Northampton Review from Mass Live

[michelej1]

Lindsey Buckingham's rock 'n' roll heart shines in Northampton
by The Republican Entertainment Desk

Springfield Union Nws and Sunday Republic

http://www.masslive.com/entertainmen...ock_n_rol.html

Tuesday October 14, 2008, 11:51 PM

By Kevin O'Hare
NORTHAMPTON - Lindsey Buckingham has got his rock 'n' roll heart pumping again.

The phenomenally talented guitarist from Fleetwood Mac, released a relatively quiet solo disc called "Under the Skin," in 2006 and his subsequent tour was colored in some of those more subdued tones.

He's back with the more rockin' follow-up, "Gift of Screws" which brought renewed vigor to his performance before a crowd of approximately 800 fans at the Calvin Theatre Tuesday evening.


Prior to 2006, it had been 14 years since Buckingham's last solo release and he appears to be enjoying the opportunity to do some artistic exploration with these shows before he embarks on a planned reunion with Fleetwood Mac next year.

Backed by a small but superb band which included Neale Heywood on guitar, Brett Tuggle on guitar, bass and keyboards and Walfredo Reyes, Jr. on percussion, Buckingham mixed songs from throughout his solo albums - with an obvious emphasis on the latter pair - as well as mixing in some Fleetwood Mac classics.

Dressed in a black leather jacket, he opened the night with the new album's drum-thumping "Great Day," which was co-written by his son Will a couple of years back when Will was all of eight-years-old.

With three guitars soaring and no bass, the band nevertheless delivered a huge sound on the harmony-filled "Love Runs Deeper," before Buckingham stretched back to 1981 for "Trouble."

An early highlight was a breathtaking blast through "Go Insane," which found Tuggle switching between bass and keyboards, before blue lights washed the stage as a moody preamble to a dramatically re-worked version of one of Fleetwood Mac's biggest hits, "Tusk."

One of the oddest songs in the 20-song, two hour performance was the title cut from the new album. With its bizarre sound effects and Buckingham screaming a times, it was certainly hard to envision that the song actually can trace its roots back to an Emily Dickinson poem.

Mid-set standouts included "Never Going Back Again," which found Buckingham playing with the phrasing and the melody; "Big Love," one of the last songs Buckingham did with Fleetwood Mac before taking a break from the group in the late 1980s "to get my sanity back;" the shimmering "Under the Skin;" and the hook-filled "Did You Miss Me," which his label has been promoting as the single from the current disc.

While the band was definitely tight, that did not stop the troupe from opening up into some improvisational splendor as during the richly atmospheric "I'm So Afraid," which started slow and built to a loud, extended, frenzied guitar blast at the end.

As the night wore down, Buckingham and company delivered such familiar fare as Fleetwood Mac's mega-hit "Go Your Own Way," from the "Rumours" album, and encores highlighted by "Second Hand News;" the beautiful ballad which closes the new album, "Treason;" and a final, audience request "Bleed to Love Her," which he played solo acoustic.

[michelej1]

Hartford Courant Review

http://www.courant.com/entertainment...,3274942.story

Lindsey Buckingham: A Chip Off The Old Fleetwood Mac
By SHERYL HUNTER | Special to The Courant
October 16, 2008

When he regroups with his celebrated band, Fleetwood Mac, next year for yet another go-round, Lindsey Buckingham will no doubt play to packed arenas.

But for now, as he tours in support of his latest solo effort, the rocking Gift of Screws, Buckingham is playing smaller, more intimate places like the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, Mass., where he performed Tuesday night.

But the size of the venue did not matter to the 60-year-old musician, who admitted during the show that his solo work, while bringing him great satisfaction, has been "more esoteric" than his Mac output and, as a result, has reached fewer ears.

Buckingham turned in a two-hour performance that touched on all stages of his career with an intensity and passion that cemented his status as one of rock's enduring iconic figures. He and his tight three-piece band played loud and hard, tearing through old classics and also showcasing plenty of material off the new album.

They got the night off to a strong start with two new songs: "Great Day" and "Love Runs Deeper." During the latter, Buckingham swapped harmonies with guitarist Neale Heywood and guitarist-keyboardist Brett Tuggle.

Two of his biggest solo hits, "Trouble" and "Go Insane," followed. But it was "Tusk," with Buckingham's oddball shrieks and Walfredo Reyes Jr.'s drumming, that brought the first of the evening's many standing ovations.

Buckingham performed more Fleetwood Mac hits during a three-song solo acoustic set that opened with "Never Going Back Again," followed by an aggressive version of "Big Love." He introduced that song by saying it was the last single he recorded with Fleetwood Mac before leaving to "regain my sanity."

Buckingham frequently dazzled with his guitar technique, a self-taught, finger-picking style capable of unique sounds, whether taking an extended, wailing solo on "I'm So Afraid" or playing the catchy new single "Did You Miss Me."

The crowd's loudest cheers were saved for old favorites like the set-closer, "Go Your Own Way," off the mega-selling "Rumours" album. Buckingham encored with a three-song set that ended with the lovely new "Treason."

That was supposed to end the night, but Buckingham, acknowledging one fan's constant pleading, returned to play "Bleed to Love Her."

[michelej1]

Daily Collegian, October 17, 2008

http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/...-3492619.shtml


Buckingham radiates Calvin
'Mac' guitarist mixes old and new tunes
Heather Waxman, Collegian Staff

Lindsey Buckingham is a walking adrenaline machine. The 59-year-old master guitarist, celebrated as the front man of legendary 1970s rock band Fleetwood Mac, graced Northampton's Calvin Theatre on Tuesday evening for a solo two-hour performance in promotion of his latest solo release, "Gift of Screws."

10 years in the making, the album ¬? which features cameos by old band mates John McVie and Mick Fleetwood ? was finally released last month, and gave way to newsworthy reviews.

With his second stop at the Calvin in the past year, Buckingham appears to be reveling in his solo endeavors before hitting the road again in 2009 for another scheduled Fleetwood Mac reunion.

The crowd became impatient staring at the abandoned instruments as the stage's blue lights absorbed a dramatic wash of faux smoke.

They started chanting long before Buckingham's silhouette emerged, clapping wildly and shouting his name.

The lights finally began to dim in reply, and upon a drunken "woo hoo," a thin frame in the form of Lindsey Buckingham took center stage.

Buckingham was accompanied by a talented entourage: Neale Haywood on guitar; Brett Tuggle on guitar, bass and keyboard; and drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr., who, halfway through the show, gave a comically entertaining performance on his drum kit using only his bare hands.

Buckingham's material was diverse, as he took material from all five of his solo releases, in addition to a handful of Fleetwood Mac classics.

Adorned in a black leather jacket and dark denim, the rock phenom kicked off his 20-song set with "Great Day," the up-tempo first track off of "Gift of Screws," which was co-written with his then-8-year-old son, Will.

Two verses deep, Buckingham ripped out an awe-inspiring guitar solo, heeding an outbreak of cheers and applause.

"We are here in support of a new album," he said upon the song's closing. "Thanks for coming out. Hope you enjoy it."

By the fourth number, "Go Insane," Buckingham had already switched guitars three times. To some disappointment, he played the 1984 version instead of the more intricate, acoustic adaptation fans came to love via the 1997 Fleetwood Mac reunion tour.

Despite three decades of performing, his passion remains impeccably organic. His love affair with music is evident and radiates throughout his live set.

Buckingham's down-to-earth nature made the concert seem more like a coffee house, as he placed one hand on his heart and took a modest bow.

His crystalline, husky voice echoed through the rafters on Fleetwood Mac's hit "Never Going Back Again," off of their notorious 1977 album, "Rumours."

He prefaced "Big Love" with an intimate, heartfelt introduction, saying, "This was the first single from the last of the Fleetwood Mac albums before I left in the 1980s to sort of get my sanity back."

Buckingham has certainly come a long way from the crazy life of rock'n'roll, and he made sure to note that the song now takes on a different, more profound meaning.

"It ["Big Love"] does give it a certain irony," he said.

At that point, he abandoned the electric guitar for a mini acoustic set, including "Under the Skin" and "It Was You," creeping his way to the front of the stage with every guitar solo.

Buckingham's energy was contagious. It came as no surprise when the crowd leapt to their feet for the sixth standing ovation at the close of "Go Your Own Way."

He took the stage again for a three-song encore, cohesively wrapping the night up with "Treason," the final track off of "Gift of Screws."

According to Buckingham, the song entails "the kind of lies we can tell each other…implying that there is a better way."

He took a final, die-hard groupie's request for "Bleed to Love Her" before exiting stage left, appreciating the crowd's enthusiasm by uttering a closing statement: "It has been a pleasure…truly."

[michelej1]

Eagle Times

http://www.eagletimes.com/ET/Story/0...10-16T09-45-10

Lindsey Buckingham Feels Right At Home in Lebanon

By Michael Witthaus
Saturday, October 18, 2008 11:43 AM


Midway through Lindsey Buckingham's sold-out show Sunday night, he spoke about the tension that exists in making music for a "selling machine," and working from what he termed "the left side of the palate."

"I think one helps the other," he said. "The audience for the 'other' is - you."

Though obviously a reference to solo projects like the recently released "Gift of Screws," Buckingham's "left palate" includes a few turns his group Fleetwood Mac have taken away from their hit-making formula over the years.

The singer/guitarist evenly divided the evening's music between solo material and Mac songs, but stayed esoteric, saving the big hits for the end of the show.

An enthusiastic crowd stayed with him for every note.

He opened with two songs from the new album, the frenetic "Great Day" and "Love Runs Deeper," followed by a pair from his earlier solo works ("Trouble" and "Go Insane").

The clearest indication that Lindsey Buckingham's iconoclastic, left-leaning palate was on display came with the first Fleetwood Mac selection of the evening - "Tusk," the title track of the 1979 album that confounded the music industry, and more than a few fans, who expected another "Rumours."

He followed it with the poppy "I Know I'm Not Wrong" (also from "Tusk"), and the title cut from "Gift of Screws," an Emily Dickinson poem turned punk rave-up.

A three-song acoustic interlude surprisingly provided the strongest guitar pyrotechnics of the night. A slightly revved-up "Never Going Back Again" (an overlooked "Rumours" gem) gave way to "Big Love," a percolating boogie first stripped down for "The Dance," Fleetwood Mac's 1997 live reunion album.

Buckingham's solo turn ended with "Shut Us Down," as Buckingham's fingers ranged up and down his guitar's fret board with the finesse of Leo Kottke, taking the poignant song from a whisper to a scream.

The intimate opera house booking provided a special opportunity to see a performer usually at home in arenas and, during the heady 1970's, baseball stadiums. At times, the room seemed too small to contain him.

Several in the crowd reacted like smitten teenagers, rushing the stage and standing for the entire show.

For "World Turning," drummer Alfredo Reyes tried his best Mick Fleetwood impression, flailing the drums with his bare hands, but came up a bit short. What followed - a brief hip-hop excursion using Buckingham's sampled voice - was equally unnecessary.

But all was forgiven with the incendiary "So Afraid," which brought the entire crowd to its feet, where they stayed for the first finale, "Go Your Own Way."

His three-song encore included the infectious Mac classic, "Second Hand News," along with "Don't Look Down" and "Treason." Buckingham was quick to point out that the latter song, the final track on the new album, had nothing to do with current events, but was more about "the lies we tell each other."

As the night progressed, Buckingham opened up to the adoring crowd, and his stories grew longer and more personal. "You're blessed to live in a beautiful place," he said at one point. "It's transcendent."

He was clearly having a great time, and after a feeble attempt to say good night, obliged demands for a second encore. To the delight of everyone, he played an audience request, "Bleed To Love Her" (from Fleetwood Mac's last studio album, "Say You Will").

While he waited for a roadie to deliver a different guitar with a special tuning, he bantered with fans, and even signed a proffered copy of "Buckingham/Nicks" - the pre-Fleetwood Mac album he did with Stevie Nicks 35 years ago.

It was a neat closing of the circle, on a night that left everyone, band and fans alike, satisfied beyond expectations.

[michelej1]

The Boston Globe, 10-20-08

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/artic...big_mac_songs/

A fine balance between solo and big Mac songs

Lindsey Buckingham gets it. He told his audience Friday night that he understands that in the music business his band Fleetwood Mac is a "big selling machine" and that his well-regarded but less high-profile solo career is a small one.

Indeed that's why the multiplatinum classic rock group's most recent reunion found it playing arenas and Buckingham's solo gig was taking place at the sonically superior but considerably more intimate Berklee Performance Center. But even as he thanked the worshipful audience for being interested in his "more esoteric" adventures, he made clear he wouldn't abandon the big machine for the night, knowing that the forked paths of his career "wouldn't exist without each other."

For two hours Buckingham was the master of both machines and avenues of creativity. The 59-year-old singer-songwriter offered fresh interpretations of his well-known Fleetwood Mac material and reveled in a solo catalog that has encompassed everything from pure pop to off-the-wall experimentation. He also reminded the assembled of his instrumental virtuosity, showcasing almost as many guitar personalities as songs.

There was the austere flutter and drone of his furious acoustic take of Mac's "Big Love," which climaxed with Buckingham expelling a series of grunts and shrieks that sounded as if he was trying to exorcise the romantic drama of that band from his soul. "Did You Miss Me," from his strong new album "Gift of Screws," offered a simpler adult contemporary crunch and lilting rhythms. "Great Day" combined acoustic thrum and blazing guitar squeals that were like heated pin pricks. And Buckingham got his metal god on during the brawny Mac track "Come," complete with stomping grooves and a spiraling, ecstatic, epic solo. The harmony-drenched "Treason" and the mesmerizing lullaby "Time Precious Time" offered the lighter, almost pastoral side of his playing and revealed the ache in his voice. But no matter how heavy or frenzied the songs became or how lathered up Buckingham got there was nary a hint of sludge or sloppiness. Buckingham is a surgeon when it comes to his music and he and his three-piece band were never less than pristine.

Buckingham was a gracious and voluble host revealing how raising a family has offered new perspectives on old material and brought him a measure of the kind of peace that was elusive in his hazy rock star days.

While the older crowd stayed rooted to their seats for most of the show they showered Buckingham with ovations, peppered him with requests, and were respectful of the new material. That said, they also leapt at the chance to sing and dance along to peak-era Mac tracks like the still potent rant "Go Your Own Way," the tribal banshee cries of "Tusk," and the be-bopping "Second Hand News." The big machine was in good working order.

[vivfox]

It was a quick, simple drive from my house to Northampton. I had never been to the Calvin Theatre before but mapquest gave me simple directions and it was easy to find. I had invited 2 Ledge members to join me but neither could make it. I pulled my car around the back of the venue to look for parking and I saw a small circle of fans speaking to Brett Tuggle. All those spots were filled so I found a spot about four buildings away on the main road. I headed over to Mr. Tuggle to say hello, which I did and offered him a piece of gum which he took and then I headed inside to buy a ticket. I told the ticket agent to give me the cheap seat in the back/center aisle. He said he could give me the cheap seat ticket but since I was alone he would place me up front where there was a single seat available. So I ended up in 12th row center.
I was completely sober but I "pretended" to be drunk. All thru the show I bopped my head up and down and side to side and swirled it around too. I'm sure everyone in my row thought I was tripping on acid or some other substance. To my observance everyone in the audience seemed to be 40 years old and up, with a few exceptions. I love to dance at concerts but I always feel guilty for the poor soul sitting behind me when he/she stays in their seat and my crazy dancing blocks the view. But hey, this was Lindsey, a man whose music has changed my life forever and I was not gonna sit thru the whole show. I stood up and danced thru about six songs, my favorite being, I Know I'm Not Wrong. My favorite song of the evening turned out to be I'm So Afraid which thru most of it I had my eyes closed, letting the guitar take me to several of my favorite places in my mind. So afraid could be played on the soundtrack of my life.
I was also thrilled with Lindsey's new arrangement on TUSK and really dug the light show that went with that song. The new songs were enjoyable too. I especially liked Great Day and Did You Miss Me live. I loved these versions of Go Insane and Trouble too.
Just before the encores started most of my row got up and left. None of them appreared into it except during Go Your Own Way. I sat down during that number. Then with all that extra space I moved to the end of the aisle and the lady behind me smiled and said, "now you have plenty of space to dance." I turned around slightly embarhassed, knowing she had been watching the spectacle that was me and was psyched for the encores. Just then a large man came up from behind me and grabbed me and pulled me out into the aisle and said, "you're coming with me!" I thought Iwas in trouble for the dancing and crazy behavior and then he said again, "you're coming with me, all the way to the stage!!!" He was tall and wide and he held on to me tightly and pulled us down thru the first five rows of people who were pretty much all standing up and said, "excuse me, excuse me" and everyone stepped out of his way because he seemed so authoritive and he dragged me all the way to the front row!!! We watched the rest of the show from there.
Lindsey put on a fabulous show. I was very impressed with his crisp, clear vocals and all his guitar playing. He is such a thin man, I'm so envious of the fact that he's never gained any weight in his life, unlike me.
After the show I went out back to wait with the crowd to meet Lindsey. Three times I asked out loud if there were any people here from The Ledge and only one sweet girl identified herself as one. I know there were others there but they didn't say so. This girl introduced her mom to me to and we spoke until Linds came out. He wasn't gonna sign any autographs. He just wanted to leave but then this blond, drunk girl ran up to him and said,"you promised me before the show that if I bought your CD you would sign it for me after the show." And he graciously did. Then he signed some guys acoustic guitar, a very beautiful, fancy signature I might add and then another guitar and then a few fans pictures. I extended my hand and he shook it. Pattie from Rhode Island took a picture of this moment so I am frozen in time. You can't see my face cause other people are standing in the way but I can see half of my body and it was so cool to see myself in someone else's photo on the net.
I had a fabulous time and can't wait to see Fleetwood Mac when they tour next year. With the economy being so bad I really felt the need to support Lindsey by going to this show. I know he's making little or no profit on this tour and just the fact that he was playing so close to my home, I knew I had to go and I'm very glad I did!!

[michelej1]

Oh, I made a post in the other thread before reading this. What a great description of your wonderful GOS experience.

I laughed when you said you sit down during GYOW.

So, is Lindsey bribing people by telling them he'll give them an autograph if they buy the CD?

Lindsey had gained weight in 1997, but he lost it as the tour progressed.

I know what you mean about Lindsey's crisp, clear vocals. He sounded amazing!


Yeah, I know Lindsey probably lost money on this tour. I love him for doing it.

Thanks for telling us about your night.

Michele