Fleetwood Mac: The Dance

The big reunion concert, from a few years ago, of the battling and estranged members of Fleetwood Mac - concert apparently first shown on MTV.

I never really like the studio cuts from this band. It was just more MOR AM fodder, one song sounding like the next - musically induced stupor; while the real bands were playing on the 'rockin' FM station somewhere.

But . . this isn't the same band, on the video. This band rocks. Maybe it's the 90s, and all music has more of an 'edge'. But for a bunch of 50+ rockers, these guys could give the Stones lessons in performing rock tunes.

Now when I hear Gold Dust Woman from the studio album, in my head I'm hearing Stevie go off on 'you'd better SELL IT! Sell it!', and that soulful wail at the crescendo, from this vid. People around me think I've gone 'soft' or something - cause all they hear in the relatively insipid 70s AM version playing. Alas. I'm hearing something else. Like put _this_ album on the jukebox!

I'd never heard Silver Springs, before. It's really a clever and interesting song, when performed with some heart. I'd never heard Buckingham's 'spanish guitar' inspired songs and riffs. It was really impressive - as was the effort he put in to obv. trying to compensate for his aging voice. At first it sounds forced, like some old guy who doesn't quite have it, anymore. Watch the vid over and over again, and it seems less and less to be like that, and more just a really good performance on his part.

Hard to believe Buckingham and Nicks started out as a bunch of naked folkies. They've come a long way. You can almost hear Deep Purple and Euro-rock in I'm So Afraid; and a really fitting vocal tone from Buckingham, here, as well. Very versatile. Even the sort of Romper Room feel of Christine's, I suppose 'pure' Mac, ditties sort of grow on you (like Temporary One) - I'd never heard those either. And her keyboard chords, for the other songs, are that extra dramatic 'touch' that you don't quite perceive, but you recognize.

It's also great to listen to the economy, but surprizing fill and power, of the notes just from Mick and John. Those two guys make a heck of rhythm section, as it were. Where Lindsey isn't exactly a blues picker or guitar hero, it doesn't matter in that the bottom and beat are so strong to catch any limitation where you expect more from the lead. The guys make it look too easy - just way too easy.

It's a video that the more you listen to/watch it, the BETTER it gets. Maybe that's true for music you like, maybe even films. But, it's a shame the 'Mac' couldn't have released something like this for the first albums (but then they wouldn't have had the polish, the sense, the wisdom and the heart, perhaps, that they have now, which makes it possible).

Bought the DVD 3 weeks ago and already played it 20 times!!! What a reunion! Apart from the fabulous music (as previous reviewers have noted age has improved the performance) a relational mystery is going on. Try to decipher it while watching (I haven't figured it out yet). Stevie and Christine don't seem to fond of each other, for Mick it's all magic, John is, as always, in the background and Lindsey is just brilliant and seem to have taken distance from all that has happened in the past (but still likes Stevie a lot). Even if you only like Fleetwood Mac just a little, still BUY IT. It's worth every (Euro)cent. Best buy in years.

There are several DVD's out there of Fleetwood Mac but none of them measure up to this re-union concert. Most of the others have either someone missing from the lineup or members appearing on stage and certainly not enjoying themselves as they do on this one. Lindsay Buckingham is just brilliant on lead guitar. For a divorced couple, both John and Christie McVie put aside their differences to deliver an electric performance and Mick Fleetwood just superb on drums. Stevie Nicks voice is as beautiful today as it was 20 years ago. The songs in this concert are so much a part of our lives today we take them for granted. As this concert goes on it has the effect of turning it up just a little bit more after each song until you get to the band's finale. This is a must in any music collection. Christie McVie's encore "For You" has to be heard to be believed. Just sensational. This one is a 10 for me. Update Dec 2009. Saw these guys live last week with Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Jihn McVie and of course Mick Fleetwood. What a concert!!! And 2 encores later LB was still stealing the show with his guitar solos. They were sensational to say the least. Would see them again tomorrow if they were here. A brilliant performance all round. This DVD is as close as it gets.Still a ten for me.

I taped this when it was on TV several years ago. Since tapes don't last, I bought the DVD recently and found several songs on it that weren't aired on TV - a great bonus! This band can still rock out! None of them are young anymore, yet they still sound nearly the same. Stevies voice has gotten a little bit rougher, but still sounds like Stevie! Christine will definitely be missed from any future works from the band. She also had a very distinctive voice and was a very talented writer as well. I found it kind of interesting how much Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham looked at each other during the performance. They couldn't keep their eyes off each other. Wonder what THAT means? Probably nothing. But they covered nearly all their big songs along with some new material. The finale with the USC Marching Band is awesome! Altogether, this was a great concert!

This concert is simply mind boggling. The restored vocals of Stevie Nicks, the aging yet awesome voice of Lindsey Buckingham. The whole set is just awe-inspiring.

The show starts off with the classic Mac tune "The Chain." Lindsey Buckingham has put a new spin on his guitar riffs for this one. Haunting reverb and his custom guitar simply spit out this tune. It's one of my favorite songs of all time. "The Chain" even garnered the Mac a 1998 Grammy nomination for best rock performance.

Other hits like "Dreams", "I'm So Afraid", "You Make Loving Fun", "Gypsy", "Go Your Own Way" are played effortlessly and beautifully. Watching these 50+ rockers belt out the tunes shows they haven't lost their edge a bit over the last 25 years. In fact, they've gotten better. I suppose that comes with age.

New tunes include Stevie's AWESOME "Silver Springs" (another Grammy nominee). It's a classic breakup song...one might even call it the 2nd part of "Go Your Own Way." Lindsey's put an amazing spin on his 1987 tune "Big Love." I like to call it an acoustic masterpiece. Lindsey simply steals the show. His guitar work is amazing, proving he is one of the best and most underrated guitarists of all time.

If you must own one Fleetwood Mac cd, dvd, or video--make sure it's this one. Personally I love RUMOURS and TUSK, but there's just something about this live show that puts it all in perspective. I can't say enough about it. IT'S AWESOME! SO GO RENT IT!