For two hours Buckingham was the master of both machines and avenues of creativity. The 59-year-old singer-songwriter offered fresh interpretations of his well-known Fleetwood Mac material and reveled in a solo catalog that has encompassed everything from pure pop to off-the-wall experimentation. He also reminded the assembled of his instrumental virtuosity, showcasing almost as many guitar personalities as songs.
There was the austere flutter and drone of his furious acoustic take of Mac's "Big Love," which climaxed with Buckingham expelling a series of grunts and shrieks that sounded as if he was trying to exorcise the romantic drama of that band from his soul. "Did You Miss Me," from his strong new album "Gift of Screws," offered a simpler adult contemporary crunch and lilting rhythms. "Great Day" combined acoustic thrum and blazing guitar squeals that were like heated pin pricks. And Buckingham got his metal god on during the brawny Mac track "Come," complete with stomping grooves and a spiraling, ecstatic, epic solo. The harmony-drenched "Treason" and the mesmerizing lullaby "Time Precious Time" offered the lighter, almost pastoral side of his playing and revealed the ache in his voice. But no matter how heavy or frenzied the songs became or how lathered up Buckingham got there was nary a hint of sludge or sloppiness. Buckingham is a surgeon when it comes to his music and he and his three-piece band were never less than pristine.
Buckingham was a gracious and voluble host revealing how raising a family has offered new perspectives on old material and brought him a measure of the kind of peace that was elusive in his hazy rock star days.
While the older crowd stayed rooted to their seats for most of the show they showered Buckingham with ovations, peppered him with requests, and were respectful of the new material. That said, they also leapt at the chance to sing and dance along to peak-era Mac tracks like the still potent rant "Go Your Own Way," the tribal banshee cries of "Tusk," and the be-bopping "Second Hand News." The big machine was in good working order.
