Legendary rock goddess Stevie Nicks brought the down house Saturday night. Armed with her crescent shaped tambourine, scarf and bead-decorated microphone and timeless haunting vocals, Nicks brought a personal touch during her stop in her In Your Dreams tour. For a career that spans over four decades, Stevie can teach the current starlets a thing or two about true staying power.
This dynamic summer concert began with a set from America’s Got Talent’s season five winner Michael Grimm. Grimm performed songs from his
self-titled album released earlier this year. When Grimm performed his rendition of the Ray Charles’s classic You Don’t Know Me, his soothing vocals were similar to that of soul singer Al Green. Once Michael sang the first words to Simple Man, he captured the audience attention and had them singing along. When it comes to his guitar playing, his licks were so hot and he played like there was no tomorrow. Between his songs Something I Said and I Am, his style and range are nothing short of amazing. Highlights of his set were a great rock rendition of the timeless classic Stay with Me (Baby) before transitioning to the rock sounds of Rod Stewart’s Stay with Me. During the latter song, each of the band members got to the five second solo that pleases the crowd. It was truly a delight to have Michael Grimm sharing his talent to the DC Metro area.
At 9:00pm, the legendary Stevie Nicks didn’t take just take the stage, she owned it! Nick’s stage presence is strong that it’s awe-inspiring that she still has the gift after forty-plus years. If there is one thing I appreciate it is a great artist is who brings the stories behind the hits that made them famous. For the song Soldier’s Angel, featured on her new album In Your Dreams, she told the story of how back in 2005 – she was invited to visit
Walter Reed hospital and spent time with thirty soldiers. All of a sudden as she was leaving the hospital, the atmosphere of the hospital changed from serene to dramatic as the medvac and the doctors rushed in to save the lives of our servicemen. Nicks wrote a poem that was sent to soldiers and their families. Five years later, the poem became Soldier’s Angel. This song is one of inspiration and emotion and it makes you give thanks to all the men and women who keep our country free.
With each of the songs Nicks performed, they were accompanied by stunning visuals displayed on the background. For Soldier’s Angel, we see a younger version of Nicks wrapped in a dark blue cloak with gold trimming standing in front of Old Glory. For the Edgar Allan Poe penned Annabel Lee, classic 19th century portraits of young women filled the scene. The visuals helped bring the songs to life.
Nicks told an interesting story before singing For What Its Worth about a bus trip to a place called “El Mirage” which features a beautiful lake. The thing was that the lake was an actual mirage. A music video played while the band was joined by Michael Grimm. At the end of the song, Grimm and Nicks walked arm in arm as they left the stage.
When Landslide was performed, she stated that it is her dad’s favorite song. For tonight, she dedicated the song to a fan named Sandra who tried to see Ms. Nicks on two previous occasions. The visuals for this song were emotional. Pictures of Stevie growing up were prominently displayed on the screen. From her childhood days to her videos as a member of Fleetwood Mac, the audience was singing the words as they got a glimpse of Nicks’s past. The pictures of her mother and father were quite enderaing. It was a touching tribute song for anyone. At the end, Stevie said that we should “never doubt the power of the audience.” Truer words could not be spoken for the treasured moment of the concert.
As we neared the end, she brought out her vocal coach as she performed Leather and Lace for the first time in fourteen years. Afterwards, some of the audience gathered close to stage. Once those first rocking notes hit the air, we knew that it could only be one song – Edge of Seventeen. The musical director, Waddy Wachtel, treated the audience to a extended five-minute rock riff that cemented his status as a rock god. No wonder Wachtel and Nicks have been great colleagues for over forty years. Nicks has got the energy and vitality in this song that she could put the female singers of today to shame. At the end Edge, she shook the hands and accepted gifts from her loyal fans. The show didn’t end there as she performed Love Is before waving goodbye to the audience.
From the showdown of percussionists Lenny Castro and Jimmy Paxson to the gentle piano solo of Darrell Smith, the Stevie Nicks show took us on
a mystical, majestic journey Saturday night. If she returns to the DC area, you can count on me being there singing along and knowing that I will have a great time!
For updates, tour dates and all things Stevie, visit: http://rockalittle.com/
FINAL GRADE: A+++
TRR Concert Revue by Dean Rogers
