Rated "5" by Randy aka "ChristineMcVie4Vida"

I just read Silent Garbo's entries, how the hell did she get to go to all four shows and where did you go to meet Stevie's band members? I guess they must have had backstage or VIP passes or something.

Anyway, the show was amazing. I went with my best friend who is just as big a fan as I am. We were in Orchestra 2, Row LL about six rows from the front on the right hand side of the stage. We were excited to see how close we were. All the songs were great, especially Stand Back and Fall From Grace, she seemed to put all of her energy into those two songs until Edge of Seventeen. I had no idea that were going to be able to rush the stage for Edge of Seventeen, man oh man, so as soon as I saw people going I grabbed my friend's hand and went. I had her stand on the last step since she is really short and would've had difficulty seeing. Where as I could see just fine being at 6'3". lol When Stevie began to make her way across the stage she was so close to us, it was the closest she's ever been, but I didn't however get to shake her hand. But its okay, no matter what people say, I enjoyed the outfit she wore for Beauty and the Beast and she sang it so beautifully.

This was our first Stevie show, we saw FM three times on the Say You Will tour, so you can imagine how excited we were to be at our first Stevie show. She didn't wear the boots but it all good, if she doesn't feel comfortable wearing them then I guess she isn't going to wear them. I'll admit that the show wasn't as cracked up as she made it seem on the Jim Ladd interview, BUT she was SO into the show and sang all the songs so beautifully and hit the hard ones as hard as she possibly could; that all that didn't seem to matter anymore. It was the fact that my friend and I were there right by Stevie watching her sing her songs that we love so much. Thank you Stevie!

Rated "4" by Jeff Bednar aka "Jephrito"

Since I went to Wednesday's show, I knew what to expect, set-wise and production-wise. I had my buddies Patrick and Steve with me this time and we had a great time at the show.

I think Stevie's performance was much more upbeat on Friday. She moved around more, danced, twirled, and was much more animated than at the Wednesday show. She played with the lyrics more and was more of a free spirit. I don't know if that's because her parents were there, or because of the audience or because it was a Friday night or what. But whatever the reason, it was definitely a better show in my opinion. Classic Stevie.

BATB was still the knockout at this show too. Even though I knew it was coming, I was still super impressed.

Rated "5" by Donna

I think the show was wonderful. Stevie was really in good shape, her vocals were great. I am so lucky to have been able to travel from Birmingham Alabama to see her. I feel blessed. Thank you Stevie for such a great show and please keep going!

by Anita aka "Silent Garbo"

May 13th Row CC (3) Orch 4: By far the best night of seating as far as the perfect view. Next to me was a real nice guy that is a huge fan of FM/SN, goes way back with having seen them live. Was nice to sit next to a fan and have a chat prior to showtime. I'd say the show was a s good as the first 2 nights, but if there were any problems to be had, they all happened this night. And any problems I speak of are in the most SMALLEST way. Maybe it was just me, but the sound seemed a little off. The unison of B&TB footage w/ Stevie was off. Seems they started the GDW swirly thingy during Rhiannon, and the Unicorns and stuff during GDW. One way or the other. Just little baby glitches here and there, but nothing that made the show a lose.

Each night people were waiting less and less time during HSML to get to the stage. I was no exception. As soon as I saw one movement, I was out of me seat and ready to pounce. My moment of truth came this night. During EO17, all folk in front were being stupid. By this time I had sort of made my presence known amongst security, and thought they didn't know me by name, they knew my face, and that I was no trouble. They still wouldn't take a chance on me, but versus all others being obnoxious, I was sort of forgotten about. As Stevie made her way down the row, all to my right surged and security was having a hell of a time keeping them reserved. Meanwhile, all on my right, knowing that there turn was coming, the security braced and was keeping them in order. This left little ol me to my own devices, UN-barricaded. As Stevie came to me, I might as well have been the only person at that stage. I reached for her, and she took both my hands, looked right into my eyes (OK, I KNOW that sounds creepy, but I just mean, she looked RIGHT at me) and said something...I think might have been thank you. I said something, maybe it was "I Love you," gawd only knows. All I do recall is that I spent most of the end of EO17 & INTK looking for Kleenex, and trying to keep my happy, joyed wits about me. That was my next best thing to meeting her bliss.

After that night we talked with some tech members and just about everyone we spoke with confirmed that the Henley/Nicks dates were all that would be, but that Stevie would be doing a 25 fate solo thing. Hence that info being all over now. If it hasn't been read, I'll make note that Plunkett is off to another gig, so he won't be w/ Stevie for those dates. Machito is off, and Taku will be back. Carlos will of course stay on as will Jana & Sharon. Jimmy, I am pretty sure said he'd be on as well. We didn't get a picture with him, but what a super nice guy!!!!!

by Michele Jackson

I just returned from Friday's show and I have to say that the gal is quite a rocker, even more so than the Mac. I mean, this is not your mother's Gypsy. Well, this held true until Beaty and the Beast, a closer involving a visual display that could only be considered appropriate as an SNL skit.

While the crew used flashlights to prepare a dark stage, Bootylicious and a dance version of Dreams played. The band took their positions, screams of "Waddy" erupted as the crowd glimpsed Wachtel's profile. Wonder what would happen if he ever appeared with a crewcut. He could assume an entirely new identity. Thinking of his thinning locks and Stevie's waist-length mane, I just hope that backstage fights over the blow dryer don't get too violent.

Stevie came up the ramp from center stage in a low cut, tight fitting v-neck bodice. No granny sweater for this gal. I can only assume that the staid attire she wore over the last 2 years, but has now abandoned, was her attempt not to turn Lindsey on.

The sound box she wears was covered in sequins to match her top. She wore black wristbands on each arm. Jana and Sharon were at their mics. Lori did not join them until half of the show was over.

The show started with Stevie in smiles that remained all evening.

During the SYW tour, many people noted that Stevie did not really warm up until after the first few songs, but that was not true tonight. She was full of energy from "Enchanted" on. Outside The Rain never really ended, it simply melted into a seque for Dreams. Near the end of Dreams, Stevie did a little lasso step, made so popular on the last tour.

After Stop Draggin' My Heart Around Stevie slipped off of the stage. Yes, there was a piano intro for Rhiannon again -- but at least Stevie wasn't the one playing it! It seems the crowd was more excited about Rhiannon than the FM audiences were. Or maybe it was Stevie who was more animated. She kept the same phrasing though. The, "wellllll, I don't think you do" was still there. The screen backdrop showed first an etching of -- a welsh witch I suppose. Then lots of madonna-like statues, interspersed with galloping unicorns. Unicorns running. Unicorns butting heads. Unicorns running away "don't leave me now!" Pretty silly.

She said she wrote the next song before she and Lindsey went to Los Angeles, when she was about 19. She said there was nothing really going on at that time. She really believes the song was prophetic. She gave a rousing performance of Sorcerer, but most of the audience didn't seem that into it. I loved it, but I can see her dropping it when she connects with Henley. Towards the end, "in her misery, ya-ay" Stevie starts to get a little bluesy and that's when it occurs to me that this set really is tinged with more varied musical genres than FM's was.

Stand Back is next. At the end after Stevie gives her last resounding cry of "stand back" Carlos takes center stage and does a solo riff. Then the background singers close with another "stand back!"

Stevie says that the next song is very special so she always likes to dedicate it to someone. She says "Lord have mercy!" Because her mother has come all the way from Phoenix to Vegas. Not only that, but she's already won $50 on the slot machine. So, she dedicates the song, Landslide, to her mom (her dad is there too, in a wheelchair). Both Carlos and Brett accompany her on the tune.

The main purpose of Waddy's solo at the beginning of GDW is to give Stevie time off stage, but his arrangement sounds really hot and the song has a somewhat tough edge I find refreshing. At the end, Stevie croons, "baby, baby, baby" and "shadows, shadows, everywhere." Instead of closing the song with her shawl outspread, in the famous butterfly pose, she spreads the shawl like a wing over Waddy. They huddle together in the shelter of her spread arms, as he plays the song to fade.

Stevie says the next song is another one they've taken from the "songbox." She explains that you can't do all the songs that you want. Sometimes there are songs that you HAVE to do and there's not always room for others. But she's glad to be resurrecting this next one. It's called "If Anyone Falls." In the background the video of the song plays and pillars drop down from the sky, with the video visible through the prism they make. I watch Stevie the ballerina on the screen and realize how limber she was back then. The music stops for awhile as Stevie chants "somewhere, twilight, dream time" acapella. Quite effective.

Stevie introduces the band. She says that Brett is from the FM trenches. He did 135 shows and is still standing. She giggled and said that she didn't know where Scott was from. She introduced the two new guys in the band. When she got to Lori, she revealed that Waddy told her not to get so emotional. But she points out that Lori is back "after 14 years." She says that Carlo is someone else who has made a difference in her life and kept her standing when she didn't think she could. Then she introduced Waddy as the "leader of the pack" and her angel forever.

Fall From Grace was next. It's not my favorite song, but I appreciated the sound of it. It was tough. This was not a soft show. Yeah, there were lace walls hanging from the ceiling during Landslide, but this show seemed much heavier on the leather. Stevie is fiery with "watch you walk out that door," with both passion and finality ringing in her voice.

Afterwards, Stevie teased the crowd, "I feel as if I can talk to you. If I can't talk to you, who CAN I talk to?" She said the next song was something else they pulled from Bella Donna. I think it was Jannie who wondered how "How Still My Love" sounded right after FFG, but it wasn't really that much a change in pace or tempo. It wasn't quiet like "Beautiful Child." Instead it was sensual, seductive.

There was a drum solo, then Waddy came out for his guitar solo leading into EO17. Stevie kept a dark bodice on at the top, but came out in a cream colored skirt. The screen in back first showed an animated dove, sketched in a black and white outline that matched Stevie's outfit. Then, there was a live image dove shown, flying around. You'd see the people on the stage and then the image of the flying dove would be superimposed over them. So, there were like birds flying over Sharon and Waddy's faces.

During the break at the end of the song, Stevie first went to the edge of the stage and touched hands. Then she actually went into the audience on a platform that extended out. The security people were on either side, holding her around the waist. She didn't really accept any of the fan offerings, but she touched a lot of hands, smiled and mouthed her appreciation.

She goes back to the stage. She knows what it sounds like when doves cry. "It sounds like you" she tells the audience.

After the encore, she comes on stage with a tambo over her arm for a spirited "I Need to Know."

Leaves the stage and comes back in a perfectly stupid get up. Black velvet cape, hair pinned up and a big glop of ribbon on top. She looks like a parody of herself. Ok, we've seen her in cloaks before, but there's a fine line between mystical and ridiculous. She looked like an oversized Heidi not a Sister of the Mooon. She sounds great singing Beauty and the Beast, but I could only have enjoyed this number with my eyes closed. I keep wondering "Is this a joke?" The screen in the background is showing clips from one of those old black and white horror movies in which a maiden is pursued by a "Beast" who loves her. Faye Wray was much more compelling in King Kong's palm. In fact, if you are going to use werewolves in movies as part of your Vegas act, why not make it Michael Landon in "I was a Teenaged Werewolf?" So, Stevie closes what had until then been a wonderful show in a Red Riding Hood costume (only it's black and not red) with a bad 1920s silent film playing behind her. Bad move.

Still, overall it was a wonderful night. I don't know if her set has enough spectacle to lure the tourists in, but once they're there, I think the non-Stevie fans will be impressed by her solo depth and dimension rather than disappointed. Michele

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