The Nicks Fix - Stevie Nicks Fan Reviews

Stevie Nicks Summer 2005 FAN REVIEWS

6/4/05 PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel, NJ

Newest reviews posted at the top.

Lisa Cramer
In my eyes, Stevie Nicks remains (and will always remain) "The Goddess of Rock and Roll!!" What a fantastic show. It was pretty humbling to experience both her and rock legend, Don Henley, on the same stage. I must admit, I enjoyed their vocals together even more than when she sings with Lindsey. Their voices just seemed to blend so flawlessly!! When Stevie came out during Don's set, I turned to my friend and said, "I'm sorry but she's just so damn cute!!". And cute she was. I especially thought she looked very youthful in her pants outfit with her long, very blonde hair curled on the ends. She straightened it for her half of the show which seemed to make her look older for some reason. Still, she looks AWESOME for her age and still kicks ass. We were in the 4th row and as always, it was a thrill to be able to shake Stevie's hand during Edge of 17. One funny little side note... as Stevie was bending down over the edge of the stage, my friend and I thought for sure her boobs were going to pop right out of her shirt. We would have had a Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" on our hands. Stevie's band and backup singers were great, as usual. It was nice to see Waddy back on stage with Stevie. And of course, we all love Brett Tuggle and the best percussionist alive, Taku!!! Before the show I got to talk to one of the guitarists in Don's band who used to tour with Stevie. He was very nice. After the show, I talked to Brett and also got to wave and yell to Stevie as she got into her limo!!!!! She had her hair up, looking all casual. When I yelled to her she looked over at me, smiled, and waved to me (Mountain Dew bottle in hand). That was pretty cool. Great show and definitely worth the trip from New York State. Thank you, Stevie and Don, for another mesmerizing and magical evening. Please keep rockin' ... as long as you are there, we will be here to support you. God bless you!!!

Lisa
In a word... WOW!!! How cool was that show?!! Don and Stevie!! They were really great, and together! They sounded incredible!! Thank you to both of them for that awesome show! When she appeared how the crowd and myself, went absolutely wild, and EVERYONE was singing every word, sooooo cool.! They felt the magic, as we did, oh yes, magic!! Rock on!!! 50+ we always will be there to hear you!! Thank you!!

Pete Campione
I saw Stevie at this same venue 2 days before 9/11. That night she seemed weary and had been suffering from bronchitis. Still she rallied for a phenomenal show. The woman literally just has to show up and get a standing ovation. This time I saw Stevie Nicks.....ROCK LEGEND. All due respect to Don Henley, but every time Stevie was even spotted on stage the roar was deafening. She was is excellent voice, highly animated, and seemed to be having the time of her life. She looked so happy to be there. She rocked us (Stand Back, Enchanted, Outside the Rain were flawless), she soothed us (Beauty and the Beast was hauntingly perfect) and when she sang with Henley, she was pure joy. I have never enjoyed a concert so much and Miss Nicks was at the top of her game. The duets were perfection. She breathed new life into "Hotel California", and Henley actually made Gold Dust Woman sound even more classic. Bonnie Raitt's "Circle Game" should be a single because that song was never better. The closing "So you wanna be a Rock and Roll star" was a surpise gem, sung by a lady who defines the term. Alot has been written about Stevie's voice (both good and bad).....but her "legend" was in full force as was that unmistakeable voice. This was Stevie Nicks at full throttle and a sight to behold. The best concert I've ever been to. Thanks Miss Nicks!!

Barbara DeLuca
Wow!! What can I say. I've been to everyshow since 1986 that has passed through the New York, New Jersey area and the one Saturday June 4th was one of the best!!! I went with my best friends, sister and boyfriend as we always do.. When Stevie came out during Don Henley's set she looked amazing. Rock on Lily!!! Don Henley did some of his best songs and the band was incredible. When Stevie did (New York Minute) w/ him it was one of the most hauntigly mesmorizing performances I've ever seen her do. Quite amazing. Her set was awesome.. All the classics!!! What a way to kick off the summer. someone should definitely film this show before it's over. They were great!!!

Alan Tobin
What a night! I keep saying it, but it is always true. Every concert I attend, Stevie continues to sound better and better. Couple that with the extensive dancing and banter with the crowd and you get an awesome evening with two very talented performers. I have never seen Don Henley or the Eagles perform, but his set and the Stevie duets were inspiring. His band was very tight knit and played some explosive music, all the songs that I wanted to heart I heard, including Life in the Fast Lane. I heard that because Glen Frey wrote Desperado, he was not able to sing it. It would have made a very moving duet with Stevie if it was performed. She came out in the 4th song to sing Hotel California, not one of my favorites, but with her vocal it sounded great.She sang with him NY Minute and Last Worthless Evening. After Henley's set, there was a very quick change to the Stevie set. She didn't disappoint. Rhiannon was the best I have heard since 1998. Henley came out to sing Gold Dust Woman and Bonnie Raitt's Circle Dance as well as Stop Dragging My Heart around. Their vocals blend so well together. After Edge of 17 Stevie shook all the hands and picked up her gifts, the 2 came out for Leather and Lace and Rock and Roll Star to close the concert. They definitely left us wanting more, but after 3 hours I did not feel cheated for paying the price I did. Can't wait until Friday night at Jones Beach!

CHERI NIENSTADT
WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE CONCERT!! I AM A HUGE STEVIE FAN AND THINK SHE IS JUST GETTING BETTER & BETTER EVERY YEAR!! SHE LOOKED AMAZING & WAS SO INTO HER PERFORMANCES SHE JUST ROCKED THE HOUSE! I HAD NEVER SEEN DON HENLEY BEFORE AND HE PUT ON A GREAT SHOW AS WELL; BUT WHEN STEVIE JOINED HIM ON STAGE FOR HOTEL CALIFORNIA THE PLACE WENT WILD! SHE TRULY HAS ONE OF THE BEST, UNIQUE VOICES EVER! HER PERFORMANCES OF RHIANNON, STAND BACK, AND BEAUTY & THE BEAST WERE AMAZING! I WOULD RANK THEM AS THE BEST OF HER RECENT CONCERTS. THE CONCERT DEFINITELY LEFT ME WANTING MORE & I COULD HAVE STAYED THERE ALL NIGHT WATCHING BOTH STEVIE & DON HENLEY DO THEIR THINGS! I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT SHOW!

John
I have seen Stevie Nicks numerous times over the years, solo and with Fleetwood Mac. I have also seen the eagles before as well. Although I have always enjoyed the Fleetwood Mac concerts, this concert with Stevie and Don Henley was the best concert I have ever been to. The show was incredible. Don Henley sounded great, just as if you were listening to his CD. New York Minute, Hotel California, End of the innocence, Back in the Fast Lane, Boys of Summer were all great and people were out of their chairs! Stevie, lost a lot of weight and looked great! She was wearing black slacks in the beginning and just looked great. PNC was a packed house, and the lawn seating was just as packed. Stevie opened up with Outside the rain which was awesome and went right into Dreams. She also did Beauty and the Beast. The visuals on the screen, and her voice were right on. She sounded great. Edge of 17 great, Stand Back awesome. Rhiannon right on. Stevie put on a great show, more so than when she toured last with Fleetwood Mac. I know why Fleetwood Mac has last this long-Stevie made Fleetwood Mac, and her star power at this concert was evident. The crowd went nuts when she appeared on stage to sing Hotel California and New York Minute with Don Henley. The show was absolutely amazing!

Frank Tortorici
I am on a great high right now. What a great show! Stevie looked fantastic. She even wore pants during Don's set. Two rock and roll hall of famers at their best and singing each other's songs. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! The place was SRO with equal Don and Stevie fans but Stevie's set was longer and better! To all the doubters about Stevie and Don being a good pair! Just forget it. These two were phenomenal together and Stevie showed much more energy than when she sings with Lindsey. And they sang together at center stage the whole time. No sense of competition like during the FM shows. They were true duets. Don opened with "The Genie," an ok upbeat song from Inside Job, his last (2000) solo LP. Then as if to get is ready for the witchy woman herself he did a great "Witchy Woman" and a great cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You" (later covered by CCR). Then out came Stevie for an incredible "Hotel California," she even sang the great "spirit here since 1969" line. She sounded great--rocked and sang right in Don's face. Awesome! Then they dueted on "New York Minute" and "The Last Worthless Evening." Great soulful performances. She left to tumultuous applause and Don did a beautiful "Heart of the Matter" and totally rocking "Life in the Fast Lane" and "Dirty Laundry." He ended early with the ok "All She Wants to do is Dance." The whole Bootylicious track and the new discofied Dreams preceded Stevie coming out to a standing-only crowd for a riveting "Outside the Rain," during which she screamed the "look in my eyes" part. Then Dreams into the piano intro to a rocking "Rhiannon," in which she twirled much more than during FM SYW tour. "Enchanted" then into "Gold Dust" with Don on some of the verses parts and the chorus. Then they dueted on a great "Stop Dragging" where she looked at pointed at him just like in the video w TP. Then a beautiful duet on a Bonnie Raitt track "Circle Dance." They both said she was a big influence on them. Funny, since one of the first reviews of the white album I ever read in the 70s said Stevie sounded like Bonnie. Then a rocking Stand Back with 30 seconds of mad twirling. The set lost a little momentum with Beauty and the Beast, in which she sounded great, but it was a little hokey coming during such a rocking show where she proved that she is the best female rocker ever (possible exception Janis--though Janis never wrote songs like Tina Turner, who never sang as great as Stevie anyway). The French BATB film looked surreal on the big screen at the top of the stage. Like a rock video from the silent movie era. Stevie wore hair in a bun. Then an amazing Edge of 17, with the call of the nightbird, when doves cry and some new words that I forget now. Amazing numbers of fans giving her stuff and handshaking. Then off stage--back for amazing "Leather and Lace" encore, the first time I ever saw Stevie do this song on stage and I've seen her 39 times. It sounded just like the record. Whoever said she shouldn’t consider Desperado is wrong, because her voice was in the best shape I've ever heard and Don was in fine form. But instead of Desperado, the first time I've ever seen Don when he didn't do it, they did Roger McGuinn's "So You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star." What a great performance. They should've filmed it because it was two of rock's best singers rocking out full tilt. The place was going crazy--the words were on the screen and everyone was singing along. Great evening. Well worth every penny. Stevie has never been this hot. She continues to be an entity way beyond just Fleetwood Mac. Long live rock's queen. Amen Goodnight

Lucy
Wow the past 72 hours were great, I was able to hook up with the usual Stevie suspects for both shows but I’ll just give you the review of the NJ show, (both were great), What a night, Stevie sounded and looked great with Don Henley and solo. I love when she does duets or backing vocals, she had this incredible ability to wrap her voice around other artists no matter who they are. Hotel California, Last Worthless Evening and NY Minute had quite a different vibe with Stevie singing and they sounded great. She looked FABULOUS in the black pants that she came out to sing with Don Henley and was hoping she would incorporate those into her show. The bands sounded awesome for both Don and Stevie and it was great to see packed houses on both nights. Both Don and Stevie had as on our feet the whole show. Can’t wait for the rest of the shows.

Sandy
WOW!!! What an awesome evening we had!!!! Don Henley was fantastic and while the entire audience was singing along to "Hotel California" you could feel the energy in the air! And then "Our" Stevie appeared and the crowd went absolutely wild! Stevie looked fantasic and her voice was better than ever!! They rocked the place with some Eagles tunes together and then Don took over for a bit, when he was finished there was a brief intermission when they changed the set for Stevie's band and then we went right in to one of the best performances I have seen her give in years. She was energized from the start and totally blew me away !! She sang mostly 80's tunes... which were always some of my favorites. Rhiannon was tremendous..... and you just don't have words to describe this rendition of "Beauty and the Beast". It was absolutely breathtaking, and I am still wondering how Stevie can do a song like that , and then crank it up to the extreme of the "Edge of Seventeen" in a matter of minutes... We are all truly blessed to have seen her (and Don) perform at this level !!!! I myself left the concert arena energized and wishing for more--- perhaps I will make it to the Borgata, but if not, I have had one heck of a night this night!!!!

Brett W.
Arrived in Newark, NJ. just in time to rent a car and drive the hour trip to Holmdel. I arrived in the parking area close to 7:30 thinking of how lucky I was to have made it at all with the troubles experienced at Chicago's O'Hare airport trying to get out. Well how can I or anyone else put into words how magical the night was. Ms. Nicks has proven once again that she is the Queen of Rock-n-Roll !! The highlights for me were all the songs sung with both Don and Stevie. When Stevie walked out on stage to sing Hotel California, the outburst from the crowd was deafening. I have never had the opportunity to see both performers together but have tried numerous times. I had made several attempts to catch Stevie and Don at the Heart benefit given once a year in Phoenix or in Woodlands for M.S. but scheduling had always been a problem. The only disappointment of the evening was Stevie not singing Landslide. I kept waiting thinking it would be the next song but it never came. After reading Sharon and Jana sang harmony to Landslide in Vegas, I really was anticipating hearing it. I would like to see Bonnie Raitt's Circle Dance cover dropped and Landslide put in it's place. There are too many awesome Stevie songs to perform rather than hearing Stevie do a cover. The exception would be the Andre' Agassi benefit a few years back when she sang Etta James, At Last. Although Circle Dance does give you time to go to the rest-room and grab another beer. I only hope that change is made before my son and daughter take me to the Tweeter Center in Chicago for my Fathers Day gift. My twins, now 14, have never been to a concert and they put Landslide as one of the greatest songs of all times. I would hate to see them walk away without hearing it live. Stevie, once again, thank you for the magical evening that will never be forgotten. Along with the countless other times I have seen you over the past 26 years!! Rock On!

Dennis Tommasulo
Well its time for another review of a Stevie Nicks concert, and I must say this was one memorable show! I've seen Stevie perform 38 times now and the show on Saturday was as memorable as any, including the Arizona Heart Institute benefit when I was lucky enough to meet Stevie and Don Henley, including that first performance of the Dance Tour I saw with the reunited Fleetwood Mac, and also including a recent show in Las Vegas in which Stevie truly filled the room with her energy. What made this show so memorable? simply put.. the 8 songs that Stevie and Don sang together. On a warm humid night in Jersey, Don Henley opened the show and ran through an array of both solo and Eagles hits. While he didn't introduce the band, there were some familiar faces from both is solo band from past years and also from past (and present) Eagles tours. One familiar face to Stevie fans was drummer Scott Crago. If I remember my History correctly. Scott was plucked out of a California band Named Venice by Stevie for a solo tour in the mid-90's. The Eagles "stole" him away from Stevie and used him to fill in on drums when Don was singing instead of drumming on their "Hell Freezes Over" tour and the Eagles have used Scott ever since. At one point early in the show Don commented that tonight is a night of special guests, which made me remark that to the majority of the mostly Stevie Nicks fan crowd, Don was the special guest. His set (based on the one posted at Nicksfix.com) was similar to the one the previous night in Philidelphia with the exception of the encores. Before the 4th song "Hotel California" started the road crew brought out an additional microphone which signified that Stevie was on the horizion. Shortly into the first verse, Stevie slowly strolled out onto the stage with the cheers form the crowd virtually drowning out Don and the band. by the first chorus Stevie and Don were singing harmony and eventually trading off verses. They followed that up with "New York Minute" and "The Last Worthless Evening" again sharing both verses and singing harmony. Don continued through his set, belting out hit after hit " Boys of Summer, Heart of the Matter, Life in the Fast Lane, and All She Wants To Do Is Dance". but sadly, unlike the previous night in Philly, there was no encore of either "End of the Innocence" or "Desperado" . though I will say that the crowd made little effort to entice Don and the Band to return to the stage. After a short break Stevie took the stage for her somewhat abbreviated set. Stevie looked truly wonderful on Saturday, I don't know if her makeup was different of if she was just in a wonderful mood being out on the road with her dear friend Don, but whatever it was she looked fabulous.She had essentially the same band as Las Vegas with 2 exceptions, a new piano player in place of Scott Plunkett, and Taku the Fleetwood mac veteran percussion player. Stevie basically did an abbreviated set similar to the 4 nights she did recently at Ceasars in Las Vegas. "Outside the Rain into Dreams kicked things off which is a staple of opening number in Stevie sets over the years, followed by "Rhiannon and Enchanted" before Don made his way out to join Stevie for a few numbers. "Gold Dust Woman" was the first Stevie song that the duo sang together with them again singing harmony and trading verses and lines. I thought it was nice of Don to not look directly at Stevie when he sang "Rock on ancient Queen, follow those who pale in your shadows" The next tune was no surprise as Don sang Tom Petty's parts in "Stop Draggin My Heart Around" (apparently this was a change in the set order from Philly the night before), and then surprise #1 came when Stevie talked about how when rehersals started for this tour she had a song she loved that she thought Don wouldn't agree to do, but being that Don has exceptional taste he too liked the song so they sang a Bonnie Raitt tune called "Circle Dance" If it was odd hearing Stevie sing Don's songs, it was even odder to see them doing this cover tune. But that kind of stuff is what made this show so memorable. Stevie then continued on her set with a rocking "Stand Back, Beauty and the Beast, and Edge of Seventeen" ending her set with her usual handshaking along the front of the stage. We all knew the encore would include "Leather and Lace" and it did as Stevie and Don did a wonderful version of the song they made famous. All that was missing was a leather jacket on Don as at the end of the song Stevie was reaching out for Don with her lace shawl singing "Take from me, my lace". That song alone was worth the price of admission as you could only hear them sing that together at the rare benefit shows over the years. The final number was another surprise, while Stevie usually covers Tom Petty's "I Need To Know", tonight's show ended with another Stevie saying "this song is about the dream... the dream.... the dream..." with the band breaking into another Petty tune "So You Want To Be Rock and Roll Star. All in all it truly was a very special evening. All that seemed missing was "Landslide" which I believe was absent for the first time in the 38 shows I've seen previously. And with Don and Stevie only doing 10 shows together before Stevie tours the country all summer on the Gold Dust Tour, (with Don eventually heading back out with the Eagles) I was very happy that us east coasters were fortunate enough to see this wonderful event. Thank You Stevie for 1/2 a lifetime of entertainment.

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