Soundstage thoughts & hopes

[Jyqm]

Just because that other thread is a bit unwieldy...

So I hardly ever think to read this forum, but I did today and found out that Soundstage is finally being aired, much to my pleasant surprise! Of course, as I'm living in Germany at the moment, I can't really watch it on TV, but I anxiously await the DVD and in the meantime downloaded the songs from buckinghamnicks.net (thank you, Nancy, for always posting such great files, and thanks to Brian for providing them).

After my first listen, I'm as impressed by the performance as most, I think. "Trouble" is a truly beautiful new arrangement; Lindsey really gets to the heart of the melody. The perofrmance of "Red Rover" gave me a whole new appreciation for that song. Ditto "Say Goodbye." Stevie's contributions were subtle and wonderful. "Big Love" and "Go Insane" were as powerful as they always are.

Of course I was also disappointed by the nicking of "I'm So Afraid" in "Murrow." I mean, come on, Lindsey, what's the point? Reusing a melody line or a lyric here or there is one thing, but a whole solo? Other than that, though, I thought the performance was great.

Oddly, one of the few let-downs for me was "Down On Rodeo," but that might just be because I've always been so enamored of the studio version.

Lindsey seemed incredibly appreciative of the audience (and vice versa). His comment about how much he enjoyed being surrounded by likeminded people suggested to me that he was surprised by the enthusiastic reception of unreleased songs like SGCYM and DOR, as well as older solo material like "Go Insane" and "Trouble," and that he would really enjoy doing more shows like this for appreciative audiences. So I have to wonder, why doesn't he? If this is really the best time of his life musically, why not finally put out an album and hit the road? He could do a short tour of small theaters, lure only his really hard-core fans, mix up his setlists for once and try out some stuff he hasn't played in a long time (or ever), and I feel like it could be a very eye-opening and rewarding experience for him. Rediscover the art of live performance, rather than just going through the same staged motions with Fleetwood Mac every few years. I'd even say he should bring Stevie along for the ride, but at that point you might as well bring along Mick and John and call it Fleetwood Mac, and then how could they resist playing to arenas full of casual fans who just want to hear the same ten songs every night? So I guess what a really want a Fleetwood Mac that isn't necessarily stripped down - after all, Soundstage includes most of the touring second-tier members of Fleetwood Mac, and it sounds fantastic - but just less bombastic, which is what the band really has become, as David pointed out elsewhere. Nothign wrong with bringing it down a couple notches, guys.

All right, I think that's enough rambling from me. I'm spent.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Of course I was also disappointed by the nicking of "I'm So Afraid" in "Murrow."

You didn't notice that on the studio version of "Murrow"? Or the end of "Tango In The Night"??

That seems to be his big, moody "go to" solo. He might as well just cover "Comfortably Numb".

[mondaymornin1]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Lindsey seemed incredibly appreciative of the audience (and vice versa). His comment about how much he enjoyed being surrounded by likeminded people suggested to me that he was surprised by the enthusiastic reception of unreleased songs like SGCYM and DOR, as well as older solo material like "Go Insane" and "Trouble," and that he would really enjoy doing more shows like this for appreciative audiences. So I have to wonder, why doesn't he? If this is really the best time of his life musically, why not finally put out an album and hit the road? He could do a short tour of small theaters, lure only his really hard-core fans, mix up his setlists for once and try out some stuff he hasn't played in a long time (or ever), and I feel like it could be a very eye-opening and rewarding experience for him. Rediscover the art of live performance, rather than just going through the same staged motions with Fleetwood Mac every few years.

I agree! Then, instead of competing with casual fans for great seats, we'd just have to fight for them with each other! Seriously, though, it would be wonderful to attend a solo show with other fans who "get" him.

Nice review!

[shackin'up]

Thanks for your thoughts, I read them with alot of .

I think your perception of the show basicly ventilate my thoughts and feelings too. That last part....sigh...you're so right.....

[Lindsey Jr.]

Originally Posted by Jyqm

Just because that other thread is a bit unwieldy...

So I hardly ever think to read this forum, but I did today and found out that Soundstage is finally being aired, much to my pleasant surprise! Of course, as I'm living in Germany at the moment, I can't really watch it on TV, but I anxiously await the DVD and in the meantime downloaded the songs from buckinghamnicks.net (thank you, Nancy, for always posting such great files, and thanks to Brian for providing them).

After my first listen, I'm as impressed by the performance as most, I think. "Trouble" is a truly beautiful new arrangement; Lindsey really gets to the heart of the melody. The perofrmance of "Red Rover" gave me a whole new appreciation for that song. Ditto "Say Goodbye." Stevie's contributions were subtle and wonderful. "Big Love" and "Go Insane" were as powerful as they always are.

Of course I was also disappointed by the nicking of "I'm So Afraid" in "Murrow." I mean, come on, Lindsey, what's the point? Reusing a melody line or a lyric here or there is one thing, but a whole solo? Other than that, though, I thought the performance was great.

Oddly, one of the few let-downs for me was "Down On Rodeo," but that might just be because I've always been so enamored of the studio version.

Lindsey seemed incredibly appreciative of the audience (and vice versa). His comment about how much he enjoyed being surrounded by likeminded people suggested to me that he was surprised by the enthusiastic reception of unreleased songs like SGCYM and DOR, as well as older solo material like "Go Insane" and "Trouble," and that he would really enjoy doing more shows like this for appreciative audiences. So I have to wonder, why doesn't he? If this is really the best time of his life musically, why not finally put out an album and hit the road? He could do a short tour of small theaters, lure only his really hard-core fans, mix up his setlists for once and try out some stuff he hasn't played in a long time (or ever), and I feel like it could be a very eye-opening and rewarding experience for him. Rediscover the art of live performance, rather than just going through the same staged motions with Fleetwood Mac every few years. I'd even say he should bring Stevie along for the ride, but at that point you might as well bring along Mick and John and call it Fleetwood Mac, and then how could they resist playing to arenas full of casual fans who just want to hear the same ten songs every night? So I guess what a really want a Fleetwood Mac that isn't necessarily stripped down - after all, Soundstage includes most of the touring second-tier members of Fleetwood Mac, and it sounds fantastic - but just less bombastic, which is what the band really has become, as David pointed out elsewhere. Nothign wrong with bringing it down a couple notches, guys.

All right, I think that's enough rambling from me. I'm spent.

Thx! Your thoughts are really great

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by chiliD

You didn't notice that on the studio version of "Murrow"? Or the end of "Tango In The Night"??

Well yes, but in both of those studio tracks it just seems to be more subtle. Very similar, yes, but not exactly the same. It just seems very obvious in the Soundstage performance, like he's doing it note for note as he's done it since The Dance.

[Jyqm]

Originally Posted by mondaymornin1

I agree! Then, instead of competing with casual fans for great seats, we'd just have to fight for them with each other!

Believe me, I don't think it'd be terribly difficult to get a good seat!

Seriously, though, it would be wonderful to attend a solo show with other fans who "get" him.

I'm just thinking of something along the lines of Springsteen's current Devils & Dust tour. It's just him and his guitar (or piano, or banjo, or electric piano, or pump organ), playing lots of great songs and very few "hits." And the audiences are just eating it up, being incredibly respectful and appreciative and enthusiastic, because such a great treat to get such a rare and intimate show. I don't think Lindsey should go totally solo (I don't know that most of his songs could survive such a transition), but a small-scale tour with this backing band - I don't see how it couldn't be a success, unless nobody at all showed up.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Lindsey Jr.

Thx! Your thoughts are really great

That is an EXCELLENT picture of Lindsey holding up his guitar