Play by play - Tampa, FL 3/23/11 SPOILERS!

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Werd. The biggest naysayers seem to be those individuals who have not seen her in the last few years, if ever. I still think she's great as a live performer and all of the firsthand accounts and media reviews seem to agree. She's a different performer than she was 30 years ago, but who wasn't different 30 years ago? She's still got a voice, she's still beautiful and she still knows how to rock. That's good enough for me. I'm there.

Sure the setlist is a bit stale, but this is the show that she has "perfected" over the past six years. She doesn't perform in order to exorcise any artistic demons or to explore new territory; she does it to entertain... and make some money while she's at it. This is nothing new. She has never been known to play a different set every night. She has never played a show after 1977 that didn't feature "Dreams." The reason her setlists have been stagnant is simply because she hasn't toured behind any new solo material in 10 years. And now that she does have new solo material, she will shake up the setlist when the album comes out... following the same pattern she's followed for the past 30 years. Yes, people have a right to be disappointed. But I don't think it's fair to automatically assume it's because Stevie is lazy or because she is creatively bankrupt. She is just doing her job.

I saw her with Fleetwood Mac last year or the year before and I did not think she did a good job. Lindsey was excellent but it seemed like she was going through the motions and barely could get through it.

Tours take up a lot of time. She won't record if she is touring and she is running out of time. That's why it's time to stop the touring,

[LittleCharmer]

Oh my god. She looks beautiful! That outfit, and the hair.. EEK! I need a pair of those gloves in my life!

[David]

Go get 'em, Stevie!

The song has a great hook in it. It should be a hit. Is it? I wasn't paying attention. (Neither was Lolly, below.)

[Jondalar]

God, I wish someone would post the actual video of the video.

[DefDumbandBlond]

Holy sh*t, she looks and sounds amazing!

[J.Miller]

Originally Posted by jkmaletic

I just watched it again and my cat Simon jumped up and started watching it too. He was totally enthralled, and then I realized why - he was watching those shiny strings hanging off her gloves.

I thought he was turning into a Stevie fan for a second there.

LOL I could just see our cat Lucy doing this when she was younger.

[kathy1]

was there a tourbook?

[Big_Love_Mac]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

I saw her with Fleetwood Mac last year or the year before and I did not think she did a good job. Lindsey was excellent but it seemed like she was going through the motions and barely could get through it.

Tours take up a lot of time. She won't record if she is touring and she is running out of time. That's why it's time to stop the touring,

I don't think it's time for her to stop touring, unless she's just physically not able to do it. (Or if she's just not enjoying it anymore.)

My man, Sammy Hagar, is 64 years young and he still tours like nobody's business and he is not showing any signs of letting up anytime soon. B.B. King is well over 80 years and he still does dozens and dozens of shows each year. There are many more examples out there.

I saw Stevie in Santa Barbara last year and she owned the place when she took the stage. This nonsense about 'age' is way overrated.

[Josh2003]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

The reason her setlists have been stagnant is simply because she hasn't toured behind any new solo material in 10 years.

I don't know that I buy that. Considering the amount of songs that she *has* performed before, but has not touched in 10-15 years minimum, her lack of "new solo material" should have no bearing on the fact that, for the past 6 years, she has really only done the same 10 songs.

Give the "casuals" the favorites like Edge, Rhiannon, Dreams, DGW, Landslide, Stand Back. Those are six songs I'd say she, unfortunately, cannot drop.

But what's keeping her from doing Rooms on Fire (she did it in 2000, so it's not like it's out of the realm of possibility)? After the Glitter Fades. Nightbird. Planets of the Universe. I could keep going.

My point is, there are a lot of songs that she could drop from her set that the casual fans that she absolutely needs to please would not miss: Fall From Grace. Sorcerer. Rock and Roll. Enchanted. How Still My Love. If Anyone Falls.

Even if she just swapped out THREE of those songs with something a bit more refreshing, I think the die-hards would be pleased, and the casual fans wouldn't be upset with the fact that she didn't do her "hits."

[Big_Love_Mac]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

It's definitely a money grab... but it's one I just don't quite understand. Stevie has been doing solely money grabs since 2005. It's not like she needs the cash. And her singing ONE song from her new album isn't exactly selling herself to this (partially) new captive audience. It seems this whole Rod tour is going to throw a wrench in a proper solo tour for her to support her new album too. She can't hit the same market twice in one year.

I hate often sounding so negative, but it's just been maddening being a Stevie fan post Say You Will. Hell, even before that! It just seems like countless opportunities for forward motion have been lost since the Dance. Look at the other artists who are Stevie's age who have mixed things up and done quirky creative things. Eric Clapton did a concept blues album some years back and toured arenas performing only songs from that album. He hasn't lost all his fanbase for doing something like that, and neither would Stevie! Her fears are just so irrational! I bet she'd even loosen up her demeanor onstage if she did something creatively quirky versus these never ending cash grabs.

The Rod Stewart fans and other casual Stevie fans on this current tour don't want to hear Stevie's new music. I imagine 99% of them don't even know that she has a new album. These folks just want to hear the hits. Plain and simple. During her solo gigs, Stevie can play more new songs and the crowd will be more receptive. It's just that simple.

Stevie might come back to some of these cities on her solo tour if her contract doesn't prevent it. Some artists do this quite often. And she wouldn't be playing big arenas; she'd be playing the smaller theatres/concert halls.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Werd. The biggest naysayers seem to be those individuals who have not seen her in the last few years, if ever. I still think she's great as a live performer and all of the firsthand accounts and media reviews seem to agree. She's a different performer than she was 30 years ago, but who wasn't different 30 years ago? She's still got a voice, she's still beautiful and she still knows how to rock. That's good enough for me. I'm there.

Sure the setlist is a bit stale, but this is the show that she has "perfected" over the past six years. She doesn't perform in order to exorcise any artistic demons or to explore new territory; she does it to entertain... and make some money while she's at it. This is nothing new. She has never been known to play a different set every night. She has never played a show after 1977 that didn't feature "Dreams." The reason her setlists have been stagnant is simply because she hasn't toured behind any new solo material in 10 years. And now that she does have new solo material, she will shake up the setlist when the album comes out... following the same pattern she's followed for the past 30 years. Yes, people have a right to be disappointed. But I don't think it's fair to automatically assume it's because Stevie is lazy or because she is creatively bankrupt. She is just doing her job.

For the record, I've seen her on every tour since The Dance with the exception of Enchanted & her mini-tour last summer. Not that anyone cares & I know you weren't necessarily directing your comment at me. Just defending my honor.

Originally Posted by Jondalar

I saw her with Fleetwood Mac last year or the year before and I did not think she did a good job. Lindsey was excellent but it seemed like she was going through the motions and barely could get through it.

Tours take up a lot of time. She won't record if she is touring and she is running out of time. That's why it's time to stop the touring,

I saw her with Mac 3/09 & it was a good show. I was thrilled to hear Storms live.

Originally Posted by kathy1

was there a tourbook?

i did not hear anything about a tourbook.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by sorcerer999

Her vocal is a tad pitchy in some parts, as is her pronouciation of certain words, but I think we can chalk that up to nerves. All in all, it's a really great performance!!! Can't wait to see it later on down the road when she's more at ease with her performance!

I was thinking the same, but like you, chalked it up to her infamous anxiety of performing new material. She seemed to really be selling it more through her pantomimes, instead I feel she needs to concentrate on her singing & phrasing. But on the positive side, Stevie looks SO good!! And Secret Love transfers to stage pretty well, esp since this is the opening night. It'll get even better I'm sure in person it sounded EVEN more superior. Can't wait to hear more *NEW* songs from In Your Dreams, her set list needs good new songs badly

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

I saw her with Fleetwood Mac last year or the year before and I did not think she did a good job. Lindsey was excellent but it seemed like she was going through the motions and barely could get through it.

Tours take up a lot of time. She won't record if she is touring and she is running out of time. That's why it's time to stop the touring,

I've seen her on every tour since RAL. There have been shows where I felt the same way (going through the motions) and there have been shows where I've been moved to tears by her intensity (even if it's only a flash of intensity).

I think it's a bit presumptuous to say "it's time to stop". What if she loves touring and hates recording? It's HER career and her life- we don't get to control how she chooses to live it.

[Annabell Lee]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I've seen her on every tour since RAL. There have been shows where I felt the same way (going through the motions) and there have been shows where I've been moved to tears by her intensity (even if it's only a flash of intensity).

I think it's a bit presumptuous to say "it's time to stop". What if she loves touring and hates recording? It's HER career and her life- we don't get to control how she chooses to live it.

Amen sista!! If this setlist is what makes her happy and makes her tour for years to come , then so be it !! I know the setlist is repetitive, same hair, same clothes, etc. But think how bummed you'd be if she stopped touring altogether ! I'd rather her be comfortable and happy than to pull the plug on touring and see her occasionally( at best) in some article in Harpar's Bazzar ! You know what i mean ?

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Josh2003

I don't know that I buy that. Considering the amount of songs that she *has* performed before, but has not touched in 10-15 years minimum, her lack of "new solo material" should have no bearing on the fact that, for the past 6 years, she has really only done the same 10 songs.

Give the "casuals" the favorites like Edge, Rhiannon, Dreams, DGW, Landslide, Stand Back. Those are six songs I'd say she, unfortunately, cannot drop.

But what's keeping her from doing Rooms on Fire (she did it in 2000, so it's not like it's out of the realm of possibility)? After the Glitter Fades. Nightbird. Planets of the Universe. I could keep going.

My point is, there are a lot of songs that she could drop from her set that the casual fans that she absolutely needs to please would not miss: Fall From Grace. Sorcerer. Rock and Roll. Enchanted. How Still My Love. If Anyone Falls.

Even if she just swapped out THREE of those songs with something a bit more refreshing, I think the die-hards would be pleased, and the casual fans wouldn't be upset with the fact that she didn't do her "hits."

Earlier on, I did mention the fact that she spent years "perfecting" the current stage show. My point was that the only reason she would change up a show she had "perfected" was if she was touring behind new material. Regardless of whether or not some of the songs in her set were big hits, she has built up a core set of songs that she knows she can deliver and that audiences seem to receive well. I would imagine that it's very, very demoralizing to be a performer and singing songs that go over the audience like a lead balloon. That's why her cover songs have generally been upbeat rockers- she wants to put on a fun rock show and keep the navel-gazing reflection to a minimum; remember, she begrudgingly brought "Landslide" back into the set after it was out for a long time. And even as far back as Bella Donna she was covering "I Need to Know" and demanding that Tom Petty give her a hard rocking song rather than the slow burning "Insider." Her work as a recording artist and as a live performer are quite different, which may explain why she shies away from performing much of her catalogue in concert.