Stevie Nicks - The Soundstage Sessions

“Fleetwood Mac has a convoluted and emotional history,” guitarist Lindsey Buckingham jokingly understated during the band’s recent Canadian concerts. Indeed, Fleetwood Mac’s past is rife with tales of drug abuse, adulterous affairs and marriage breakups. The group’s 1977 album, Rumours, documented the group’s internal turmoil in now-classic songs like “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way.” Although John and Christine McVie divorced and Lindsey and Stevie Nicks split after various flings, including one between Stevie and Mick Fleetwood, the band stayed together and went on to sell more than 100 million albums—including 25 million for Rumours alone—and became one of the most popular bands in history.

Christine declined to take part in the group’s current tour, which includes upcoming dates in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, leaving Stevie and Lindsey to handle the vocal work. While Fleetwood Mac soldiers on, Stevie continues to shine as a soloist with the release of her Live in Chicago DVD and the companion CD The Soundstage Sessions.

Live in Chicago features Stevie’s performances of Fleetwood Mac favorites like “Rhiannon,” Stevie’s solo hit “Edge of Seventeen” and a thrilling cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.” The Soundstage Sessions includes such Stevie gems as “Stand Back,” from her 1983 album The Wild Heart, her cover of Dave Matthews’ “Crash Into Me” and the Fleetwood Mac classic “Landslide.” Both showcase an iconic rock chanteuse with a penchant for top hats, shawls and chiffon skirts who has influenced female artists from the Dixie Chicks to Sheryl Crow.