Henley and Nicks soar together on concert tour
By Sarah Rodman
Thursday, June 9, 2005 - Updated: 10:05 AM EST

It was a meeting of two great classic rockers, the mystic and the
cynic, last night at the Tweeter Center.

As the respective superstars from the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac,
it seems odd that Don Henley and Stevie Nicks had never teamed up
for a tour before.

But the Eagle and the Nightbird made up for lost time by taking
wing for a splendid three-hour performance.

As he's proven in recent Eagles outings, Henley has barely
shaved a note off of his impressive vocal range. Although he seemed
to occasionally struggle with power during his smart hour-and-15-
minute performance, he never wavered with pitch or control. He hit
shiver-inducing high grace notes on the sinister bump and grind of
``Witchy Woman,'' the elegant ``Heart of the Matter'' and crowd
favorite ``Boys of Summer.''



The set list was more like a hit list as he whipped through the
still sadly prescient rocker ``Dirty Laundry,'' the mournful ``End
of the Innocence'' and a white-hot ``Life in the Fast Lane.'' To
thunderous applause - the two-thirds capacity crowd seemed to
slightly favor Stevie - Nicks joined her one-time paramour for duets
of ``Hotel California,'' ``New York Minute'' and ``Last Worthless
Evening'' and their salt and sandpaper vocals were a warm match and
helped inject new fire into the familiar songs. (And, at 57, they
both looked great.)

Nicks cheekily played the ``Edge of Seventeen''
sampling `'Bootylicious'' as an intro to her equally strong
performance. While less hit-packed - and featuring some generous but
time-sucking guitar and drum solos to cover her costume changes -
Nicks pleased the faithful with solid vocal turns on the gauzy
``Rhiannon,'' the emotional piano ballad ``Beauty and the Beast''
and a truly scintillating ``Stand Back.'' Henley returned the favor
in her set joining in Nicks-Tom Petty stomper ``Stop Draggin' My
Heart Around.''

The duo closed out the night with a note-perfect rendition of
their 1981 hit ballad ``Leather and Lace'' that found Nicks
teasingly cooing ``take from me my lace'' and Henley sheepishly
declining. It was a sweet moment that brought a beautiful evening of
camaraderie to a warm close.

Don Henley and Stevie Nicks, at the Tweeter Center, Mansfield, last
night.
*******************************************************************
Music Preview: Don Henley takes time away from that elusive Eagles
album to tour with Nicks
Thursday, June 09, 2005

By Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"[The recording of the new Eagles album is] going quite well. We're
all very pleased -- surprised even. I think everybody in the group
is surprised about how well it is going and how well we're getting
along, and how everybody is stepping up to the plate, you know. So
we're just going to keep recording. We might record enough material
for two albums. I don't know."








Don Henley/Stevie Nicks


Where: Post-Gazette Pavilion

When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets: $28.50-$126. 412-323-1919.







That was Don Henley talking back in March ... 2002.

Now, it's 2005 and the last Eagles album was still in 1979.

This was, after all, the band that gave us "Take it Easy." But
they've done plenty of that: So what's up with this Eagles record?

"We've been recording Eagles material for the last four or five
years and putting it away in the vaults," says Henley, who brings
his solo tour with Stevie Nicks to the Post-Gazette Pavilion
Saturday, "but we've been away so much we haven't had a chance to
complete a lot of it. The other big factor is that we're all married
and have children -- three of us have young children -- and that
takes a lot of time. Whereas the Eagles were once our main priority,
I think our families are our priority now."

So how many songs would he say they've recorded and finished?

"I think only one or two of them are finished out of 15 or 16," he
says.

Yes, while the Eagles have been in the fast lane, touring-wise,
since they declared that Hell Freezes Over in 1994, when it comes to
recording, they seem to be broken down on the side of the road.

"We don't feel a great deal of pressure to finish anything," Henley
says. "We're not signed to any particular label. I think the primary
impediment has been the touring. If we wanted to finish a record we
could. ... And there is the fact," he adds, "that we are competing
with our legacy, our former music. We all agree that if we can't
make a record that we think measures to the standards that applied
in the '70s, then we'd just as soon not do it. We're working toward
that. We're still working on songwriting chops and experimenting
with various styles."

Henley adds that it doesn't help that he lives more than a thousand
miles away from the other members. Eleven years ago, he left L.A.,
where he co-founded the Eagles in 1971, and returned to Texas,
settling in Dallas, a little to the west of Linden, where he was
born and raised.

"I wanted to have a family, and we didn't want to raise them [in
L.A.], frankly. My mother was still living in Texas. Her parents are
still in Texas. We both agreed that it was very important to have
children who knew and interacted with their grandparents on a
frequent basis. My mother passed away a couple of years ago, but my
wife's parents are still active with our children. I still love
California; we still maintain a home there, but it's good to have a
different perspective and to get out of the fast lane -- I think you
could say that."

Henley -- whose image is so tied to the bronzed Californian, hair
slicked back and sunglasses on -- enjoys a daily life that consists
of waking up at 6 a.m., getting his kids (girls 5 and 9, boy 7)
ready for school, hitting the local coffee shop, gardening, working
out and dealing with office work regarding everything from the
Eagles to the Walden Woods Project to a revitalization of the
courthouse in his hometown.

He has a recording studio at the house, but with all that other
stuff going on, the songs don't come easy.

"It never came easy," he says. "There are certain instances where
Glenn and I wrote a song in a matter of three or four days. Like the
song 'Lyin' Eyes,' for instance. 'Desperado' was something that
evolved over a span of four or five years. I started that song in
1968, before I even met the other guys in the band. ...

"The key to songwriting," he says, "is to try to eliminate
distractions and to concentrate and to focus. That has become more
difficult as the years go on. We're just simply not as self-absorbed
as we were when we were younger. Songwriting requires a certain
amount of self-absorption, or at least to the degree that one can
meditate and concentrate and dream and get into what we call 'the
zone.' That simply becomes more difficult whether you have kids or
not. Life rushes in. It's a noisy, clanging world out there."

Henley has always liked to collaborate. He co-wrote with Glenn Frey
in the Eagles, and, as the Eagle with the most successful solo
career (with Top 10 hits like "Dirty Laundry," "The Boys of
Summer," "All She Wants to Do is Dance" and "The End of the
Innocence"), he's co-written with producers and artists like Bruce
Hornsby and Danny Kortchmar.

"I'm not a musical island. I like to collaborate because it gives
variety to the material and takes me in places that I wouldn't be
able to go myself."

Henley's last solo record was "Inside Job" in 2000, and now, he
says, "I have some things in the can. But there's a gray area
between my own material and the Eagles material. If I'm writing
something, even if I might have intended to put it on my solo
record, if I get to a certain point in the creation and I decide it
might be good for the Eagles album, I might give it over to that.
That would be my first priority. Some of my solo stuff would not be
suitable for the Eagles."

For now, he's put all of those projects on hold while he does a
quick June tour with Stevie Nicks, with whom he recorded the
hit "Leather and Lace" for her first solo record back in 1981. They
plan to do a few songs together on stage, and he, of course, will
front his solo band, many of whom also play on the Eagles tour.

In August, he'll hook up with the Eagles again for a West Coast
tour. Asked if playing classic Eagles songs remains fresh for him
night after night, he laughs and says, "Depends on how far into a
tour we are. The audience makes it fresh every night. Sure, we get
tired of some of these songs sometimes. Some of these songs we've
been doing for 33 years. But when the lights go down and we walk out
on stage and the cheers go up from the audience, it's a brand new
world every night. The crowds are what make it worthwhile. They give
us our energy."



---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
(Scott Mervis can be reached at smervis@... or 412-263-
2576.)


******************************************************************
Nicks, Henley no dynamic duo
While the Fleetwood Mac songstress carried her weight, the Eagles
singer fell flat.

By DAVID PENCEK
Norwich Bulletin
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------


MOHEGAN-- Don Henley and Stevie Nicks became the solo stars for two
of the biggest bands during the 1970s.

In the 1980s, they both enjoyed solo success and recorded a hit duet
single "Leather & Lace."

More than 20 years later, the song could have been used as an
appropriate theme for the two's double-bill headlining show Monday
in the Mohegan Sun Arena.

One could have also used the phrase "oil and water" because that's
how different the two approached their portion of the three-hour
concert.

Where Henley went through the motions and gave a passable, yet
uninspired performance, Nicks was more energetic and responsive to
the audience. She demonstrated why there are few equals to her when
it comes to female rock singers.

Each performed 80-minute solo sets that included duets with the
other. However, the two had little chemistry together, which is
perhaps why press photographers were not allowed to take pictures
when both were on stage.

Henley appeared stiff next to theatrical Nicks and he didn't even
mention Nicks' name when she came on stage during his set. His only
acknowledgment was, "She'll be back," as Nicks retired backstage.
When he performed during Nicks' set, Henley stood in the dark next
to Nicks' guitar player until it was his turn to sing.

At one point, Henley didn't know whether to hold Nicks' hand or not
when she extended her hand out to him.

He didn't.

Henley even began the concert on a slow note. He didn't take the
stage until 40 minutes after the scheduled 7 p.m. start time and he
opened with the curious tune "The Genie," a song from his 2000
album "Inside Job."

Both Henley and Nicks mixed their sets with solo material and songs
from their bands -- the Eagles for Henley and Fleetwood Mac for
Nicks.

Nicks received an ovation when she came out to perform "Hotel
California," "New York Minute" and "The Last Worthless Evening." The
applause continued each time she finished her part of a song.

Henley's best moments came toward the end of his set with acoustic
renditions of "The End of the Innocence" and "Desparado." His one
encore was "I Will Not Go Quietly," although when compared to Nicks,
he actually did.

After a 15-minute intermission, it was Nicks' turn. Her singing
of "Rhiannon" continues to pack a powerful punch. She was
consistently strong throughout with performances of "Gold Dust
Woman," "Stand Back" and "Edge of Seventeen" highlighting her set.

Henley joined Nicks for "Gold Dust Woman," "Stop Draggin' My Heart
Around" and "The Circle Dance." He also came out for the encore that
included "Leather & Lace."

Another difference in the two performances was Nicks allowing her
band members to show off their talents. She left the stage several
times to change outfits and her band, especially the drummer and
percussionist, kept the show moving and increased the anticipation
of the next song.

If you missed the show, Henley and Nicks will perform tonight at the
Tweeter Center in Mansfield, Mass.

dpencek@...


Originally published June 8, 2005


--- In rhiannonsenchantedgarden@yahoogroups.com, rhiannon102_44420
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Stevie Nicks off the old block
>
>
>
> By BRITTANY SCHAEFFER
> DAILY NEWS FEATURE WRITER
>
>
> Nicks wanna-bes imitate the Fleetwood Mac singer at Night of a
> Thousand Stevies.
>
> Perched atop patent-leather platform boots and wrapped in a gold-
> threaded shawl, Cathy Cervenka tugs her curly blond wig down over
> her eyes.
> "Perfect — just like Stevie," she says to the mirror.
>
> Swiveling on 4-inch heels, Cervenka stomps and twirls to the voice
> of Stevie Nicks singing "Edge of Seventeen."
>
> "There's something so special about Stevie," says Cervenka
> breathlessly. "Nobody else in rock 'n' roll has a style like hers."
>
> Indeed, three decades since she fronted Fleetwood Mac, Nicks
> maintains a massive cult following.
>
> Nicks and her former fling, the Eagles' Don Henley, play Friday at
> Jones Beach, but her uber-fans warmed up last month at the 15th
> annual Night of a Thousand Stevies — an all-night party
celebrating
> Nicks' music and her taste for leg warmers, hippie shawls
> and "tamboquets." (That's a tambourine adorned with flowers and
> fabric.) Nearly 30 acts at the Knitting Factory copped her songs,
> her dance moves and, especially, her clothes.
>
> Cervenka's group, the HoHos — which also includes Jill Pangallo
and
> a trio of male dancers — has been playing the Thousand Stevies
event
> since 1992. For its devotion to the cause, the group was assigned
> the night's much-coveted theme song: "Gold Dust Woman," Nicks'
fairy-
> tale tune about love — and also possibly her decade-long cocaine
> addiction.
>
> In a short video introduction/send-up, Cervenka plays Nicks,
> ostensibly snorting coke and refusing to come out of her dressing
> room, while Pangallo and the dancers act as members of Fleetwood
Mac
> who try to coax her onstage. "Stevie's songs are famously hard to
> understand," says Cervenka. "So we stretch the story to fit our
own
> vision of it."
>
> As the video screen lifted, Cervenka and Pangallo appeared dressed
> as Stevie while dancers Wilson Chan, Mike Albo and Wilder Selzer
> interpreted the lyrics.
>
> "Rock on — gold dust woman ... Take your silver spoon ... And dig
> your grave."
>
> Cervenka belted out the song, while Pangallo screeched backup
vocals
> intermittently, playing a hysterically strung-out Stevie. "We are
> comedic," says Cervenka. "But it's lovingly that you make fun of
> her."
>
> Other performances ranged from soloist cross-dressers lip-synching
> to acts by such serious rock royalty as Debbie Harry of Blondie.
>
> But the devotion for some goes beyond parody. Days after Thousand
> Stevies, Cervenka and Pangallo jetted to Las Vegas to see the real
> Stevie Nicks' performance in Celine Dion's mega-theater.
>
> "We got Stevie-fever, and we decided that we had to go to Vegas,"
> says Cervenka. "It's not even like I'm spending money — it's more
> like destiny calling."
>
> Originally published on June 7, 2005
>
>
> --- In rhiannonsenchantedgarden@yahoogroups.com, rhiannon102_44420
> <no_reply@y...> wrote:
> > 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.
> >
> > ADVERTISEMENT
> >
> > 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