Silver Springs

[dissention]

Is anyone else bothered by Silver Springs on the reissue? I could care less that they included it, but to my ears, when I listen to the album all the way through, it sticks out like a sore thumb. I just don't think it gels with the other songs; it's the oddball. It's like most Sheryl Crow albums, there's always one song that sticks out badly. :laugh:

Having said that, I'm just not a fan of the studio version. I despise it. Great music (with the exception of the cheesy intro), but the vocal totally ruins it for me. It's quite grating and she screams too much at the end. It's the Dance one for me. :)

[Johnny Stew]

:eek: Blasphemer!! :laugh: ;)

The studio version is, for me, the definitive version of that song... though I know most people prefer the 'Dance' version.
And while I do love the 'Dance' performance of it, I think there's just no beating the beauty and subtlety of the original.

I was a little unsure of how I felt about the particular mix they included on the reissue (which is similar to the mix on 'VBoFM,' but with an extended ending), because I've always felt the original, b-side mix was tops (the one found on 'The Chain' boxed-set).
Still, Stevie's passion at the end of this remastered version is really gripping, and her extra wails at the end blow me away... so it's won me over. :)

I'm thrilled "Silver Springs" was returned to its rightful place on 'Rumours,' and I definitely don't think it sticks out like a sore thumb.
But then, I've been listening to it as part of that album for eleven years... ever since I first got the song on CD, and made a cassette of 'Rumours' with it in the running order. :)

[strandinthewind]

I, too, love the studio version. I also like and love The Dance version. But, I really love the two full on 70's live version floating out there as well as her piano demo where she clearly states "I'll cast a spell on you so you won't forget me" - Breaks my heart every time.

[dissention]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
And while I do love the 'Dance' performance of it, I think there's just no beating the beauty and subtlety of the original.


See, I think that's why I dislike the studio version so much. :laugh: To me, the song is not a subtle song and it doesn't work as a song that can be sung like it was in the studio. I don't like how it starts off so sweetly and then ends with screaming and shouting. What I do like was how she sung it on The Dance. She took it and started it off very strongly and forceful and didn't let up. She sang it angrily throughout the whole thing and then the anger just went off the map at the end. In the studio one, it's a little jarring. The vocal is too sweet and sugary to me.

But to each his own, at least we can discuss the song in such detail and why it works for us. :laugh:

[wondergirl9847]

I am a fan of those live 70's versions where she is going NUTSOS! :nod: Puts the Dance version to shame.

The studio versions are okay. It is weird to hear that smack dab in the middle of Rumours, but whatever. I've made lots of mix CD's and it's cool to hear a jumble. :)

[strandinthewind]

I agree - her voice in the studio version has that last hint of innocence, which I think makes the song!!!!!

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
I agree - her voice in the studio version has that last hint of innocence, which I think makes the song!!!!!

Just what I was thinking.

- Jake

[Cristian]

I'm very partial to the Dance version myself, too, but it's for a very personal and weird argument... I don't like the way Lindsey's guitar tries to emulate the strings in the studio version (or is that a harp, whatever). I prefer the much more 'natural' feel of the music on the Dance version.

I like the fact that it's been included on Rumours. I don't like the fact that they had to alter the original running order in order to include it. :nod:



Song of the moment - Second Hand News

[GardenStateGirlie]

Of course I love The Dance version. I mean, think about it.... years of built up anger, frustration and love that just exploded onto the soundstage that night...it still gives me chills everytime I listen :nod: Both versions are beautiful in their own way.

[Johnny Stew]

I think that's what puts the studio version at the top for me... the fact that it starts out so gently, and Stevie's voice is so pretty and reserved... and then over the next few minutes, it slowly builds to its crescendo, as Stevie begins raging and venting her anger as her relationship lies in ruins.

Powerful stuff. :)

[face of glass]

There is no way any other version will beat the original studio version, IMHO. That vocal is a wonder and I love the sweetness of it; some of that side of her voice was soon to be lost. And those guitars (with the free-flowing lilt and the off-kilter feel that the manipulated tape speed gives to them) are like sprinkles of water in the middle of a desert.

In subtlety, that one is unbeatable. But the two 1976 live versions are damn powerful performances for me; both in terms of SN’s voice and LB’s guitar. In the Dance version no one is really reacting to Stevie’s singing like they should, in 1976 Lindsey’s playing was (and could be even now) the perfect match.

I think “Silver Springs”, like “Sisters Of The Moon”, can easily co-exist in subtler and “no-holds-barred” approaches (and I believe “Straight Back” would have the same potential, too bad they never played it on stage). The live versions would have left the studio versions behind easily if the band had tried to create the same impact in the more sterile environment, which they didn’t do and I commend them for that. :cool:

[Hawkeye]

the studio version is the best by far. With the SYW tour version coming in second and the dance version last although i do like it on the dance. Most of you saying the dance is best are for the most part just a little too emotionally attached to the dance.

[GypsySorcerer]

:eek:

I love the Dance version, but to me she knocks it out of the ball park with the album version. The screaming at the end is actually my favorite part. :laugh:

[MikeVielhaber]

couldN'T care less......geez when did people start saying it wrong.....its enough of a pet peeve of mine to prompt me to write my first post since i joined in october......

[Johnny Stew]

We had a thread going for a while on the Chit-Chat Forum, all about pet peeves, Mike... you might want to weigh-in there (http://ledge.fleetwoodmac.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10803). :)

Welcome to the Ledge! :wavey:

[dissention]

Originally posted by Hawkeye
Most of you saying the dance is best are for the most part just a little too emotionally attached to the dance.

No, I think the studio vocal is obnoxious. ;)

[chiliD]

I think, for the most part, the people who remember the B-side of the single when it came out, prefer it...those who came on board to Fleetwood Mac fandom with The Dance prefer that version. Kind of a "which one you heard first" type of thing.

I'm one of the former. While it was great that they dredged it out of the bog for The Dance (and slapped the "Wish You Were Here" intro onto the beginning), I'll always prefer the original studio version...mainly because it is the first version of the song I ever heard.

:shrug:

[Sugar]

I prefer the studio version because I like her voice better during that time period. When I first heard "The Dance" version I cringed during the opening line! She sounded like she was straining or out of tune or something...YIKES!

Sure the ending is good, the ending is ALWAYS good! To me this song isn't "pissed off" but more "singing through tears and heartache". But, of course, that's just my opinion!

There's a lot of younger fans here too for whom "The Dance" was the first version they heard (in fact many have credited it for sparking their interest in FM), so I wonder how many people cite the version they heard first as their favorite just because of the "newness factor".

And I may be one of those...I first remember hearing the studio version on the radio many years ago...:nod:

[Sugar]

Ah chiliD, we were posting at the same time...:wavey:

And yes, I remember hearing "The Dance" version for the first time and thinking, "Are they really going to do "Wish You Were Here?!?" :laugh:

[macmar71]

As I heard the studio version first, it is the one I prefer! It has such great layers of guitar and Stevie's vocals sound so tender and wistful.

[diamondsnake]

Originally posted by Sugar
When I first heard "The Dance" version I cringed during the opening line! She sounded like she was straining or out of tune or something...YIKES!

Didn't she get a grammy nomination for her vocals on that song? She couldn't be too out of tune. :laugh:

[David R]

But, I really love the two full on 70's live version floating out there as well as her piano demo where she clearly states "I'll cast a spell on you so you won't forget me" - Breaks my heart every time.

Piano demo? Is there really a piano demo? I have not heard of it. .:confused:


I am more of a fan of The Dance version because that is the song that got me into the Mac, and is my favorite song of all time. I enjoyed the Silver Springs studio version when I bought The Chain boxsets,(selections from the chain, the chain cd boxset, the chain cassette boxset, thank you ebay, haha) But my favorite still is The Dance version although I do love the Rumours version, especially the reissued Rumours version, the letting loose at the end really brings it home. I love this song.

[Sugar]

Originally posted by diamondsnake
Didn't she get a grammy nomination for her vocals on that song? She couldn't be too out of tune. :laugh:

Well now, she didn't win, did she? ;)

Besides, like the rest of the world, I'm sure they were focusing on the pathos of the ending. Still that first "..Sil-ver springs.." methinks Stevie forgot to do her vocal warm-ups! :laugh:

[4Buck]

I grew to love the RUMOURS version of SILVER SPRINGS the best -- in just one day! THE DANCE rendition is awesome when watching it on DVD. But without seeing it performed by the handsome duo of Nicks and Buckingham, I favor the enhanced, attention-grabbing arrangements on the new RUMOURS remaster.

Marcello Carlin of UnCut magazine says that the Rumours’ SILVER SPRINGS remaster is Stevie’s greatest vocal performance – “the passion which she has restrained elsewhere now breaks forth,” he says. ….“Her devastating screams of ‘you’ll never get away from the sound of the woman who loves you’ are worth the price of the album itself.”

I agree! :wavey:

[Nicks Fan]

The Dance version still does it for me everytime. I just love the way it ends. Stevie has such amazing vocal range on this performance.

[DWIG]

I had to respond to this thread, as Silver Springs has always been one of my favourite songs. I know this song from its beginnings and always knew it was a very important song for FM.
When The Dance happened, i was so thriled that Stevie nailed the song and did such a fantastic version of it. But, i agree with a few others when they say the definitive version is the original. Stevie's voice is so innocent on that version --
When i first heard the Dance version, i couldn't believe Stevie s voice at the end of the song--to me it was her way of saying, this is me, this is what i do and the world is going to know this song!!!

I felt that Stevie got her rewards.....

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by Sugar
Well now, she didn't win, did she? ;)

Besides, like the rest of the world, I'm sure they were focusing on the pathos of the ending. Still that first "..Sil-ver springs.." methinks Stevie forgot to do her vocal warm-ups! :laugh:

I kind of agree with you Sugar. But - I think she is on key - pitch on the other hand :shrug: :laugh: Having said that :cool: I think that intro is one of things that is glorious because she is off a little a la Bonnie Raitt. I think it makes it better.

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by DWIG
I had to respond to this thread, as Silver Springs has always been one of my favourite songs. I know this song from its beginnings and always knew it was a very important song for FM.
When The Dance happened, i was so thriled that Stevie nailed the song and did such a fantastic version of it. But, i agree with a few others when they say the definitive version is the original. Stevie's voice is so innocent on that version --
When i first heard the Dance version, i couldn't believe Stevie s voice at the end of the song--to me it was her way of saying, this is me, this is what i do and the world is going to know this song!!!

I felt that Stevie got her rewards.....

I know what you mean. I was so thrilled to hear she was going to do it. But at the same time, I feared her voice could not handle it. I was breathless and had tears of pride when she finished it. I wanted to call all of the people who hate her and just play them that and go SEE :laugh: Between that performance and the GDW howl all I can say is - What a Woman! :cool:

[marc402]

Originally posted by Cristian


I like the fact that it's been included on Rumours. I don't like the fact that they had to alter the original running order in order to include it. :nod:



Song of the moment - Second Hand News

I could not agree more
i have nothing against the song but it dit NOT make it onto rumours atleast not the rumours everyone knows
they should have placed it at the back of the other tracks or on the bonus disc.

[blinker12]

Besides, like the rest of the world, I'm sure they were focusing on the pathos of the ending. Still that first "..Sil-ver springs.." methinks Stevie forgot to do her vocal warm-ups!

Yeah, she's definitely straining there. But afterward, her voice settles and she nails just about everything else.
Considering how bad her voice sounded only a few years before (the 1989-1993 era), this performance is a remarkable return to form. When I first heard it, I was attached to the studio version and resisted the new version a bit, especially how she delays singing the high harmony on "never get away" until the third time through.
But now, I feel the delay helps build tension. So it's a toss-up between which version I prefer.

[dontlookdown]

What a phenomenon Silver Springs has turned into. I loved that for so many years, it was impossible to get - other than as a b side 45. Then when it appeared on the boxed set - yeah! - "finally on cd".
Then.....when Stevie decided to resurrect it in 1997, I think longtime fans were a little worried she wouldn't be able to pull it off.

I remember watching the show on pbs and privately hanging onto every word as she delivered a brand new Silver Springs. How amazing it was to watch her soooo carefully sing that song in a new stronger, lower register. It was the first time I really finally admitted to myself that Stevie had gotten her voice back, and with that alone, she would be responsible for bringing her own career and Fleetwood Mac's back to a very respectable place. I was right.
That 1997 version was unbelievable and it wasn't until a few years ago that I realized it was far superior to the original studio version. The studio version now sounds a little rushed to me - almost as if Stevie had a hard time keeping up with the tempo. To me it's now what James Iha (of Smashing Pumpkins) calls "a Slow Burner".

I kind of wish they put that original b side 45 mix on the reissue. This version sounds a little sloppy and it would have been nice to have the song in it's 1977 version - like the rest of Rumours. As for it sticking out among the others, I don't think so. It's all so interesting - the fact that this music is still making an impression after so many years. What other band had been able to remain so timeless? The Beatles. Who else?

[The Tower]

Originally posted by dissention
Is anyone else bothered by Silver Springs on the reissue? I could care less that they included it, but to my ears, when I listen to the album all the way through, it sticks out like a sore thumb. I just don't think it gels with the other songs; it's the oddball.

I completely agree. Her vocal is way too strident. I have always loved this song- from the time I bought the 45 with it as a B side, all the way through to The Dance.

However, after getting used to The Dance version, it's really hard for me to listen to all that screaming. To be honest with you, I think the real reason they ditched it off of Rumours was because of the screechy-ness, NOT because of the length.

I don't think they had the nerve to tell her the truth.

Great song- just too much hollering!