LA Times Christine solo concert review, June 1984

[Les]

Los Angeles Times
Monday, June 18, 1984

McVie Takes the Mellow Brick Road
by Connie Johnson

Christine McVie's Friday night performance at the Universal Amphitheatre was saved from excessive mellowness by the boys in her band - most notably Todd Sharp on lead guitar. McVie's fine songwriting and her smoky vocals helped make Fleetwood Mac such a viable group. As a solo performer, she doesn't have the energy or show-biz instincts to command center-stage.

Positioned behind the keyboards for most of the evening, McVie was pleasant on mid-tempo tunes like the sweetly ingratiating "Got a Hold on Me," but it was Sharp's live-wire antics on the Chuck Berry-ish "The Guitar Bug" that got things rocking. There wasn't nearly enough of the jump-rock at which he excels, but at least McVie gave him several spotlight opportunities. One of the night's few surprises was the appearance of Mick Fleetwood - but just for a hug and kiss. Too bad he didn't drum a little - McVie could've used all the back-up muscle she could get.

Guitarist-saxophonist Baxter Robertson opened with a lively, let's-dance set that was simplistic but fun.