Love Always and Forever.......

We were there just in time to watch Boz do his last song. The crowd loved him; they were standing during his songs and he came out for an encore. Between Boz and Stevie, we met this lady sitting next to us and agreed that we would try to move into better seats. I also told her that we would be allowed to go up to the stage for Edge of Seventeen. Security here was pretty light (although they did take my camera away :( ). People were at the stage even before Whole Lot A Trouble started. As soon as twisted ended (cool effects for this song, by the way), the three of us held hands and just weaved in and out of the crowd and we actually got to about the third row of people from the stage before security stopped us. Some other people had watched us sneak up and decided to follow us since we were doing so well. I wish they hadn't taken my camera away, though, because I was getting some VERY good pictures. And also, there were a lot of cameras going off in the front center section and security didn't do anything about those people.

Back to the songs: I LOVED Rhiannon! It had a long intro and a drawn out ending similar to the way she did it in 75, "Silly dreamer, you can't leave her, why don't you take me to the sky?" It was awesome. Stand Back was pretty cool too, except sound here at Atlanta isn't all that great, and you could always pick out the different melodies in the songs. Edge of Seventeen ROCKED!! During this song we were right up at the stage next to one of the speakers. The music was so loud that we could hardly hear Stevie. Even worse, she added new verses to the ending of the song, and from what I could hear it sounded really cool, but I could make out what she was saying. At the end of the song, she was very active. She would lean the microphone waaaay back and scream into it. She did go across the stage to shake hands this time. She got over to where I was, and even though I wasn't the first row of people, I was tall enough to get my hand over and I shook hands with her. I was going to ask her to play Sara, but I forgot to during the hand shake. After she left, she came out for the encore and played I Need To Know. I have never heard this song before, but it was awesome! I loved it. Then she did Has Anyone... I really liked how she ad libbed near the end and said, "And when they ask her about the men in her life..." The crowd loved this. When she said, "And they do ask her..." the lady that we snuck up with was screaming, "Yes they do, Stevie!" It was so cool.

I was somewhat surprised at the number of empty seats. There were always a few seats around us that were empty for people who went to get beer, etc. But some of the reserved seats never filled up. However, the lawn was PACKED. This concert was a near sell-out. I would guess that there were AT LEAST ten thousand people there, and probably more like 15 or 16 thousand. Most of the reserved seats were occupied, and the lawn was filled with people all the way back to the edge. Also, there was a lot of pot flying around here, too. I had never known what it smelled like before, but it was obvious. Don't know why anyone would want to do it, the smell almost made me throw up. Plus, I had a lot more fun sober than I think I would have if I was high. I think that if Stevie can stay sober during this tour, than the fans should at least try to also.

Well, that's it for my lengthy review. I plan to see Stevie again some time, although not on this tour. I really hope that I can see Fleetwood Mac sometime too, because I missed them at Atlanta last year. Oh, well. If you don't have tickets, get them. This is a tour that you absolutely do not want to miss.

"I read from the dictionary: the word 'enchanted' to cast a spell over, to charm greatly, to delight, to enchant, entice, allure, to be brought to the point of tears. Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Stevie Nicks!" -- Chris Nicks introducing his sister to the ecstatic crowd at Atlanta's Lakewood Amphitheater.

But let me begin at the beginning...

We arrived at the Amphitheater promptly at 6:30 p.m. I wanted to ensure that I would have time to purchase a few mementos and check out the ladies room prior to Boz taking the stage. Once we had secured our tourbooks, pins, and postcards, we ventured down to our seats. We were in the seventeenth row, and I was surprised at how close we were.

It was hot (upper nineties), but it just didn't matter. :) (Stupid grin which remained on my face the whole night). I was really impressed with Boz Scaggs. I didn't expect to recognize so many of his songs. The crowd really responded to him after the first couple of songs. I understand now why Stevie says his music is "sexy".

Brief intermission...we watched the roadies set up the stage for Stevie. We had to scan the crowd to see what type of audience Stevie had drawn. To our surprise, many women had dressed in full Stevie regalia. I can only imagine how hot and itchy that chiffon and velvet must have been. Then the lights dimmed...the crowd roared...out comes the Gypsy herself.

Outside the Rain/Dreams -- Finally, OUR concert had really begun! And she sounds absolutely wonderful. She simply can't be fifty!

"Welcome! We are so pleased to be here. We are so pleased to be here with you Atlanta. I would like to tell you a little bit about my show tonight because it's probably different than any show I, I absolutely have ever done. And probably will ever do again after this because this is to back up a box set which is, like, all my songs which I have sung before. So, I am taking the opportunity, first of all, to actually talk to my audience for a change. It isn't that I didn't always want to...and tell you a little about what I'm feeling. So, if you hear a song that, uh, that you don't recognize you were just sleeping, you blinked, and there was, like, there is something new for you. So bear with me and thank you so much for coming." -- Stevie greeting her adoring Atlanta fans

Enchanted -- One of my favorites this tour. It sounded wonderful! Everyone was on their feet singing with her.

Gold Dust Woman -- Out came her beautiful golden shawl. The crowd definitely recognized this song. (Yes, blackcat, she did wail! And spider fingers and twirls, too!)

Gold and Braid -- MY song! It sounds every bit as energetic as it does on the In Concert video.

"So the next song is really special to me because it was written by my favorite songwriter and by now you probably know that that's Tom Petty...and we call this song an argument on stage"

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around -- O.k., so I got a little bit distracted on this song. But, I do know that I had adjusted enough to the fact that I was AT my concert to realize that Stevie has a really great band.

"As I told you at the beginning of this show, this will be different because I am, I am going to kind of share with you all of the things on my box set of my work...So, let's kick back on all of these songs, three songs that I have written about Hollywood and leaving Hollywood...Lindsey and I...and...figuring out what we wanted to do and it made me mad. I really don't know how I can have more fun...I love to sing...I love to sing more than anything else that I have ever done...I wrote this song, it's called After the Glitter Fades." -- Stevie

The acoustic set -- The audience sits for the first (and only) time to fully enjoy these songs. I had a chance to take in the elegant set and lighting. I love how she had her band sit around her in a semi-circle...quite affecting.

"For the second time tonight, I am going to tell you something. I can tell you some things, right?...Well, the day that Lindsey and I went to have the Buckingham Nicks cover taken...in Hollywood, and it occurred to me that maybe movie stars Marilyn Monroe and Greta Garbo and...might feel like on that day...so when I got home from that photo session, I wrote this song. It's called Garbo."

"Alright, so the very last, last part of my little trilogy here, I wrote when I was seventeen years old. And I knew something was coming, but I wasn't exactly sure what it was. I knew things would be great, and I knew that I would have to give up a lot of things. I knew that nobody would ever promise me a rose garden. ...so, I wrote a song, and it's called You Never Promised Me a Rose Garden." (She didn't call it 'Rose Garden'.)

During this set, Stevie proved once again what a consummate performer she is. I never liked the melodies to Garbo or Rose Garden, but tonight she gave me a new perspective on these songs.

Sleeping Angel -- Another one of my favorites, and Stevie sang it well. She was obviously enjoying herself.

"Thank you so much. And, this is the end of the acoustic part, so I'll be right back."

Stand Back -- She wasn't kidding! This song did, does and always will rock. The lights flared, the guitar swelled, everyone was back on their feet, and this time they were dancing with abandon. Stevie was dancing with us. She even did one of her high kicks! She gave her all at the end. "Why don't you taaaaaaaaaaaake me home!"

Rhiannon -- Each time I hear this song, I am affected differently. I can't explain it, but surely I don't need to explain it to any of you. "And you still cry out for her, after all these years. Don't leave me, don't leave me now."

Band Introductions -- "I never thought, you know, when I wrote Rhiannon, and I think I wrote Rhiannon up in, like, Colorado somewhere in 1973. I never really thought about the fact that I would be singing that song for the rest of my life basically. I would like to introduce you to my band because a girl cannot go on the road without a band. So, to my far right, a good friend of mine from Phoenix, Arizona, on keyboards Mr. Kevin Stoller. Right next to Kevin on the right, we have somebody who has been playing music for me for a long time, and who only when he wasn't there did I realize how much I really missed him. So, my bass player, Mr. Don Boyette. Right behind me, uh, one of the first things that Mick Fleetwood ever said to me was that you need to get a really good drummer. So, I did, Mr. Land Richards. We've got a bass drummer that's also been with me for a long time, and he plays extraordinary percussion, Mr. Lenny Castro. Right next to Lenny, over here somebody who went on the Fleetwood Mac tour with me so when we got together we said you have got to play, on keyboards, Mr. Brett Tuggle. Over here, uh, the ladies that make this fun for me because I already told you once that singing is my favorite part of this, so my two favorite girl singers. On my far left, the beautiful blonde, Miss Mindy Stein. And next to Mindy is somebody who has been working with me since, like, the very end of the seventies. I met Sharon in Hawaii. And she is my Sharona, Miss Sharon Celani. Right next to me, you already met him on vocals one time, on lead guitar and vocals, Mr. Frank Simes. Right over here, someone who has been playing music with me for a long time also, and, uh, who I have to tell you cause it's very important you know that he stuck with me even in the bad times. I love this man. My lead...and guitar player, Mr. Carlos Rios. That's the band. Thank you."

Whole Lotta Trouble -- How can people sit through this song? It was awe-inspiring. The best part of this song was when I saw the couple sitting next to us slip down toward the front. I knew it was my chance. I followed them down to the front. STEEEEVIEEE! So this is the view from the first few rows? I thought I had great seats, but this is the best!

"So, this next song is a song that we, uh, like to dedicate to our fans, and I can't tell where to start. So, Frank find somebody...So, we would like to dedicate this song to Brittany. And it's called Landslide and it's for her."

Landslide -- No Lindsey, but it's Landslide! Some of the best lyrics written by Ms. Nicks. Everyone sang with her. When she said 'I'm getting older, too' the crowd roared, and the lady smiled.

Twisted -- I didn't recognize the intro. I really like the arrangement she is using for her tour. "I think we are the demons...crazy men and crazier women, ooh, they are crying out for love. You'd like to save me, ooh, but you just can't give it up."

Edge of Seventeen -- This is the best song! At this point, I was pushed up even closer than I had been before. When Stevie came around to our side of the stage, I was just about carried to the front. I didn't even try to shake her hand. It was enough just being that close to her and being able to smile at her when she glanced at me. She was radiant. I never thought I would be so close to her! This is a dream, right?

I Need to Know -- This song is too short, and I know the evening is coming to an end. Bittersweet.

Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You? -- I know you did, Stevie. And, no, we won't forget you. She sang the 'poets, priests of nothing, but they are legends' part three times. She is a legend.

Stevie Nicks personified the word 'Enchanted' tonight. Her spell has remained unbroken.

P. S. Hope to see you all soon. Special thanks to the Nicks Fix for doing such a fantastic job.

OUTSIDE THE RAIN/DREAMS- Wonderful!! they sound really good together. I liked it :)

AFTER THE GLITTER FADES/GARBO/ROSE GARDEN: Excellent! I really liked her little "acoustic set/ Hollywood trilogy," as she calls it.

RHIANNON: Really cool. I liked it. It was somewhat similar to The Dance last year, but it had its own uniquness. It was really good. this song, Dreams, and Edge of 17 my mom, Nan, and heather were singing along with Stevie!

LANDSLIDE: Really good. Stevie let Frank Simes, her guitar player, pick someone to dedicate it to. He was really good, but no one does it better than LB.:)

STAND BACK: i love this song!! She went backstage, and the intro really didn't give it away, and I was so excited when she came out in the Stand Back cape and It was great. It sounded really good, similar to the Leno Performance.

GOLD DUST WOMAN: I was so excited when she came out with the Gold Dust Woman Shawl on! It was sooooo beautiful. Even though it is older than me, You could still see it sparkel from the lawn. Of course, this is a their generation song, so my family was singing along to this one, too.

TWISTED: This is my absoloute favorite song. I thought she did this in the "acoustic' set, and i was really dissapointed, but then after Landslide she went backstage and changed clothes,(this black long spaghetti strap dress and a silver long jacket--it was really pretty) and the band started playing and I didn't know what song it was until she started singing. I was so excited. It was great. A little different from the demo and what I've ;heard of the duet from Twister, but I really liked it.

EDGE OF SEVENTEEN: My sister was so happy when she sang this song. She had told me her fav. Stevie song was Edge and I didn't tell her she was going to do it. After the end of this song of course she went to the front row and accepted gifts and flowers, and then she went back to her microphone and told us she loved us and that we should all do this again soon.

Then it was time for encores. I liked INeed to Know and Has Anyone Ever Written was great!! it was even better than Letterman.

the evening came to a close and I was sad because i knew the next day I had to go home and go back to work and come down from my Stevie High (Oh, by the way there was so much pot in the air I thought I was going to get high!), but it was a wonder ful 1st Stevie?FM experience.

Peace and Love to all, Lindsay

***Thank you for this wonderful web site and for the e-mail Hot News you send...Keep up the good work Mr. Kinney and your staff...And to the Fans that contribute so greatly, Thank you for your participation.

The crew quickly got stage ready for Stevie after Boz finished. The lights went out, but you could still see clearly as the sun was not completely down. The band came out, and Christopher Nicks was milling about with the dictionary in his hand chatting with band members. Then very unceremoniously he started reading the definition of the word "enchanted" into the center mic. "Ladies and gentlemen, Stevie Nicks!!!". Out she came, and we were all swept away.

Everything you have heard about the show is true. Ohmigod, she talks!!! She was very animated while singing and talking, and although I didn't think she spoke with us that much, it was much, much more that we have ever heard from her before. She was very funny, very genuine, very sweet. She said that she normally doesn't do a lot of talking, but she seemed to be having so much fun interacting with everyone that I hope she continues to do so. The heat was obviously getting to her, as you could see her fanning herself with her hands between songs, and I don't think she did a lot of dancing, but when she twirled, we all went crazy. By the third song (Gold Dust Woman), her hair was obviously "larger" to me, thanks to the humidity.

The acoustical set was the highlight for me, as was "Gold and Braid" and "Twisted", Twisted rocked, being very refined and well produced, and I wish it lasted longer. She said that she originally did not want to do any Fleetwood Mac songs, but she was told that she had to. Landslide was dedicated to a girl in the front named Brittany. We were treated to 2 high kicks from her, one at the end of "Stand Back", and another at the end of "I Need To Know". There was no mad rush to the stage for "Edge of Seventeen", but she shook hands with everyone across the front of the stage, a bodyguard right there at her side. At one point during the song, a fan jumped up on the stage, but he was very quickly whisked away.

She told us that she wanted to move to Atlanta, and we all went crazy. She also told us three times that we need to take care of ourselves so that we can do this again. There was no doubt in our minds that she wanted to keep on touring and performing.

Thank you, Stevie, for performing in the heat. Thank you for talking to us and connecting with us. Thank you for doing a variety of different songs. Thank you for a night we will never forget. Thank you for being at the top of your game and giving us your all. Thank you for being the rock and roll ballerina of our dreams. You are forever in our hearts.