Thursday, November 13, 2014

Review: Fleetwood Mac Live in Saskatoon Nov 12, 2014

New prolific, profound chapter for Mac
By Cam Fuller, The StarPhoenix
Photos by Gord Waldner - View Gallery

About 10,000 people showed up to watch iconic Fleetwood Mac perform in Saskatoon at SaskTel Centre, November 12, 2014


Not that they needed it but Fleetwood Mac got a kind of do-over after their last appearance here only 18 months ago.

That show, in the same venue, was a full-on, fully fulfilling rock show that found the legendary band still playing with commitment and zeal. But it did come with an asterisk in the form of the absent Christine McVie. At the time, it was too much to hope that she'd rejoin her band mates.

But clearly, fear of flying can be beaten, and it was the band's best-loved lineup that inhabited SaskTel Centre on Wednesday: McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie.

The set list was extensive and, if you think about the millions those songs have earned their creators, expensive - 20 plus massive hits that have become part of the cultural fabric without going out of style.

The Chain opened the show fittingly, since the links are again joined. The sound was full and percussive with forceful vocals by Buckingham (and he was just warming up). The big thrill here though was that iconic bass riff by John near the end. The strings sounded thick as fingers, the fathoms deep notes thumping in your chest.

The fans were sure to welcome Christine back with warm applause when she started singing You Make Loving Fun. Later she expresses her thanks for "a rare chance to do this twice."

With the missing link back, Stevie Nicks seemed more relaxed and into it.

"We don't get to do snow very often so this is pretty cool," she said after doing Dreams.

Review - The StarPhoenix Nov 13, 2014
After a stirring, fast Second Hand News it was clear this band was in fantastic form. Almost every song was made to be special - Tusk was almost scary and positively demented. Frequent nature scenes on the huge backdrop added mood to songs like Rhiannon. Not to be overlooked were the two backing players and three backup singers. Even the ballads had guts and drive.

This was no nostalgia act, Buckingham hinted, saying a new, prolific and profound chapter has begun. It's a big claim but hard to dispute.

Mac is back.

The band has seen its share of drama but that's what you get with strong personalities. The payoff comes when everyone is pulling in the same direction. The concert seemed to concentrate that passion and let it fly, whether it was Fleetwood's god of thunder drumming on Gold Dust Woman or Buckingham's furious strumming on the very cool I Know I'm Not Wrong. And with post-deadline landmarks still to pass, whether it was Go Your Own Way or Don't Stop, the well travelled road of this band seems to extend into the horizon.

7 comments:

  1. I saw Fleetwood Mac in 1980 and, honestly, to see them again thirty-four years later was nothing short of spectacular. You could say they are the same but they're not. Their vocals and musicianship are like a lovely aged wine; smooth and mature, and not ever missing a beat. The entire band is absolutely ageless. In short, they sound and look fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know it's a Canadian review when the photos are taken by a guy named "Gord."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Perfect absolutely Perfect. One of the best concerts we have seen. Buckingham brought down the house with his guitar skills and the rest of the group followed suit. Worth every penny and the 6 hour round trip also.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow fantastic show have been a stevie nicks fan for over 30 years great inspiration for me personally but seeing christine perform live with the mac again she breathed new life into the band again if that's possible i drank it all in walked out intoxicated with huge respect for her thanks mac

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can anyone tell me if show started on time? and approx. what time it ended?
    I'm going tomorrow in Calgary

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your ticket likely says 8pm... They don't actually start at 8, it's more like 8:15 - 8:20. The show will be 2 1/2 hours long and finish just before 11pm.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can't wait to see them here in Buffalo NY in January....

    ReplyDelete