Lindsey Buckingham Talks Fleetwood Mac Tour, New EP

Lindsey Buckingham Talks Fleetwood Mac Tour, New EP
'Stevie and I have probably more of a connection now than we have in years'

By ANDY GREENE
MAY 7, 2013
Rolling Stone

It's been exactly a decade since Fleetwood Mac released a full album, but that hasn't stopped a new generation of fans from discovering the band. "We're doing the best business we've done in 20 years," guitarist Lindsey Buckingham tells Rolling Stone a few hours before the Tulsa, Oklahoma stop on the band's latest tour. "There seems to be a cyclical re-igniting of interests, and there's certainly a lot more young people out there than three years ago."

Months before they started tour rehearsal, the band cut a four-song EP titled Extended Play with producer Mitchell Froom. "When we finally decided this was going to be the year we were going to tour again, I thought it would be great to cut some new stuff," says Buckingham. "I knew we wouldn't have time to cut a new album. Stevie [Nicks] was still caught up in her solo thing, but I got John [McVie] and Mick [Fleetwood] over from Hawaii. They played their asses off. It was a great experience."

Stevie Nicks arrived at the sessions towards the end, and Buckingham presented her with "Sad Angel." "I wrote that song for Stevie," he says. "She always had to fight for everything. She was coming off a solo album and was in the process of reintegrating herself mentally in the band, and we're all warriors with a sword in one sort or another. She and I have known each other since high school. So I just wrote, 'Sad Angel have you come to fight the war/We fall to earth together, the crowd calling out for more.'"

Read the full interview at Rolling Stone

Review: Fleetwood Mac show they can still turn out catchy mid-tempo rock on the sublime, four-track “Extended Play.”

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Fleetwood Mac "Extended Play"
By Will Hermes
Rolling Stone
May 7, 2013
★★★

"We fall to Earth together/The crowd calling out for more," goes a couplet on this four-track EP by the remaining Macs (Christine McVie sits out). Note to band: That doesn't mean y'all have to answer. But if their first release of new music in a decade isn't replacing any classics, the voices of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks can still bring chills. The gem is "Without You," a breezy Nicks-written folk rocker from the couple's pre-Mac project Buckingham Nicks: Largely acoustic, with twined harmonies, its chords twist and resolve like a sun-dappled mobile on a breezy day. And we confess: Hearing the ex-lovers put words in each other's mouths remains as fascinating as ever.

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Music Review:
Fleetwood Mac “Extended Play”
By Hardeep Phull
New York Post May 6, 2013
★★ 1/2

AFTER 10 years of radio silence, Fleetwood Mac shocked almost everyone last week by issuing a four-track EP on iTunes. What may be even more shocking is that it’s actually pretty good.

Even with the obvious wear and tear in their voices, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham still sound sublime when they lock together on “Without You” (a song dating back to their pre-Mac days) and the gorgeous chorus of “Miss Fantasy.”

True, those tracks are otherwise run of the mill, but there’s a real gem within their mini-set: the opener “Sad Angel,” a brisk and brilliant mid-tempo rocker with the kind of instantly singable hook that used to help them move records by the silo-full.

Fleetwood Mac show they can still turn out catchy mid-tempo rock on the sublime, four-track “Extended Play.”

Such gargantuan sales aren’t likely to be replicated these days, of course, but it’s reassuring to hear that Fleetwood Mac can still pull some magic out of the air when the fancy takes them.

Fleetwood Mac "Extended Play"
by Eric Pahls
EricPahls.com

Ten years after their last studio album, Fleetwood Mac (Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood) is back with a brand-new 4-song EP, called, funny enough, Extended Play.

Extended Play features 3 brand new songs written by guitarist Buckingham.  It also hosts Without You, which was written by Nicks 4 decades ago in her pre-Fleetwood Mac days in her and Buckingham's band, Buckingham Nicks.  This is the only song Nicks wrote on the EP, as her mother died when the other 3 members began work on the recordings.

Extended Play starts with Sad Angel, which is an up-tempo rocker filled with repitition and the glamour of the 63 to 67-year-old supergroup.  This song is the crowning jewel of this EP, and it quickly signals what Buckingham has said, the band has chapters yet to be written.

Without You is a song rich with acoustic charm and laced with the sweet and rosinate harmony that has defined Nicks and Buckingham for the entirety of their tumultuous career together.  Nicks has called it the nicest words she has written about Buckingham, as most of their hits are the songs during and after their very ugly split.  The song was lost, and turned up on YouTube.  It seems to come out at a great time, as the duo seems to be getting along as well as ever.  Without You is a beautiful and simple love song that transcends from it's origin 40 years ago to its release this week with its meaning and voices perfectly intact.

The real surprise of this EP is It Takes Time, which is a solo with Buckingham on piano (whaaat?!) and a touch of orchestration in certain points of the song.  It is a sad ballad that takes an introspective look at his place in what we assume is the failure of he and Nicks' relationship, and the healing that follows.  It is a quiet and gentle song with an intense amount of emotion.  It is uncharacteristic of most of Buckingham's more punk-rock work, but can be looked at as an unexpected and refreshing change of pace.

Miss Fantasy is another upbeat jam with Buckingham covering the verses and Nicks coming in on the harmony in the chorus.  It is a slightly upbeat acoustic quirky rock song that wraps up the EP with the classic Buckingham style of going just outside the norm.

This EP is a great sign towards hopes of a new album, and continued productivity of one of the greatest bands of all time.  Lindsey is still the guitar hero and musical mad genius he always has been, John McVie still lays into stirring bass lines, Mick Fleetwood can get you on your feet and moving with a killer rhythm, and Stevie Nicks can floor you with that low, rosinate and nearly indescribable voice that remains a treasure for adoring fans.  Fleetwood Mac lives on, and I strongly encourage you to check out the new EP, Extended Play, right now!    

A new Fleetwood Mac track finds the group as lively as ever
By Noah Cruickshank May 6, 2013
A.V. CLUB

In Hear This, A.V. Club writers sing the praises of songs they know well—some inspired by a weekly theme and some not, but always songs worth hearing.

Fleetwood Mac’s announcement that it was making an EP was surprising: The group hadn’t released new music since 2003’s underrated Say You Will, and its current arena tour seemed more like another back-catalog cash-grab than a chance to road-test new material. Likewise, the band hasn’t done much publicity behind the new music, keeping the release date secret and only playing two of the new songs live. But there’s no reason for Lindsey Buckingham and company to be coy: Extended Play’s opener, “Sad Angel,” is everything a fan could want from latter-day Mac. With frenetic guitar from Buckingham, expert harmony from Stevie Nicks, and a chorus that’s catchy as hell, the song is a great reminder of how well these folks can craft pop music. Buckingham has been making quality albums on his own for this past decade, but he’s livelier than ever on “Sad Angel,” drawing parallels between the bombast of war and rock music. Even Mick Fleetwood’s drumming is more energetic than it’s been since the ’80s. If Fleetwood Mac has more tracks like this in them, here’s hoping another album surfaces soon. 

REVIEW: Fleetwood Mac played to a sold-out crowd of 14,613 at North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena

Fleetwood Mac rocks Little Rock
May 3, 2013 - Verizon Center

Photo by Nelson Chenault

by Joe Miles
Baxter Bulletin

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Fleetwood Mac brought their iconic sound to central Arkansas Friday night as part of a 48-city North American tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of the band’s prolific album “Rumours,” which was the best-selling album of all time the year of its release.

The group played to a sold-out crowd of 14,613 jubilant fans at North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena. This tour brings the band members back together for the first time in three years.

They opened the show with three songs from “Rumours,” beginning with “Second Hand News” featuring a rambunctious drumming introduction by band leader Mick Fleetwood and the vocals of lead guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

The rousing opening was followed by “The Chain” and “Dreams,” with Stevie Nicks bringing her unique vocals and mystical stage presence to the forefront.

Bassist John McVie was a quiet master of rhythm throughout the 23-song set that included two encores.

Buckingham stole the show with several guitar improvisations, especially during an acoustical set that included songs “Big Love” and “Landslide.” The group also performed “Sad Angel” and “Without You” from their recently released EP — aptly entitled “Extended Play” — that contains the band’s first newly released material in 10 years.

The first encore featured a rousing rendition of “World Turning” and “Don’t Stop (Thinkin’ About Tomorrow),” a song closely associated with the 1992 campaign of President Bill Clinton.

Band leader Fleetwood introduced band members and background vocalists, concluding with accolades for the former president and wife, Hillary Clinton, the nation’s former Secretary of State, who were in the audience.

The band returned to the stage for a second encore, ending the evening with the ballad “Say Goodbye.”

Buckingham’s guitar work, Nicks’ vocals and the band’s interaction with the crowd stirred up one of the most memorable rock and roll shows Arkansas has seen.

“The Mac is back!” Fleetwood yelled as he left the stage.

58 PHOTOS: Fleetwood Mac New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Fleetwood Mac Live in New Orleans

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Photos by Nathan Malone

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You don't often see Fleetwood Mac photographed playing live during the day... Beautiful shots!

STEVIE NICKS "In Your Dreams" Edmonton | Saskatoon | Vancouver Screening Dates Upate

‘IN YOUR DREAMS’ STEVIE NICKS 
Documenting the making of Stevie's last album "In Your Dreams"

Decadent rock star, ’70s survivor, gypsy songbird, white-winged dove - the inimitable Stevie Nicks has entranced millions of fans worldwide with her poetic lyrics, sultry singing and feather and-lace style. In 2010 Nicks embarked on the recording of a new solo album, In Your Dreams, produced by former Eurythmics mastermind Dave Stewart. With cameras in tow, documentarian Stewart and diva Nicks set up shop in her home studio and reveal their collaborative creative process. Shifting dynamically among video formats, painstaking recording sessions and revealing interviews, this magic-tinged musical journey is a loving and tuneful portrait of the eternally bewitching Gold Dust Woman.

Canadian Screening Dates Updated

Edmonton and Saskatoon have added multiple screening dates for the film, particularly Saskatoon.  Vancouver has set the date as May 18th for it's screening of the film.  The screenings coincide nicely with Fleetwood Mac's western Canadian swing of their current world tour. Fully updated list below.

MOTHER'S GET IN FREE - in Edmonton (Mother's Day 2-for-1)

If you see the film in Edmonton on May 12th, bring someone's Mother and they get in FREE. (Doesn't indicate that it has to be your own Mother, just "someone's" mother)

In Your Dreams Movie Website

CANADIAN THEATER LISTING

Winnipeg, MB	Cinematheque	May 5	Tickets
Saskatoon, SK	Broadway Theatre	May 13	7:00pm
Edmonton, AB	Metro Cinema	May 12	4:00pm
Edmonton, AB	Metro Cinema	May 13	9:15pm
Edmonton, AB	Metro Cinema	May 14	7:00pm
Calgary, AB	Globe Cinema	May 16	TBA
Saskatoon, SK	Broadway Theatre	May 17	9:00pm
Saskatoon, SK	Broadway Theatre	May 18	7:00pm
Vancouver, BC	Vancity Theatre	May 18	Tickets
Saskatoon, SK	Broadway Theatre	May 20	7:00pm
Saskatoon, SK	Broadway Theatre	May 21	9:30pm
Saskatoon, SK	Broadway Theatre	May 23	9:30pm
Montreal, QC	Cinema Du Parc	June 14	Tickets
Montreal, QC	Cinema Du Parc	June 15	Tickets
Montreal, QC	Cinema Du Parc	June 16	Tickets
Montreal, QC	Cinema Du Parc	June 17	Tickets

REVIEW | PHOTOS | VIDEO: Fleetwood Mac one of the greatest shows to ever hit Central Arkansas

FLEETWOOD MAC LIVE

North Little Rock, AR - Verizon Center

May 3, 2013

Fleetwood Mac rocks flawlessly
by Jack W. Hill
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Even Clintons took in show at NLR arena

Anyone attending the Fleetwood Mac concert Friday night at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock could have easily guessed what the band’s climactic song was destined to be: “Don’t Stop (Thinkin’ About Tomorrow),” which became something of an anthem for the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign. But not that many in the sold-out crowd of 14,613 also guessed that former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former secretary of state, were in the audience.

Hours after the dedication of the Little Rock airport that now bears their names, the Clintons took in the Fleetwood Mac concert in a skybox on about what would have been the 50-yard line if the arena were a football stadium.

They were introduced by Mick Fleetwood just before the band performed “their song.” By this time, it was 10:30 p.m., and instead of making it the final song, the band did a couple more, perhaps to help the Clintons ease out of the milling throngs with less stress.

Even without the presence of these former Arkansas luminaries, it was a memorable night, made more so by a band that showed they still have what made them the most successful band of the 1970s and ’80s. Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was easily the star of the show, on both acoustic and electric guitars, hitting many an amazing lick. His band mates were certainly not slouches, with Fleetwood looming large over a massive drum set, clearly loving his job, just from the look in his eyes.

Bassist John McVie was the quiet, steady one, like bassists frequently are, never uttering a word or singing a line, but getting an occasional bass solo to show off his prowess. And then there was Stevie Nicks, swirling around a bit slower than she used to, but still able to belt it out.

This was a mammoth, seemingly flawless production, with no opening act and state-of-the-art lights, huge, towering elevated speakers, visual effects, plus two small screens and a giant one on which were projected views of the band from many angles, plus images and shapes, some of which were as seriously psychedelic as the times in which the band took shape in the 1970s.

The 23-song set began with Fleetwood’s heavy metal drumming introduction to “Second Hand News” at 8:20 p.m. and the show almost hit the 11 p.m. mark with no intermission and a variety of combinations from the full band (augmented by two female singers, a keyboardist and a rhythm guitarist) to Buckingham and Nicks together and Buckingham alone. And no matter what he did, Buckingham wowed the appreciative fans with his finger-picking skill. He even got in a bit of percussion on Fleetwood’s cymbals while also playing his guitar.

Since the tour’s announced intention is to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the band’s album, Rumours, the largest number of songs came from it: the opener, followed by “Chains” and “Dreams” in succession, later scattering throughout the set “Never Going Back Again,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Go Your Own Way” and the Clinton anthem. Buckingham spoke of the band’s new EP and the group performed “Sad Angel,” from that, quickly moving into one of Nicks’s signature songs, “Rhiannon,” from the band’s self-titled 1975 album (later adding “Landslide,” “I’m So Afraid” and “World Turning” from that release). Another of the new EP songs, “Without You,” came later, along with “Stand Back,” a big Nicks hit from her solo career.

Buckingham told of the band’s refusal to follow industry dictates (“If it works, run it into the ground”) in releasing the odd-for-its-time album, Tusk, just before a mini-set of four songs from that album: “Not That Funny,” the title cut, “Sisters of the Moon” and “Sara.” There were two songs from Mirage: “Gypsy” and “Eyes of the World,” and single songs from The Dance: “Silver Springs” and from Say You Will: “Say Goodbye,” which was the final song of the second encore, when Buckingham and Nicks shared some tender thoughts of their famous troubled times together and apart.

Throughout the show, Buckingham found ways to add new intros or solos to songs that were also far more complex than their chart versions in the days of FM album rock, so fans got more than just a greatest hits show. Instead, thanks to one of the most amazing guitarists in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, they got one of the greatest shows to ever hit Central Arkansas.

The Verizon Center presented the Clintons with a commemorative poster of the show.

Bill and Hillary Clinton were at last nights show in North Little Rock.  They just happened to be in town for the formal dedication of the Little Rock Airport which last year was renamed The Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport.  And who would pass up Fleetwood Mac? In another photo below they are seen standing in their box seats applauding the band... Mick dedicated 'Don't Stop' to them.

Photo courtesy of Verizon Arena

Photo by Nelson Chenault

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Photo by Mark Wagner

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BAND INTRODUCTIONS + "Don't Stop" Dedication to Bill and Hillary Clinton
DON'T STOP