Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Year Everyone... All the best to you in 2015....

Thanks for checking in with Fleetwood Mac News all through 2014! I appreciate you taking the time and I thank you for all your comments on posts (the good and the bad) and messages by email. Also a massive thank you to Fleetwood Mac for another unforgettable 2014 of great shows and great music.  2015 is shaping up to be just as spectacular with plenty of shows and hopefully that new album we keep hearing about!

Just think... If Stevie and Lindsey didn't join Fleetwood Mac 40 Years Ago Today, New Years Eve 1974, you may not even be reading this right now.... So a special thanks to Stevie and Lindsey for changing a band... and changing lives for the past 40 years.  And a special special thanks to Christine McVie for returning to the music world in 2014 and gracing the Fleetwood Mac stage once again.


Tuesday, December 30, 2014

The Year in Music 2014 -- Fleetwood Mac: The Return of Christine McVie

2014 saw a reunion that Fleetwood Mac fans were hoping for more than a decade would happen -- Christine McVie officially rejoined the band's lineup.  The singer/keyboardist had gone her own way in 1998, retiring from the group to live quietly in the English countryside.  However, Christine apparently had gotten bored with her life away from the band.

Fleetwood Mac officially announced Christine's return to the fold in January, but the reunion had been brewing for quite a few months.  In September of 2013, she made guest appearances at a couple of the group's U.K. concerts, and then revealed in an interview in November that she missed her band mates and would consider rejoining them "if they asked."  They asked.

Not long after the news broke that Christine was back in Fleetwood Mac, the band not only announced dates for a new North American tour with the reunited lineup, but revealed they also were recording new music.  The trek kicked off on September 30 in Minneapolis, and by all reports audiences have been overjoyed to get to hear McVie singing with the group again.

Her band mates also are thrilled to have Christine back.  As drummer Mick Fleetwood recently told ABC News Radio, "It's outrageously great, balanced, musically really gratifying playing all Christine's lovely songs again.  And it's been nothing but really healthy for everybody."

The band wound down its 2014 itinerary with a December 20 show in Tampa, Florida, but they won't be idle for long.  Fleetwood Mac begins another North American leg on January 16 in St. Paul, Minnesota, that's mapped out until an April 11 concert in Las Vegas.  The group also has a tour of the U.K. and Ireland that's slated to run from late May to early July.

Source: The Loop

Lindsey Buckingham hints Fleetwood Mac album will be studio swan song


Lindsey Buckingham hinted that Fleetwood Mac's next album might be the band's studio swan song. During a chat with PBS' Tavis Smiley, Buckingham spoke about the new material he's been cooking up with returning keyboardist Christine McVie, revealing, "Before we started rehearsing the show with Christine, she came over and said, ‘Lindsey, I’ve got some rough ideas for new songs. She gave me a bunch of stuff to take home after we saw her in England when we played there. And I worked on it at home, took lots of liberties, came back. She loved it. We went in the studio for two months and came up with probably the best group of songs that were co-written that we’ve done in years. So we are going to continue working on a new album and (my) solo stuff will probably take a back seat for another year or so.”

He went on to say the still unfinished album "would be a beautiful way to kind of wrap up this last act."

Although Lindsey Buckingham is marking his 40th anniversary of joining Fleetwood Mac, at 65, he still feels like he's at the top of his game: “A lot of the idea of (laughs) being in a rock n’ roll band and getting to be one of, sort of the people who’s been around for a while, y’know, you can manage that equation any number of ways. Y’know, it’s hard for me to sort of. . . I feel the same physically as I did 25 years ago. I think I’m mentally, somewhat in arrested (laughs) development - y’know, in a good way, I hope!”

Fleetwood Mac North American tour dates (subject to change):

January 16 - Saint Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
January 17 - Lincoln, NE - Pinnacle Bank Arena
January 20 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
January 22 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden Arena
January 24 - Atlantic City, NJ - Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
January 25 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
January 28 - Providence, RI - Dunkin' Donuts Center
January 30 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
January 31 - Buffalo, NY - First Niagara Center
February 3 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
February 5 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
February 7 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
February 8 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
February 11 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
February 12 - Milwaukee, WI - BMO Harris Bradley Center
February 14 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
February 17 - Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Center
February 18 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
March 1 - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
March 3 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
March 4 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
March 7 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner Cable Arena
March 8 - Knoxville, TN - Thompson-Boling Arena
March 11 - North Little Rock, AR - Verizon Arena
March 12 - Oklahoma City, OK - Chesapeake Energy Arena
March 15 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena (JPJ Arena)
March 17 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
March 18 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
March 21 - Miami, FL - Time Warner Cable Arena
March 23 - Orlando, FL - Amway Center
March 25 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
March 27 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
March 28 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
March 31 - Wichita, KS - Intrust Bank Arena
April 1 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
April 4 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
April 6 - Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena
April 7 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
April 10 - Inglewood, CA - Forum
April 11 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena

Side Notes:

MORE ON "ONE MAN SHOW"
Out now is Lindsey Buckingham's first ever solo live album -- Lindsey Buckingham: One Man Show. The set was recorded on September 1st, 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa at Hoyt Sherman Place, and chronicled the set Buckingham has playing on his last solo tour.

The album features Buckingham tapping into his solo work with tracks like "Go Insane" and "Trouble," Fleetwood Mac with "I'm So Afraid," and "Go Your Own Way" -- and even a rare dip into the Buckingham Nicks catalogue with "Stephanie."

The tracklisting for Lindsey Buckingham: One Man Show is: "Cast Away Dreams," "Bleed To Love Her," "Not Too Late," "Stephanie," "Come," "Shut Us Down," "Go Insane," "Never Going Back Again," "Big Love," "I'm So Afraid," "Go Your Own Way," "Trouble," and "Seeds We Sow."

Source: K-Hits

Monday, December 29, 2014

With Christine McVie's return, the Mac is back and better than ever.

Fleetwood Mac lands at Amalie Arena in Tampa
By Gabe Echazabal and Tracy May
Creative Loafing

The rumors are indeed true: with Christine McVie's return, the Mac is back and better than ever.

Photo: Tracy May
VIEW MORE PHOTOS

It's often said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That age-old adage is particularly relevant in reference to rock bands that attempt to forge ahead and record or tour without a key member in tow; the results can be uneven or sub-standard at best. While Fleetwood Mac already had a lengthy catalog to their credit by the time they revamped their lineup and adopted more of a pop sound in the mid-1970's, the UK-spawned blues/rock group's greatest success came when the dynamics of all its different personalities meshed and translated into hit singles and million-selling albums.

Fleetwood Mac reached unimaginable heights when breezy, laid-back Californians Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were welcomed to the fold and the band debuted their new look, sound and feel to the world with a magnificent 1975 self-titled album. A major factor in the band's newly attained success was the emergence of veteran songwriter and vocalist Christine McVie. With her cool vocal delivery and impressive keyboard work, McVie's presence was as much a factor in the band's dominance of sales charts as Buckingham and Nicks.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Text In To Win: Fleetwood Mac Tickets Jan 28th, Providence, RI

Catch Fleetwood Mac At The Dunk Next Month!

It’s a Text In To Win Weekend, and Heather and Steve will award two tickets to this show Monday morning at 7:25!

To win, text FLEETWOOD + your name to 68683, then be by your phone Monday morning, because Heather and Steve could be calling you to win tix to see Fleetwood Mac January 28 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island!

Courtesy of Metro Motor Group, and Lite Rock 105.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Reviews: Fleetwood Mac Live in Tampa December 20, 2014

Fleetwood Mac reunion tour a landslide hit with Tampa fans
by Tim Chong
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA — It has been nearly 40 years since the classic lineup of Fleetwood Mac first performed together. The band has been in existence even longer, but when most people think of “Fleetwood Mac” they think of eccentric guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, mystical songstress Stevie Nicks, crazed drummer Mick Fleetwood, quiet bassist John McVie and down-to-earth keyboardist Christine McVie.

Photo: Andy Jones - View More
Four decades is a long time for any group of people to stay together, and members of the notoriously combustible Fleetwood Mac, not surprisingly, have spent much of that time in and out of the group. The past couple of tours and the last album, with everyone but Christine McVie, was the closest many thought there would be to a reunion.

Christine McVie’s full-time return is enough to celebrate a tour — there’s no new album to promote — and on Saturday night at Amalie Arena fans were ready to welcome her back, giving McVie her own ovation.

Unsurprisingly, the set list leaned heavily on “Rumours,” still one of the biggest-selling albums of all time. Starting with a thundering ”The Chain,” the band defied age and its reputation as a soft rock band.

The biggest surprises were songs from “Tusk,” the follow-up to Rumours considered by some to be a flop. The songs aren’t as familiar, but the band seemed to enjoy playing them and stretching out “I Know I’m not Wrong” and “Sisters of the Moon,” and reinventing “Tusk” as a blues guitar workout.”

The group seemed more enthusiastic than on previous tours. Perhaps everyone being together has re-energized the Mac. There’s talk the group will return to the studio. If so the enthusiasm displayed at Tampa’s show is a good sign of things to come. The night was a welcome back party; to the band from the fans, to Christine from her bandmates, and to the music from the band.

View Photos at The Tampa Tribune

Mick Fleetwood Book Signing Monday, Dec 22, 2014 at Fleetwood's on Maui


Musician and Maui resident, Mick Fleetwood will be at Fleetwood’s General Store on Front Street on Monday, Dec. 22, where he will sign copies of his new book.

Play On: Now, Then, and Fleetwood Mac: The Autobiography, was released in October and tells the story of his life as a musician, playing drums since his teen years, to his long career as co-founder and member of the group Fleetwood Mac.

Born Michael John Kells Fleetwood in Cornwall, England, in 1947, Fleetwood now enjoys life on the Valley Isle where his Lahaina restaurant and general store bear his name.

The 352 page book takes a look at his life and love of music, as well as the “raucous history” of Fleetwood Mac, and the story behind the band’s longevity and success.

The in-store book signing event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014.

Source: Mauinews.com

MICK FLEETWOOD BLUES BAND 
Featuring RICK VITO
Mick and Rick perform live on December 28th on the rooftop at Fleetwood's on Front St. For tickets, call 808-669-MICK.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Review: Fleetwood Mac Live in Sunrise, FL December 19, 2014

Finally, 16 years after playing her last gig with Fleetwood Mac, Christine McVie is back in the band.
By Howard Cohen
Miami Herald


Hard to tell who seemed happier for her return, the fans or the band members. Drummer Mick Fleetwood said in a pre-concert interview with the Miami Herald that this enduring band’s autobiographical music has served as a soundtrack for its audience’s own similar experiences. Love, loss, joy, heartache.

“It’s astoundingly powerful that for the vast majority of that audience their lives are unfolding in their own world and we’re triggering that.”

These fans have made the superstar group’s On With the Show Tour one of the year’s top touring attractions. At Sunrise’s sold-out BB&T Center Friday night, a crowd of 16,000 or so lustily cheered reinvigorated classics like Rhiannon, Go Your Own Way and Landslide.

Immediately after the standard Fleetwood Mac opener, The Chain, fans got their first taste of McVie’s burgundy warm, bluesy alto, which, reassuringly, sounds much as it did on Rumours 38 years ago. “Sweet, wonderful you/You make me happy with the things you do,” she sang in the opening line of You Make Loving Fun, the fourth Top 10 single from the landmark Rumours album. Back then, the song was about her lover, the band’s former lighting director, whom she briefly turned to as her marriage to bass player John McVie ended. Now, the lyric seems directed at her fellow musicians, including her ex, as well as the fans.

“Usually I’d say, ‘Welcome back, Christine,” a genuinely friendly, chatty Stevie Nicks said, referring to her previous stage patter early in the tour’s run. “But since this is the 39th show, we can safely say, She’s back!

Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks’ ex and the subject of many of her songs like Dreams and Silver Springs — much as she is the subject of his biting numbers, Go Your Own Way, Never Going Back Again and Second Hand News — has always had a particularly symbiotic musical relationship with McVie. The chemistry in the way their voices intertwine — McVie’s out of British blues, Buckingham’s inspired by ’50s folk — on the blues-rock stomp of World Turning and the rock shuffle, Don’t Stop, proved intact.

A couple hours earlier, just after McVie’s power pop charmer, Everywhere, and his own edgy rocker, I Know I’m Not Wrong, Buckingham delivered Fleetwood Mac’s State of the Union. He singled out McVie for providing a reason to think about tomorrow.

“With her return I believe we begin a profound, poetic and prolific new chapter in the life of this band,” Buckingham said. Encouraging, and inspiring, given he’s 65, McVie’s 71, Nicks is 66 and the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are 67 and 69, respectively. Given how well these men and women performed, for nearly three hours, you fully believe Buckingham.

Indeed, McVie’s contribution is the necessary sunlight amid Nicks’ and Buckingham’s darker ruminations. This additional voice made the harmonies on her Say You Love Me, Over My Head and Little Lies, the latter done with considerably more edge and kick than its stuck-in-the-’80s studio version, as well as Nicks’ Dreams and Rhiannon, ring with clarity. She also seemed to have inspired the others to deliver the best vocal performances we’ve heard from anyone in this outfit since the Reagan administration.

Sure, Nicks has lost her top range on Dreams and Sisters of the Moon. Buckingham’s voice is deeper.

But Nicks sang full-bodied and in-tune throughout, including on her showcase Gold Dust Woman and Seven Wonders, reintroduced thanks to its prominent use last season for Nicks’ witch character on FX’s American Horror Story: Coven. She dedicated Landslide to a fan who held a sign that said she’d had a stroke and that her bucket list wish was to see a Fleetwood Mac concert. Nicks responded, “I feel it in my heart. You’re going to be just fine.”

Buckingham had a regained suppleness and adventure in his phrasing that gave fresh nuance to Never Going Back Again, Big Love and the anguished I’m So Afraid. His inventive lead guitar playing, Flamenco style on Big Love; blues on I’m So Afraid; or classic rock soloing on Go Your Own Way, all played without a pick, elevates him among the greatest to play the instrument.

After an expertly paced 150-minute set, closed by McVie’s trademark promise of undying love, Songbird, a clearly grateful Fleetwood roared, “And remember, the Mac is most definitely back.”

No doubt, at 100 percent.





Fleetwood Mac returns March 21 at AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Fleetwood Mac has outlasted the drugs, inner turmoil, and hiatuses to remain one of the greatest rock outfits in the world

REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac Live in Atlanta, GA
December 17, 2014 - Philips Arena
By Collin Kelley
Atlanta In Town





















When I saw Fleetwood Mac at the old Omni Coliseum in Downtown back in 1987, the souvenir stand was selling a button with the band’s familiar penguin logo and the proclamation that “The Mac Is Back.” Flash-forward 27 years (gulp!) and band namesake Mick Fleetwood was  standing at the lip of the stage at Philips Arena (which sits on the former site of The Omni) proclaiming the very same message to a sold-out audience at last night’s show.

The difference between last night and 1987 was that this was indeed the “full Mac” lineup that everyone knows and loves. Earlier this year, songwriter and keyboardist Christine McVie came in from the cold after a 16-year hiatus to rejoin the band, which immediately set out on a world tour to celebrate. Fleetwood Mac has carried on recording and touring in the intervening years, but without her voice behind the hits of “You Make Loving Fun,” “Don’t Stop,” “Say You Love Me,” “Over My Head,” “Little Lies, “Everywhere” and emotional encore “Songbird.” Those songs were all back in action last night, with McVie’s smoky contralto rendering of each bringing some of the night’s biggest cheers.

But the band’s other two songwriters – Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks – were also in fine voice, with Buckingham offering  up his frenzied guitar solo version of “Big Love” and an ominous “Never Going Back Again,” which he seemed to be directing toward former flame Nicks. While the Buckingham-Nicks split back in the 1970s offered fuel for the Rumours album, they have been milking their still combative relationship for more than 30 years now. It does make for great stage drama, especially when Nicks turns and stares him down for “Silver Springs” (“You’ll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you…”) and Buckingham yowls through “Go Your On Way” (“Packing up, shacking up is all you wanna do…”).

Pop Tart: The pure 24 Karat Gold of Stevie Nicks

by Richard Burnett
Montreal Gazette

When my boozing buddy Jamie and I made our entrance at the absolutely packed, internationally-famed annual Stevie Nicks drag queen rock’n’roll tribute Night of a Thousand Stevies in New York City some years ago, New York hadn’t seen so much trash since the Teamsters’ citywide garbage strike of 1990.

No, I didn’t trip and slide face-first into the gutter like I did on Bourbon St. in New Orleans one Halloween, but I knew I was in deep trouble when my bartender told me she couldn’t serve me triple vodka-sodas because her glasses weren’t big enough.

As beautiful as the audience was – girls and boys everywhere dressed in Stevie’s trademark leather and lace – the real entertainment was on the stage. There were lip-syncing drag queens and kick-ass live performers. Then to close the show, Goon Squad – featuring Blondie’s Debbie Harry on lead vocals – destroyed the place with their balls-to-the-wall punk version of The Chain.

I have been to every major drag event in London, Sydney, Paris, New Orleans, Vegas and Montreal, and I’m telling you, NOTS is hands-down the most fun drag event I’ve ever been to. Revellers get dolled up à la Stevie, including past attendees Courtney Love, Cyndi Lauper and Boy George. Even I wore a blond wig.

“I hope next year maybe Stevie will come,” ab-fab NOTS co-hostess Hattie Hattaway (a.k.a. Brian Butterick), who produces NOTS with her fellow Jackie Factory NYC co-founders Johnny Dynell and Chi Chi Valenti, told me after the show.

Now flash-forward to Stevie’s new critically-hailed 2014 solo album 24 Karat Gold –Songs From The Vault, produced by Dave Stewart, Waddy Wachtel and Nicks, and recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles. The songs were written between 1969 and 1995, and the artwork for the CD includes never-before-seen Polaroid photos snapped by Nicks throughout her career. The album leads off with Starshine, for my money Stevie’s best rock number since Edge of Seventeen, and the emotional highlight is the country-soul of Blue Water, with backing vocals by Lady Antebellum.

VIDEO: Mick Fleetwood Interview with CBS 46 Atlanta on his Photography Collection

Reflections of Life: Mick Fleetwood at the Ann Jackson Gallery - Atlanta December 16th

Mick Fleetwood spoke exclusively with me at Ann Jackson's Art Gallery in Roswell, GA. The legendary drummer and founding member of Fleetwood Mac has started to exhibit his photography in art galleries in towns where the band will perform. This began after his friends and family urged him to display his talent. Mick has received a welcoming response from fans that turn out to witness and support his new outlet of art.




Review: Fleetwood Mac Live in Atlanta Dec 17, 2014 "Twizzler-thin Buckingham was a riveting presence"


Concert review: A fresh, fun Fleetwood Mac dazzles Atlanta
by Melissa Ruggieri
AJC.com

Fleetwood Mac has never been considered a “fun” band.

Between the tempestuous relationships among its members and the differing opinions about musical direction over the decades, the collective of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham was never the cheeriest bunch.

But wow, did that drama make for some amazing music.

The band returned to the road in October after taking some off late last year for John McVie to combat cancer, and this time they had a secret weapon that has elevated Fleetwood Mac to a new level of vitality – Christine McVie.

Back with the gang after a 16-year gap, McVie, an unbelievable-looking 71, injected a palpable energy into the band, both by allowing them to further open their songbook and by providing Nicks with her perfect female vocal foil.

When was the last time you heard Nicks girlishly squeal, as she did when welcoming McVie with an enthusiastic, “She’s baaaaaack!”? For that matter, when was the last time Mac fans heard “You Make Loving Fun” and “Everywhere” played live (OK, it was 1997’s “The Dance” tour, but you get the point)?

From the moment Mick Fleetwood ushered in the band’s standard opener “The Chain” with his heartbeat bass drum, to more than 2 ½-hours later when McVie closed the show with her tingly “Songbird,” the show felt fresh and alive and yes…fun.

The sold-out crowd at Philips Arena Wednesday night erupted into cheers for McVie before the complete opening phrase of “You Make Loving Fun” –  “Sweet wonderful you” – exited her mouth, setting the appreciative tone of the night.

Video: Lindsey Buckingham's interview on Tavis Smiley on the reunited Fleetwood Mac

If you missed Lindsey's interview last night on Tavis Smiley... The show is posted on-line at PBS-Video.


December 17, 2014: Lindsey Buckingham, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer talks about reuniting with the iconic band, Fleetwood Mac, for its "On With The Show" concert tour.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Denver Review: On With the Show Tunes: A Refueled Fleetwood Mac Truck Delivers Again

Photos by Michael Bialas
VIEW GALLERY (39 Photos)

On With the Show Tunes: A Refueled Fleetwood Mac Truck Delivers Again
by Michael Bialas
Huffington Post

Putting on a show to match the grandeur and longevity of Fleetwood Mac is a massive undertaking, but Stevie Nicks needed just a minute to personalize it for the crowd of mostly Coloradans in the sold-out Pepsi Center on Dec. 12, 2014.

"I have like a whole tribe here because one side of my family is all from Colorado," Nicks said to a roaring audience in Denver. It was about an hour into the 35th performance of this "On With The Show" tour that marks the return of songbird/keyboardist Christine McVie to the stage -- and the band -- for the first time in 16 years.

"My great-great grandmother came across the Rocky Mountains in one of the last Indian massacres," Nicks (left) added. "Seriously. And she crawled in the trunk (of a wagon train) and stayed there. And she was the only survivor. Strong woman."

The Rooster Photos
Photo by Svetlana Joukova
VIEW GALLERY (19 Photos)
Nicks, who dedicated her tender "Landslide" to the 100 or so friends and family members -- "my entire tribe" -- in attendance, thus making the Colorado connection feel even stronger, certainly shares the strength of her ancestors.

McVie, Nicks and the male members of this lineup -- frontman Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie (the pair for whom the band is named) -- also possess those staunch survival instincts long after all coming together in 1975.

This stunning show was a perfect example of that willingness to sustain a coexistence, finally blessed with the valuable missing piece of the puzzle that turns an already priceless picture into a beautiful work of pop art.

TONIGHT: Lindsey Buckingham Reflects on his career with Fleetwood Mac on Tavis Smiley


My Conversation With Lindsey Buckingham
by Tavis Smiley

Tonight (December 17th), I'm joined by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Lindsey Buckingham, who reflects on his career with one of the most critically acclaimed musical groups of all time, Fleetwood Mac. The Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist has reunited with all of the band's original members for a world tour titled, "On With The Show."

In the clip below, Buckingham describes how each of the five band members have added a unique element to the group's chemistry.

For or more of our conversation, be sure to tune in to Tavis Smiley on PBS. Check our website for your local TV listings: www.pbs.org/tavis.

Houston Review: "McVie in fine form, Fleetwood Mac turns back time"

Photo by Jane Howze
VIEW GALLERY
With McVie in fine form, Fleetwood Mac turns back time in nostalgic concert
By Jane Howze

Fleetwood Mac played to a sold-out adoring crowd at the Toyota Center on Monday night. Many in the audience saw the band on their 2013 World Tour in June. Our reviewer gave the concert a big thumbs-up, with a footnote that “Fleetwood Mac is not Fleetwood Mac without keyboardist/vocalist Christine McVie.” 

This time around, a youthful looking 71-year-old McVie joined the band, and her energy and high spirits elevated the concert to another level.

Every time McVie took the lead, the crowd roared — and the band itself seemed delighted to have their “beautiful Christine” back. With good reason. She soared in a powerful “Say That You Love Me” and “Over My Head” and provided spirited keyboards on “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”    

Playing for nearly three hours to a mostly older yet energetic crowd (this was not your Eagles audience who meekly followed orders to stay seated), Stevie Nicks, Lindsay Buckingham and McVie shared lead vocals. Opening with “The Chain” written by all five band members from the classic album Rumours, McVie then launched into “You Make Loving Fun.” Her lyrical and earthy alto made it clear that while Fleetwood Mac has held up amazingly well given their ages, McVie adds a richer and more nuanced sound.

Plus it allowed Nicks to harmonize and Buckingham to play his emotional guitar solos without having to be overly burdened with vocals. 

Hits and cheering

NBC's A Toast To 2014 New Years Eve includes Fleetwood Mac Interview


Before the ball drops in Times Square, NBC will help ring in the New Year with "A Toast to 2014!," a two hour primetime special airing Wednesday, December 31 at 8pm/7c, hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. Join the PARTY ON New Year's Eve as NBC News presents a star-studded year-end look at the year's buzziest stories, scandals, videos, trends and much more.

Interviews also include: Sherri Shepherd, William Shatner, Fleetwood Mac, Kris Jenner, Ian Ziering, Katherine Heigl, Alfre Woodward, Billy Bush, Monica Potter, Zach King, Charlie White and Meryl Davis, Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Lester Holt, Willie Geist, Jenna Bush Hager, Tamron Hall, Dylan Dreyer, Meredith Vieira, Catt Sadler, Bob Costas, Maria Menounos, Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski and more.



Photos: Fleetwood Mac Live in Ottawa, Canada

Fleetwood Mac Live in Ottawa, ON Canada
October 26, 2014 - Canadian Tire Centre

Photos by Mark Horton
View Gallery (30 images)


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Review: Fleetwood Mac Live in Houston December 15, 2014

Fleetwood Mac brings songs, stories to Houston
By Joey Guerra
Chron.com
Photos by: J. Patric Schneider - View more at Chron.com


Never underestimate the power of the Mac.

Three songs into Monday night’s set at Toyota Center, Stevie Nicks promised the crowd she would “get this party started!” Until then, Fleetwood Mac had been pleasing and mostly polite: anthemic kickoff “The Chain,” “You Make Loving Fun,” “Dreams” shifted to a lower key.

But something kicked into gear with “Second Hand News.” Lindsey Buckingham ripped into the song, all wild eyes and stomping feet. It reverberated through the sold-out crowd and energized Nicks’ take on “Rhiannon.” The party had indeed started.

Christine McVie, who rejoined the band after a 15-year absence, was still soulful and sweet on “Everywhere” and “Little Lies,” which both benefited from punchy arrangements; and oft-covered set closer “Songbird.”

“Now she’s been here, and it’s almost 40 shows. And now I think she’s gonna stay,” Nicks quipped. The band returns March 3 for another show at Toyota Center.

The enduring allure of Fleetwood Mac has been the story behind the music. The core unit — Buckingham, Nicks, John McVie, Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood – has continued to thrive both in spite and because of its tempestuous history. Life has informed music and vice versa.

Buckingham played up the sentiment, declaring that the band’s success is in its ability “to continue to prevail through the good times and the bad.” He called Christine McVie’s reappearance “the beginning of a poetic, a profound and a beautiful new chapter.”

For now, though, it was about the music. “Tusk” still brings the marching-band thunder. Buckingham indulged himself, as always, during a solo “Big Love” and several rousing crowd-pleasing guitar solos. Christine McVie ably steered the “Say You Love Me” harmonies. Nicks cast an alluring spell during “Sisters of the Moon,” an extended “Gypsy” (complete with shimmering shawl) and “Seven Wonders.” She performed the song recently on “American Horror Story” (and thanked the show for taking it to a new audience).

And, yes, something sweet and magical still happens when Nicks’ croons about getting older and snow-covered hills during “Landslide.” The entire venue seemed to sigh in unison.

Nicks introduced “Gypsy” with a lengthy story about meeting Buckingham, shopping for rock-star clothes and opening shows for Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Credence Clearwater Revival.

“Are you listening over there?” she asked him before twirling through the song.

And, yes, something sweet and magical still happens when Nicks' croons about getting older and snow-covered hills during "Landslide." The entire venue seemed to sigh in unison.

Long intros and instrumental breaks bogged down the show’s second-half a bit. But the padding was worth trudging through to hear “Go Your Own Way,” “Don’t Stop” and Nicks’ grand, gorgeous reading of “Silver Springs.”

THE CHAIN
YOU MAKE LOVING FUN

MORE VIDEOS BELOW

Monday, December 15, 2014

Review: Sold-out enthusiastic crowd welcomes Fleetwood Mac to Texas

Photo by: Richard W. Rodriguez
Review: Fleetwood Mac at American Airlines Center
BY PRESTON JONES
Star Telegram

There was a moment Sunday night when Stevie Nicks began recounting all of the acts she and Lindsey Buckingham once opened for, prior to joining the ranks of Fleetwood Mac.

It was an impressive roster of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers — Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, et al — but also an anecdote making the refrain from Landslide (“I’m getting older too”) take on an extra, poignant dimension.

The years continue to accumulate (Nicks is 66), and bands like Fleetwood Mac begin to crumble and fall away — almost anything can be survived, whether it’s romantic entanglements or prodigious drug use, but no one can outrun time.

Such a feeling hung in the air Sunday at American Airlines Center as a sold-out and terrifically enthusiastic crowd welcomed Fleetwood Mac back to North Texas.

While the band itself was in town just last year, they didn’t have a key member in tow then as they did Sunday: Christine McVie, rejoining the ranks of the rock band after more than 15 years away, was a welcome addition to the core foursome of Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.

The familiar elements of a Fleetwood Mac performance were present in abundance — Fleetwood’s gaped-mouth timekeeping; Nicks’ mystical twirling and top hat; Buckingham’s incendiary guitar solos — but with Christine McVie back in the mix, the two hour-plus set felt slightly elevated, an extra, key ingredient making the well-worn (You Make Loving Fun; Little Lies; Say You Love Me) feel altogether revitalized.

Her lovely alto laid in alongside Nicks’ own gruff, feathery alto and Buckingham’s razor-wire tenor gave the show a feeling of balance, a restoration to the last, best possible version of the band beloved by the screaming thousands stuffed into the arena, something even Buckingham noted midway through.

Fleetwood Mac Fulfills Dreams in Denver

Photo by Camille Breslin

FLEETWOOD MAC FULFILLS DREAMS IN DENVER
by: Alex Faubel

Sometimes you get the chance to stand mere feet away from a band that had a hand in laying the foundation of your love for music. Most of the time they look different. Many times they sound different. But never do you take that moment for granted. My dad would probably say “back in my day” and trail off into a tangent about how great Fleetwood Mac was when he saw them in 1975. But it’s not often you get the chance to see a band you grew up listening to with the top down on your mom’s Volkswagon Cabrio going way too fast down residential streets. Go Your Own Way, right? And if that way has you on tour nearly five decades after the inception of your band, I’d say your way is one hell of a route.

Continue to the full review at 303 Magazine

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Review: Fleetwood Mac Live in Dallas Dec 14, 2014 "much fanfare was made of McVie’s return"

Fully-staffed Fleetwood Mac takes adoring Dallas crowd on a roller-coaster ride
by Hunter Hauk
The Dallas Morning News

Photo: Jason Janik

Fleetwood Mac comprises former lovers, ex spouses, longtime friends and a tumultuous biography. Like any musical group that has survived decades of ups and downs, the members must constantly work at it to recapture their old chemistry.

That workmanlike spirit helped to define the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s sold-out show on Sunday night at American Airlines Center. Rejoined by vital vocalist and keyboardist Christine McVie after her 16-year-touring hiatus, the Mac leaned in admirably through a two-hour-plus performance that veered from soul-soothing to serviceable and back again.

Understandably, much fanfare was made of McVie’s return: Her warm, familiar vocals provided several highlights, from the smoky seduction of “You Make Loving Fun” to the melodic bliss of ’80s smashes “Everywhere” and “Little Lies.” Despite her solid performance, McVie was never one to bask in the spotlight.

Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, however, were more than happy to soak up the love of the audience on Sunday. With McVie on keys, her ex-husband, John, on bass and Mick Fleetwood behind his drums for most of the evening, it was up to the group’s two relative “newbies” to do the crowd work.

Buckingham kept the folks up front entertained by harnessing a twenty-something’s energy, frequently screaming out lyrical lines and jumping into rock-god postures. Nicks was simply herself — a twirling and swaying mystical sage armed with raspy power pipes and a streamer-clad tambourine.

Full Review at The Dallas Morning News

EVERYWHERE
DREAMS
LANDSLIDE

Fleetwood Mac - Denver: "Lindsey Buckingham’s six-string prowess is a sight to behold"

Fleetwood Mac Concert Review Denver, CO
December 12, 2014 - Pepsi Center,
by Ken Tomczak
995TheMountain.com
Photo: Ken Tomczak
When you go see a Fleetwood Mac concert, you’re immediately struck by how much talent is on the stage.  Stevie Nicks sings lead on classic hits like “Gypsy” and “Landslide,” but Lindsey Buckingham’s six-string prowess is a sight to behold – playing the entire concert in his signature plucking style with no guitar pick.  The legendary rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie always keeps the band rolling forward, but the story of Friday night’s "On With The Show" tour stop at Pepsi Center was the return of Christine McVie after a 17-year hiatus from the band.

The nearly sold out crowd was thrilled to see the classic Fleetwood Mac lineup back together, giving McVie extra applause when she performed “Over My Head,” “Little Lies” and “Everywhere.”

“A very good evening, Denver!” McVie yelled to the crowd.  Stevie Nicks added, “She’s back!” and then quickly screamed “Let’s get this party started” before the Mac launched into “Dreams.”  Additional musicians and three background vocalists helped supplement the sound, making their trademark vocal harmonies that much more lush.

Buckingham was jumping around the stage from the opening notes and McVie quipped “That was fun!” after finishing “Say You Love Me.”  The band was exceptionally tight and it was apparent they were having a good time on stage.  Stevie Nicks’ signature vocals were especially strong on “Seven Wonders.”  Buckingham took some extra time to introduce “Big Love” off 1987's Tango In The Night explaining the tune was originally written about “boundaries” but it has since taken on a new meaning about “the importance of change.”  Lindsey performed the song by himself, showcasing his immense talent.

The stage production wasn’t anything to write home about – minimal lights and random images projected onto a backdrop.   Fleetwood Mac isn’t about lasers and pyro, they were happy to let the music do the talking.  And many fans were talking about the band already announcing another Pepsi Center gig.  If you missed this concert, tickets for their April 1st return appearance go on sale this Monday at 10am.

But the feel good story of the concert was the return of McVie, punctuated by the final song of the evening “Songbird.”

Mick Fleetwood Interview "Stevie and Christine, they're a funny couple, a lot in common, and yet nothing in common"

Mick Fleetwood Interviewed by Mike The Intern on 104.7 The Cave Pure Classic Rock

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Stevie Nicks: "The Lady Gaga song 'Do What U Want' makes me want to dance and made me revise the hustle

People Magazine - December 15, 2014 issue
Click her to enlarge
Stevie Nicks: I will never marry again

The Fleetwood Mac singer, who was married to Kim Anderson for three months in 1983, says she is happily single at the moment, and while she would consider online dating she doesn't want to walk down the aisle at any point.

The 66-year-old star - who previously dated her bandmates Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood, and the Eagles' stars Don Henley and Joe Walsh - said: "I'm happy. I might have a relationship, but I'm never getting married again.

"Mick and I always laugh about going on Match.com together and saying, 'We're looking for somebody with no health problems. And no bunches of ex-wives and ex-husbands.' "

The 'Dreams' hitmaker admits she would like to fall in love again but if she doesn't find another partner she will still have a good life.

She said: "There is always hope. If somebody comes along and he's worth it, then it will be a lucky throw of the cards. But either way it's going to be great."

Stevie has lost 10 pounds in the last few months since the band embarked on a new tour and she credits Lady Gaga's song 'Do What U Want' for inspiring her to dance off the pounds.

She added to PEOPLE magazine: "I go onstage for three hours, four days a week and have lost about 10 pounds in the last couple of months.

"The Lady Gaga song 'Do What U Want' makes me want to dance and made me revise the hustle. My girlfriends and I used to do this [dance] at clubs 30 years ago. Now it's a great way to exercise."


Saturday, December 13, 2014

Review: Fleetwood Mac Live in Denver December 12, 2014

Fleetwood Mac at the Pepsi Center in Denver 
by Ray Mark Rinaldi
Heyreverb.com

Christine McVie always performed stage right with Fleetwood Mac, though she was never a side player. The keyboardist wrote a good number of the band’s hits back in the day and took the position of lead singer whenever they came into rotation.

Photos by Daniel Petty
More than that, she was the supergroup’s third leg. Lindsey Buckingham was the rocker, Stevie Nicks the spiritual siren and McVie the pop songstress who brought a head-bopping bounce to the band’s sound with numbers like “You Make Loving Fun.” That combination gave Fleetwood Mac something for every prevailing taste in the 1970s and pushed it to the top of the charts.

And so when McVie retuned to the band after a 16-year vacation this fall, she brought not just her 71-year-old self, but also a little more easy-going fun. Fleetwood Mac’s appearance at the Pepsi Center in Denver Friday night felt much more like a pop concert than the raucous rock show it performed there in 2013.

Continue to the full review (+ 20 photos) at Heyreverb.com

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Review: Fleetwood Mac Live in Phoenix December 10, 2014

Review: Fleetwood Mac celebrate Christine McVie's return
by Ed Masley
AZCentral

"Our songbird has returned," Mick Fleetwood told the sold-out crowd at US Airways Center Wednesday night before the reunited "Rumours" lineup treated the fans to an encore performance of "Don't Stop" that featured the songbird in question, Christine McVie, taking a turn on lead vocals and contributing a rollicking piano solo.

This is McVie's first tour with Fleetwood Mac since 1998. And Fleetwood was far from alone in viewing her return as cause for celebration, reuniting as it does the soft-rock icons' most successful lineup. The crowd responded with enthusiasm when she took her first lead vocal, two songs in, on "You Make Loving Fun," which was followed by a heartfelt tribute to McVie by Stevie Nicks.

McVie herself talked about "what a thrill it is for me to be standing on this stage singing with these amazing musicians and friends" before taking another lead vocal on "Everywhere."

Photos by: Johanna Dupuy - VIEW GALLERY (33 photos)
Lindsey Buckingham shared his thoughts on how "the return of the beautiful Christine" had signaled a new chapter in their history.

And the second encore started with McVie alone on piano and vocals for two verses and a chorus of an understated "Songbird" before Buckingham joined in on lead guitar.

That was it for the music, but Nicks returned to share a charming anecdote about a phone call she got last October in Italy, imitating McVie's British accent to ask, "What would you think if I decided to come back to the band?," ending her speech with "We so wanted her to come back. And we're so happy to have our girl back."

They did a lot of talking in the course of their nearly three-hour performance. Buckingham talked about how thrilled he was to be in Phoenix, where he and Nicks had spent a lot of time, saying "It kind of feels like a second home." He gave a lengthy monologue before tearing it up on a solo acoustic performance of "Big Love," talking about how although that "Tango in the Night" track is actually newer than much of the material in Wednesday's set, it feels like it came from "a whole different lifetime," before he "pulled back and made a few adjustments." The song began, he explained, as "a kind of contemplation on alienation perhaps" but had become "more a meditation on the power and the importance of change."

Several songs from the show, including full songs of Landslide, Go Your Own Way, and Silver Springs

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Mick Fleetwood displays art in Scottsdale gallery


By Lindsey Reiser
CBS 5 News

CBS 5 - KPHO

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (CBS5) - You wouldn't expect to see a Rock 'n' Roll legend used to screaming fans meeting folks at a quiet art gallery in Scottsdale, but that's exactly where Mick Fleetwood, founding member of Fleetwood Mac, was Tuesday evening.

The group is scheduled to perform in downtown Phoenix Wednesday evening.

Fleetwood said displaying his art can sometimes be more nerve-wracking than performing on stage.

"I don't write songs, and I don't sing them. I play in a band and it's a lot of work one way or another, but this more personal for me," Fleetwood said.
Before he gets an arena full of people going Wednesday night, he's showing his talents go beyond the stage.

"When I became a drummer, I sort of was doing what we did as a family. We traveled all the time, and I was the boring snapshot-taker in the band," Fleetwood said.

He admits his photographs in the collection Reflections are not what people might expect. They show moments of calm, either in his birthplace of England or his new home in Maui.

"I understand they were probably expecting ladies hanging off chandeliers and things," Fleetwood said.

"The contrast in this photo between the old rusty worn-out truck, and this new burst of super green light from the leaves," said Scottsdale resident Sari Lewis, describing what drew her to the piece she purchased.

She said she's not surprised he chose the Valley as one of his first exhibitions in the states.

"Scottsdale has an awesome gallery district, and we earn and deserve a lot of great art here," Lewis said.

As for his favorite piece? Fleetwood prefers a pair of swans he photographed individually that he said remind him of his parents because swans mate for life.

"In a way, these are my babies," Fleetwood said.

If you'd like to take a look at the pieces, they'll be on display until Thursday at DeRubeis Fine Art of Metal.



Mick Fleetwood follows a path of art and music
By John Hook
FOX 10 News

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - It's been 16 years since every original member of the legendary group Fleetwood Mac performed and toured together. 

They are one of the greatest Rock and Roll bands of all time, selling over 100 million albums.

On Wednesday night the band will be rocking U.S. Airways Arena, but first tonight FOX 10 caught up with drummer and founder of the band Mick Fleetwood at a gallery in Scottsdale. 

Fleetwood's other passion besides music is his photography.

For such an imposing figure, Mick Fleetwood is 64, and he's an incredibly gentle, thoughtful, soft spoken man.

"I still have periods where I take a lot of pictures and think about it a lot, this is the sum of what I've taken," said Mick Fleetwood.

He's still following the path, in music and photography.

"And then I joined a rock and roll band many years later, and was the boring member of the band who took pictures all day long," he said. Then at night he would take his place behind a great band and was hardly boring. "We have affected people, and people love our music that still exists."

He says the band is still relevant today for one reason; they all love making music.

"They would truly be doing music with or without the money; it was nothing about being successful," said Fleetwood. 

People always ask him whether he'll release something like "Life on the Road with Fleetwood Mac" , he says he doesn't think so.

In less than 24 hours from the airing of this story, he will play in front of a sold out crowd. So how does Fleetwood keep his mind on photography? "I don't get overly thinking about it until I get to the show and get in the complete routine... you would have brought up that I suffer from stage fright, so you've actually triggered me already, I'll be drinking heavily tonight!" he said.

For the first time in 16 years, Christine McVei is back touring with the band so the lineup that produced "Rumours" , one of the best selling albums of all time, is back together.

FOX 10 News | fox10phoenix.com