Boston Garden 3/30

Jondalar · #1 03-31-2011, 05:10 AM

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MUSIC REVIEW

Stewart, Nicks fans get night of crystal visions

Rod Stewart’s daughters may love Stevie Nicks and that is why he headed out on tour with her. But it would seem that the enduringly cheeky Brit and the high priestess of Fleetwood Mac overestimated just how much overlap there actually is in their respective audiences outside of his immediate family.

Last night at the TD Garden, there were definite pockets of diehard Stevie-mania in the crowd of 13,000-plus and an overall appreciation for her well-known hits. But from ovations to singalongs to basic energy level it was clearly Stewart’s audience. (That it was Stewart’s playpen was also implicit in his more lavish, sleek white bandstand and stage production and longer set, 95 minutes versus her 75.)

While their temperaments differ — he is a mobile strutter with an affinity for charmingly cornball tail-feather shaking, natty jackets, and bright colors, while she prefers to twirl and vogue in gossamer lace shawls under a flattering gold shimmer — for those in the crowd who were fans of both artists it was a hits-packed night of crystal visions and reasons to believe.

At 66, Stewart retains all his rakish charm, most of his soulful rasp, and a clear joy in performing.

It didn’t matter the vintage or relative quality of the song he was performing from his repertoire — or those he borrowed from others — he was determined to have a good time. And he did, flitting gaily through a vibrant set that included Sam Cooke’s classic “Having a Party,’’ his own plucky ’80s hit “Some Guys Have All the Luck,’’ the wheedling roots rock of “Reason to Believe,’’ and the acoustic lace and fineness of the night’s big singalong “You’re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim).’’

Only an ill-fitting duet interlude of “Passion’’ and “Young Turks’’ with Nicks felt like a misfire. (Why they wouldn’t sing the obvious choice here of “Leather and Lace,’’ remains a mystery.)

Nicks’s set started off fine, if a bit sluggish, as she worked her way through both solo and Fleetwood Mac numbers including “Stand Back’’ and “Dreams’’ and debuted a new song “Secret Love.’’

J.Miller · #2 03-31-2011, 08:05 AM

Stevie and Rod played Beantown last night. Anybody got a report?

HejiraNYC · #3 03-31-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Miller

Stevie and Rod played Beantown last night. Anybody got a report?

Apparently not! Must be too busy paw-king they-ah caws and waw-king back to they-ah ah-pawtments.

DashingDan · #4 03-31-2011, 09:21 AM

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/artic...=Well_AE_links

Tango · #5 03-31-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DashingDan

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/artic...=Well_AE_links

She's getting slaughtered in these reviews. Here's another, in US:

http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmu...r-stop-2011283

Stewart announced that Nicks had personally selected two tracks from his moribund '80s years, "Passion" and 1981's "Young Turks." Really, Stevie? You couldn't have dusted off true classics like "First Cut Is The Deepest" or "Maggie May?" (which Rod handled perfectly well on his own in the end). Needless to say, Nicks seemed entirely out of place, had little onstage chemistry with Stewart and was even reduced to trying to awkwardly share a mic with Stewart's backup singers on the latter. Fail.

Maybe Sharon & Lori ought to be kicking out some soccer balls, Stevie.

It couldn't hurt.

TwistedGypsy · #6 03-31-2011, 10:17 AM

I'm ready for this tour to be over! Stevie needs to focus on the album, get a shed tour working and bask in the glory of her real fans!
Just being a little protective I guess, but come on. Stevie is no opening act!

HejiraNYC · #7 03-31-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

She's getting slaughtered in these reviews. Here's another, in US:

http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmu...r-stop-2011283

Stewart announced that Nicks had personally selected two tracks from his moribund '80s years, "Passion" and 1981's "Young Turks." Really, Stevie? You couldn't have dusted off true classics like "First Cut Is The Deepest" or "Maggie May?" (which Rod handled perfectly well on his own in the end). Needless to say, Nicks seemed entirely out of place, had little onstage chemistry with Stewart and was even reduced to trying to awkwardly share a mic with Stewart's backup singers on the latter. Fail.
Maybe Sharon & Lori ought to be kicking out some soccer balls, Stevie.

It couldn't hurt.

I can only disregard anyone who resorts to using adolescent internet memes like "Fail." Grow up!

editormarf · #8 03-31-2011, 10:21 AM

After reading all the critical reviews of Stevie, I felt I had to step up and say that I thought she was fabulous last night. Yeah, I know she's playing the same songs but I haven't heard her sing them with as much intensity as she did last night. She held notes much longer than usual and the ending to Rhiannon was about as close as she can get (at her age ;-) ) to the ones of yesteryear. I was excited to see her and definitely thought she was much better than when I saw her at Foxwoods last August.

She looked 25 years younger and 25 pounds lighter when she came out to sing her duets. Her hair was crimped and she had the leggings on. I wish she would dress that way through the entire set but I have the feeling she can't wear those leggings with the Frankenboks...

And when she did her waves to the audience through what would be the Edge walk, she looked like a teenager

Anyway, I think she was having a great time and really feeling the love from the audience.

As for Rod, once he came out, you could really tell that the audience was there for him. And speaking of same old, same old, I've never been to one of his concerts, but I would guess that he's sung the same repertoire all these years as well..

One thing that was different, I believe, is that she took the stage to Stand Back, singing Fall from Grace later in the set.....

I'm curious as to what other Ledgies who were there last night think....

HejiraNYC · #9 03-31-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by editormarf

One thing that was different, I believe, is that she took the stage to Stand Back, singing Fall from Grace later in the set.....

I'm curious as to what other Ledgies who were there last night think....

Glad you had a wonderful time, and thanks for that tidbit of info about SB. That is definitely a switcheroo. Who knows what other switch-ups she has hidden up her wizard sleeves?

Perhaps there is a chance that FFG will be dropped and something else will take its place... an actual hit, perchance?

fringed n fab · #10 03-31-2011, 10:38 AM

I wasn't there but a lot of people are mistaking the black scrunchy pants at the bottom for legwarmers, if that's what they mean. Or maybe she had on the leather leggings this show? Idk, I haven't seen anything from it yet online.

editormarf · #11 03-31-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fringed n fab

I wasn't there but a lot of people are mistaking the black scrunchy pants at the bottom for legwarmers, if that's what they mean. Or maybe she had on the leather leggings this show? Idk, I haven't seen anything from it yet online.

Didn't look like the scrunchies and didn't have the beads (sequins, not sure what) up the side.

Wish I had a photo to share....

vivfox · #12 03-31-2011, 10:48 AM

Did you write this? Where's the link?

vivfox · #13 03-31-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fringed n fab

I wasn't there but a lot of people are mistaking the black scrunchy pants at the bottom for legwarmers, if that's what they mean. Or maybe she had on the leather leggings this show? Idk, I haven't seen anything from it yet online.

She wore these at the Mohegun Sun show.

jrpjr · #14 03-31-2011, 12:15 PM

my wife and i went...8th row center stage...i have seen stevie everytime she comes and even tho..as stated above...the same set list..which pisses me off...HOWEVER..she was having so much fun..u could FEEL it...she could have sang "mary had a little lamb" and would get applause...she sang every song flawlessly...landslide..not a person w/o a tear i bet..especially w/slideshow of her dad on back screen...duets were not the best songs...but again..she was having a blast as was rod stewart...she did a great job last night..after reading reviews and spending 300 bux x 2 for tix..i thought i was going to b dissappointed...NOT AT ALL..worth the $$$..rod stewart..who i have never seen live was unreal..very classy guy...interacted w/audience...kicked about 30 soccer balls waaaaay up into stands and in close rows too..all in all..i give show a 10+ rating..very very pleased..again..stevies setlist was the same damn songs but her stage presence was pure gold..LOVED IT!!

jrpjr · #15 03-31-2011, 12:27 PM

that person who said of stevie "fail?" def. entitled to an opinion but saying she was out if place and sharon lori should kick soccer balls?? doesnt even make sense...they are two entirely different ppl...i was there..very close to stage...didnt see this at all..they were rod's songs so he was owning the stage..she was tech a "backup singer" for those songs..they r not "duets" to begin with...to me..just looked like she walked on stage and sang along...i aint gonna over analyze it...twas fine...they were both having fun..and rods back up singers r young enuf to b stevies children...so ya..liek kids dancing w/their mama...so wat....was alll good..trust me..for those who havent seen show yet....just take it for wat it is...a fun time...thats it