Best Recording of Crystal?

[singertobe]

I have no idea if this has been discussed before but I can't figure out which one is best.

[jbrownsjr]

It's really an amazing Nicks' tune. I love what LB does with it vocally and Christine's keyboards are sublime. She puts a vision in my head of something extraordinary with her solo.

This is one of the tunes that shows me what happens when B/N added McVie. The harmony became more full, more musical and rich. I love this song.

The B/N version is more generic and I don't like Stevie's voice nowadays.. she bellows a beautiful song and ruins it for me... she does the same to Landslide live..

[bwboy]

I hate the 1998 version, but the one from the FM album with Lindsey singing lead is one of my all time favorite songs. I've always wondered how it came to be Lindsey singing. I mean, did Stevie write it specifically for him to sing, or did Lindsey see it and love it and ask to sing it, or what.

I wish the band had done more of this, for example Christine singing Save Me a Place or Lindsey or Stevie singing Brown Eyes. Would have been so cool.

[louielouie2000]

I've always been in the minority about this, but I adore Stevie's solo version and don't care for the others. I will never, ever get why Lindsey sang Stevie's song on 2 different albums. To me, lyrically it's so quintessentially Stevie. Lindsey just sounds downright silly singing Stevie's frilly words.

Another reason why I love the 1998 version is the production. It's just so warm and rich- like hot cider on a cold autumn day. And acoustic guitar backed by strings couldn't fit the lyrical content any better. I actually wish Stevie would have written an entire album in that sort of vein. To me, it was a beautiful return to Stevie's folk roots.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I've always been in the minority about this, but I adore Stevie's solo version and don't care for the others. I will never, ever get why Lindsey sang Stevie's song on 2 different albums. To me, lyrically it's so quintessentially Stevie. Lindsey just sounds downright silly singing Stevie's frilly words.

Another reason why I love the 1998 version is the production. It's just so warm and rich- like hot cider on a cold autumn day. And acoustic guitar backed by strings couldn't fit the lyrical content any better. I actually wish Stevie would have written an entire album in that sort of vein. To me, it was a beautiful return to Stevie's folk roots.

A-men I agree.
All versions are good but Stevie's 1998 version is so mystical and raw. It almost seems improvised in parts and the ending just fades perfectly with you picturing a misty fog fading away. Its really magical.
I would never think she or anyone could have remade this song to be worthy of listening to. But she nailed it. I think it also fit perfectly with the movie Practical Magic.

[SisterNightroad]

I love all three versions equally. What I'm particularly fond of is the Buckingham Nicks live performance, it's so raw and genuine, Stevie's harmonies and wails at the end are just beautiful to me.

[singertobe]

Originally Posted by SisterNightroad

I love all three versions equally. What I'm particularly fond of is the Buckingham Nicks live performance, it's so raw and genuine, Stevie's harmonies and wails at the end are just beautiful to me.

There's a live version? I MUST SEE IT!!!

[SisterNightroad]

Originally Posted by singertobe

There's a live version? I MUST SEE IT!!!

It's audio only, you can find it on youtube.

[lilyfee]

Originally Posted by SisterNightroad

It's audio only, you can find it on youtube.

It's floating around on Tumblr as well... So good!

[aleuzzi]

I always thought it should have been sung by Stevie and Lindsey together, rather than by Lindsey backed occasionally by Stevie.

That said, instrumentally, the 1975 version beats the others hands down. That organ, that bass! It's really a feature for their backing line. I wish the band had done more extensive instrumentation like this on other tracks.

[Dreamz19]

I really like Stevie's version, but its something about Lindsey singing this song that just makes it for me. As for my favorite, I equally love the 73 and 75 versions, but I'm giving the edge to the 73 version.

[elle]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I've always been in the minority about this, but I adore Stevie's solo version and don't care for the others. I will never, ever get why Lindsey sang Stevie's song on 2 different albums. To me, lyrically it's so quintessentially Stevie. Lindsey just sounds downright silly singing Stevie's frilly words

yes, nicely stated. while i musically liked 1975 version when i first heard it, after listening to it several times i just couldn't stand hearing him sing those lyrics. in her version frilliness of the lyrics gets hidden somehow. BN version is just grating when compared to FM's.

[singertobe]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I always thought it should have been sung by Stevie and Lindsey together, rather than by Lindsey backed occasionally by Stevie.

That said, instrumentally, the 1975 version beats the others hands down. That organ, that bass! It's really a feature for their backing line. I wish the band had done more extensive instrumentation like this on other tracks.

Yes it would be wonderful as a duet