Ridgefield, CT

[michelej1]

Fairfield County Weekly, October 9 - 15, 2008

http://www.fairfieldweekly.com/article.cfm?aid=9963

Screw on the Loose

It's always seemed wrong to us that Lindsey Buckingham is known almost solely as the dude from Fleetwood Mac and not a pop savant in the vein of Brian Wilson. The pitch perfect sound of the Mac's '70s mega-sellers didn't create itself. It was the result of Buckingham polishing and re-polishing every note at the mixing board for hours. He's equally applied with his guitar work, using his fingers and fingernails where others would use a pick or plectrum. But where Buckingham really shined as an overall artist is his dreadfully under-noticed solo output. 1981's Law and Order showed that he had learned much from the intricacies of California pop while 1992's Out of the Cradle, fueled by the deaths of his father and brother just like Rumours was fueled by his breakup with Stevie Nicks, proved that pop music was a suitable outlet for adult sadness and grief. Recently, he released Under the Skin (2006) and Gift of Screws (2008) full of material he started in the mid-'90s before Fleetwood Mac began its hugely successful reunion. (The ever studious Buckinghham never releases material before it's ready.) The albums are ample proof that Buckingham, who plays the Ridgefield Playhouse tonight, can go his own way. (Sorry, we had to.) Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave., Ridgefield. 8 p.m. $85. (203) 438-5795, www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org.