Review: Rod and Stevie

Photos by Jim Barcus/The Star

Tuesday’s show at the Sprint Center was a jukebox bonanza, a career-spanning showcase by two performers with dozens of hit albums and scores of Top 40 hits between them. 

Rod Stewart was the man event, but he appeared first, to introduce the opener (and unofficial co-headliner), Stevie Nicks, who came fashioned and equipped like the main event: with a seven-piece band, two backup singers and her own video show. 

Nicks spent her 70-minute set digging through her solo catalog, playing a song (“Sorcerer”) off her upcoming album, covering a Tom Petty song (“You Wreck Me”) and obliging everyone with four of her best-known Fleetwood Mac titles: “Dreams,” “Gold Dust Woman,” “Rhiannon” and “Landslide.”

She and her band cast the same warm, mid-tempo vibe for most of the set, except for the Petty cover and then the raucous 12-minute version of “Edge of Seventeen,” which also drew the biggest ovation.

I didn’t notice any Rhiannon/gypsy fashion in the crowd, but it’s obvious Nicks remains a heroine to a lot of women who have looked up to her since the “Fleetwood Mac” album.  She is 62 and doesn’t have the dance moves nor the vocal range, heft or timbre she did back then, but she can still handle those tunes, especially “Landslide,” one of the evening’s highlights.

She would return during the main set to join Stewart on two songs, but not before he arrived amid a gale of glitz and glamour and lit the fuse on a set that lasted 15 minutes short of two hours. 

He is 66 years old but also the father of a 2-month-old son. Forever young and sexy, indeed.  Tuesday’s show was his second in Kansas CIty less than two years (he was at the Sprint Center in July 2009), his third in four years (Kemper Arena on April 13, 2007).  Anyone who has been to more than one of those knows he doesn’t change his show much. Tuesday’s 21-song setlist had 14 songs in common with the show in ’09.

It would have been nice to hear something more meaningful like “Mandolin Wind,”  “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” “Country Comfort” or “Gasoline Alley” instead of  “Tonight’s the Night” again or (for lord’s sake) his cover of Bonnie Tyler’s “It’s a Heartache.” But Stewart and his orchestra of dancers, singers and musicians – including Kansas Cith native and drummer/percussionist Matt O’Conner -- have this show down pat, polished to a Vegas-revue sheen.

He brought out Nicks early so they could duet on a song from each other's catalog. She chose “Passion,” one of his more inconsequential hits. He chose “Leather and Lace,” which she originally recorded with Don Henley.  It was a peculiar matching, peculiar in an amusing way: She, dressed in black, seemed bemused by his randy-dandy-ness, exemplified by his neon-gold suit coat and the women in his troupe, who were dressed in skimpy, cherry-red cocktail dresses. During one of his wardrobe changes, he gave the stage to his backup singers/dancers, who performed the Eddie Floyd hit “Knock on Wood.”

In the same manner he launched and volleyed soccer balls all over the crowd (he still has slick foot skills) – another of his rituals – Stewart tossed hit after hit after hit at a crowd of about 9,000. The response would not hit fever pitch all night, but it did percolate a few times, like during standards like “Twistin’ the Night Away”” and “Reason to Believe.” The loudest cheer may have been when the videographer focused in on the Kansas City Chiefs logo on the side of O’Connor’s kick drum during his solo.

Stewart ended his formal set with “Maggie May,” letting the crowd sing the first verse for him. He sandwiched that one between “Hot Legs” and then his encore, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.”  I don’t know about sexy, but it’s evident a lot of fans still think both of these stars are appealing and attractive and worthy of a night on the town.

Setlists

Stevie Nicks:  Stand Back; Outside the Rain; Dreams; Secret Love; Sorcerer; Gold Dust Woman; You Wreck Me (Tom Petty cover); piano interlude; Rhiannon; Landslide; Edge of Seventeen. Encore: Love Is

Rod Stewart: Love Train; Tonight’s the Night; Havin’ a Party; Passion (with Stevie Nicks); Leather and Lace (with Stevie Nicks); Forever Young; The First Cut is the Deepest; This Old Heart of Mine; Twistin’ the Night Away; Some Guys Have All the Luck; Downtown Train; Reason to Believe; You’re In My Heart; Sweet Little Rock and Roller; It’s a Heartache; Rhythm of My Heart; Knock on Wood (backup singers); Have I Told You Lately; Hot Legs; Maggie May. Encore: Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.

| Timothy FInn, The Star

Comments

[isellfords]

Tim- It was Don Henley originally on Leather and Lace. Stevie really surprised me. Much better performance than last time through with FM. Sad to see so many empty seats, literally couldn't give away an extra ticket. Maybe some of these older acts could get a little more realistic on their ticket prices.

[Chris]

I love Stevie Nicks,
I always have,
I always will.

Rod is still awesome.

Another well written, fair, review from TF.

[Tim Finn]

right. thanks (i never liked that song)

[Bubba]

I was there - it was a fun show. When ROD opened up with the O'JAYS "Love Train", I honestly (for a minute) thought I was at a JAMES BROWN gig - for he copied BROWN'S intro - sort of a show-off type of suprise to pull, STILL I liked being there. STEVIE NICKS was fine. I probably wouldn't see her again - just never been that much of a fan of hers without FLEETWOOD MAC. Had the ticket price would have been more affordable - more fans would have likely showed up.

This time around, the economy really IS hurting everyone except the truly wealthy. As NICKS said as she walking off the stage "The world is in chaos - so take care of one another and pray". Good advice. Bubba said it.

[Steve]

Wow, I would have thought he would have pulled a few gems from the Faces.

[TrueFan]

I came to the show for Stevie(who did not disappoint) and also hoped to hear more of Rod's older hits instead of the Vegas Review/Variety Show schtick he delivered. I could have done with less of that and more of his true hits from back in the day. No Young Turks or You Wear It Well, unfortunately.

[pellboy]

Sounds like it was a decent enough show,but Rod's setlist these days seems to be way too geared towards the adult contemporary crowd. Old soul standards, his biggest pop hits, even really weak ones like Some Guys Have All The Luck?...where the hell is the rock & roll?!

On the other hand, although the pics are kind of fuzzy, Stevie seems less bloated than I recall and actually looks pretty damn good, especially for 62.

[Bubba]

Yep, ROD the mod did play several soul / maybe a Motown song I believe. However, he may've not played as many 'real' rock songs as some of us may've expected - but he did do some fine upbeat tunes. Plus, I loved the way he allows his coed band of 12 musicians be a vital part of the show. That hot blonde sax player + the dark-haired female guitarist / violinist are flipping gorgeous!!

[Donna]

Stevie's voice was strong and beautiful. Waddy and the rest of her band were top notch. Then Rod came on, he took the stage (as he does) and gave us what we came for. He was in great form, his energy and charisma shined throughout the whole show. I hope he uses the Celtic scarf I gave him to keep his neck warm and many thanks to him for my cherished soccer ball :)

[NEW]

Shoot! Waddy Watchel was playing? That would have been worth the price of admission right there. I have not seen him since the last X-Pensive Winos tour in the early 90s.

[Ducky]

Uh, Waddy is pretty much Stevie's guitarist every time she tours, every time I have seen her... but, of course, he is also Adam Sandlers main go to guy yoo.

I am not sure if he still does it, but he used to play a weekly bar gig in LA.

Waddy, imuho is the best session man in the biz.

[Eric H.]

Undoubtedly, Ducky. Waddy has been in Stevie's touring band as long as I can remember. He played with her when I saw her at Sandstone in 1986 with Frampton opening.

[C Crew]

1986... those were the days

I wish it was 1986 again, and I could relive everything that happened, not changing a thing.

I would go again, even if it meant winding up here, in the no fun zone.

Life is no fun anymore, actually life kind of sucks these days. I wouldnt care I died tonight.

[isellfords]

I bet a lot of people would care C.

[C Crew]

Well that is an unexpected, and very kind, comment to make.

If I had any money (I'd settle for 2 cents to rub together) I would buy a Ford from you, but I am broke and busted and at my wits end.

Been working on creating an opportunity(or7) but it never works out, like it is rigged, or something.

Life used to be a lot fun, but not in the last 5-7 years, and now things are getting worse and I am old.

It is like sitting at the poker table, having only 2 Big Blinds left. I am optimistically playing it out to the end hoping some cards will come and I can turn this thing around, but if not, oh well.

But no matter what, thank you for the kind words ford man.

[Bubba]

Crew, I'm sorry to hear your life (these days) suck so much. You are right - TOO MUCH has changed in the last bunch of years. The only way to keep your head above water now is to AVOID all responsibilities! Don't get married, have kids OR buy a house! Get out WHEN you can to enjoy yourself and don't get INVOLVED with too many people that you're UNSURE of. Too many scams, liars and GENERALLY nutcases floating around these days. This weak & ailing economy is NOT better like those news reports SAY it it. I only pray ga$ prices stay under the $4 mark. Bubba said it, don't forget it.

[Mike A]

Sounds like a wonderful trip down memory lane but I am saving my money for the Pat Boone/ Eydie Gorme show.

[mary]

Tim, I don't know anything about Stevie's upcoming album, but she wrote Sorcerer pre-Fleetwood Mac, and recorded it for "Trouble in Shangri-la" in 2001, and it also on her greatest hits in 2007. It also appeared (sung by Marilyn Martin, with back-up vocals by Stevie) on the soundtrack to the movie Streets of Fire in 1984.
It looks like Secret Love may be the title of her new album,(according to Amazon, anyway) and the single was released in January, perhaps that's what you meant.