Scranton Times-Tribune Review

Livia · #1 07-01-2007, 10:11 AM

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site...d=416046&rfi=6

07/01/2007
Stevie Nicks wows Montage crowd
BY PATRICE WILDING
STAFF WRITER

The air was thick with excitement and anticipation Saturday night on Montage Mountain as a pavilion-only Stevie Nicks concert guaranteed all in attendance a seat close to the artist and a more personal music experience.

The night began promptly at 8 p.m. with Pennsylvania-born Vanessa Carlton. Dressed in a sophisticated purple silk blouse, black skinny pants and a white straw hat, Ms. Carlton strolled across the stage, gave a broad wave to the crowd, and immediately sat down to a shiny black grand piano to play “Ordinary Day” from her “Be Not Nobody” album.

“Thank you. I’m home! I’m a local; I’m from Milford.”

She introduced “Hands On Me,” a new song from her upcoming album due in October. She explained that her mother “certainly doesn’t approve” of the title, and sheepishly gave an obligatory “Hi, mom.”

This was followed by “the One,” and another new song called “Heroes and Thieves,” which she dedicated to Ms. Nicks, because “Stevie is definitely a hero of mine.”

Ms. Carlton advised all that “It’s never smart to date musicians,” clearly referencing her break-up earlier this year from former producer/boyfriend Stephen Jenkins, of Third Eye Blind, and before breaking into “Fools Like Me,” affirmed this statement with, “Stevie knows.”

No less than three words into her hit single “A Thousand Miles,” she stopped to tell the crowd, “I just want to point out that this song was written here, 30 minutes away, at a house on a lake.”

Replacing her hat with a bow, Ms. Carlton ended her 40-minute set and exited the stage, making way for the woman everyone is longing to see.

Ten to 15 minutes later, Ms. Nicks magically appeared from behind the drumset with an endearing rendition of “Stand Back.”

A chorus of excited screams erupted as she gave a trademark spin in a glimmering black shawl.

“Thank you, everybody, welcome!” she shouted to the legions of adoring fans. She explained that this is a retrospective tour supporting a retrospective album, and that she will be doing a great deal more talking between numbers.

“You know, I never wanted to break that band up (Fleetwood Mac), I just wanted another vehicle. We were a band with three writers. That all being said, let’s rock,” she said.

Grabbing a microphone stand that sparkled with beads and crystals, and scarves that flowed with the wind, Ms. Nicks shared the ballad “If Anyone Falls In Love.”

A brief piano interlude allowed for a costume change, as Ms. Nicks emerged in a black, flowing knee-length dress and began “Rhiannon.”

Next was “Dreams,” which she explained was written on a “big, black, satin canopy bed in Sly Stone’s recording studio,” followed by 1973’s “Sorcerer” from her Buckingham-Nicks days.

Ms. Nicks again left sight to emerge anew to “Golddust Woman,” this time in black gloves and a golden shimmering shawl.

“I need to know,” by Tom Petty picked up the pace, and then the crowd stayed on its feet for the emotional “Landslide.”

Following impressive percussion solos by her back-up band, the crowd erupted as the opening strains of “Edge of Seventeen” ripped through the pavilion. This was a precursor to her next adventurous number, an excellent cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.”

It appears as though Ms. Nicks’ effect on her fans has not faded in the more than 30 years she has been enchanting audiences.

Contact the writer:

[email protected]

realcowgirl · #2 07-01-2007, 11:02 AM

It was a fantastic concert. SHe was full of energy, really chatty. My favorite part was when she was talking about her and Lindsey being back to square one when BN didn't fly, and she 'had to go back to being a waitress'. She held her right hand up as if carrying a tray and said 'Can I get you anything else? . . . . coffee . . . .cake?' I though tit was hysterically cute. I just recently had to go back to being a waitress, I have a hard time pictureing Stevie doing it. Hmmm . . . I wonder if that means I could be that successful one day (ha!).

I didn't get many pictures. I was close, but my camera wasn't taking great shots, so I kind of gave up. Decided I'd rather enjoy the show, than focus on the camera.

goldie · #3 07-01-2007, 11:10 AM

^ yep, that waitress part was the best! One hand on her hip, the other in the air as if holding a tray. Stevie was amazing last night. I think this is the best I've ever seen and heard her sing & play. She was gorgeous and on fire!

realcowgirl · #4 07-01-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldie

^ yep, that waitress part was the best! One hand on her hip, the other in the air as if holding a tray. Stevie was amazing last night. I think this is the best I've ever seen and heard her sing & play. She was gorgeous and on fire!

I have to agree. Now, to be fair, I haven't been around as long as some of the older longtime fans. But, I am trying to make up for 25 years of not being here to see her! So, out of 3 FM shows, 3 solo shows, and seeing her with Petty last year, last night was definitely the best I've ever seen her.

I'm hoping someone got decent pictures.

goldie · #5 07-01-2007, 11:16 AM

Where were you sitting, Brooke?

goldie · #6 07-01-2007, 11:18 AM

I also LOVED her walk during Stand Back ... I don't quite know how to describe it but it was like prance .... she had the pants, the boots, yeah!!!

Loved the stripper dance for How Still My Love and really loved the Waddy/Stevie sex dance at the end of GDW.