My Melb, Bris and Syd reviews (long)

[TheBlueLamp]

Ok, I've had a day to recover from my trip home. I kept a notebook of stuff that happened on my trip and here's my reviews.

Melbourne:

The concert was amazing. I thought Stevie was much thinner than when she came to Australia for the Say You Will tour. She looked absolutely tiny. But having seen her in two more concerts after Melbourne I thought maybe she was wearing a corset? She seemed so thin! But I was sitting further back in Melbourne than in Brisbane or Sydney, so maybe that’s why. She was quite…um…’big’ for someone so small though. The Two Birds of Rhiannon were definitely out in force, lol.

And young looking. I would’ve thought you could have easily knocked 10 or 15 years off her age. And when she had her hair up for Beauty And The Beast she looked even younger. I have no idea why we don’t see Stevie wear her hair up more often.

I think her voice was much better this time around too. I know there was some talk about whether Stevie would be able to pull off the taping, being the first night and with possible nerves and all, but I couldn’t tell. She nailed it all.

I did agree with one of the reviews I read in a paper, that the orchestra was underused. On the slower songs, it was used to full effect, but I couldn’t really notice it as much in the faster songs.

The back up singers seemed very stiff. Especially compared to the later shows when they moved around a fair bit. I thought Lori seemed not all that enthused about being there.

I think the highlights of that concert were Landslide, Outside The Rain/Dreams, If Anyone Falls, Beautiful Child and Rock & Roll.

Before the show, when I noticed three microphones set up for the back up singers I got totally excited. My mind suddenly started screaming “Oh my god! Lori must be here. They’re gonna do If Anyone Falls!” I love that song, and seeing it live just made me love it more. I don’t think they got the best bit down, (Shadow against! Shadow against! Shadow against the wall!), but I still loved it.

I said Beautiful Child was a highlight, but I think it was a little overdone with the orchestra. It was still great. I think it was a highlight mostly due to the surprise factor though. I was expecting Circle Dance.

The Rhiannon intro was great with the orchestra.

As much as I like Landslide, before the concert I was pretty much over it. But dear god! I think this was the best Landslide I’ve ever heard. I don’t think it will ever be topped. The orchestra pushed it into the stratosphere. And the video that played behind her was fantastic. I thought it was just clips from the Sometimes It’s A Bitch clip, but I watched that again and it’s different. Anyway, something must have gotten in my eyes and lungs because by the end of the song I had tears running from my eyes, and I was struggling to keep from sobbing out loud. I was trying to hold the sobs in halfway during the next song. I’m not an emotional person at all, but something happened to me during that song. The combination of the song itself, the orchestra and the video of Stevie through the years just pushed me over the edge. If pressed to choose one outstanding song from the three concerts I’ve seen (so far), it would’ve been Landslide in Melbourne.

I was expecting to be moved more by Beauty And The Beast though. I still found it amazing with the orchestra though. And she totally nailed it. I thought it sounded just like it does on The Wild Heart.

Stand Back was a bit strange. I mean, it was still great, but I think I prefer it performed with Fleetwood Mac.

Overall, I would say that this was the absolute best concert I’ve ever been to. Oh and before the show, I noticed some Ledgies with the white wrist ribbony things. That was exciting in itself. I was thinking "Wow! They're from The Ledge!"....Ok, yeah I know thats pathetic



Brisbane:

I think Stevie seemed a little tired or something during this concert. I had third row seats and a girl in front of me went and asked how many rows could get up and go to the stage when the concert started. He said the first 5 rows could. So through Vanessa’s and John’s sets I was mentally planning what to do.

As soon as I heard Bootylicious I bolted up to the stage and ended up right in front of Waddy all night! It’s totally different being at the stage, than being seated. You just notice so much more stuff. I’m going through a notebook of stuff I wrote about the concerts and I just picked up so many (useless) bits and pieces. Which I’ll list now.

Stevie has beautiful hands. They looked soft and so young!

Lori wore what seemed to be the same pants as Stevie’s Rock & Roll pants during the concert.

I never realised it before but Stevie has a little row of sparkly diamond things on the front of her shoes.

During Stand Back (I think), a diamante/sequin thing fell off her outfit. (See, I told you it was useless stuff I noticed)

I’ve always thought Stevie and Karen Black shared a striking resemblance and during Gold Dust Woman, it was confirmed. I could have sworn I was looking at Karen Black singing.

I was standing so close I could see the throat vibrate as she sang. That was amazing.

Her hat almost fell off at the start of Rock & Roll.

In between songs, Stevie would sometimes whisper stuff to the audience.

Someone yelled out “Storms, we love Storms!” at one point. And there were calls for Rooms on Fire at this and the Melbourne show.

I just lost all concentration during Edge Of Seventeen. All I could think of was “When is she gonna start “The Walk”? Am I in a good position?”

As it turns out, I was in a very good position. When Stevie got to me, she took my hand in both of hers and softly held it. She had two (I think) huge diamond rings on as she shook hands. She looked me in the eyes and all I could do was mouth “thank you” with a stupid smile on my face. She smiled back and then stepped right in front of me. (I’m 6’5, so I had my arms resting on the stage during the show). I had to take my hands off the stage so she could pass me. I was so thrilled I got a two handed handshake. Before she got to me, she was doing some one handed shakes, and when she took my hand in both of hers, I was just on cloud nine!

It sounds silly but touching Stevie was awe inspiring. I spent the rest of the night grinning stupidly.

The highlights of this concert were Fall From Grace, Rock & Roll and If Anyone Falls.

Fall From Grace totally rocks live. I prefer it live to the album version I think. The punchy guitar bits when she gets to the “I didn’t ask when you shook your head…” part of the song just elevates it way above the album version for me.

The Stevie handshake would’ve been the top moment for me out of the 3 concerts.

Sydney:

Had a 5th row seat at this show and again, as soon as Bootylicious started I bolted to the stage. Tonight I was directly in front of the 3 girls. Sharon is just totally perfect! She looks so beautiful.

From my position at this show, I was looking at Stevie’s profile. She has a gorgeous profile, and at times it was like staring at Stevie circa early 80s. During Rock & Roll (I think) some of the looks she gave Waddy made her look so girlish and young.

Enchanted was dropped from the set…I’m sure of it. Or I was just in dreamland while it was on.

Some idiot yelled out “Where’s Lindsey?” at one point. Moron.

The highlights of this concert were Beauty And The Beast, Rock & Roll, If Anyone Falls, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You and Fall From Grace. I’m divided on what I think Stevie does better with – slow or fast songs. I think she performs better vocally on her ballads better, but something in her just comes alive with the faster rock type songs.

Oh, and Gold Dust Woman totally rocked in Sydney. (And yes, I do realise I’ve just about included half the set in the highlights hehe). I’m not the biggest fan of GDW, but Stevie just sizzled during this. When she got to the end, she had her hands behind her head and sorta rocked out as she launched into the “you should see me now…” part. She was simply smouldering by the end of it.

I got to touch her again here! This time she gripped my hand hard with both of hers (again!) and looked at me smiling. She seemed to hold my hand a fraction longer than she did with other people, but maybe everyone thinks that.

As she was drawing closer during the Edge walk, I couldn’t help but be enchanted by her cleavage. (Pun intended). She is just such an amazing looking woman. I’ve never thought of Stevie as being sexy, I always tended to think of her as being more like a beautiful china doll sorta thing, but she is hot.

Anyway, as she passed me, she kicked me in the elbow. It was only softly though, as she was just shuffling along the stage. But as she did I immediately thought “I was just kicked by a Frankenbok!”

I think the Sydney show was better than the Brisbane show. But I really loved all three and was glad I decided to head over east to see the shows. I still have tomorrow to look forward to, (the Perth show). I hope I haven’t bored you all to death.

[eclipse]

Not bored at all!!
Enjoyed reading about your experiences at the shows...
Must have been "as Stevie would say"

FAAABBULOUS!

{Quoute} Anyway, something must have gotten in my eyes and lungs because by the end of the song I had tears running from my eyes, and I was struggling to keep from sobbing out loud {Quote}

Aww I remember feeling the exact same thing when I saw her last year!!
What a great review!! Thank you so much for all the details!! and it sounds like you have enjoyed every minute of it...so happy for you..

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by TheBlueLamp

Anyway, something must have gotten in my eyes and lungs because by the end of the song I had tears running from my eyes, and I was struggling to keep from sobbing out loud. I was trying to hold the sobs in halfway during the next song. I’m not an emotional person at all, but something happened to me during that song. The combination of the song itself, the orchestra and the video of Stevie through the years just pushed me over the edge. If pressed to choose one outstanding song from the three concerts I’ve seen (so far), it would’ve been Landslide in Melbourne.

See, I'm like that the entire show. I become SO overwhelmed with it all. And I'm not over-emotional either, which makes it surprising.


Absolutely great review. This is the kind of review I love- filled with little details. Thanks so much and glad you had such a great time.

[DavidMn]

I'm just enjoying all of these stories.

[AliceLover]

Hey thanks for writing the reviews!!!!

It sounds like If Anyone Falls really kicks ass???? I totally love this song...Live especially..im so glad they are doing it on this leg.

Can anyone confirm the dropping of Enchanted?

[MacMan]

Great reviews! Sounds like it was a pretty exciting time for ya!!

[gold_dustgypsy]

Originally Posted by AliceLover

Can anyone confirm the dropping of Enchanted?

I don't remember hearing Enchanted in Sydney either... We were talking about it afterwards and I thought it was just me!

[goldustsongbird]

Originally Posted by TheBlueLamp

As she was drawing closer during the Edge walk, I couldn’t help but be enchanted by her cleavage. (Pun intended). She is just such an amazing looking woman. I’ve never thought of Stevie as being sexy, I always tended to think of her as being more like a beautiful china doll sorta thing, but she is hot.

Anyway, as she passed me, she kicked me in the elbow. It was only softly though, as she was just shuffling along the stage. But as she did I immediately thought “I was just kicked by a Frankenbok!”

I'd love to get kicked by a Frankenbok! I guess it didn't hit hard enough to bruise? That'd be a nice souvenir to take home. And I'd probably stare unabashedly at her cleavage, too.

[Livia]

Great reviews! Congrats on the hand-holding! Kicked by a Frankenbok!

[SapphireSister]

Thank you so much for this. Seriously this is the best, most personal review I've read yet. I loved all the little details (her hands, her birds, etc.). I found myself laughing out loud several times and I got the chills when you spoke of how touched you were by the landslide performance. I felt as though I was there with you. You made my day, thank you again so much.

[TheBlueLamp]

Thanks for all the um...thanks

I thought everyone would have given 'proper' reviews by the time I got back, so I thought I'd write about the littler/odder details. Plus, I tend to note the weird little things like that anyway.

I'm so glad I made the trip to see Stevie around the country. The setlist may be the same but it's a different experience every night.

[amber]

Stellar, thank you.

[sandralgill]

if you saw us ledgies, why didn't you come up and introduce yourself. the more the merrier.

[TheBlueLamp]

Originally Posted by sandralgill

if you saw us ledgies, why didn't you come up and introduce yourself. the more the merrier.

I'm just a bit of a social-phobe. Wait, thats the understatement of the century The wrist ribbons were very cool though