Concert Review: Stevie Nicks at Jones Beach- 9/4/2011

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It was a beautiful night on the ocean as Stevie Nicks put on another incredible performance closing out her “In Your Dreams” tour. It was the final night of the twenty show tour which mostly ran through the e late summer. Earlier in the year Stevie supported Rod Stewart on his Heart & Soul Tour. This latest set of shows was a Stevie Nicks solo tour featuring Michael Grimm as an opening act.

No matter how many times I see Stevie Nicks ( I have to go through my ticket stubs because I lost count) she never disappoints. Is it possible that she even gets better? It sure sounds that way. We had incredible sixth row seats just off to the right of center stage, nice & close. The weather was also perfect as breeze blew into the Jones Beach Theater from the nearby beach.

Stevie played her usual legendary classics (Rhiannon, Gold Dust Woman, Dreams, Stand Back, Edge of Seventeen, Landslide) but this show was different than previous tours because she is currently promoting a new album/CD. “In Your Dreams” was released earlier this summer to rave reviews debuting in the Billboard Top Ten. Some call it one of the best solo works of her career.

She has incorporated six songs from the new album/CD in this tour’s set list. Most note worthy were strong performances of a new fan favorite Annabel Lee (inspired by the Edgar Allen Poe character) Secret Love, For What It’s Worth & Soldier’s Angel. During this show Stevie seemed to talk, telling more stories than usual letting us into her life. One of the more emotional stories was about the song “Soldier’s Angel”.

Stevie who does a lot for wounded war veterans, most notably giving out i-pod nano’s to many in hospital with her own personal music choices downloaded into them, was visiting soldiers in a hospital when upon leaving, a bunch of new military patients were being brought in. Chaos erupted as the hospital was overwhelmed, after her visit she was inspired to write the song “Soldiers Angel”.

Stevie is still beautiful with her long blonde hair flowing in the breeze and her infectious smile. Her wonderful voice fills the air as mesmerizing & beautiful as ever. On stage she still dances with her six inch platform boots, twirling her shauls, & scarves. The microphone dons scarves & beads just like the good old days. The mystic aura still surrounds the legend of Stevie Nicks, still true to her personal spirit & the spirit of Rock & Roll. It’s classic Stevie Nicks and her diehard fans want nothing else.

There is a special bond between her & those fans that keep coming back year after year. We have been with her through our growing up from Fleetwood Mac to a her sensational solo career. It seems every performance is being directed straight to the individual person, as she performs with sincere warmth few artists can generate.

The band consisted of her usual players led by the great guitarist Waddy Wachtel, who has played with Stevie since even before she joined Fleetwood Mac. (Watchel has played with countless rock stars & is known as one of the better guitarist in the world. His resume’ includes the Rolling Stones, Don Henley, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Bob Seger, Warren Zevon, Adam Sandler, Everly Brothers & Jackson Browne. Did you know he is a member of Keith Richards solo band the Expensive Wino’s?

He also has done many movie soundtracks. He has played with Stevie on Bella Donna/ Wild Heart / Rock A Little / Trouble in Shangri La / Soundstage live in Chicago / In Your Dreams as well as most of her live tours).

Then there is the familiar female backup vocalists consisting of the beautiful Sharon Celani (who has been with Stevie on record & on tour since 1981) & her sister in law Lori Nicks (also on board since 1981 but then on & off since 1996).

Also I’d like to note that percussionist Lenny Castro was spectacular once again. He has played with Stevie since 1998, & has worked with countless artists like Wachtel. Some include the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac. Elton John, Boz Scaggs &Toto).

As a grown man, who loves the classic rock but has newly found a love for European female fronted gothic metal, I admit here that I began to tear up during Rhiannon & Landslide. It doesn’t get no more beautiful nor more emotional than this. I love you Stevie, as always. I thank you for all the joy you have brought to me in my life. What a great show, I can’t wait for the next one. By the way: Fleetwood Mac is scheduled to Tour in 2012.


STEVIE NICKS SET LIST- JONES BEACH September 4, 2011.

1. Stand Back
2. Secret Love
3. Dreams
4. Moonlight (A Vampire's Dream)
5. Gold Dust Woman
6. Soldier's Angel
7. Annabel Lee
8. For What It's Worth
9. piano solo / slow Rhiannon intro
10. Rhiannon
11. Landslide
12. Ghosts Are Gone
13. Leather and Lace
14. percussion and drum solo
15. Edge of Seventeen
16. Encore: Love Is

Comments

Anonymous said…
Best concert ever!
September 7, 2011 at 7:16 PM
Mark said…
How long did she play? 70min?
October 4, 2011 at 11:11 PM
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