Pittsburgh rocked!

[Lori]

Hi everyone,

There is really only one thing to be said; simply put, imho, they are the 4 finest musicians ever assembled on a stage together. And not only are they fine musicians, they are true showmen and entertainers. The music and the energy were incredible. The set was tight, yet they gave themselves plenty of room for improvisation, the much-loved theatrics, and to just plain have fun.

This makes the 4th time I've seen Stevie performing live, and I honestly don't think I've ever heard her sound so good. Her voice was crystal clear, and her range seems to have expanded. When they performed Beautiful Child, it was almost like being transported back in time - her voice was as beautiful as it was on the original recording, if not moreso. The performances of the 3 new Stevie songs from the cd were terrific. She seemed completely confident about the words...never stumbled or seemed uncertain. Destiny Rules was awesome. I thought Say You Will really cooked...it reminds me so much of what Angel was back in Tusk days. It is classic Fleetwood Mac rock and roll. If people give it a chance, I think it could be a big hit. Goodbye Baby was so very touching, and you could tell it is a very emotional song for her. Of course, Rhiannon, Dreams, Gold Dust Woman (BIG GDW shawl pose with arched back at the end got a huge roar from the crowd), Gypsy, and Landslide were phenomenal. I loved her vocals on World Turning and Don't Stop - she was so cute, smiling and doing that wide open eye thing that she does (a la Bob Welch and Friends GDW performance). She really seemed to enjoy doing the songs that she normally didn't have that big of a part on. On a more material, girlie level - her boots are SO cute! The silver anklets or spur-type things or whatever they are are so neat. She is wearing her hair without bangs now...she and Lindsey are looking more like Buckingham Nicks than ever.

Okay, Lindsey...the man is a total maniac! My hubby, Mike, who is more of a "fan's husband" than a "fan" himself, just busted out laughing during a solo (I think maybe during Come) and, chuckling, said, "he is SO good." He really leaves you speechless. His solos were absolutely amazing, the highlights of which of course were Come, GYOW, and I'm So Afraid. I'm So Afraid was just totally unbelievable - indescribable. You just have to experience it for yourself. I can't say enough about it, other than...WonderGirl - make sure you take some extra pants along with you, because, girlfriend, you are surely gonna pee yourself when you see/hear ISA!!! Of course, the acoustic stuff was absolutely phenomenal as well...Big Love rocked, Landslide lulled, and Say Goodbye made me weep like a child. The guitar solo at the end of Gypsy was astounding; Mike and I were commenting that you hear something like that for years and you just sort of get used to it, you know, you take it for granted. Then you actually witness Lindsey's playing it first-hand, and you can hardly believe your eyes/ears that it is really coming from a human being...can someone actually be THAT good? But, folks, he is all that and more. Again, I cannot say enough. You just must experience it.

Mick was Mick to the nth degree. He was timekeeper, cheerleader, and comedian. Someone finally gave the man a microphone all his own, and he put it to good use. He grunted, moaned, and yelled "and so I said to myself...'ARE YOU WITH MEEEE???'" Well, hell YEAH, Mick! His African talking drum/ vest solo was terrific. He had short solo drum intros to both Eyes of the World and Stand Back, which were kick-ass. He also had his usual great intro to GYOW, which was outstanding. You could tell he was truly enjoying himself.

John was typical John...stoic, serious, and laying down bass lines which flowed like a deep undercurrent to the rest of the music...helping to hold it all together, yet with undulations all its own. Even though he doesn't show much emotion, you could tell how much he was into the music...I especially noticed it during the more rocking Lindsey tunes; he would arch his back slightly here and there, sometimes pick up or twist a foot...not much "show" for people who are known for being "showmen," but for John it spoke volumes. He earned his place as my all-time favorite bass player all over again last night. Kudos to him.

All of the supporting musicians were wonderful as well. Brett Tuggle was terrific on the keys; the organ on I'm So Afraid was so haunting and powerful, it MADE you afraid. The piano for Silver Springs was beautiful, and he played a really nice solo during Don't Stop which definitely illustrated his prowess. Carlos got to play the funky rhythm solo for Stand Back, and...ohmygoodness...his name is escaping me...sorry, I'm tired...well, the OTHER guitarist (sorry!) handled some of the lead solo work in Stand Back as well. They both obviously enjoyed themselves. Sharon and Mindy were fantastic, but who would expect any less? Mindy seemed to be really into the music and seemed to have a tough time keeping to the choreographed dance moves...she looked like a woman who wanted to boogie!!

Honestly, though, the nicest part of our evening occured AFTER the show. Mike and I had run into a friend of mine and her husband as we were leaving the arena, so we were some of the last people still around. We were just getting ready to start the walk to where we had parked, and were discussing going for a drink, when a man behind us asked if we knew where there was a restauranty-bar type place nearby. We turned around to answer him, and found him with another man and 2 ladies, one of which I thought looked familiar...suddenly, it came to me and before I could stop myself, I pointed at her and shouted, "You're Kristin!" Yep, a resident Ledgie, Kristin, who had (quite a while back) posted a pic of herself, and apparently it had stuck with me. Not surprisingly, Kristin was rather taken aback, but once I explained, she didn't seem TOO frightened. It turns out that the other people accompanying her were also Ledgies - her roommate Julie, pwyll, and rianbay1, who had come from NYC to see the show! How cool is that? Anyway, my hubby works downtown in Pittsburgh, so fortunately he knew of a nice place to go where he has often eaten lunch, and offered to take them there, assuring them that it was only about a 10 minute walk. Weeelll, about 15 minutes later *grin* we got there, only to find that the place was closed. To their credit, our tired New Yorkers did not take the opportunity to beat the crap out of us for schlepping them all the way there only to have to look for another place to go to!

We did end up finding another place to go to, and our new friends were gracious enough to let us tag along with them. We ended up having drinks and talking with them for probably well over an hour, and as Mike said on the way home, the time spent talking with them was "completely delightful." We truly enjoyed ourselves, and hope that we can all meet again sometime. If you guys are reading, I have to say that you all must have made QUITE an impression on Mike...he can sometimes have trouble remembering names (though he never forgets a face)...well, he talked about you all with me on the way home (yes, that 1 1/2 hour drive), and referred to you all by first name...he was just so struck by how NICE you all were to us, and I couldn't agree more. I'm so pleased and proud that we got to meet you!!! Thanks again for making our evening even more special for us!

Well, I'm finally going to post this...I've had to keep the window open and write a little at a time all day long...we got home about 4 am, and got up this morning only to get a phone call from the friends that our children spent the night with, telling us that our 3 year old, Madeleine, had been sick all night. She has spent the day today basically either sleeping or with her head in a bucket, poor little thing , so I have definitely had to work hard at being a mother on Mother's Day today! I suppose that's what it's all about, though, isn't it? I'm just so thankful that Mike and I got to attend last night's show and see all of the wonderful friends that we did - both old friends and new friends.

To everyone who has their shows yet to come - I can assure you that you will NOT be disappointed. The Mac IS Back, in a BIG way!!! Take care everyone!!

Lori

PS: Carlene, I expect a LOOOONG conversation with lots of details from you at some point...Mike and I could see you in our binoculars from our seats, and know that you must have had the closest thing to a religious experience! I want to know ALL!!! And I will pay for doubles of those pics you took, girlfriend!!! PLEASE???

[Sorcerer386]

Lori, I have a question, because the way you tell your experience sounds rather familiar to a person I encountered on the way out of the arena. Leaving the floor, I'd heard a husband and wife (I assumed) talking about how Stevie seemed tired, and the husband said for a lot of it, it was a "Lindsey Buckingham show." I turned around and mentioned that Stevie hurt her hip, and that's why she wasn't so animated and needed help on and off stage. Then as we got to the steps, these two stopped and saw a couple that they knew, and I just figured to keep walking instead of staying to talk. WAS this you? Just curious.

[Lori]

Nope, that wasn't us! I'm sorry we didn't get to meet you, though - it sounds like you had just a wonderful time last night! I'm just SO happy with having been there to experience it all. Take care!

Lori

[wondergirl9847]

Originally posted by Lori
His solos were absolutely amazing, the highlights of which of course were Come, GYOW, and I'm So Afraid. I'm So Afraid was just totally unbelievable - indescribable. You just have to experience it for yourself. I can't say enough about it, other than...WonderGirl - make sure you take some extra pants along with you, because, girlfriend, you are surely gonna pee yourself when you see/hear ISA!!!

OMG, you are giving my goosebumps!!!! LOL I am OVERLY excited about my July 3rd concert and reading these posts are just making it WORSE!!!!! I KNOW I am gonna cry, scream and shake when he starts ISA!! I SERIOUSLY hope I don't pee myself tho. LMAO!! I heard Say Goodbye just a few hours ago and O....M.....G...I started tearing up and I could NOT get over how awesome he sounded!! I gotta go listen to it with headphones...and if people would SHUT UP during concerts, MAYBE we could hear these bootlegs better!! GRRRR!!!!!

I'm SOOO glad you enjoyed the concert, Lori!!

[Rainman]

Lori,

Thoroughly enjoyed your review. I've been debating over the Portland show, but I don't think I can pass it up now.

Thanks for sharing your night with us.

[pwyll]

Hello Lori,

It was equally as awesome to have met you and Mike. Kristin, Julie, Brian and myself had such a great time hanging out with you guys after the show. It's cool to know that Fleetwood Mac still has such great fans.

Stay in touch and good luck with the things we were talking about!

Bob

[Regina]

How can you have a religious experience without me;-) And still kind to New Yorkers, I see. If it weren't for you guys, I'd still be wandering aimlessly in that Pittsburgh parking lot.
My concerts are this weekend. I'm soooo excited.
I will bring my Depends, as per your instructions to someone else.
Ha!
I'm sorry I couldn't do Pittsburgh this year. Money was tight as it was but I'm so glad you got to go and had loads of fun.

[kristin]

Hey LORI!!

It was so nice meeting u....and I was quite taken aback when u said you knew me....but then it was all cleared up! haha.....thanks for showing us around pittsburgh and talking with us. Hope to stay in touch with u......good luck with all of the family stuff!

Kristin

[Torri]

Hi Lori...thanks for the great review!...it was a great show, wasn't it?...and apparently I just missed meeting up with you as I was with those nice New Yorkers for awhile after the show! (it was great to see you guys again and again!)...it's really is a small FM world sometimes...that's so cool!...

Torri