" and wearing that beautiful red Richard Tyler outfit. Also the entire performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony...

Eric · #12 04-25-2003, 03:49 PM

OK, let me try to rephrase because I think you're missing my point...

I'm not saying that no one has ever performed badly on TV, just that I have found that it lacks the excitement of a live show because what's in front of them is a bit more foreign than an audience of fans. Yes, nerves are a factor.

More importantly - these are new songs they haven't had 25 years experience to master, and they don't have the luxuries to tinker as they do in a recording studio. These are great songs that just need time to grow in a live setting - you can't dismiss "Peacekeeper" after just two errant performances. Plus, except for the White House they haven't performed live together since the 1998 Grammys. And it was 15 years since before the Dance. Remember, The Dance was done over three nights (taken mainly from the 3rd) and was then cleaned up in the studio. Then they had four months to make sure the show was together.

I just think it's unrealistic for people to expect them suddenly come back together and be this totally oiled, perfect machine. They have their rough spots and bad nights. I'm going to the 2nd night of the tour in D.C. and am confident that by that time - they'll be in good shape. If they're still shaky by the time they hit L.A. - then I'd be likely to agree with you.

Gazza · #13 04-25-2003, 04:50 PM

Quote:

"Dreams" - ditch it! and stick in "Sara"

Sara's one of her weaker ones really, but I would rather see them do one they haven't done in a long time than Dreams again. Beautiful Child was/is a nice idea.

Quote:

"The Chain" - yikes! "Frozen Love" instead

Nope, this is the ultimate Mac song imo - you may have heard it enough, but I don't get the chance to see them very often living in the UK, and if they didn't do this when I did see them I would be disgusted. It's Johns greatest moment as well. It needs to be more like the Mirage video version than The Dance though.

Quote:

"Go Your Own Way" - puh-leeze... anything else

Lindseys "Layla"... Gotta be done. Go take a toilet break or something if you don't like it. It's the party song as well... lindsey can go wild on the guitar and you can jump up and down like a nutjob.

I'm perfectly happy for them to do the classics again, and some new stuff as well, providing there's a similar energy to how it was years ago. If they look bored doing the songs, then I will be, and that's the only real problem. Not the set lists.

David · #14 04-25-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gldstwmn
Stevie's performances on Saturday Night Live and Solid Gold were truly something special. She and Lori Nicks singing Nightbird in the same mic, beautiful! And on Solid Gold, that red dress, singing Stand Back, Wow! It's like she's lost her nerve or something.

She did lose her nerve. She once said she's always had stage fright. But when she took the blow, it gave her an artificial superconfidence & that all translated into zesty, sexy performances for many years.

Stevie got her relatively good health back when she ditched the blow & the other stuff she took after that, but it all changed her mental outlook as a performer. Age & jitters affect her ability to let loose.

The bitchin' lady on Saturday Night Live twenty years ago exists only on tape & in our memories now. Oh, well. Everybody evolves somehow.

gldstwmn · #15 04-25-2003, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric
OK, let me try to rephrase because I think you're missing my point...

More importantly - these are new songs they haven't had 25 years experience to master, and they don't have the luxuries to tinker as they do in a recording studio. These are great songs that just need time to grow in a live setting - you can't dismiss "Peacekeeper" after just two errant performances.

I want them to play Peacekeeper, just amp it up, "sing like you mean it." Her words, not mine. Iwant them to toss it up a bit, play different songs.