Cage Tour Review

[michelej1]

December 9, 1987 Wednesday, San Diego Union Tribune

HEADLINE: Fleetwood just won't stop;
`Don't Stop' is fitting motto on current tour

BYLINE: George Varga

BODY:


When Fleetwood Mac recorded the song "Don't Stop" for their 1977 album, "Rumours," no one could have guessed that -- 10 years later -- it would stand as a reaffirmation of the band's ability to endure and triumph over adversity. Yet, at their concert at the Sports Arena last night, the song served exactly that purpose. Performed as the second of three encores in a show that stretched more than two hours, "Don't Stop" perfectly summarized this Anglo-American band's dogged determination to persevere when faced with challenges that would have finished many other groups. Indeed, the song's chorus -- "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow ... yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone" -- would make an ideal motto for their current tour -- their first since singer-guitarist-composer Lindsey Buckingham left a few months ago and new members Billy Burnette and Rick Vito joined. Many observers had sternly predicted that, without Buckingham's artistic vision to guide them, the band was finished.

But, while less than a total victory, last night's concert demonstrated that Fleetwood Mac has more than just a great past to its credit. Unusually generous in length, their performance featured 21 songs that ranged from the band's eponymous 1968 debut album to this year's "Tango in the Night." Appearing before a crowd of slightly more than 9,000, they kicked off their set with a spirited version of Christine McVie's "Say You Love Me." As with all but two of the 20 selections that would follow, the song was driven by the strong, propulsive drumming of Mick Fleetwood and the no-frills bass work of John McVie, the band's two founding members. (African drummer Asante added a nice percussive touch, but the two unidentified female background singers were virtually inaudible.) As the show progressed, it became increasingly apparent that new members Burnette and Vito were more than capable of filling the void left by Buckingham -- at least in concert.

Burnette sang with gruff conviction, while Vito's blistering slide guitar work and lean, piercing solos on songs like "Oh Well," "Rattle Snake Shake" and "I've Loved Another Woman" recalled the bluesy passion of original Mac guitarist Peter Green.