Nicks Regains Ring, But Misplaces Other Valuables

Larceny was the big excitement at Stevie Nicks’ show on Saturday at the Pacific Amphitheatre.

While the pop diva was taking her customary concluding promenade along the stage apron, receiving flowers and trinkets and bestowing in return a hug or a touch, somebody nicked a ring from one of Stevie’s bejeweled hands. But all’s well that ends well: Nicks barely had begun pleading for the return of the keepsake (she said it was a gift from her grandmother) when she was told that whoever took it had already handed it back.

Too bad, though, about those other valuables that remained missing through most of her two-hour concert: a commanding voice, an energetic presence and some sense of how to pace a show.

For someone who sings a lot about the desire to change, Nicks has shown no inclination to remake her music or her persona, and both wore awfully thin at the Pacific. She still plays the role of the Gypsy-angel-dove-child, singing solipsistic songs that are intended to be mystical, but end up merely mystifying.

Many of her best songs were missing (she sang only 13 numbers in a show full of padding and time wasted for 11--count ‘em--exits for wardrobe changes). Several other hits were squandered in pallid vocal performances. Things improved when Nicks let her sharp band rock a little on “Stand Back” and “Edge of Seventeen.” But the only really memorable moment was that choked plea for missing jewelry.