Arizona Heart Institute Benefit - Phoenix, December 6th 2001 (Review One)

Stevie Nicks' annual Stevie Nicks and Friends concert to benefit the Arizona Heart Institute looked mostly like an extended version of the singer's recent tour to support her new album, Trouble in Shangri-la, but an album loaded with highlights deserved another act in the eyes of many in attendance. After the Destiny's Child hit "Bootylicious" played through the arena to signal the concert was about to begin and the vocal arrangement of "Trouble in Shangri-la," the now-trademark booms led to "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," and started the show off with Nicks' biggest solo hit. Three songs later, "Gold Dust Woman" brimmed with an intensity not usually found in the song on her solo tours and followed with the first of Sheryl Crow's appearances on stage. Nicks and Crow followed with "Sorcerer," the most recent single off Trouble in Shangri-la, then Nicks left to give Crow the stage to herself for the latter's "My Favorite Mistake."

Up next was Don Henley, who sang "Leather and Lace" with Nicks, then did his own "End of the Innocence" and "Boys of Summer." Unlike last year's nearly acoustic, Storytellers-esque version, "Boys of Summer" was more like the original version, then Henley left and Nicks told the audience they had to cut a song from the set. Most likely, the song to get the axe was "The Highwayman," a cut from Nicks' first album, Bella Donna, which she said she would perform with Henley in a radio interview. 

Nicks followed with "Every Day," the first single off Trouble in Shangri-la, then went back to her classics, "Rhiannon" and "Stand Back." Fleetwood Mac bandmate and former lover Lindsey Buckingham came next, playing guitar on "Landslide," which Nicks did not perform on tour this year. Buckingham followed with two of his songs, then Mick Fleetwood came up and they, along with bass player Al Ortiz and percussionist Lenny Castro, previewed a new Fleetwood Mac song.

Crow's return signalled "Every Day Is A Winding Road," which saw Nicks singing occasional background vocals on it, then Natalie Maines switched places with Crow to sing her duet from Nicks' album, "Too Far From Texas."

After band introductions, Crow returned to the stage to a version of the anthemic rocker "Fall From Grace," delivered with a conviction that suggested the song may become a concert staple for years to come. Unlike last year's show, this one didn't have too many surprises in store, but one that counted was Maines, not Crow, coming out to sing the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song "I Need to Know" with Nicks. For many fans, that song added to their case that Nicks and Maines sing well together.

Even though the magic of the previous year left this year's show with too tough an act to follow, Nicks and her friends still delivered a powerful show that left few stones unturned.

Review sent to me by Mike Sarzo, with thanks

---

Arizona Heart Institute Benefit - Phoenix, December 6th 2001 (Review Two)

First off the arrival. I got to the main entrance a little before the doors opened. One of the local radio stations had this fun little sing a long (I know what its really called but I can't spell it for the life of me............I can't spell a lot of things for the life of me) thing going on. People coming up and singing Landslide, Stop Dragging My Heart Around. A fun little way to get pumped. I was tempted.......I was.......but the doors opened. So I got inside and bought three special AHI/TISL T's. One for moi, one for my mummy, and one for my oh so cute guitar teacher (now continue to imagine a cute little purring sound rolling off my tongue. Also I gotta the TISL teddy that I have now named Sapphire (in the tradition of naming my last bear Glitter. (He has a friend now! Damn that's more than me. Heehee)

The entering of the arena. This is the very first time I have gotten a floor seat for a Stevie AHI concert and I'm pretty damn psyched. So I get down to the floor and the usher takes me to my seat in section B. Now I'm almost in the center and I'm happy, I'm cool, and I find out that its the freaking ushers first day. Meaning to put me on the wrong side of the row. So I move my butt to the other side. Now I'm buuuumin for just a moment. Just until the hand of "Wake up and count your clues" smacks on the head and reminds me that I STILL have a better seat than last show and the show before that. That and I meet a sweet guy named Mike who was sitting next to me asked me out on a date. WOO.....whoa......that was close. Ok enough yadda yadda's lets get to the set list.....

Before the show even started there were a few announcements and now I can say that everyone got a little bootie last night. Bootlishous of course. Everyone seemed to have fun bopping up and down to that one. Ok then, the lights are out, the crowd is hyped, my cupith is runith over from my blouse, and then........... A funk remix intro of Trouble in Shangri-La - Which was a cool way to start the show. It was too bad her father wasn't there to introduce her. But I guess it was best for his health. Anyway the funky bunch that is Stevie's band takes there places. Then walks out on the ground that many fans would worship, sleep on, lick and then spit into a little vile and sell it on Ebay (What? I'm the only one??) Its Stevie Lynn Nicks!!

Ok now for the rock and roll

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around - Now this was a pleasure since she had dropped this song just before I was going to see her first solo concert a couple years back. But now I'be had my chance. I tell I love Waddy and Tom singing this song with her but for some reason I just think it would be killer if Roger Daltrey of The Who would sing it with her. Its a dream, a highly unbloody likely dream, and it shall sit next to Johnny Rezinik wrapped in nothing but guitar strings (ya you can do the purring thing again.) Enchanted - -Dreams- Yes Dreams and not Crystal. Believe me if she sang that one my legs would be sticking out from behind my neck just from one round of flipping out. Gold Dust Woman - Its classic glad shawl wearing, twirling, chanting Stevie throgh and through. Sorcerer - In the words of Pete Townshend.....There is Crow everywhere! The first of many entrances of Miss Sherl Crow. I tell you all right now. I'm tried of Britney, Chistina, JLo, Shakira (although I do like her. You know "Butts thou are wide stick side by side.") Sheryl is 100% pure sexy. She just looks hot in her black blousey, dressy, rosey, slits up the side, guy gettin chicwear! She makes me say "I think I can wear leather pants. I think I can wear leather pants. I Know I can wear leather pants!) What? Oh ya the song. Heehee You know what I really love about a live show? When the band is moving in the same fluid motion as the song itself. Thats what you can call N-sync. Ya I'm sticking it to ya Timberlake! My Favorite Mistake - Sheryl minus guitar or bass guitar. Just her and sexiness. Leather and Lace - Every AHI benefit I have seen them perform this number this one has to be my all time favorite performance. I have always been a longtime Lindsey and Stevie romantic. Now I think I'm converting to a Stevie and Don romantic! I'll just mention this first. Before Don walk out on stage. He was standing by the side playing around with one if the buddaish TNSL figurines. Hey it was funny so I mention it. Then when it came for his part of L&L it was just too sweet the way he was holding her in his arms while he was singing. Stevie was singing along with him to herself and he kissed he softly on her head. Awwwwwww. Just a beautiful sight for sore eyes. Stevie and Lindsey has there moment last year and now I think it was Dons turn. Just makes my heart melt. Cupid! Can you like not see the target crazy glued to my heart?? End of the Innocence  - Boys of Summer - The rockin version this time next too the more mellow version he did last year. He played electric guitar and rock with the guitarist that played along on his set. Although when he strapped on the guitar I was hopping for "Dirty Laundry." Well lets hope for next year then Everyday. Piano solo for Rhiannon - Classic Stevie. Fists pumping during "All the same, All the same....." Imagine the concussions that could have occurred.........especially with the people in the row in front of me?? Stand Back - Infreakintastic Classic Stevie. Landslide - People, I hope your sitting down. Ok....here it goes.....Lindsey......wore..... a white shirt! :-o Oh my goodness I'm shaking! I was in Lindsey drag just for him and he bumps me one! Lookin oh so fine with age. A fine wine my friend. Anyway people have been taking about the tension between S&L but I though it was them feeling more comfortable as friends the second time around. Just what my eyes see. ANYWAY back to Landslide. It was Dedicated to her dad one last time. Tearjerker all the way. Big Love - BRILLIANT. A poem, Go Insane - Hulloooooo?? Guitar World? You need to do some reviewing of the top 100 greatest guitar players. Ya? Ok? Good. My Love - A new Fleetwood Mac song with Lindsey and the nickerless (not naked, just in a suit) Mick Fleetwood. While Lindsey was making a speech Mick would do his little "ba dum dum ching" during every little break in between. Again like Don with the Budda a funny moment. Then Lindsey dedicated the song to the hardcore and in my mind the cute Beatle, and their friend George Harrison. -EDIAWR - Sexiness is back again for a very funky jamming version of this song. Too Far From Texas - Out comes Natalie Maines in a cool funky black mini dress with the top drooping in various directions. But hell it looked better on her than it will ever look on me. Very nice new duet. I would have loved to have heard the both of them crank out Goodbye Earl but so many songs so little time. Band Introductions - I'll bet Lenny Castro has some very nice hook-ups after Stevie's intro for him last night. Lite a cigar for Lenny! Fall From Grace - The Crow needs to spread herself around a little more one of the best r&r songs Stevie has done in a long time. Drum solo which lead into- Very cool although I actually missed the 20 minute drum solo from Mick. Man, you don't know what you got till its gone. A moment of silence please...Edge of Seventeen - Angela I am so jealous of you! Heehe. Encore: I Need to Know - With Natalie Maines. HAEWAFY- Stevie with the classic Top Hat and feathers. Toni girl that one is for you.

And last but not least the bows, the bows, and the bows. Another magical night has ended folks and I am on my way home.

Review sent to me by Shayne Annan Bittebender with thanks

---

<< Back to Concert Info

---

---

---