Which "Crystal" Is Better: FM or BN?
 

Which "Crystal" do you prefer, and why?

While I can appreciate both versions, I prefer the Fleetwood Mac version by far. It's so soothing and polished, the harmonies have better placement, the three blend so well together, and I think Lindsey does a better vocal. What seals the deal is the Christine's keyboards at the end. They are beautiful and that long outro adds a lot to the song.

However, The Buckingham Nicks version has its appeal. It has a more raw sound and feels more like a duet than the Fleetwood Mac version. It's really charming in a way that the other one is not.

I like BOTH versions more than Stevie's solo version. It's still good, but she could have pulled a better vocal, even at that age. Sheryl Crowe does a good job on the production and it has a good spin on the outro, but it was never going to beat the originals. I'd kill for a 70s version of Stevie singing the song though.

On one of the Penguin Q&A's someone asks Keith Olsen why Lindsey sangs it. "Lindsey's voice always had the right timbre for that song" was his answer. I wouldn't be surprised if they had tried it both ways and found Lindsey's vocal worked better. He's so multi-talented that we forget wha a great singer he is.

Every version is very good. I prefer the Mac version. I actually like the 1998 version just as much.

The Fleetwood Mac version by far. Christine and John took that to the next level.

The Fleetwood Mac version easily for me.

The FM version. The harmonies are beautiful. The BN version is a little too rough around the edges.

FM. John's bass line that mimics the build up and crashing of the waves, and Chris's layered synth lines....sublime.

The FM version. What we've said over and over again, regarding FM, the sum is better than the parts, even two parts. "Crystal" is a beautiful song and I prefer it Mac style.

FM. way fuller sound. nice rounded song.

Christine and John make this my fav Fleetwood Mac song. It's just beautiful what they do to it.

Agreed. Truly beautiful song

I may be in the minority here, but I prefer the BN version. It was the beginning of so many great collaborations between Stevie and Lindsey. When they could still leave their differences aside for a common goal: their music. :)