10th Annual L.A. Veteran's Holiday Celebration
Brentwood Theatre - Sun, Dec. 8, '02

I have worked in the professional impersonator industry (as Madonna)since 1985. I've written 2 books on the subject of impersonation and am considered "an expert" in this world- with all that said...BELLA DONNA is the MOST AMAZING DEAD-ON BEAUTIFUL re-creation of Stevie Nicks and THE BEST Tribute band I have EVER heard! Unbeliveable! SHE ROCKS and the band is PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bella
Tributeproductions@earthlink.net
LA, CA USA - Thu Oct 31 2002

Bella Donna
The Canyon
Agoura, California
March 15, 2003

By Vickie Wright

"Thunder only happens when it's raining" turned out to be more than lyrics to a Fleetwood Mac song this weekend. The band Bella Donna performed at The Canyon Club in Agoura on Saturday, March 15. A light rain and thunderstorm fell over the area shortly before the show. The thunder outside was no comparison to the thunder happening inside the club.

Michelle Tyler fronts Bella Donna, a Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac tribute band. The band and Michelle did an awesome re-creation of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac on stage. The Canyon Club was packed to a full house. The intimate seating arrangements made it seem as if Stevie Nicks was performing for us in our living room. Crowds overflowed on the big couches and chairs, a nice touch for a concert that made one feel like they were back in the 70's. The only thing missing was the smell of patchouli and incense.

Michelle does not just perform and sing Stevie; she captures her true essence and spirit. The talented singer moved, looked, and became Stevie Nicks. Michelle's vocal talent is incredible; she possesses Nicks' same strong, raspy, sexy, quality mixed with emotion that makes you feel magical. Her presence was amazingly inspiring. With the many tiny details that went into their show, any Fleetwood Mac fan could see that as a whole the band and Michelle have perfected their tribute to make one not only see them but feel them. As far as the audience members were concerned, Stevie Nicks was on the stage with Mick Fleetwood on the drums and cowbell during such classics as "Gold Dust Woman" and "The Chain". Michelle's wardrobe was right out of Ms. Nicks closet. Her flowing outfits, high heeled boots, and white tambourine helped create a visual that made you feel that Michelle was The Queen of Rock and Roll magically serenading you. It was enchanting to say the least.

One did not have to pretend or close their eyes, the energy was there, and Michelle channeled Stevie the entire time. She was alive on stage; it was hard to tell who was paying the tribute. Michelle enjoyed the audience as much as the audience enjoyed her presentation.

The authentic details could be heard in the sound of the band. They were finely tuned to perfection and transformed into Fleetwood Mac. The background harmonies were rich and blended beautifully with Michelle's leads. Musically, Stevie's solo years were represented on stage as well as her duets. The crowd headed to the dance floor for "Stand Back" and "Edge Of Seventeen". An on-stage wind machine added visions of Stevie to these powerful performances. The beautiful background singers joined Michelle in an angelic rendition of "Leather & Lace". With the world's current situation and times of crisis, people want and need nostalgia more than ever. Michelle and her band took the audience back to a happier time. Pure and simple, it was great music.

The crowd was hushed and swayed slowly as Michelle sang "Landslide". Lovers sang along and held hands. In true Mac fashion, guitar player Bob Weitz rested his chin on his hand just as Lindsey Buckingham does during the final lyric of the song as he gazes at the song bird. It was as authentic as it could get at that moment. Michelle and her guitarist even exchanged the classic "thank yous" that Stevie and Lindsay have done when they perform this song on stage. A lot of thought and effort went into paying homage to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie; these added details show how much Michelle and her bandmates care about what she is doing for the legacy she is paying tribute to. The show was presented with the utmost respect and loyalty, the fans truly loved every minute and a lot of them recreated their own version of Stevie by coming dressed in lace, velvet, and fringe.

The crowd pleaser of the night was "Silver Springs". The crowd exploded as the piano intro began. Michelle had a background choir of hundreds as we all sang along to the beautifully sung ballad. At the close of the song she was authentically Stevie and said, "Silver Springs is a great old song". Michelle and the band left nothing out and left no one feeling empty. While Michelle dashed off to change into another fabulous Nicks ensemble, the ladies piped out awesome vocals on "Say You Love Me" which is a lead sung by Christine McVie during Fleetwood Mac shows. No one could feel left out- it was all there right down to the wind machine that blew on Michelle as she danced, sang and transformed herself into the Queen Gypsy.

The encore was "Rhiannon" another classic that Michelle truly gave a 100% of herself to. It seemed as if the 90-minute show went by too fast. The Canyon was the prefect venue for Bella Donna to tantalize us; the room was filled with spirit. Michelle Tyler put on a great show. We were treated to something very special. Bella Donna will be performing at Paladino's in Reseda in April and at The Strawberry Festival in Oxnard in May. For more info please visit www.cuppajoe-music.com/beldon.

Vickie Wright is a freelance writer, music critic, and celebrity biographer.
Sketchwriter1@aol.com