Concert review: Stevie Nicks, Don Henley By Deborah Wilker
Tue Jun 7,10:42 AM ET



HOLMDEL, N.J. (Hollywood Reporter) - Big-ticket heritage acts have
been propping up the listing concert business for years now, and if
this is the way it must be, the industry would do well to take a
close look at a novel (but too-brief) new tour from Stevie Nicks
and Don Henley -- one of the most magical rock shows in a long
while.

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More than just the standard double bill, these songwriting legends
(and fronts for two of the greatest bands of all time, Fleetwood Mac
and the Eagles) work hand in hand, interpreting each other's stuff
in a way rarely done by truly big stars.

On the second night of this 10-date swing, Henley, up first, got
things rolling with some dry wit and a well-received "Witchy Woman."
Quickly he was into the big stuff -- "Hotel California" -- during
which Nicks sauntered in from the wings to join him, setting off the
kind of frenzied, organic ovation that touring's modern-day
corporate labs simply cannot manufacture.

Superstar pairings are best, of course, when there is mutual
admiration between the artists and a career path that is somehow
parallel yet also different -- as with Billy Joel and Elton
John. Tortured friendships are also great for the box office (
Eric Clapton and George Harrison) -- and if the two were also
lovers back in the day, well, that's a grand slam.

Henley and Nicks -- both pioneering California rockers -- were
indeed an item in the late 1970s (after her split from FM
bandmate Lindsey Buckingham) and have remained friendly. While
they don't quite set off the unrequited sparks that the
Nicks/Buckingham-led Mac still produces to this day, there is a
familiarity about them that lends both comfort and renewal to hits
such as "The Last Worthless Evening" (his) and "Gold Dust Woman"
(hers).

On this particular night, there was also a defiant "Stop Dragging My
Heart Around," a wistful "New York Minute" and their lone hit
together, 1981's "Leather and Lace."

Each also worked hard separately. From his seemingly inexhaustible
supply of frothy radio singles and sturdy album tracks, Henley
pulled out "Dirty Laundry," "Life in the Fast Lane" and the
brilliant "Heart of the Matter." Nicks, who only gets better with
age, countered with an ethereal "Rhiannon," and dramatic versions
of "Stand Back," "Edge of Seventeen" and others from her long
career, all set off by her usual costume array of flowing ribbons,
scarves and ponchos.

Though this terrific evening ran almost three hours, there was still
a lot missing, including the rumored set-closer "Desperado" --
something they're bound to get to if this limited run becomes the
full-fledged tour promoters are said to be banking on for next year.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter


--- In rhiannonsenchantedgarden@yahoogroups.com, rhiannon102_44420
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
> "Eagle Flies With Nightbird"
>
> By Sarah Rodman
> June 8, 2005
>
> Don Henley is nothing if not a gentleman.
>
> When asked in what order he and ``Two Voices'' tourmate Stevie
Nicks
> would perform at their co-headlining show at the Tweeter Center in
> Mansfield tonight, Henley laughs.
>
> ``I'm going to go first every night,'' he says, ``because there
are
> certain things that she has to have.''
>
> Those include, but are not limited to, special lighting, time for
> costume changes and the proper performing temperature.
>
> ``I'm just a guy,'' Henley says. ``Guys don't mind sweating. I'm
> just
> going to go first and that will make my life a lot simpler.''
>
> The charming Eagles frontman and Fleetwood Mac's witchy woman,
both
> 57, have long been friends - and more in the mid-'70s. They even
> scored a hit duet in 1981 with ``Leather and Lace.''
>
> What songs will they sing together on tour?
>
> Speaking by phone from Dallas, Henley chuckles.
>
> ``We've already exchanged lists. Now we're in the process of
arguing
> about it.''
>
> Following his stint with Nicks, Henley hopes to begin work on an
> album of new American standards by the likes of Leonard Cohen and
> Randy Newman.
>
> Then he'll hit the road again with the Eagles in August. If you're
> waiting for that long-promised new Eagles album, Henley has some
> advice: Don't hold your breath.
>
> ``I don't know if that's ever going to come to fruition,'' he
> says.``It used to be frustrating, but I had to adopt a more
Zenlike
> position or tear my hair out.''
>
> http://theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNews/view.bg?articleid=88456