(REVIEW) FLEETWOOD MAC BERLIN - KONZERTKRITIK

Fleetwood Mac at the O2 World

Always twisting your breaks again, but now they're back: Fleetwood Mac played in Berlin's O2 World - and feed on the successes of the past.

BERLIN --
H.P. Daniels
Der Tagesspiegel

At half past eight, it is in the duster vollbestuhlten, packed O2 World. Metallic crickets is washed over by a roaring surf rejoicing, for on the stage a couple of shadows: Fleetwood Mac scurry, perhaps with the Eagles, the largest American Main stream pop band for over thirty years. Even the wild jubilation, as can be seen in the darkness, the silhouettes of a couple: Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham, hand in hand. Once the two were a married couple, long time ago, before everything started to go under it and over it, both privately and in the band. As has been internal squabbles and excessive use of drugs for a long time for more exciting topic of the gossip press as the music of Fleetwood Mac, their fine, pleasing melodic pop songs, theme of those very difficult interpersonal relationships.

The couple splits to pieces, light goes on: "One-Two-Three-Four" roars Buckingham - jeans, pink T-shirt, leather jacket - and he sings the first of those old pop songs: "Monday Morning" from the year 1975. Lindsay stakelt on his spindly legs like a wounded stork, while Stevie beside him in schwarzgerüschten designer dress scarves and Schellenkranz vibrates and rotates on high platform boots like a mixture of blond and Rauschgoldengel bleiente on a music box. "Bööhlinn," she cries, and that could now start the party. Even more cheering, and two songs from "Rumors", one of the most commercially successful pop albums of all time. Fans jump out of their seats to run, before the stage, stretching his arms and camera phones, while the music so hinplätschert before him, with a sound that sounds like a tiled swimming pool. On the front edge of the stage, the American couple stands behind the two Englishmen, after which the group was originally named: the long 67-year-old Mick Fleetwood on drums, the drives properly. And John McVie, who backed a solid bass. Both had played in the '60s with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, along with the gifted guitarist Peter Green, with whom she eventually founded the excellent blues band Fleetwood Mac.

Few other bands would have taken a blatant stylistic direction as Fleetwood Mac after leaving her severely injured LSD front man Peter Green in their history. The rhythm section with the former singer and keyboardist Christine McVie, wife of the bassist, moved 1974 of regengrauen England to sunny California, teamed up with Nicks and Buckingham, and was a rasping blues band to the lovely mainstream pop group. With the enormous worldwide success of which they consume today. Yes, they have brought in between and over again a couple of long pauses, says Buckingham, and now they are back again, without a new album, but with all the old songs. And only the old fans who want to be heard. " So they get what they want: Most of the pieces of the two best albums: "Fleetwood Mac" (1975) and Rumors (1977), the old hits, "Rhiannon," "Dreams," "Sara," "Go Your Own Way, "" Do not Stop "and so on. Since then, it does not matter that everything is a bit bumpy and reverberant sounds like Stevie Nicks' husky voice is still beautiful and more blecheimerig. Where it does well to not to try to meet the very high notes from the past, but holding it in a deeper interval, and let the rest of the three leather mice in the background doing, to act where even a keyboardist and an additional guitarist.

Buckingham's solo on his Rick Turner Model One Guitar contribute a bit unimaginative and klischeebeladen and his guitar player, poses a little too narcissistic. But no doubt he is the chief role of the evening. Nostalgically recalls one voice and guitar of the good old Peter Green, as attempts to Buckingham with heavily mannered in his hit song "Oh Well Pt. 1". The most beautiful are even the more delicate-Buckingham Nicks duets with economical acoustic guitar accompaniment. But for the fans today is the party as an event with sausage and beer more important than any musical nuances, dynamics and artistic expression. And so is the boundless joy long after two and a half hours and several encores, with drum solo and a lot Gegröle.

Original review

(PHOTOS) FLEETWOOD MAC - SPORTPALEIS, ANTWERPEN

FLEETWOOD MAC Concert @ Sportpaleis Antwerpen 14-10-2009

Photos By: Rick and Bart (link to gallery)

(REVIEW) FLEETWOOD MAC (BERLIN) spielen sich in die 70er zurück

(Translated Review - Not entirely clear if it's positive or negative)

Fleetwood Mac to play back in the 70s
By Harald Peters
Berliner Morgenpost

It was as if you just wanted to stop. Fleetwood Mac played on Monday evening in Berlin about three hours before the spectators in the sold-out 02 World could go home. News, however, there was not. Pleasant - but also a bit of yesterday.

They played and played and played. On Monday evening, the Anglo American band Fleetwood Mac in the sold-out O2 World is a nearly three-hour concert, which once moved across her career led. Because it was necessary to apply a new album, there was a pleasant way and no new songs.

The focus was on pieces from the mid to late 70s, because at that time Fleetwood Mac with the albums "Fleetwood Mac", "Rumors" and "Tusk" had its best time. It was also the time of the band other with great devotion made life difficult, after all, was the then quintet made up of two couples who split up just hated and reconciled. Musically, the have been led to wonderful results, it must be the true horror of interpersonally, as guitarist Lindsay Buckingham repeatedly stressed at the O2 World.

But time heals some wounds, but does not always lead to the correct path. Why it was sometimes difficult to see how Buckingham presented himself as the guitar god and a Bühnengebahren the day presented, which may have been appropriate, perhaps sometime in the seventies. Singer Stevie Nicks, is evident in the decades of cocaine did not go entirely without a trace over, looked downright pathetic, as declared in its Feenkleider, scarves and gloves draped tinsel titles such as "Landslide," "Rhiannon" and "Sara" has brought to hearing.

Fleetwood Mac spielen sich in die 70er zurück

Von Harald Peters

Berliner Morgenpost

Es war, als wollten Sie einfach nicht mehr aufhören. Fleetwood Mac spielten am Montagabend in Berlin gut drei Stunden lang, bevor sie die Zuschauer aus der ausverkauften 02 World nach Hause gehen ließen. Neuigkeiten gab es allerdings nicht. Angenehm – aber auch ein bisschen von gestern.

Sie spielten, spielten und spielten. Am Montagabend gab die britisch amerikanische Band Fleetwood Mac in der ausverkauften O2-World ein knapp dreistündiges Konzert, das einmal quer durch ihre bewegte Karriere führte. Weil es kein neues Album zu bewerben galt, gab es angenehmer Weise auch keine neuen Songs.

Der Schwerpunkt lag auf Stücken aus den mittleren bis späten 70er-Jahren, denn damals hatten Fleetwood Mac mit den Alben „Fleetwood Mac“, „Rumours“ und „Tusk“ ihre beste Zeit. Es war auch die Zeit, der sich die Band mit großer Hingabe gegenseitig das Leben schwer machte, immerhin bestand das damalige Quintett aus zwei Paaren, die sich gerade trennten, hassten und wieder versöhnten. Musikalisch führte das zu wunderbaren Ergebnissen, zwischenmenschlich muss es der wahre Horror gewesen sein, wie Gitarrist Lindsay Buckingham mehrfach in der O2-World betonte.

Doch die Zeit heilt manche Wunde, führt aber nicht immer auf die richtige Bahn. Weshalb es mitunter schwer mit anzusehen war, wie Buckingham sich als Gitarrengott gerierte und ein Bühnengebahren an den Tag legte, das vielleicht irgendwann in den Siebzigern angemessen gewesen sein mag. Sängerin Stevie Nicks, an der offensichtlich der jahrzehntelange Kokainkonsum nicht ganz spurlos vorbei gegangen ist, wirkte geradezu rührend, wie sie in ihren Feenkleider, Tüchern und Lametta behangenen Handschuhen Titel wie „Landslide“, „Rhiannon“ und „Sara“ zu Gehör brachte.

(PHOTO) FLEETWOOD MAC IN BERLIN LIVE (Nice, Organized Crowd)

Photo by Spex

REVIEW: FLEETWOOD MAC - ROTTERDAM AHOY (PODIUM INFO)

(Translated Review)

Fleetwood Mac - 15/10 - Ahoy

by: Pierre Oitmann

Podium Info (link to original review)

The revolving door mechanics of pop music there are many parts that require almost constant maintenance. Creativity and relationships are identified as the key. If there is a band who know all about it off, it is Fleetwood Mac. Peaks and valleys in the life of the band members were changing as it disproportionately associated with artistic highs and lows. The only permanent band member during the existence of over forty Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood was named. Although the band disintegrated so often that you really can not speak of forty years standing.

The best known and most popular lineup of Fleetwood Mac drummer Fleetwood contains vocalist / guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie singers and bassist John McVie. Minus Ms McVie tonight they are all present. This occupation is not fully complete the star is a shame. Second, Fleetwood Mac was already manned by lesser quantities, so in that regard certainly no reason to complain. Crazy is that McVie, Nicks and Buckingham relatively anonymous and do their own very modest stage opstiefelen. Only Fleetwood takes the applause received with visible enthusiasm.

The almost three hours going over tour de force that starts, has a difficult start. The public seems to look a oldies band that just wants to cash in and have another skin full of cursing rather than singing beautiful songs. Does the Fleetwood Mac called revolving door that age still wear? No, only the action is what rusty and needs time to get started. The confidence of the - very varied - public early in the show playing 'Dreams', which Stevie Nicks her beautiful vocals to the subjects ears pricked. Soft Velvet, but uncoated. Especially with the background vocals Sharon Celani, Jana Anderson and sister Lori Nicks sounds wonderful.

Buckingham is also in top form. After a cowardly start, gradually increasing devotion he shows through his excellent guitar playing. With some inspired guitar solos come Buckingham increasingly in the mood. Once that passion really comes back to the surface, that sounds in the voice of the singer. He allows himself to emotional depth to be heard in his vocals, just like Stevie Nicks. A beautiful moment is when both singers also embrace each other warmly. From there the show gets a turn. These are not entirely of elderly musicians are hard kinks, here is a group of people with an enormous and complicated history, their songs from that same evening and wrote history with the heart in the right place increase.

Where bassist McVie a little remains in the shadow of Nicks and Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood accelerate especially in the last hour of the concert. A long drum solo can obviously not forthcoming. During those three hours are popklassiekers of the upper order past, 'Rhiannon', 'Sara', 'Go Your Own Way', 'Gipsy', 'Do not Stop' and 'Say You Love Me ". This focuses mainly on the Fleetwood Mac hitperiode from the 70s, with the albums "Fleetwood Mac", "Rumors" and "Tusk." The early period is only 'Oh Well' and pass the hit album "Tango In The Night" from 1987 is almost entirely ignored. So no 'Everywhere' and 'Little Lies', though Lindsey Buckingham plays alone is a stunning acoustic performance of "Big Love" (similar to the version on the live album 'The Dance').

Not that Fleetwood Mac hits just playing. Also parts of the aforementioned album plates found a spot in the setlist, especially for the devoted fan. For the less dedicated the concert to fan the very long side and at times even a bit tedious. With half the time the band had after all only play the hits. It shows great character as to show such a band to put down, with the trap that much of the public will get bored.

Mick Fleetwood after the concert takes time for the public to speak and to thank. He is emotional in tone and shows the same integrity that we noted earlier this evening at Buckingham and Nicks. It seems that this revolving door can never break ...

ABSOLUTE CLASSIC ROCK - FLEETWOOD MAC GIVE-AWAY

Win Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits

This week on Absolute Classic Rock we’re giving away copies of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer this question:

How many of Fleetwood Mac’s studio albums have reached number one in the UK charts?

Fill in your details and answer the question at AbsoluteRadio.co.uk

This competition closes on Sunday 25 October 2009 23:59.

(UNCUT) WIN! One of 10 Copies of Fleetwood Mac's Very Best Of Double CD

Win! One of ten copies of Fleetwood Mac's Very Best Of double CD!

Fleetwood Mac's anticipated remastered Very Best Of double album has finally got a UK release date of October 19 for the CD and digital versions.

The 36-track album, is being released on the eve of the Mac's UK leg of the Unleashed Tour which starts at Glasgow SECC on October 22.

In their career, Fleetwood Mac have sold over 100 million albums worldwide -- famous tracks include: "The Chain", "Go Your Own Way", "Dreams" and "Landslide".

To be in with a chance of winning one of ten copies of the Very Best Of double CD, simply log in and answer the simple question below.

This competition closes on Friday November 6, 2009. First ten winners drawn at random win. Please include your name and address with your entries.

Good luck!

The Question:

In whose studio did Stevie Nicks record the first demo of Dreams?

Click here to fill in your answer

REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac - Paris, France October 17, 2009

Sara, Gypsy, Rhiannon

You can’t beat a Saturday night Fleetwood Mac concert in Paris. I mean, how often does the opportunity come up?

Read the review with photos by Amy Thomas

God I Love Paris

REVIEW: FLEETWOOD MAC Live in Antwerpen "De zilveren lente van Fleetwood Mac"

FLEETWOOD MAC - ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM
October 14, 2009
De zilveren lente van Fleetwood Mac
REVIEWED BY: Shaketown

Het gezegende muzikale jaar 1977 wordt meestal herinnerd als het jaar van de doorbraak van The Sex Pistols, maar men mag niet vergeten dat het het album ‘Rumours’ van Fleetwood Mac was dat maandenlang (31 weken in Bilboard 200) de hitlijsten aanvoerde, zowel in The States als in Europa. Met 40 miljoen verkochte exemplaren behoort dit meesterwerk nog steeds tot de best verkopende platen allertijden. Na zo’n monstersucces kon het alleen maar bergaf gaan, wat ook min of meer gebeurde. Akkoord, de groep bracht gemiddeld nog om de vier jaar een nieuw album uit, waarvan er een paar de top van de charts haalden, maar de meeste andere platen flopten of werden op relatieve onverschilligheid onthaald. Live bleef de groep het echter uitstekend doen, getuige het succes van de ‘Say You Will’ wereldtour van 2003-2004, die de band wel naar Europa maar niet naar de Lage Landen bracht. Tweede vrouwenstem Christine McVie nam net als deze keer ook toen al niet meer deel aan de tournee, spijtig als men beseft dat zij toch tekende voor songs als ‘Songbird’, ‘Oh Daddy’ en ‘You Make Loving Fun’.

Continue to full review

Photo Gallery

STEVIE NICKS IS GOING HER OWN WAY (Sunday Express UK Interview)

IN A frank interview, the Fleetwood Mac star tells CHARLOTTE HEATHCOTE about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll and how, despite being battered by all three, she's emerged stronger than ever.

Sunday Express

Fleetwood Mac are as famed for their in-fighting, feuds and messy, almost incestuous inter-band romances as for Go Your Own Way, Don’t Stop, Everywhere, The Chain and countless other adult-oriented rock songs that have seen them shift more than 100million records.

Stevie Nicks, however, makes absolutely no attempt to put a shiny PR gloss on the legendary tensions.

“We did our first tour and we were p***** off with each other then. We made another record [Rumours] and we were all angry with each other afterwards. We did Tusk and that was 13 months of anger. We did an 18-month tour and by the time that was done everyone was really not speaking...”

She’s half-weary, half-wry. “It’s really nothing new. It’s been happening since time began but if this was a bland, boring band we’d definitely not still be together.”

Stevie and her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham brought a stability of sorts to the shape-shifting line-up of Fleetwood Mac in 1975, joining Mick Fleetwood, John and Christine McVie.

Christine left 11 years ago, ground down by relentless touring, and Stevie misses her ally “every day”.

The other four remain a unit, on the whole, which is especially miraculous when you consider that Stevie and Buckingham’s six-year relationship foundered during the recording of the drug-fuelled Rumours in 1976 (the McVies were splitting at the same time) and, shortly after the Rumours tour, Stevie fell for Fleetwood. They separated for the sake of the band.

By the time of Fleetwood Mac’s last tour, 2003’s Say You Will, Stevie’s relationship with Buckingham had become so fraught that, unless he treated her better this time around, she threatened to walk away “so fast that palm tree tops will fall on his head”.

Now, she says the underlying problem was how much she hated the Say You Will album.

“It was five years ago now so I can say I didn’t like it at all; I didn’t like making it, I didn’t like the songs, so that tour was very hard for me.”

On a Greatest Hits tour, however, there is no new material to quibble over.

“Doing all the very famous material is actually more fun,” insists this born entertainer. “It’s been a breath of fresh air for us to not have to worry about trying to sell [new] songs.”

With five platinum-selling solo records to her name, Stevie is easily the most successful member of Fleetwood Mac. Wasn’t she tempted to walk away during Say You Will?

“Well, I’m a peacemaker and I didn’t want us to break up because the music didn’t go my way. If I’ve learned nothing else in my 61 years it is that four years down the line you’re over it.” She sees the remaining foursome touring for another seven or eight years.

“I’m a performer and an entertainer, that’s what I live for. I would be dancing on tables in bars if I wasn’t in Fleetwood Mac, doing small shows all over the world, driving my van.”

Stevie’s passion for entertaining runs so deep, however, that she admits she has sacrificed all of her romantic relationships for the band but with no regrets.

“My love affair is with my work. I’ve had many wonderful relationships but I could never give up what I do for a relationship; in all of my relationships, at some point, that [prioritising] came up.

“Am I sad about the fact that I don’t have a relationship? No. I’m going to Europe to stay in the best hotels, to play huge shows, playing my music, to meet lots of interesting people. So I really don’t care.”

To Stevie’s amusement, her 81-year-old mother reckons she still hasn’t met Mr Right. She’s all too happy for her mother to be proved right but, to date, the love of her life is a member of the Eagles and not the one you’d expect.

After her split with Buckingham she spent 18 months with Don Henley but, of his bandmate Joe Walsh, she says: “He was the great love of my life. I fell in love with Joe in the same way that Lindsey fell in love with me.”

As their cocaine addiction spiralled out of control in the early Eighties, though, Walsh reluctantly left her for both of their sakes. Now she muses: “Maybe the people you can live best with aren’t the great love of your life; the men you love deeply, the calmer, more loving, more solid people but who you weren’t super passionately crazy in love with. The ones to marry aren’t the ones as crazy as you are.”

Her romance with Walsh was not the only fall-out of her drug addiction. Cocaine has left a hole in her septum, leaving her wishing her generation had not been told that cocaine was “safe, recreational and not a bigger deal than smoking pot or cigarettes”.

A bigger regret is that, after successful treatment for cocaine addiction, her friends persuaded her to see a psychiatrist, hoping this would ensure she avoided a relapse. The doctor prescribed the tranquilliser Klonopin.

“That took eight years out of my life,” she says.

“Those were my prime years, my 40s, when a lot of my heavy, creative activity was really happening. Klonopin grabbed hold of you and made you sit down on your couch and not get up.

“I just watched TV for eight years in a daze. I’m sorry I didn’t have a car crash on the way to seeing that doctor.”

So when Stevie finally got herself back on track, she needed to make up for lost time. “I made a decision a long time ago to follow my artistry. I decided that my mission here on this earth was to write songs for people and make them happy.”

● The UK leg of Fleetwood Mac’s Unleashed tour starts on Thursday and the double CD The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac is out tomorrow.