Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Mac, Live
Time to finally write about Fleetwood Mac's first performance since 2003, which I did in fact attend on March 1!The Post-Gazette did a good job of breaking down the show. I had a great time, and they were in pretty good form, I thought. Sean of Sean's Ramblings saw the show a week or so later in D.C., and I agree with most of what he wrote in his review. It's probably easiest for me to comment on his comments and add my own:
"I can’t think of another band with three different lead singers and songwriters.... A Christine McVie song is completely different than a Stevie Nicks song which is completely different than a Lindsey Buckingham song."
That really is one of the things that makes them special. As for other groups with split songwriting duties: I can't think of any with three. The Indigo Girls have two separate songwriters, but the style contrasts aren't nearly as stark. Barenaked Ladies are (well...were) the same, but there were only two there as well. Hmm, I am seeing a trend among some of my all-time favorite bands...
Other items/responses:
- While I'm not a guitar expert, I would agree with Sean's assertion that Lindsey Buckingham should probably rank up there with the greats.
- Yes, I think it's safe to say that Stevie has lost a little off her twirl. But she still looks terrific, and remains magical and mystical even at age 60. More importantly, I've seen very few performers' voices hold up like hers has. Lindsey's...ehhh...not quite so much...but he gets an A for energy.
- "Plus there have been some relationship issues between the band members over the years." This may be the understatement of the century, but yes!
- "If anyone reading this was at the DC show, can you please translate what Fleetwood said during the encore of World Turning? I couldn’t understand a word coming out of his mouth." While I wasn't at your show, Sean, I'm guessing his babbling was similar at mine. He kept saying "Are you ready??" but rolling his "R" heavily, like the stereotype of a Scottish person. Or a mildly retarded pirate. And he also yelled "Are you with me? Are you still with me?" a whole bunch of times. There was more, but like you I had a hard time hearing it.
- Finally, as Sean also points out, Christine McVie (who retired in 1998) is not on the tour. Never say never, but given that she's older than the rest of the band and seems devoted to a somewhat reclusive life in England, it's pretty safe to say I'll never get a chance to see her in person. This makes me sad. What the hell was I doing during the tour for The Dance in '97? Why did I not go? Aghhh!
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