(REVIEW) FLEETWOOD MAC “The Mac Mystifies Milwaukee”

Fleetwood Mac Live in Milwaukee June 8, 2008
“The Mac Mystifies Milwaukee”

By Christian Scalise

Country Stars Central

(Photos removed at the request of the owner. Click the above link for slideshow)

Music fans of all ages gathered inside the Bradley Center in downtown Milwaukee on Monday June 8th to experience an once-in-a-lifetime evening of fine music by iconic group Fleetwood Mac.

Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Stevie Nicks have joined forces once again to give their fans a show stopping evening of all the smash hits and favorite tunes that have solidified the bands legendary career through the years.

The show brought in countless numbers of fans of each individual band member; some diehard Lindsey Buckingham fans sported t-shirts with his image on them, while others, mostly women channeled Stevie Nicks by donning their own take on the intriguing persona of the beloved superstar.

Due to unexpected hazardous weather conditions the show started off a bit later than planned, but even the minor mishap didn’t seem to bother the eager fans from witnessing their idols firsthand.

Emerging onto the stage at 8:15pm, Fleetwood Mac took their respective places on the stage as they opened the show with a rousing rendition of “Monday Morning.” The audience ecstatically welcomed their arrival!! Continuing the high, “The Chain,” “Dreams,” and “I Know I’m Not Wrong” followed.

Stevie showcased her distinctive vocal talents on the pleasingly magical “Gypsy” before shortly turning the tables and taking the audience on a magical journey into the world of “Rhiannon,” and “Gold Dust Woman.”

Donning various beautiful sparkly shawls, beaded chiffon skirts of different colors, top hats, layers of lace, her trademark suede platform boots, and a microphone stand adorned with crystal beads and ribbons…Stevie offered her audience what they love most; her unmistakable fashion sense.

She also brought along her trio of talented background singers Jana Anderson, Sharon Celani, and Lori Nicks. The girls proved that they have what it takes, and their blends of harmonious vocals were a great attribute to the show!

Looking sensational for their stature as music veterans, each member of the band has managed to maintain their image, showing that time has clearly been good to them. Stevie Nick’s flowing golden blonde hair, flawless porcelain skin, and svelte figure are even more astonishing to witness in person, and Lindsey, Mick, and John rocked out in stylish vests, v-neck tees, and leather jackets.

Even though there is no new record to plug or project to promote, the best part of this tour is the devoted camaraderie between the band, and the honest desire to connect with their fans on a very personal level. The midsized arena was brought down to an intimate gathering thanks to Fleetwood Mac.

The audience was very receptive and laid back; they clapped while singing along with admiration to each and every song.

Lindsey’s solo performances of “Go Insane,” “Big Love,” and “Oh Well” gave him the chance to display his impeccable vocal talents and impressive musicianship as one of rock music’s finest players. His astounding energy level left the audience in awe following each performance!! He is definitely underrated, and that is a shame because in my opinion, he’s one of the finest singer/musicians of our time.

The entire band gave impressive amounts of energy to their fans while playing nonstop for almost 3 hours (2 ½ precisely) with an effortless sense of pure bliss and charisma. Just when you thought the show was about to come to an end, another handful of songs appeared much to the listeners delight.

Stevie’s touching performance of “Landslide” brought the audience to an emotional standstill as Stevie and Lindsey embraced each other for a loving hug. The song holds a special place in everybody’s heart with its honest lyrics and simple acoustic arrangement.

Adding a new twist to an old favorite, Stevie created her own enjoyable version of the Christine McVie number “Say You Love Me.”

The audience roared as the lush sound of the synthesizer began the intro to “Stand Back.” Stevie fascinated the crowd as she twirled around on stage in her black sparkly shawl during the memorable performance!

The band closed out the show with solid performances of mega-hits “Go Your Own Way,” “World Turning,” “Don’t Stop,” and “Silver Springs.” They received a longstanding ovation with thunderous applause.

Before leaving the stage, Lindsey, Mick, John, and Stevie thanked the audience for coming out to the show and shook hands with the several fans that stood in front of the stage.

Mick Fleetwood’s last words to the audience were, “The Mac is back!!” The show ended at 11:15pm. Make sure to get out and head to one of these shows. You will be thoroughly pleased and entertained to say the least.

(Special thanks go out to my friend Liza Jane and Ms. Nicks for their generosity and making it possible for me to witness such a memorable event. God Bless you both!!)

(REVIEW) FLEETOOD MAC IN MILWAUKEE JUNE 8TH

Fleetwood Mac keeps the classics freshMaterial might be familiar, but time hasn't hurt well-loved tunes
By Dave Tianen of the Journal Sentinel
June. 9, 2009

The classic Fleetwood Mac lineup has released exactly one album of new material in the last 21 years.

Monday night in concert at the Bradley Center, they totally ignored that one album, "Say You Will."

I seriously doubt anyone cared. The Big Mac is on the road to milk the catalog, and that is surely what the fans want. Of the 23 songs in the current set, 14 are from the two classic mid-'70s albums, "Fleetwood Mac" and "Rumours." Those are two of the classic pop rock albums of the '70s, or any other decade for that matter. It's a set list loaded with hits and classics, including "Rhiannon," "Dreams," "Gold Dust Woman," "The Chain," "Landslide," "Monday Morning," "Go Your Own Way" and "Don't Stop."

When a huge band decides to take the oldies route and work the old hits, some questions are logical. First of all, do they seem bored or just going through the motions? The answer to that would seem to be an emphatic no. If Lindsey Buckingham was bored Monday night, it was the most frenetic display of tedium I have ever seen in my life. There is also a slight freshening effect because the old Christine McVie hits have now been parceled out between Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.

Second, has the passage of time and the weight of the years compromised their ability to deliver the goods? That's a logical question. Buckingham will turn 60 on Oct. 3, and he's the youngest person in the band. Again, Buckingham is a dynamo physically. He may be the only 59-year-old guitarist on the planet who bounces when he plays.

If Buckingham is the engine and musical master behind Fleetwood Mac, Nicks was always the visual and theatrical center. That still holds true in slightly muted form. Although she still dresses in shawls and loves to strike theatrical poses on stage, Nicks isn't quite the wood sprite sex kitten of yore. We got exactly one of the old spinning moves with the arms outspread. At 60, Nicks is a little less Tinker Bell, a little more the well-preserved Witch of Eastwick.

One of the smart things they're doing on this tour, since there aren't any new songs: They're giving us something new about the old songs. In introducing "Gypsy," Nicks reminisced about the first band she shared with Buckingham and their days of opening for Santana and Janis Joplin in San Francisco. Buckingham spoke at some length about how "Big Love" became the template for the solo songs he wrote later in his career. This is a band with history, and I think it's wise to share it with the audience.

And as Buckingham acknowledged, they also have a "complex" emotional history. Those old storms seem to have quieted with the years, and at least on stage Buckingham and Nicks seemed to have reached a state of genuine warmth and affection.

One other thing came through. I'm not sure Buckingham has ever quite gotten the credit he deserves as a guitarist. For several tunes, in the second half of the set, it was just Buckingham playing behind his own voice and Nicks, and the sound never seemed withered or small.