Fleetwood and cohorts win in a Landslide at the Centrum

by Sarah Rodman

Fleetwood Mac, at the Worcester Centrum, last night. Second show tonight.

It has been nearly seven years since the classic lineup of Fleetwood Mac regrouped for their hit live album ``The Dance.''

While that release showcased a still vital band faithfully re-creating, and in some cases reinventing, its best-known songs, it was nevertheless a happy surprise when the group released ``Say You Will'' last month. The Mac's first album of all new material in more than 10 years, and its first without stalwart keyboardist-songwriter Christine McVie in more than 30, is a remarkably solid, tuneful and tough set.

The same could be said of the band's show last night at a sold-out Worcester Centrum, in the first of two nights at the venue.

Playing 24 songs, old and new, over the course of a smartly paced two-hour and 20-minute set, the core quartet, augmented by seven backing musicians, proved they are not yet ready for the rock and roll pasture, but still delight in familiar stances.

Guitarist Lindsey Buckingham especially made his vibrancy crystal clear in a string of incredibly lyrical and stinging guitar solos throughout the night on hits like ``Go Your Own Way'' and ``Big Love,'' which featured an impossibly fast acoustic solo.

On opener ``The Chain'' he coaxed out piercing high notes. On the dark, tribal rocker ``Come'' he howled both vocally and with his instrument, summoning low growls and fleet arpeggios in a virtuosic display.

Although she has lost some of the high end of her voice, Stevie Nicks, resplendent in black gown and tails, is still the captivating high priestess of the band. Many of her songs were highlights of the night, including a roiling ``Gold Dust Woman,'' the dramatic piano ballad ``Silver Springs'' - one of her best vocals of the show - and her kicky solo synth anthem ``Stand Back,'' during which she gave the crowd one of her signature twirls. But for sheer elegance and simplicity, ``Landslide'' ruled the night. The 55-year-old Nicks sang, ``I'm getting older, too,'' without bitterness or regret but a radiant peace.

Mick Fleetwood tastefully and forcefully kept the crowd moving with snappy grooves on tunes like ``Tusk'' and ``Second Hand News.''

Stalwart bassist John McVie anchored the whole affair with his deep rumblings and stoic presence.