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Trouble in Shangri-la FAN REVIEWS 7/6/01 Post Gazette
Pavilion (Pittsburgh) Burgettstown PA Opening night of the tour! Newest reviews
posted at the top. Patti Mitchell
The whole stage promised a mysterious and haunting evening. I was not disappointed. I was entralled at the beautiful voice Stevie has live. Sheryl had a strong voice which blended suitably with Stevie. When they sang duet, their voices were in complimentary form, each to the other. I cannot extend the enchantment I had felt nor can I simplify it. It was a blend of rich sound accompanied by a deep and ever haunting stage presence of Stevie Nicks. Thank you for not disappointing me. I want to say, as much as you felt Pittsburgh was lovely, Pittsburgh returns the compliment in kind. Bill MikieRay As for me, I don't care if anyone thought that and I would like to congratulate everyone who had the nerve to dress up and be proud of it. If anyone is interested, go to Bear's site, brandisdream.com. This is the enchanting seamstress who made my attire. She is a talented person and dedicated to her art. If anyone caught site of me at the concert, I would love to hear from you and your comments, experiences, etc. My e-mail address is mikieray@stratuswave.net. I was dressed in Stevie's outfit from "The Dance" concert. I had on the wig, the whole thing. I actually felt like Stevie that night because when I walked past the lawn and entered my section, I had some people stand up and cheer. Stevie fans are the best. Of course, you have some hecklers too. Stevie and company put on a fabulous show. I will be honest and say that I did not care for Cheryl Crow. Stevie, being the generous person that she is, let Cheryl have the spotlight with her own music for a couple songs in the show, but afterall I did come to see my idol! I never cared for Cheryl's music. I wish we could have had closer seats. As with someone else who wrote another review, I was second in line at the Giant Eagle in Bridgeport, OH. The girl in front of me got Row 12, Section 1 or 2. When my tickets came up, I got Section 7 (I think, I can't remember now) without looking at the stub. I did not wait like this other girl did and took what I was offerred. I don't understand how the Ticketmaster works because this other girl got Pit A at a later date. If anyone can figure it out, let me know. Well, much love to all! It was a great show and truly an enchanted evening for me..
Muriel
Erin Dragan,
Pittsburgh, PA Howard Mc
Donald RRT, Debbie Mc Donald RN Linda J.
Fisher Ruby Marcocelli Even now, I am going through some rough times and her songs just seem to help ease my confusions, even if it's only for a short time, I feel better, I feel a kinship. The concert was fabulous, Stevie was mystical......magical.....romantic.....vibrant....exciting, I can't come up with enough words to describe the fantastic evening she gave Pittsburgh. To be apart of my favorite performers opening night was the best, but to be in front row.....WOW!! What was so wonderful was that even if she was nervous about the night and the selections, she had no reason to be. It was FANTASTIC to hear so many of the new songs that night. I was actually thinking I might be disappointed and all I heard all night was I wish she would of done....... Finally, I said to a group of people, do you know how MANY songs you can end that sentence with???? She would have to sing all day and all night to make us all happy and sing everything we wanted to hear. But I have to tell you she could have performed another encore, the crowd DEFINITLY wanted to hear another one from her. The best part was being right at stage and having a chance to see her and shake her hand....WOW!! I thought I was too old to get so "crazy" over a performer....but NO! She did not disappoint in ANY WAY! The only way my night would have been better was to have a back stage pass, which I don't even know if they had. Stevie, you're not getting older, your are definitely getting better...........please keep writing........and performing...........and I can't wait for the new Fleetwood Mac. Paul Gallagher One of the most polished and refined displays of artistry that I've seen from Stevie. She is truly an artist in her own time. Effortlessly, she ruled the night. The entire night's ensemble: the stage, the vocals, the musicianship, the attitude...all reflective of the outstanding Queen of Rock-n-Roll that Stevie Nicks is. Denise Becky Gordon Jessica Mccoy go ahead, rock a little, Jessica Mccoy - 19 years old Keith C.
Lorich joyce rollison Michelle
(Brooklyn, New York)
By now everyone knows what happened at the show, so I will just tell you the things I loved most. I really loved that Trouble In Shangri-La played at the beginning of the show just before Stevie came out. It was the best introduction!! Stop Draggin' My Heart Around was a surprise for me. It was a great opener.....very energetic and it got the audience pumped. Another surprise and something that I was truly hoping for was Planets of the Universe. I flipped when she started singing that song!! It was such a great version and she sang it with such conviction as she did with Fall From Grace....a very cool kick-ass rock song!!! Stevie kept the audience on their feet for the whole show!! Another highlight for me was hearing Bombay Sapphire...great song! I also loved hearing Sorcerer done live. All of the songs were great, but I particularly liked hearing the new ones! I have never rushed the stage before, but something in me made me want to do it this time. I got close, but unfortunately, not close enough to shake her hand....so I was a little bummed, but the energy and atmosphere just standing there was incredible!!! Stevie has never looked or sounded better. I loved Waddy Wachtel at the guitar....glad to see him back. The rest of the band was awesome as usual. The addition of Sheryl Crow was pretty cool. Having Waddy and Sheryl there really seemed to put Stevie at ease. She was completely having the time of her life!! There were other interesting things that happened to us, but I will let Kristin have the pleasure of telling those stories in her review. I highly recommend everyone go to see this show. The set, the performance, the music, the band and the Queen of Rock and Roll!!! Stevie is amazing and just keeps getting better with age!!! Rock on, Gold Dust Woman!!! Amy Pittsburgh Cheryl Sprague Denise Jean
Dluehosh Several people near us left in the middle of the show for just this reason. The whole night was ruined. I think it is TERRIBLE how people ruin it for others by their ignorance. If everyone had stayed sitting, we all could have seen the show and enjoyed it. I can't tell you a thing about the stage decor or anything, because I never saw it. We got one or two fleeting glimpses of Stevie but that was it. So the bottom line is, Stevie sounded great and her show and musicians were wonderful. Too bad we couldn't see her. There should be a law against people standing at rock concerts. It is rude, ignorant and mean. We wasted over $50 each to look at other people's asses all night instead of seeing Stevie Nicks. It was a big disappointment because we love Stevie and waited a long time for this concert. Brandy The ONLY dissappointment the whole night was that 20,000 peace loving Stevie fans turned into rabid killers when 20,000 cars were trying to exit 6 lanes of traffic. We turned our car off in the middle of one big demolition derby laid the seats back and partied. We arrived home to State College,Pa at 5 o'clock in the morning, our lives changed forever. Jody Lois S. from
Wheeling, WV. Tammie Reported
by Brad Lemna, Brant Meehan, and Chris Tryon Written by Brian Lemna These are supposed to be the dog days of summer. Just two years ago, in 1999, temperatures across the Midwest, as well as up and down the Eastern Seaboard, averaged well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than ten days. People died. Entire sections of major Eastern cities fell under the darkened spells of brownouts and blackouts, many months before trendier types in California made national news suffering electric-power trials of their own. Luckily, this July 2001, while a cool Canadian high-pressure system settled in over the Great Lakes, the Northeast, and Middle Atlantic states, there was no visible shortage of electricity or power on hand this evening at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. As our principal reporter stated just minutes ago, “Stevie rocked out tonight!” Indeed. Even though she seemed to be holding back somewhat for the first half of the show, Stevie Nicks C rock enchantress, feminine avatar, fashion-mogul-cum-lately C more than held her own at 53, striking out on the first night of a summer tour supporting her latest effort, “Trouble in Shangri-La” (TISL). As the show opened, she promised some surprises. Many seasoned audience members were thoughtful at this remark, but by the end of the show, none were disappointed. Eschewing tours of the past, where she often led with a relatively unknown but powerful number, “Outside the Rain,” from her first solo epic, “Belladonna,” our beloved Ms. Nicks opted to lead instead with a surprisingly strong left, delivering a spicy version of Tom Petty's “Stop Draggin' My Heart Around.” Accompanied and dueted by Waddy Wachtel, that infamous guitar-playing legend, Stevie introduced herself onstage to a new generation of hungry fans without letting go of the many satisfied fans of her past. To find Wachtel performing live with Nicks in 2001 is but one of the many pleasant surprises awaiting dedicated Stevie fans. To see them open with “Stop Draggin' My Heart Around” gives many of us long-term Nicks fans a much-needed jolt. It was just three years ago, during the jaunt for her anticipated box set, “Enchanted,” that Stevie and her touring band inexplicably stopped performing this great song after wowing only five or six opening cities with an equally-fiery live version. What happened then? Was it because neither Waddy nor Tom was present? Fans can only hope that this classic and powerful duet does not get prematurely dropped this time. But do not despair Stevie fans, there is so much more to report! (EEEeeee-eekkk!!) Not surprisingly (if you have visited www.nicksfix.com C and if you haven't, shame on you!), Sheryl Crow was here, too, going so far as to perform two of her own songs, even one without Stevie herself. Along with the aforementioned Waddy, the TISL stage offered up some beloved, long-time Stevie band members: the beautiful and talented Sharon Celani, songbird Mindy Stein, guitarist Carlos Rios, as well as two musicians from Fleetwood Mac's “The Dance,” keyboardist Brett Tuggle, and the charismatic percussionist, Lenny Castro. After opening with “Stop Draggin' My Heart Around,” Stevie and her TISL band launched immediately into a spirited version of “Enchanted,” one of her most basic and powerful rock-n-roll songs. Many of us hoped she would retain this fan favorite after touring for the similarly-named box set, and happily, we were not disappointed. For the remainder of the opening set, Stevie and her band followed predictably, but powerfully, with “Outside the Rain,” “Dreams,” and “Gold Dust Woman.” The latter number was the first where she changed attire, donning the classic yellow cape; the first where Sheryl Crow joined her onstage; and the first where she spun in circles, delighting the thousands of fans that filled the Pavilion. “I thought ‘Gold Dust Woman’ had a slightly different sound to it,” our principal witness reported. As opposed to the somewhat longer and looser version recorded on Fleetwood Mac's “The Dance,” the arrangement here seemed tighter and the tempo kept more upbeat. “If possible, it was even more guitar-oriented and urgent than before.” Song number six, “Sorcerer,” was the first song from TISL that was performed tonight. “It may disappoint some fans who were waiting to see if she would even try, but she avoided the pretty high notes heard on the verses in the studio recording. This does not mean Stevie wasn't trying. Throughout the entire show, she sang perfectly, but especially for the first part of the show, which included ‘Sorcerer,’ she avoided her upper register.” Despite this apparent criticism, the crowd adored the performance of this new song, especially the fact that Stevie and Sheryl seemed to love singing it together. “The band was particularly tight during this song. Even though the arrangement was a little different from the studio recording, the performance of this song sparked a special excitement.” At this point, Nicks abandoned the stage to Crow, who performed her hit, “My Favorite Mistake” to the crowd's obvious delight. Even the most ardent Stevie Nicks fans, those who would often consider no other in the past, have followed their leader's example, adopting Crow as the long-lost little sister they have always wanted, even if they didn't know it. “Sheryl Crow's own songs, as well as her contribution to Stevie's compositions, were clearly appreciated by the audience.” After Sheryl Crow's first solo turn, Nicks reappeared in an outfit similar to the one she had been wearing C a layered, all-black number with familiar cuts, hems, and turns C only this saucy number glittered a little more. “We ordered our tickets and traveled from Minneapolis, so our seats were not that great, and our eyes seem to be fading as we get a little older, but it did not look like she was wearing platform boots, but flat shoes. The second outfit did not look that much different than the first, just more sparkles.” During the performance of the next song, “Everyday,” the first single from TISL, Nicks seemed to be having some trouble with her earpiece. “Especially after the first verse, she kept tapping her ear like she was having problems with the equipment. Despite it all, she was happy and smiling, and after the song was over, she said something to the effect of, ‘That was Stevie Nicks unplugged,’ which further led us to believe she was experiencing technical difficulties.” At this point, the lights went down for a few moments, and after a poignant pause, some familiar strains could be heard rising up from the piano. “Rhiannon” was rolling out into the open air as she has so many times over past years. The spell was as good as cast. “Stand Back” followed. Stevie even brought out the familiar gold- flecked cape from the video. According to our enterprising reporters, “Stand Back” is where Steve really began to gather her vocal power and to fully express it. “She said she had been singing her head off for the past three days while rehearsing in Pittsburgh, and for the first half of the show she seemed to be singing especially cautiously and deliberately. The payoff came in the second half of the show, where she seemed to really let loose and have more fun.” “Planets of the Universe” was the third song plucked from TISL for the live set. It is the second single. [NOTE: Do not miss the really fun remixes, which are available on CD and vinyl right now.] “This song was done to a tee. Perfectly. She seemed to take special care with it. This is also the song where she brought out the tambourine. Her arms were flailing and she really started to dance.” Next up, Sheryl sang “Every Day is a Winding Road,” while Stevie continued to dance around the stage and add harmonies. It only seemed natural after this point that they would begin to sing, “Too Far from Texas,” a popular selection from the new album, TISL. “Sheryl said something about doing her best to sing like a mountain singer or with a country twang, but you did not really miss Natalie [Maines, from the Dixie Chicks]. They sounded great on that song.” After a brief pause, the band launched into the opening strains of “Bombay Sapphires,” Stevie's personal favorite from TISL. She appeared in a long, silver-gray shawl with lots of sparkles. Stevie took her time introducing the band before firing up “Fall from Grace,” which she performed with Sheryl in a manner as commanding and as powerful as we saw while watching the Blockbuster Awards. Anyone who has not seen one of the broadcasts, as well as those of us who have, will be blown away by this firestorm of a rock song. From here, Waddy and Carlos began plucking away at those awesome opening notes of “Edge of Seventeen.” It was a show stopper, especially when Stevie, as she always does during this classic, greeted the crowd during the last few minutes of the song. Experiencing his first Stevie Nicks concert, our second reporter, who has covered Pittsburgh extensively added, “The people in the Pavilion were practically going mad at this point. They are a pretty typical concert crowd, and I haven't seen them go this crazy for quite a few years.” The song finished and the main set came to an end at this point. Fortunately for all involved, the lovely and resplendent Ms. Nicks materialized once again, this time in a rose-colored, three-quarter- length-sleeve jacket, to rock the house with Petty's “I Need to Know” and to finally soothe them with “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You?” before sending them home in a Stevie stupor. Our principal reporter could only add, “I got my first butterflies before the show while we were having dinner. Even though I have seen her so many times, I was very excited. And I was not disappointed at all.” Patri I have her on video - 'The Dance' was amazing - but seeing her live in person is indescribeable. Reading the posts from other Pittsburghers - I was tearing and getting choked up - reliving the concert over again. The passion that she has - that is so evident in her performance - it is truly unlike anything that I have ever seen. My favorites were "Fall from Grace" and "Planets of the Universe" - the emotion and the passion - it was unreal! She says in those songs - everything that I have wanted to say for the past 3 years. The stage was beautiful - I have never been to a concert where EVERYTHING was so...perfect. I know that I am not alone when I say that Stevie's lyrics strike a chord in me - thank you Stevie Nicks for helping me heal through your words - for being so beautiful and touching each of our lives! We love you! Scott A.
Lehner, Pittsburgh It was especially great living in the city that gave Stevie her opening night performance of the tour. Pittsburgh is very appreciative. I heard rumors that while Stevie was in Pittsburgh (she was there for 3 days according to her opening lines), she dined at the Monterey Bay restaurant on Mount Washington (that overlooks the glorious nighttime view of the city). I frequently go to Monterey Bay and was amazed that I came so close to seeing my idol. It's probably better that I didn't see her, because I would have probably made a complete fool of myself. Anyway, the concert was fantastic, the music was incredible, and a great time was had by all. My only disappointment was that she didn't sing some of my favorite songs---Rooms on Fire, Nightbird, Gypsy, etc. But it would take a ten hour concert for her to sing ALL of my favorites! Thank you Stevie for the memories over the last 20 years! Anthony Thank you Nicks Fix and Stevie for everything, Erin Dragan
Then the band started playing, and launched into the opening measures of "stop Draggin' My Heart around", and Stevie came out and started singing the song. It was soooo awesome!!! I was screaming at the top of my lungs, and singing every word to every song. After the song, she said she had been in pgh for the past 3 days, and said she wrote in her journal the Pgh was beautiful. Well let me tell ya, it's even more beautiful when Stevie comes here. So, with that, the band began to do "Enchanted", and it was very cool. Quickly moving onto the "outside the rain/dreams" medley, and then onto "Gold dust Woman", where Sheryl Crow joined her onstage an sang backup. After the song, Stevie declared Sheryl a member of the band that night, and that she would periodically be walking on and off stage. I do not totally remember the set played there, cuz everything was sooo great. I think next they did "Sorcerer", which was phat. Then "Every Day". But to see "Rhiannon" and "Stand back" live back to back was the most awesome thing in the world for me and my 11 year old brother, and even my parents. She also played a lot of new material, like "Bombay Sapphires", "Fall from Grace", and my favorite, "Planets of the Universe". Sheryl did two songs of her own, "My Favorite Mistake", and "Every day is a winding road". I was impressed with her stage presence a lot. Then Everyone except the percussionists left the stage. They did a huge drum solo, and then Waddy came out and did a guitar solo, and launched straight into "Edge of Seventeen", which was just spectacular! They left for about 15 minutes after, and due to the major amount of lighters lit in the audience, came back out to do "I Need To Know" and "has Anyone ever Written Anything For You". Then she said good night, and her thank you's, and with that called it a night. I brought a bouquet of roses and one of my band's demos for her. I had one of the security guys take it up and put it on the side of the stage. I hope she gets them both.....she was the reason I got into music (i sing, write, and play guitar in a band and friend and i formed). But Stevie is another example that girls rock and can do it all! here's to a great opening show! Cathy Shawn Besides being there for opening night.....I'm glad I met some Enchanted list memebers! Jill....Kitten...Mary Ellen.....GOldDustWoman526 ALL AWESOME!! AWESOME GIRLS..... Actually Jill and I both shook Stevie's hand together......FABULOUS!!!! ANYWHOO, Her intro was her! it was "I hear Trouble in Shangrila" played over and over again....FABULOUS....got the crowd going!!! along with "I run tho Opener was Stop Draggin.....total shocker, and I'm glad she kept Enchanted in the list. Sheryl came out during Gold Dust and did backgrounds. She kinda dressed up alittle like Stevie in kinda flwing type thing as well. During Rhiannon....she wore her trademark outfit....witht he long black sleeves. Standback she wore the Dance Standback shawl, not the one with the large circles. The stage was alittle reminding me of Street angel and Enchanted both together. Alot of flowers....and the background was the Dragon S during the ending songs. Hearing Planets of the Universe was awesome. Although I dont think the crowd really took to it as I thought. Bombay Sapphires was my fave throughout. For reasons I don't want to get into here. She wore a white shawl....kinda plain, but cool.... Everyday sounded really good..and the crowd LOVED IT. Rhiannon was one of her better perfomances.....she was in good spirts and she moved quite alot around stage. Sheryl Crow was fabulous and looks so good! Sorcerer was a killer, sounded like the album 100%. Too Far From Texas was actually quite good, and FallFrom Grace I LOVED! BUt again.....it's all about Bombay Sapphires! WHOOO HOOO. My fave mistake was really good....so was "everyday is a winding road" which stevie did some good back ups on! OH....stevie wore her black high tops! no plantforms, at least when I looked she had her black shoes on! Shirts.....there are a few....one white with Album cover.......one pink with album cover but the whole front is that.....one red one witht he Large S dragon......one Black that had on the front "I am something of a dreamer" with a candle....and on the back was her sitting and Another black one with the photo inside the booklet of her alone. The concert program is actaully cool.....alot of photos from the HEart Inst, an AWESOME page on the Nicksfix....and tells you John's story....and shows you alist of all people who helped out. The cover is the planets single pose, there is a page with her hand written lyrics to "Love Is" in the program......LOVE IT!!!! the back is that lithograph pose/poster. Nothing really rare in the program..but cool to have.. There is also a ball hat (over priced for 25 bucks) a keychain....some buttons....I think a postcard of some sort.....and I think thats it. She ended with I need to know.....Sheryl did co lead on that.....different. the crowd was so into it, and Stevie was into the crowd......Very very good show!! Now, I am going to some more for SURE!!! Shannon L.
Lippy Now, about Stevie. She was without a doubt, stunning. If any of you thought she looked a little heavy on David Letterman in early May, you were like myself probably right. Because tonight, she looked absolutely stunning. ( Not that the weight would bother me in any way.) She honestly looked as good if not better than she did at the Fleetwood Mac, "The Dance" concerts. And to add to that, she was giddy. You could actually tell that she was just totally blown away to be on the road again. She practically was skipping across the stage. There were several points where she was dancing and even did the high kick in the Stand Back number. And you could just hear the excitement in her voice as she talked. Alas, gone were the stiletto boots (black hightops it looked like), but hey that's got to be tough on the feet. And if it is any conciliation, her voice was PERFECT. FLAWLESS. She wore her basic black gowns as always, just changing shawls between sets. Sheryl Crow was there and sung with her on some songs and performed two of her own. In all the concert lasted about a little under 2 hours. I'm going to list the concert set she performed though I know I'm going to have some of them out of order, though I'll do my best. Intro - Trouble in Shangri-la (hook lines) Stop Dragging My Heart Around Enchanted Outside the Rain Sorcerer (w/Crow) My Favorite Mistake (Crow) Dreams Gold Dust Woman (w/Crow) Everyday Rhiannon Bombay Sapphires Stand Back Fall From Grace (w/Crow) Too Far From Texas (w/ Crow) Everyday Is A Winding Road (Crow) Planets of the Universe Edge of Seventeen I Need to Know Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You? WHEW! It was a nice long set. Stevie only really talked about twice. Once about how special the first concert is of a new season and then about Sheryl taking Natalie's part on Too Far From Texas. And then of course the introduction of the band. On lesser notes, the stage was well done. They did some great spatial and oriental effects to go with the Shangri-la theme. The crowd was very happy to see and hear her. I met some special friends there and it was great. We were kind of playing "Name that tune" trying to guess songs from long intros. The only negative thing I can say about the whole concert is something I say about all concert performances. And that is to the people who attend them. We all paid money to see Stevie and we're all big fans. Please be considerate of the people around you. If you want to dance, you should be on the lawn, there we some very rude people in my section (6), who in the beginning kept getting up and dancing, prevent other people from seeing the stage. And if the response of those people is "I'll do what I want, I paid my money," then my response is, "So did we. And we should all get an equal chance to see her. One father was really disappointed because his under 10 daughter couldn't see because of these rude people. That's really not fair to deny future Stevie fans. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. In all, the concert was great. I went with someone who really wasn't a fan, and he was highly impressed. He really has a new perspective on her and her fans now. We'll just keep enlightening people one at a time, I always say. NOW, if you haven't bought you tickets yet, DO SO. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Thanks John for your site and it's history (tourbook). You've done a great job and it's time I personally let you know. I appreciate my little Nicksfix everyday. Thank you to you and your staff. I bow in gratitude. Penny anonymous a great show from start to finish, stevie looked and sounded great and sheryl went over huge as well. The set list was great, nice to see lots of new songs instead of the same old same old. Not opening with outside the rain was a nice way to change thigs too. I even got to grasp her hand.. what a treat. Erica Dawn
About 15 mintues later, I see Lenny talking around, searching for me, with my tambourine! I go chasing after him, finally stop him and he hands me the tambourine, saying "Stevie was flipping out, she loved the tambourine!" I hugged him twice and shook his hand! He was genuinly pleased that I was so happy. She signed it, " To Erica...Love, Stevie Nicks"! Can you believe it. Now for the concert review.... :o) Jeffery Gaines opened around 8-8:30 and was quite good. I knew I had heard him for somewhere and his song," In Your Eyes" was a show stopper! At 9:10p.m. the lights went out and Stevie started singing "I hear there's trouble in Shangri-la" For backstage she sang acapella, lines from Trouble...over and over again. The crowd was going wild!!!!!!! Then she walks onstage, looking the best I've seen her, all smiles and waving to everyone... The first song of "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around", Waddy taking over Tom's part! Stevie and Waddy sounded just as they had during the Bella Donna tour! Great song... She then said a few rods about how this night was very special, because it was the opening night of her tour and how Pittsburgh has become a very special place to her, saying she had been there 3 days! And loved it! Next she sang "Enchanted" then the crowd went crazy as Waddy played the lead into "Outside the Rain/Dreams" During "Dreams" the entire audience sang along, Stevie almost didn't have to sing! After "Dreams" Stevie ran off stage and the familar drum beat of "Gold Dust Woman" started. She came back on in a new beautiful Gold Dust shawl, with crystals all over it, not just in bursts! She looked radiant....and rocked the song, Sheryl Crow, joined her for this song too. Keeping the Gold Dust shawl on, Stevie and Sherly went into "Sorceror" everyone is the audience had calmed down, but not me. I sang every line to that song! Stevie then ran off the stage and Sherly stayed on to perform a rockin version of "Favorite Mistake". Stevie then came back on alone and sand "Everyday" which I must say sounded better then I had heard before. She quickly left the stage again and the keyboard player began the piano version of "Rhiannon", not the familar Dance version, or even Stevie's concert version. But still, it was beautiful. She was wearing a shawl type jacket that looked like an updated version of her Rumours outfit. The audience sang with Stevie again on this one! Stevie even sang the end , like on Fleetwood Mac Live. "Dreamer, silly dreamer, try hard, you can't leave her..." Once again, Stevie leaves and my new best friend, "Mr. Lenny Castro" took us into the beginning of Stand Back. Stevie comes twirling on in her Stand Back shawl, not the one with big gold circles, but little, tiny ones. The song rocks as ususal...and Stevie did her trademark high kick! What was missing though, were her platform boots, which had been replaced by black platform sneakers! After Stand Back, Stevie stayed onstage, the shawl remained on and she went into "Planets of The Universe" really, a great song live. Stevie then left us to Sheryl again who performed "Everyday is a Winding Road"..what a performer. Then Stevie joined her back onstage to sing" Too Far From Texas. Stevie explained that she wished Natalie Maines could have been here, but that Sheryl would try to do her best. Sheryl even said she would try and put some twang into it! After, Sheryl and Stevie both walked offstage and Stevie came back on wearing a beautiful crystal encrusted beige shawl for "Bombay Sapphires! What a great song and Stevie sang it wonderfully! She kept on the shawl and Sherly came on and both performed " Fall From Grace" Stevie really got into this song.... especially when she sings " Well, I didn't come all the way here, just to WATCH YOU WALK OUT THAT DOOOOOOOORRRR" with the echo very reminscent of Edge! Awesome song!...Stevie sonce again left and once again Lenny Castro and Waddy took us back to 1980's when Stevie would perform "Edge of 17" Live....Waddy played and awesome guitar lick, teasing us with some of the familar chords then going off and wailing on his guitar. Stevie came out with her trademark, Edge shawl and kicked the a** out of the song! And as also, during the singing break, she greeted the lucky fans in the first few rows! After it was over she thanked everyone and left the stage. Now...any Stevie fan would know that the concert does not end there. The dark pavillion lit up with lighters and screamed for Stevie to come back on..... "I Need to Know" started playing and she rocked the house, banging on her tambourine and really singing into this song, Sheryl even joined in and traded lines with Stevie! Stevie thanked us again and left. But, oh no! She wasn't done yet. The place lit up again with the lighters and the piano started playing the haunting chords of" Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You" That's when I lost it! Such a beautiful song that has so much meaning to all her fans... She was truly singing it for us! Afterwards, the whole band came on stage and bowed and the show was over... Stevie still has it, and always will. Last night was very special to everyone there! With the stage decorated just like the "Trouble In Shangri-la" cd, Stevie really captured everyones hearts and made a loyal following of new fans! What a perfect way to kick off her tour....Perhaps it was that full moon...... ~And the lady's feeling just like the moon that she loves~ Justin March What a great night this was for me. I got to see the first show for the Trouble in Shangri-La tour, and let me tell you, it's something great indeed. First of all, the stage set was fantastic. The back of the stage was set up like the doorway she is walking through on the back of the cd's cover, and there were gold statues on either side. It was like a big magical paradise. By the way, this was my first Stevie Nicks concert. I had second row seats. So I'm sitting there expecting someone to come out, introduce Stevie, and the first chords of Outside the Rain to blast. Not quite the case here. There was a neat little rendition of Trouble in Shangri-La at the beginning before Stevie actually came out. Then, she opened with Stop Draggin My Heart Around. The set list that followed thereafter, and I am trying to remember the exact order...I may be off a bit, was the following: Enchanted Outside the Rain Dreams Gold Dust Woman Sorcerer My Favorite Mistake (Sheryl Crow song, I think that's what it is called) Every Day Rhiannon Stand Back Too Far From Texas Every Day Is a Winding Road Planets of the Universe Bombay Sapphires Fall from Grace Edge of Seventeen I Need to Know Has Anyone... Stevie's performance was great...the best show I've heard. Therewas no lull in the energy. In fact, I was shocked when Edge of Seventeen started playing, I was thinking, "Is this Edge of Seventeen already?" I had to hurry to get to the front of the stage, which I did successfully regardless of the chairs that were wired together in front of me (that was the pit section). Stevie came around and shook my hand, and when she got to the end (I was almost at the end) she started to walk back, and she turned and looked at me, and I screamed "I LOVE YOU!" and she turned and smiled. I tried handing her what I brought, three roses: One white, one yellow, and I dyed one green for the Birds of Rhiannon. Also inside the flowers' paper was a sort of mirror with a story printed on it that reminded me so much of the concept of Trouble in Shangri-La that I had to get it for her. I hope she keeps it.I had a connection to get backstage. I have to add the greatness of Stevie's performance of Planets of the Universe. As I predicted, she completely rocked out to the part near the end that goes "You will never love again...etc." and then when those guitars went off after that, she grabbed her tambourine and madly danced around. It was a great night for me. Expect great things from this concert! Jackie Plessinger
Sheryl was wearing her signature black leather pantsand a 'Stevie' type shirt. Black chiffon that fell down to her hips, withsequins, and wings in the arms. She didn't have an instrument and justsang along with Stevie, much like they did in Central Park. After the songStevie intro-ed Sheryl (like she needed an intro! :)) and said that herand Sheryl's dream was coming true that night. Five years ago they haddreamed that they would go on tour together. Not Stevie opening up forSheryl, or Sheryl opening up for Stevie, but out there on the stagetogether. She also mentioned that Sheryl produced half of TISL and howexcited she was that Sheryl was able to make it. As a final note, she saidthat Sheryl would just be coming on and off stage the rest of the night('she's part of the band tonight') and that she wouldn't be introducingher everytime. Now is the part when my memory starts to fade. I can'tremember if Stevie left the stage and Sheryl went into Favorite Mistake(no instrument this time either, it was kind of neat watching Sheryl upthere just singing, instead of hiding behind her guitar) or Stevie stayedon stage and Sheryl picked up an acoustic guitar and they sung 'Socercer'.About this time, I started to get tears in my eyes. I had gone through alot to get there, and it was such a dream come true for me to not only seeStevie, but Sheryl as well. Again, the following songs may not be in theorder they were played. Sheryl left the stage and Stevie sang 'Plants ofthe Universe'. The stage setup was very much like the album cover forTISL. Directly behind Stevie was the doorway and during this song therewas a video of earth moving in circles. After the song Stevie thankedeveryone again, for being such a great audience. She said that's it'sreally hard to do those songs (the new ones) and she was so happy we wereso appreciative. With that, she went into 'Everyday' and then 'Rhiannon'.Sheryl came out and did 'Everyday is a Winding Road' playing acousticguitar. Stevie walked out and sang along on the chorus. She sounded great!Stevie talked again, and said that she wished that Natalie was there tosing the next song with her, but unfortunatly, she wasn't so Sheryl wasgoing to come out and sing it with her. Of course the song she wasreferring to was 'Too Far From Texas'. Sheryl said she was going to try todo it in her 'best twang'. They did a wonderful job! Stevie then launchedinto 'Stand Back', doing her famous kick at the very end. (btw, she hadall her capes on, Gold for Gold Dust and Black with Gold for Stand Back,white for Edge...etc) Next in line was Bombay Sapphires, another that Iwas surprised to hear. In the backgroud the stage was blue, green, andaqua colors. It looked really cool with the song! Next up was 'Fall FromGrace'. One of my favorites! I really wanted to hear that song the most.Sheryl came out, much like the Blockbuster Awards, and sung with Stevie.Followed were Edge of Seventeen (solos for Carlos on bongos and then Waddyon guitar - did I mention how great it was to have him back? lol), whichshe walked the stage at the end. She mostly shook hands, I really didn'tsee her grabbing too many of the things people were trying to hand to her.At the end of the stage, she stood up, and people were still reaching forher so she held her arms out and wiggled her fingers at them with this bigsmile on her face! Everyone cheered her back onstage and her and Sherylcame out and did 'I Need to Know' with Sheryl having a solo in the secondverse. Sheryl had also changed into white pants and a white (sequin Ithink) sleeveless top. Everyone left then, and Stevie did 'Has Anyone EverWritten Anything For You'. OOOOhhh and like many others I was crying. Thatsong is so powerful. Everyone came back out on stage and got in a line,linking arms and bowed. I don't think Stevie wanted to leave the stage,because she stood out there for a good minute waving at everyone andbowing, while everyone else walked off stage. I was really sad for it tobe over, but very excited and hyped up at the end. Oh, and one of myfavorite moments. I think it was before 'Planets', Stevie had goneoffstage and you could see her come back out (the lights were down) andshe did little tap dance. It was sooo cute! It seemed like it took foreverfor the lighting guys to realize it and got the light on her at the end.Stevie looked SO happy onstage. She was literally bouncing around! I am soglad this new record is doing so well for her. I couldn't be more happy.That is a night I will never, ever forget. I have been through a hell of alot in the last year a half and Stevie has always been there for me, andpulled me through. Somehow. She represents so many things to me. In all mydarkest hours, I did hear her sing. Last night I had so many emotionsrunning through me, I didn't know whether to smile or cry. (I did both).There is this silent understanding with Stevie and her fans. She knowswhat she has done for all of us. I read on the Nicks Fix a few months ago,a review from someone who got to meet Stevie. They couldn't say anything,just cry. And Stevie gave them a hug a said 'I know'. Thank you Stevie,for everything you have done. I know that you know, and I can't tell youhow much you mean to me. Thank you Sheryl, well for everything. You guysjust rocked last night, and you all looked so happy. Oh...here comes thetears :) Krista Zanetti Out came the gold shawl and so did "Gold Dust Woman". Not to mention, Sheryl Crow joined Stevie on stage! It was great. Then of course they sang "Sorcerer" together. Next, Sheryl went solo with "My Favorite Mistake". Then, Stevie sang "Everyday" solo. She then dang the Dance version of "Rhiannon" and it was AMAZING! That is my favorite version of "Rhiannon", so I am a little biased. Stevie then burst into "Stand Back" and the stage lights went crazy!! "Planets of the Universe" was next and then Sheryl sang "Everyday is a Winding Road" with Stevie on backup. I couldn't believe what was next!! Stevie and Sheryl sang "Too Far From Texas", a personal favorite!! Sheryl said she would sing in her best "twang" and she did! I wasn't expecting to hear anymore songs from Trouble in Shangri La, but was pleasantly surprised. The next two songs were new ones too - "Bombay Sapphire" and "Fall From Grace" with Sheryl (of course). Both songs were fabulous!! Then there was a short drum solo. Waddy came out playing his heart out and went straight into "Edge of Seventeen". It was better than ever!! Then they all left stage. Stevie returned to sing "I Need to Know" with Sheryl and then closed the show with the fan favorite "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You?" My mom, sister and two of my friends are seasoned attendees of Stevie Nicks shows and LOVED the show!! As far as my other friend, this was his first brush with Stevie live and I know this will not be his last!! What a great night!! Sue Disbro At 9:15 pm, the beautiful harmonies of Stevie Nicks and her back-up singers seranaded the expectant crowd with a brief version of "Trouble In Shangri-la". The packed ampitheatre rose to their feet (and never sat down again for the rest of the concert), and cheered Ms. Nicks out to the stage. The black back-drop curtains were pulled down, and Stevie Nicks and her band ran onto the stage amid the opening riffs of "Stop Draggin My Heart Around". This was a premonition to come of the high-energy rock 'n roll show ahead! "Pittsburgh is lovely," Stevie told the audience at the end of the song. "I've been here for three days, and I wrote that in my journal last night, so there's proof! Now, we have a lot of surprises in store for you tonight, but we'll talk later..." Stevie was wearing a stunning black, drop-waist dress with a sweetheart neckline and hankerchief hem. "Enchanted" was the next song, followed by "Outside the Rain" and then "Dreams". "This is a very special night, and there will never be another like it," she told us. "It's like your first kiss, the first time you fall in love...the opening night of such a big tour. Thank you so much for coming out." The stage set was beautiful. It looked like a Maxfield Parrish painting come to life, with ionic columns wrapped in ivy, covering the lighting towers, grecian urns on pedestals, ivy drapped over both stage right and left, and black, green, and pink lace hanging from the top of the stage like lacey cobwebs. A faux windowed view of a beautiful cloud scene was illuminated in the backdrop of the stage. Stevie stepped offstage for a moment, and came back on with a gold shawl. Sheryl Crow casually strolled out at the beginning of "Gold Dust Woman" and the crowd roared with recognition. Sheryl had on a top that looked like a black negligee with roses embroidered on it over black leather pants (Sheryl's hair is long again now). The crowd was dancing in the aisles, singing every word, and screaming. Sheryl got her guitar after that song, while Stevie told the audience: "Okay, so this is my friend, Sheryl Crow. You know, we dreamed this dream of playing as a duo five years ago. You know, she produced half of my record, imagine that, two girls? Who would've thought we could do it? Anyhow, she is a member of my band, and I'm not going to introduce her everytime she wanders on and off the stage, so get used to her!" Stevie, Sheryl and the band then launched into a great rendition of "Sorcerer". Stevie took a short break then, while Sheryl serenaded us with "My Favorite Mistake". Stevie came back on and Sheryl and Stevie sang "Every Day". As Stevie said, Sheryl wandered on and off stage for the rest of the evening. Stevie switched shawls to a black shawl for a great version of "Rhiannon". "I'm so excited, I'm shouting!" Stevie told us. She left the stage and quickly came back with a different black shawl, decorated with silver circles. Sheryl slipped offstage and the band started playing "Stand Back" and rocked the hillside, the night sky, and probably all the planets in the universe. Stevie was so wound up and full of energy, she danced and rocked at the edge of the stage, and pointed at the audience to cue us to sing all the "La, la, la, la, la, la, la" parts. "I wrote this in 1970," she said as she introduced "Planets of the Universe". A picture of the earth spinning played on the window backdrop on the stage. After that song, she said "Thank you for letting me do new songs. You are such a wonderful audience, thank you." Someone next to me in the audience observed "She is just so cute, imagine, thanking us!" Yes, Stevie Nicks is a sweetheart! "You know, this really great girl named Natalie from the Dixie Chicks helped me out on this next one, but you know, she's not here tonight, so Sheryl is going to try her best southern twang and help me out with this one..." and they sang "Too Far From Texas." Stevie dashed off stage at the end of the song, returning a moment later with a white shawl, and sang "Bombay Saphire" while multi-colors flashed the set. She then introduced her band (and please forgive me for name mispellings): Piano - Scott Plunkett Percussion - Lenny Castall Drums - Mark Schumann Guitar - Carlos Rios Bass & other guitars - Al Ortiz Guitarist and musical director - Waddy Watchell Singers - Mindy Stein, Sharona Celana "Fall from Grace" was the next song, followed by a drum solo that led into "Edge of Seventeen". Stevie went to the edge of the stage then and greeted all the fans she could, touching hands, smiling, (as security frantically tried to keep up with her!). She left the stage, and the audience called her back. She returned with Sheryl, (Sheryl had changed into butter-colored leather pants and a white, sparkly top) and they performed "I Need To Know". Stevie, Sheryl, and the band left the stage, but returned about five minutes later. Stevie had changed into very sexy dress with a white sparkled bodice adorned with a black butterfly, drop-waist and black skirt, and sang one of the most touching versions of "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?" that I've ever heard...each time she said, "I want you to remember...me" the audience cheered, and she pointed at us and answered "Do it...for yourself..." and the crowd roared again. It was one of the most high-energy, tight, sentimental, artistic, well-received rock shows I have ever attended. Girls can do anything, as well as, and sometimes better, than the boys, and Stevie Nicks proved it. I know that Pittsburgh gave her the best possible start for her tour. I feel so lucky that I was there (10th row, no less) to encourage her to keep on rockin a little, and I wish her love and luck and health and happiness! -Sue Disbro Greensburg, PA by Gypsy
(Cindy D'Adamo) and Ken Everhart.
4:30 PM- So, here we are in Pittsburgh-what a haul! 4 hours of driving from Harrisburg, PA, but I KNOW it'll be worth it!! Am oozing with anticipation...Have to get out my concert garb and oodles of funky jewelry . Am sitting in the lobby of the hotel, waiting for Ken and Steve to get here from Indiana...hope they're not late!! Meanwhile, I meet a fan from Harrisburg, Thom, who tells me of the time he met Stevie at Camden. It seems he was wearing a shirt labeled "STAFF", and was mistaken for a stage hand. So, he got invited backstage after the concert to be greeted by her. When she shook his hand, he thanked her. She asked why, and he told her he had been in the Gulf War, and appreciated the song "Desert Angel". Then, our friends arrived, we got ready, had some dinner,and were off to the show! 8:30 PM- SO HERE WE ARE!!! Section 7, Row R, Seats 11-14. The crowd is a mix from 60-16. Few people seem 'dressed up'. Boz Scaggs plays on the intercom. WE ARE READY!! In front of us were Mikie Ray and her cousin, Joe, dressed head to toe in Stevie gear! Stevie was in FABULOUS form, dressed in black, and be-shawled. About 15 of us stood, dancing and singing, throughout the entire concert. The band, led by Waddy, was excellent, as was Sheryl Crow, who joined the band for the evening. The set went: Stop Draggin' My Heart Around Enchanted (The crowd went WILD!!) Outside The Rain Dreams Gold Dust Woman (Stevie was clad in a golden shawl) Sorcerer Sheryl then did My Favorite Mistake Stevie returned on Every Day Rhiannon (AWESOME lighting here) Stand Back (We were SO dancing!!) Planets Of The Universe (Stevie then thanked the crowd for supporting her new music) Sheryl did Every Day Is A Winding Road Stevie reurned for Too Far From Texas Bombay Sapphire Fall From Grace (Ken's new fave) Edge of Seventeen These were followed by an encore of: I Need To Know and lastly, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, which brought tears to my eyes, as Stevie sang "I want you to remember me..." by the light of a full moon to her loving audience. Then, the concert ended, but the magic remains, eternally frozen in our memory. We love you Stevie. anonymous The TISL chorus opener was great......Before you saw her on stage, her heard her voice singing the chorus from the title track. It was a great way to start the show! She performed Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (w/Waddy), Outside The Rain, Sorcerer, Dreams, Rhiannon, Bombay Saphhires, Planets of The Universe, Too Far From Texas, Stand Back, Edge of Seventeen, I Need To Know, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, Everyday (which she joked after the song.....This is like MTV Unplugged, the real Stevie, and Fall From Grace. Stevie and Sheryl were wonderful together. Each really complimented the other's talent. Thanks for reading my ramblings. Didn't mean to write a book yet say nothing. I just wanted to let someone know that I enjoyed and appreciated the show. I may not be the "ultimate fan", but I am a fan nonetheless. I wish her much success with the rest of her tour, as well as, the album. Thanks again! anonymous So I'm sitting there expecting someone to come out, introduce Stevie, and the first chords of Outside the Rain to blast. Not quite the case here. There was a neat little rendition of Trouble in Shangri-La at the beginning before Stevie actually came out. Then, she opened with Stop Draggin My Heart Around. The set list that followed thereafter, and I am trying to remember the exact order...I may be off a bit, was the following: Enchanted Outside the Rain Dreams Gold Dust Woman Sorcerer My Favorite Mistake (Sheryl Crow song, I think that's what it is called) Every Day Rhiannon Stand Back Too Far From Texas Every Day Is a Winding Road Planets of the Universe Bombay Sapphires Fall from Grace Edge of Seventeen I Need to Know Has Anyone... Stevie's performance was great...the best show I've heard. There was no lull in the energy. In fact, I was shocked when Edge of Seventeen started playing, I was thinking, "Is this Edge of Seventeen already?" I had to hurry to get to the front of the stage, which I did successfully regardless of the chairs that were wired together in front of me (that was the pit section). Stevie came around and shook my hand, and when she got to the end (I was almost at the end) she started to walk back, and she turned and looked at me, and I screamed "I LOVE YOU!" and she turned and smiled. I tried handing her what I brought, three roses: One white, one yellow, and I dyed one green for the Birds of Rhiannon. Also inside the flowers' paper was a sort of mirror with a story printed on it that reminded me so much of the concept of Trouble in Shangri-La that I had to get it for her. I hope she keeps it. I had a con nection to get backstage, I have to add the greatness of Stevie's performance of Planets of the Universe. As I predicted, she completely rocked out to the part near the end that goes "You will never love again...etc." and then when those guitars went off after that, she grabbed her tambourine and madly danced around. It was a great night for me. Expect great things from this concert! April I have to say Stevie shined like a Vibrant flaming star. She is such a wonderful down to earth person. She looked beautiful spinning and twirling like a musical ballerina inside a priceless antique music box. I have been a fan since I was very small. I am not sure what it is about Stevie, whether its her persona or her Aura but I have such a deep connection soulfully to her. When she sings my soul dances her songs are such poetry. So much meaning! I am compelled to say that last nights concert was amazing and the set was gorgeous. Sheryl came out and did a couple of songs along with Stevie including two of her own. They have such an eminent harmonious connection, which comes together as balanced as nature, body and soul. Stevie did however have a little technical difficulty with her microphone, but it never marred the audience's attention which was capivated in her mystical movements. Nobody even seem to notice her mic would occasionally go off. The only thing that would have made the night for me any more poetically soul touching, would have been if I had met her face to face, to shake her hand, have her sign my childhood Stevie Nicks tambourine. A dream I have had since I was a little girl twirling around the house in my mothers fringe shawls and long velvet dresses. She is truly an inspirational woman and she puts on a spectacular show every time. Awesome Show Stevie, as always, a magical experience. anonymous
Jackie
Waddy started right into 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around' and sung Tom Petty's parts in the song. It was great seeing Waddy up there with Stevie again! He sounded great! I was a bit surprised that Stevie didn't start out with her usual 'Outside the Rain/Dreams'. Never disappointed though! Right after Stop Draggin' they went into 'Enchanted'. Stevie talked to the crowd and said that she was happy to be there and that this was going to be a special show because it is her first on the tour. Much like your first record, first baby, etc. She said she had been in Pitt for three days and wrote in her journal 'last night' that she loved the town. She then said that she had a lot of surprises in store for everyone and that we would see them as the show went on. 'Outside the Rain and Dreams' played and then the lights went out...and 'Gold Dust Women' started. I thought for sure Sheryl was gonna be there when the lights came up but I didn't see her. However, right before the chorus started Sheryl came strollin' out, dancing and twirling along with Stevie. Sheryl was wearing her signature black leather pants and a 'Stevie' type shirt. Black chiffon that fell down to her hips, with sequins, and wings in the arms. She didn't have an instrument and just sang along with Stevie, much like they did in Central Park. After the song Stevie intro-ed Sheryl (like she needed an intro! :)) and said that her and Sheryl's dream was coming true that night. Five years ago they had dreamed that they would go on tour together. Not Stevie opening up for Sheryl, or Sheryl opening up for Stevie, but out there on the stage together. She also mentioned that Sheryl produced half of TISL and how excited she was that Sheryl was able to make it. As a final note, she said that Sheryl would just be coming on and off stage the rest of the night ('she's part of the band tonight') and that she wouldn't be introducing her everytime. Now is the part when my memory starts to fade. I can't remember if Stevie left the stage and Sheryl went into Favorite Mistake (no instrument this time either, it was kind of neat watching Sheryl up there just singing, instead of hiding behind her guitar) or Stevie stayed on stage and Sheryl picked up an acoustic guitar and they sung 'Socercer'. About this time, I started to get tears in my eyes. I had gone through a lot to get there, and it was such a dream come true for me to not only see Stevie, but Sheryl as well. Again, the following songs may not be in the order they were played. Sheryl left the stage and Stevie sang 'Plants of the Universe'. The stage setup was very much like the album cover for TISL. Directly behind Stevie was the doorway and during this song there was a video of earth moving in circles. After the song Stevie thanked everyone again, for being such a great audience. She said that's it's really hard to do those songs (the new ones) and she was so happy we were so appreciative. With that, she went into 'Everyday' and then 'Rhiannon'. Sheryl came out and did 'Everyday is a Winding Road' playing acoustic guitar. Stevie walked out and sang along on the chorus. She sounded great! Stevie talked again, and said that she wished that Natalie was there to sing the next song with her, but unfortunatly, she wasn't so Sheryl was going to come out and sing it with her. Of course the song she was referring to was 'Too Far From Texas'. Sheryl said she was going to try to do it in her 'best twang'. They did a wonderful job! Stevie then launched into 'Stand Back', doing her famous kick at the very end. (btw, she had all her capes on, Gold for Gold Dust and Black with Gold for Stand Back, white for Edge...etc) Next in line was Bombay Sapphires, another that I was surprised to hear. In the backgroud the stage was blue, green, and aqua colors. It looked really cool with the song! Next up was 'Fall From Grace'. One of my favorites! I really wanted to hear that song the most. Sheryl came out, much like the Blockbuster Awards, and sung with Stevie. Followed were Edge of Seventeen (solos for Carlos on bongos and then Waddy on guitar - did I mention how great it was to have him back? lol), which she walked the stage at the end. She mostly shook hands, I really didn't see her grabbing too many of the things people were trying to hand to her. At the end of the stage, she stood up, and people were still reaching for her so she held her arms out and wiggled her fingers at them with this big smile on her face! Everyone cheered her back onstage and her and Sheryl came out and did 'I Need to Know' with Sheryl having a solo in the second verse. Sheryl had also changed into white pants and a white (sequin I think) sleeveless top. Everyone left then, and Stevie did 'Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You'. OOOOhhh and like many others I was crying. That song is so powerful. Everyone came back out on stage and got in a line, linking arms and bowed. I don't think Stevie wanted to leave the stage, because she stood out there for a good minute waving at everyone and bowing, while everyone else walked off stage. I was really sad for it to be over, but very excited and hyped up at the end. Oh, and one of my favorite moments. I think it was before 'Planets', Stevie had gone offstage and you could see her come back out (the lights were down) and she did little tap dance. It was sooo cute! It seemed like it took forever for the lighting guys to realize it and got the light on her at the end. Stevie looked SO happy onstage. She was literally bouncing around! I am so glad this new record is doing so well for her. I couldn't be more happy. That is a night I will never, ever forget. I have been through a hell of a lot in the last year a half and Stevie has always been there for me, and pulled me through. Somehow. She represents so many things to me. In all my darkest hours, I did hear her sing. Last night I had so many emotions running through me, I didn't know whether to smile or cry. (I did both). There is this silent understanding with Stevie and her fans. She knows what she has done for all of us. I read on the Nicks Fix a few months ago, a review from someone who got to meet Stevie. They couldn't say anything, just cry. And Stevie gave them a hug a said 'I know'. Thank you Stevie, for everything you have done. I know that you know, and I can't tell you how much you mean to me. Thank you Sheryl, well for everything. You guys just rocked last night, and you all looked so happy. Oh...here comes the tears :) Laurie
There were many surprises in the show, with the most welcome being a collaboration with Sheryl Crow. This collaboration was incredible! I have loved Sheryl since "All I Wanna Do" but I have a new love for her after last night's show. They really compliment each other's wonderful gift. I feel incredibly lucky to have been at one of the 7 shows where Sheryl joins Stevie. Another welcome surprise, Waddy. One word, awesome! This show proved, like all the others, to be a wonderful roller coaster ride of emotions. I laughed, screamed with excitement, danced and cried. Has Anyone... always gets me. It is truly the national anthem of any Stevie fan that has ever been pulled from the depths of their darkest hour by her music. I found myself wanting more, when the lights went up and the crew began tearing down the set. As I walked to the car, I thought to myself "I have to see her again!" and began figuring out which tour stop I could go to. When I think of this concert so many words come to mind with none of them doing her performance justice. The word that can even begin to describe Stevie is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Thank you Stevie for your music. You have touched us all, in one way or another, with your lyrics. We are truly blessed by your presence in the music world! I hope you are able to "Rock A Little" for many years to come! Cheryl F.
K. Jacobson
anonymous
We pulled into the VIP lot at about 5:30, and started to look for Lori's car for the Ledgie tailgate party. We were actually not far from them at all, when my dad noticed the LEDGIE sign Lori had on her car. So I walk up, and the first Ledgies I meet are Regi, and Lori, along with Lori's husband Mike. We started talking...then heard Stevie! She was doing a soundcheck, and sang "Planets of the Universe"! It was great! She sounded amazing! We listened the whole time for the extra lyrics, but they weren't there. Then more and more Ledgies started showing up. Besides Regi and Lori, I met Kiki, Rumours, Shadow, Torri, Keith, Karen Howells, laurarox...God I think that's it. I REALLY hope I didn't forget any of you!!! We all had sandwiches that Lori made (and were very good, too, Lori!), and talked about Stevie. At about 7, my friend Amanda and I made our way in. The first thing we did was head to buy t-shirts. They had, I think about 5-6 different designs: a pink one and a white one with the album cover, a black one with the picture from the CD with Stevie by herself, arms stretching out, a red one with Sarah M's dragon "S" on the back, and a black one with the picture of Stevie sitting against the wall. On the front of that one, I think there was a pocket, and it said "I am something of a dreamer". There was also a brown long sleeve shirt and a few smaller girl T-shirts. THey also had ball caps, keychains, buttons, postcards, and tourbooks. On the cover of the tour book is the picture used for the cover of the Planets single. The back has that lithograph picture of Stevie! Inside are pictures of everybody in the band, and a lot from rehersals. There's even a whole page devoted to the Nicks Fix, talking about its history and it has a picture of the entire Nicks Fix crew! I haven't had much time to look at the book yet, though. When we made it to our seats, Jeffrey Gaines started a little later. He was OK...I mean, he was a very talented guy, and like Lori said, it does take a lot for him to get up there with just a guitar and play. But I just thought it was kind of boring. Oh well... Then, a little after nine, the house lights went down, and everyone got on their feet (well, everybody EXCEPT the people behind us!). A black curtain dropped revealing the BEAUTIFUL set. At the back of the stage, was a HUGE arc, just like the cover of the CD. A screen behind the arc had a blue sky w/clouds and some of the ocean. To the left and right side of the stage were pillars with giant pots of flowers on top. There were also some statues. One right behind Sharon and Mindy looked like the statue on the cover of the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" book. Then, closer to the front of the stage, were two more GIANT pillars, covered with fake purple flowers. The flowers were all across the top of the set, too. Definitely better than the Enchanted fan! Right before she came out, when the house lights went down, you could hear her sing "I hear there's trouble in Shangri-La...I run through the grass, I run over the stones, down to the sea, show me the way back, honey"...that part kept repeating, with some variations and overlapping parts. It was a recorded version, but it was VERY cool! Stevie came out, looking GREAT! She was wearing that same dress (sorry to tell ya'll that!) and she was also wearing the platform Reeboks like she had on Rosie. The dress actually seemed kinda short, I thought, going just a little past her knees. (I may not have this order totally correct! Me, Shadow, Lori, and laurarox all stuck around Lori's car after the show trying to figure out the order, while Shadow and I wrote it down!) She opened with "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" which TOTALLY surprised me! I had a feeling they would do it, but as an opener?? Great to finally hear something new!! Waddy sang Tom's part, and it sounded great. Then Stevie talked to us a little. She said that she wasn't going to talk to us very much tonight, but wanted to tell us that she had spent several days in Pittsburgh and had written some poetry here, and she said she is starting to realize how nice of a place it is here...come on, then, Stevie...move here! She also said that the opening show is very special, because first's are always special, like a first kiss, first child, first love. Next was "Enchanted", which again, was a surprise. It sounded good too, but not too different from the Enchanted tour. After Enchanted came the usual opener, Outside the Rain, which of course, mixed into Dreams. She sounded great on Dreams, I thought, hitting a lot of the high notes. Gold Dust Woman. She changed into her GDW shawl for this one, which I think was a new shawl...it was still gold, but I think it was longer in the front. I know before the show, I was kinda hoping she wouldn't do this one, but I was VERY glad she did! Sheryl came out during this song and sang backup. She was dancing the whole time, and you could tell she was having a GREAT time! With Sheryl already on stage, Stevie talked about meeting Sheryal 5 years ago, and how they had always wanted to tour together. But they never wanted it to be "Sheryl opengin for Stevie" or vice versa, but rather touring as a little duo. She said that Sheryl is a part of the band now, tonight, so I'm not going to announce her every time she comes out. She knows what to do! So next they did Sorcerer, which I thought started off kinda slow, but REALLY picked up! A BIG disappointment, though, was that Stevie didn't sing the "misery-ayeeah" part HIGH like she does on the CD/demo. Instead, she took it down. But it didn't take away from the song at all, though, but I would have loved to have heard her do it the other way. Stevie left and so did Sharon leaving Sheryl to do My Favorite Mistake with Mindy on back up. Stevie came back out, and did Every Day, which sounded BEAUTIFUL! Even though she didn't write it, this song is pure Stevie. During the little violin part, Stevie played "air-violin". And after "it cures the silence", when the music kind of builds up and holds there going into the chorus, the hold was very long, and the audience went nuts...then she broke back into the chorus. I think Rhiannon was next, with a cool piano intro. This is another that sounded pretty much the same as Enchanted. Stand Back. No wonder this is Stevie's favorite song to do live. You could definitely tell just by watching her! She was having a blast, constantly dancing! And I MISSED the kick at the end, but everybody said it was there. Damn myself for moving too much and missing the kick!!! Then Stevie talked about the next song, that she and Sheryl produced, and with Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks singing. She said as much as they would have loved for Natalie to be there to sing it, she couldn't be, so Sheryl would try her best to sing like Natalie. Stevie said "She's even gonna give herself a little southern accent", which Stevie herself said in a southern accent. So Too Far From Texas was next. And we think that Stevie flubbed a line or two, but I didn't catch it, so I'll have somebody else who did explain it. Then Stevie left again, and Sheryl did Every Day is a Winding Road. We thought Stevie would stay off for the whole song, but she came back to sing back up on the chorus liek she did at the AHI show. Next was Planets of the Universe. The COOLEST thing about this song was the way the set changed. Under the arc, a HUGE planet Earth showed up, rotating throughout the whole song. This song sounded AMAZING live...I am so glad she did it. It would have been even better to hear the extra lyrics, but hey...beggars can't be choosy! The biggest surprise, for me, was to hear her do Bombay Sapphires. I wasn't expecting it at all! It sounded to me like she re-arranged some of the lines a little. I don't think she sang the chorus as much. Right after "...to the call, of the wild", she went into "It's like....purple haze". But again, the song was GREAT to hear! And the set looked great during this...blue/green...aqua-marine! Fall From Grace came next. Wow. That's it...wow. Sharon and Mindy left for this one, and Sheryl sang back-up. Wow. This song was a KILLER!! I remember her repeating the last line over a few times, but I can't remember which one. It was one of the "Maybe.....blah blahs". Sounded great! Stevie left the stage again, and so did everybody else but Lenny Castro and the drummer. They did their drum thing, letting us all know that Edge was next. Their solo wasn't as long as Enchanted, which I thought was a goof thing. Then Waddy started playing, and adding so many new twists on it...it was unbelievable. But during the part where Sharon usually goes to Stevie's mic to sing the "Well I hear you..." part, she didn't. Both her a Mindy sang it from their own mics. Sharon DID sing the "Well I'm a few years older than you part" by hersef, though. She shook hands with the first few rows, like always. Then when it was over, she thanked us, like we actually thought it was done. She came back out for the encores and did I Need To Know and Sheryl sang the second verse. Last of course, was HAEWAFY. I seriously think this was the best live performance of this song I have ever heard. She sang it in a much higher register than she has been lately...so it sounded EXACTLY like the album version! At one point, she turned around and put her hands to her face, so she was becoming pretty emotional. So that was the show. DAMN! I forgot where band intros were! Oh well...here's who played: Lead guitar/musical director-Waddy Wachtel Rhythm Guitar-Carlos Rios Bass-Al Ortiz, who Stevie said played on ALL her TISL demos Piano-Scott Plunkett Keyboards/guitar-Brett Tuggle Drums-Mark Schulam, who was "the only person I haven't known for, like 100 years"...he was REALLY good...and looked exactly like Andy Dick, I think. Percussion-Lenny Castro Vocals-"Sharona" Sharon Celani, Mindy Stein A few other comments: You could definitely tell Stevie was haing fun. At one point, between songs, she just started dancing in the dark, with no music. She was kicking her legs around, waving her arms. Then the spot hit her, and she kept on dancing. She was definitely having a blast. I was VERY surprised that of all her usual songs, Landslide was the one to get dropped. I was also very disappointed to not hear It's Only Love. Well thats my LONG review! I had no idea it would be that long!!!!! And to leave you on a 'mysterious' note....there were THREE cameras set up. One in the middle, one left, and one right. So what could they have been filming?? STEVIE ROCKED!!!!!
by Heidi
Sharon and Mindi were great, and absolutely gorgeous. They both sang background wonderfully, I love hearing their voices mesh with Stevie's they sound so enchanting!!!!! I am just as excited to see them as I am to see Stevie it really wouldn't be the same without them-even without Lori Perry one can feel the absence... Planets of the Universe sent chills through me as the back ground melted into blue with planets of light, the best part was the end when she ended singing to us "poet...priest of nothing"....she backs away from the mic. outstretching her arms behind her and the crowd screams in awe... When they say she sings her lyrics like a love song to us she defines the meaning of love and devotion to her fans through this concert most certainly! I will never forget this night and I can't wait to see her again on Tuesday in Chicago!! love you Stevie, don't ever stop the magic of words!! Lissa Friday, July 6th, 2001 was a picture perfect day in the Pittsburgh area and made for a perfect summer night... Stevie's opening act, Jeffrey Gaines took the stage about 8:10 p.m. He was surrounded by black drapes that would obviously open to a grander and spectacular stage set. He sang and played guitar...The sun was going down and everyone was anxious to see Stevie. It was pretty dark by 9:10 p.m. and the FULL MOON hung like a stage prop in the sky... The black drapery came down and the harmonies started, "I hear there's Trouble in Shangri-La. I run through the grass, I run over the stones, down to the sea, show me the way back honey. I hear there's Trouble in Shangri-La....Trouble in Shangri-La... Show me the way back." The stage lights came up, the band was in place and out comes Stevie. Surprisingly, the show kicks off with "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around". Waddy Wachtel is on guitar and sings vocal with her. Next they roll into "Enchanted". Everyone was on their feet singing and dancing. The whole place had so much energy it was incredible. Stevie welcomed everyone, thanked everyone for joining her and went on to say how special the first show of a tour is...She repeated with alot of excitement "this is the first show!" She also said that through out the evening there would be some surprises in store..She said I won't tell you now...I'll tell you more about that later. She went on to say how she had been in Pittsburgh for the past 3 days and she wrote in her journal the night before, "I'm liking Pittsburgh." For me, that had kind of answered a question because earlier in the day I had wondered if she was just arriving in Pittsburgh like I was for the show or had she been there like the night before. It was just interesting to learn that she had already been there for 3 days. The stage design/backdrop was a replica of the cover of Trouble in Shagri-La with the arched doorway..the ivy, greenery, flowers. There was a huge vase w ith an arrangement. The dragon "S" logo by Sarah McLachlan lit up in lights periodically. The whole setting was amazing and of course Stevie was in her finest form. She looked so radiant, happy and beautiful. She wore her trademark black dress of chiffon, frills and sequins. She sported her new look of platform, black sneakers. It was great! Next came the traditional show openers of "Outside the rain/Dreams" and then she ran backstage for the gold shawl and returned with "Gold Dust Woman" and her guest Sheryl Crow. You could see they were having so much fun together and that only added to the high energy already there. Sheryl sang, danced and twirled around like Stevie. She was wearing black leather pants and a beautiful black shirt that had high slits on both sides and very colorful sequins or rhinestones. Stevie introduced Sheryl and said that she would be on and off stage through out the evening and therefore would not get introduced each time. She said we should just consider her a part of the band for the evening. She also went on to explain that the show wasn't "Sheryl opening for Stevie" and they weren't going to do shows of Stevie opening for Sheryl, but rather they had the "Stevie & Sheryl" show! Stevie had left the stage and when she returned she walked up to the microphone and instead of singing, she did this little dance step thing...Everyone cheered. She was laughing. From "Trouble In Shangri-La" she performed, "Everyday", "Sorcerer", "Too Far From Texas" (Sheryl did this duet with her and Stevie talked about how Natalie Maines couldn't be there that evening), "Planets of the Universe", "Bombay Sapphires", and "Fall from Grace". She was very gracious and thankful toward the audience and said "thank you" after most songs. We all know how Stevie runs backstage for outfit changes, etc, Well instead of just her band playing along while she is gone, we had the special treat of Sheryl performing some of her hit songs, "Favorite Mistake" and "Everyday is a winding road"....For the latter, Stevie joined Sheryl back onstage and sang "Everyday is a winding road, everyday is a faded sign...I get a little bit closer to feeling fine." with her. Of course, Stevie introduced her band and she makes it special for each individual band member by saying a little something about that particular person. Stevie did an incredible performance each of "Stand Back", "Rhiannon" and "Edge of Seventeen". Anybody passing through the area around the pavilion heard "Edge of Seventeen" from beginning to end loud and clear because every person in the whole place belted it out right along with Stevie from start to finish. "Ooh! Baby! Ooh! Said Ooh!" It was just the best. At the end of it, Stevie made her pass along the front row with a body guard and shook hands with as many people as she could. She did not seem to be personally taking the roses, flowers, cards and gifts that people were offering her. She exited the stage and returned for an encore with Tom Petty's " I need to know". She had difficulty with her microphone and removed an ear piece that was probably giving her feedback. As a result she missed the second verse, backed up from the mirophone, shook her head. It was Sheryl to the rescue and she took over lead vocal. This happened a couple of times during this song. Her last encore was "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You". It was very emotional because it is a very moving song and because we all new it would be the last song of the show! Not many people sang along because we were all just so intense on hanging on every last word. When it was over, she thanked everyone, the band joined her onstage. Sheryl had changed into an all white pant outfit. The top was sleeveless and all sequins. They took their bows and the lights when up. I've seen many of her shows during the different tours including Fleetwood Mac and this was the best show I've seen to date. Around midnight we saw her white, stretch limo exit the Pavilion grounds by police escort. It really seemed like it had just started and then it was all over. So, she's headed for Michigan and as I send this review out to you, she is probably rocking their world by now! Jim Barton
I'm not going to share the set list (and true Stevie fans will enjoy the surprises) or the fashion report (many others will be happy to provide that info) or the set details (it's very well designed, just perfect for this show). Just felt I needed to let anyone who would read this, that I just saw THE best Stevie Nicks performance I have ever seen. 14 concerts (in various cities) not missing a tour since I first saw her on the Wild Heart Tour (I was 12 and that was my first concert ever) this was hands down the best show, the best set, and the happiest I have ever seen her on stage. Opening night was not without it's expected quirks and technicalities, but Miss Nicks was just breathtaking despite the those tiny problems. The legend took command of the stage and never let down. As strong as Sheryl Crow is as a performer, she was dwarfed by Stevie's performance. There isn't a woman out there in Rock that can out-perform what I saw last evening. I had the opportunity to fly home to Pittsburgh from Atlanta to see this show and it was awesome. I wouldn't miss a Stevie concert in Pittsburgh for the world. This was a spectacular beginning to what I hope, for Stevie, to be an incredibly successful tour. If you don't have tickets to your city's show yet, run, don't walk, and buy them now, you will definitely get your moneys worth. Thanks Stevie, for all the words and the magic you provide us all...you are a gracious legend...
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Now,
I don't know if anyone in the past has saw a Stevie tambourine, with her Bella
Donna pose made by Johanna Pieterman on the Nicksfix. Well, that tambourine was
mine....the first one of it's kind made actually! :o) I had longed plan to take
it to her concert and have Stevie sign it....but I really had no idea how to,
unless I got backstage. But, never the less, I took the tambourine with me, hoping
for the best. A friend of mine, Lisa, and I waited out front of the VIP door to
the VIP tents. My friend, being more outgoing then I, ran up to everyone walking
through those doors, asking if somehow they could get Stevie to sign my tamb.
We had no such luck until I looked to the door and Stevie's awesome percussionist,
Lenny Castro, came walking out wearing a Enchanted Tour T-shirt! I said, "
Oh My God, that's Lenny Castro!" Sure enough, Lisa runs over to him, talks
to him a few moments and he comes over to us. I explain to him about the tambourine
and how I would love Stevie to sign it. He said, " Stevie really doesn't
like to be disturbed before the show." Seeing the disappointment in my eyes,
he then says, " How about this, I'll take it back to her, she may sign it
before or after the show. But either way, I will get it back to you signed!"
I almost flipped out! I was shaking.... I said thank you so much and continued
to chat with him. He asked me where I got the tambourine, and me not knowing what
he was talking about said, Johanna.... he was like, " no, I mean, the TAMBOURINE,
I'm a percussionist and this is a great tambourine!" LOL he was such a great
guy...so, he took the tambourine and I went back to my seat. Oh yeah, I also saw
Waddy stick he head out the VIP door!!!! Still looks the same! more reviews coming......
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