At last, preformed by Stevie

[Bumperke]

What's with that song?
Stevie songs it the way diva's would sing it 'round the 50's ?
When was this recorded, is there a clip?

Who can answer :blob1:

Will

[strandinthewind]

What's with that song?
Stevie songs it the way diva's would sing it 'round the 50's ?
When was this recorded, is there a clip?

Who can answer :blob1:

Will

There is a clip from the Don Henely Walden Woods (sp. ?) benefit in like 1998. She also subsequently sang it one or two more times, once at the Andre Aggassi benefit. i have the first time, but not on this comp. :cool:

I LOVE the way she sings it. In many ways and for a variety of reasons mostly not her fault (illness, age, etc.) it was the swan song of her putting her voice over the top in a live performance.

[Regina]

I was just listening to it the other day and thinking of how fabulous it was.
It was released in a promo cd for AT&T, I think? Something like that--along with 9 or 10 other "torchy" type songs from that era by other modern-day singers.
It's great. I remember being shocked beyond belief when I got one in the mail.
Right after the Walden Woods performance--someone send me a boot of it (which isn't that clear but I'm not complaining) and, unless I'm losing my memory entirely, I think she sang something else that night, too. I have to find it later and let you know what it was.
It's fun to hear her do some of this type of stuff.

[strandinthewind]

I was just listening to it the other day and thinking of how fabulous it was.
It was released in a promo cd for AT&T, I think? Something like that--along with 9 or 10 other "torchy" type songs from that era by other modern-day singers.
It's great. I remember being shocked beyond belief when I got one in the mail.
Right after the Walden Woods performance--someone send me a boot of it (which isn't that clear but I'm not complaining) and, unless I'm losing my memory entirely, I think she sang something else that night, too. I have to find it later and let you know what it was.
It's fun to hear her do some of this type of stuff.

I believe she sang "When Sunny Gets Blue" and old Billie Holiday song - the boot is dreadful in quality. According the reviews at www.nicksfix.com - La Nicks was not as good on "When Sunny Gets Blue" as she was on "At Last" to wit:

She sang a tentative "When Sunny Gets Blue" ...but she was just warming up. She then launched into a rockin' version of the Etta James classic "At Last". She truly brought down the house to a standing ovation, complete with hoots and hollers from the audience (and me!!). I was a lil' nervous after her first number , but she did herself proud with the second number, and I was so proud for her!! What an amazing career turn-around...two years ago, I would never have believed it. She is back to where she belongs...at the top of her game!! She was absolutely the "crowd favorite",and the three friends I attended the show with agreed.

Fleetwood Mac chanteuse Nicks, the lady in red (not black for once), drew screams of approval from the suit-and-tie audience before she even opened her mouth. And she didn't disappoint, earning the night's only standing ovation. She soothed with "When Sunny Gets Blue" and belted "At Last" -- at points flirting with a blues-rock feel -- as her cascading blond hair fell over her face. "Stevie did great," bandmate Fleetwood boasted after the show.


again, from www.nicksfix.com (kudos to them!!!!)

[WildInTheWind]

I was so impressed with Stevie's version of At Last when I heard it. I think it's fabulous and she just nails it!!

[tuigirl]

Surely, the way she sings it (like in the 50's) just goes to show how versatile she is..I really like this song. I also like her country style that she sometimes does(think I've heard a "storms" demo, or something, at one point)

[dissention]

I love her voice on it, but it's a rather empty rendition. Why even bother trying to do Etta James of all people?

[Jyqm]

What's with that song?
Stevie songs it the way diva's would sing it 'round the 50's ?
When was this recorded, is there a clip?

Who can answer :blob1:

Will

I don't know that Stevie quite sings it the way Etta James or others usually did it. She injects quite a bit of rock into her vocal, but somehow it works and comes off as incredibly powerful and almost incendiary for a song that's just about being in love.

But yes, she performed it at Don Henley's Walden Woods benefit in 1998, and AT&T released it on a promo CD that included their WorldNet software. Also on the CD: Gwen Stefani doing Elvis Costello's "Almost Blue," Sandra Bernhard doing "Is That All There Is?," Sheryl Crow doing "Good Morning Heartache," Bjork doing "Gloomy Sunday," Joni Mitchell doing "Stormy Weather," plus a few others. It's a pretty great CD for a promo.

[laurarox]

I'm getting married in June and my fiance and I have chosen that for our first dance. Originally he wanted the Etta James version BUT once he heard Stevie kick that song's ass he saw the light.

[DrummerDeanna]

I LOVE Stevie's version of the song :blob1: True that nothing can touch the Etta James version - but I love Stevie's interpretation of the song :nod:

[ontheEdgeof17]

True that nothing can touch the Etta James version - but I love Stevie's interpretation of the song :nod:


As Paula Abdul would say, "You took a classic and made it your own."

[Livia]

You can still find copies of the Walden Woods CD pretty easily on ebay. It's well-worth having!

[glitter_fades]

I love her voice on it, but it's a rather empty rendition. Why even bother trying to do Etta James of all people?

Down boy! :xoxo: Hey, give a girl some credit, why don't ya? She nailed it down in her own style and did an admirable job. :nod:

:wavey:

[Moony]

I'll risk a tounge lashing and say I like Stevie's version better than Etta's. :wavey:

I was lucky enough to find the Stormy Weather CD in the local records store. Bought it for 5 bucks, used. Woohoo.

[Regina]

I'm getting married in June and my fiance and I have chosen that for our first dance. Originally he wanted the Etta James version BUT once he heard Stevie kick that song's ass he saw the light.

Laura!
Congratulations. And what a kick-ass first dance song (is that appropriate phrasing? Oh, well, you know what I mean).
I wish you tons of happiness together.

[Regina]

[QUOTE=Moony]I'll risk a tounge lashing and say I like Stevie's version better than Etta's. :wavey:

[QUOTE]

Me, too.
Different generations, different voices, different styles--and I do like the Etta version, but Stevie did a great job on it and added a more contemporary sound to it.

[dissention]

Me, too.
Different generations, different voices, different styles--and I do like the Etta version, but Stevie did a great job on it and added a more contemporary sound to it.

She also robbed it of any true emotional power, much the same way the Dixie Chicks did to Landslide. Absolutely stunning vocal performance, but other than that, I find it incredibly hollow. Just my opinion. :o

[diamondsnake]

How can she hit these notes for so long on this song but would never even go there on other songs? I mean towards the end where she is holds "Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast" for like thirty seconds! WOW!!! Amazing!!! Most people couldn't hold that note for half the time. I'm just amazed that she doesn't risk more because this song really paid off for her.

[diamondsnake]

She also robbed it of any true emotional power, much the same way the Dixie Chicks did to Landslide. Absolutely stunning vocal performance, but other than that, I find it incredibly hollow. Just my opinion. :o
You're telling me she doesn't put any emotional power into this song? We must be listening to two different performances!

[dissention]

How can she hit these notes for so long on this song but would never even go there on other songs? I mean towards the end where she is holds "Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast" for like thirty seconds! WOW!!! Amazing!!! Most people couldn't hold that note for half the time. I'm just amazed that she doesn't risk more because this song really paid off for her.

It's not a very high note, that's how. It was in her range at that time and didn't require much stretching.

[dissention]

You're telling me she doesn't put any emotional power into this song? We must be listening to two different performances!

We must, dude. It's as hollow as a chocolate bunny on Easter. Like I said, I adore her voice on it because it's one of my favorite periods for her voice, but there's nothing behind it all.

[WelshWitchPMD]

I'll risk a tounge lashing and say I like Stevie's version better than Etta's. :wavey:



I would agree with you there! ;)

[PenguinHead]

I love her version. She, indeed, made it her own! After hearing that, I thought how great it would be if she made an album of those type of songs. The critics would hate it. But I would love it. She should also make a country-fied album....that could be amazing!

[GODDESS6]

I would agree with you there! ;)
i 3rd that, was 1 of the 1st songs i dloaded & thought it wonderful, i have since heard the live walden woods version. doesn't she dedicate it 2 her father? seems it might b the type of music her parents were in2, i heard her rendition brought her dad 2 tears~
anywhoo, LUV, LUV LUV etta & stevie's versions, but i must pick stevie as MY fav :nod: ~

[Jyqm]

I love her version. She, indeed, made it her own! After hearing that, I thought how great it would be if she made an album of those type of songs. The critics would hate it. But I would love it. She should also make a country-fied album....that could be amazing!

I don't know that music critics would necessarily hate a Stevie-standards album. I think it really depends on how she does it. If she goes for boring, uninspired schmaltz (I'm looking at you, Rod Stewart), then critics would certainly have every right to berate her until the cows come home. But if she chooses songs that she's clearly passionate about, and puts her heart into the performances, and works with a producer who doesn't suck any life or interest out of the songs, then I think both critics and audience could be very receptive. She might not reach Willie Nelson levels, but I think she could make a pretty good go at it if she set her mind and heart to it.

A country album, though... I don't know. I feel like Stevie would pick the wrong kinds of producers and people to work with and it'd turn into an overly-commercialized Nashville mess, but maybe I'm not giving her enough credit. How about a collaborative effort with Dolly Parton or Lucinda Williams? Or get Jack White in the studio with her...

[amber]

I just heard this for the first time. I am in love. Perfect song for Stevie's voice? Meet Stevie. :nod:

[Bumperke]

It's not a very high note, that's how. It was in her range at that time and didn't require much stretching.

That's excactly what this is, a "type-casted song" . Again it proves that every singer has to sing what's fitting her or him. Look at Linda Rondstadt, she sings her reportaire like it is written for her. Stevie writes her own songs, and by this song she proves that she IS inspired. Maybe it's no art for you, it still is a great perfomance. She also has no crystal clear voice like Whitney Houston or Celine Dion, it is the voice that makes the difference.
Try to imagine Mrs. Houston singing Gold dust woman, She experienced, but will never be able to sing the song with such pain as Stevie did. That´s why i think the song is a great piece.
We know her habits and addictions, but just try,.... try to convince people all over the world that this is your song, the right interpetation, and as good as Etta James´s version.

She should have a award for that.

Will
BTW is there anybody able to share the videoclip that was recorded??????

[dissention]

but just try,.... try to convince people all over the world that this is your song, the right interpetation, and as good as Etta James´s version.

And I don't think it can be done. Nothing beats Etta's version, IMO, it's tops.

[DrummerDeanna]

She also robbed it of any true emotional power, much the same way the Dixie Chicks did to Landslide. Absolutely stunning vocal performance, but other than that, I find it incredibly hollow. Just my opinion. :o


I'll agree about the Dixie Chicks thing - but I like the emotion Stevie puts into At Last - though granted there could be more behind it - and though I love the song very much - I do think I know where you're coming from in hearing no emotion....eh - I still love the song :D

[WildInTheWind]

BTW is there anybody able to share the videoclip that was recorded??????

There's a video clip for this?! Wow I'd like to see that. Also, is there 2 version of this? I'm confused. I only have the Stormy Weather one. :confused:

[skcin]

I just heard this for the first time. I am in love. Perfect song for Stevie's voice? Meet Stevie. :nod:


YAY! Finally! I love Stevie's version. To be honest, I was disappointed when I heard Etta's. :shrug: And Martina McBride just released her version - eh. Nowhere near as good as Stevie.

As far as I'm aware, there is only one audio version & no video circulating at all.

[HomerMcvie]

YAY! Finally! I love Stevie's version. To be honest, I was disappointed when I heard Etta's. :shrug: And Martina McBride just released her version - eh. Nowhere near as good as Stevie.

As far as I'm aware, there is only one audio version & no video circulating at all.
Martina McBride? We call her Old Yellar! Have you noticed that everything she sings is at the TOP of her lungs. Operatic diva, perhaps.....she sure ain't country. We make an Old Yellar joke, then jump for the radio dial! :)

[skcin]

I LOVE Martina! :sorry: "Where would you be?" is one of my fave songs ever. But yeah, she is pretty loud. And I didn't like her At Last.

[dissention]

I LOVE Martina! :sorry: "Where would you be?" is one of my fave songs ever. But yeah, she is pretty loud. And I didn't like her At Last.

The only other version of At Last that I really liked was Cyndi Lauper's version. She made it her own and came close to capturing the magic of it, though she didn't really succeed completely. Her voice just soars on it. Her versions of "Stay" and "Sunny Side of the Street" from the same album are better than the originals, though.

[HomerMcvie]

I LOVE Martina! :sorry: "Where would you be?" is one of my fave songs ever. But yeah, she is pretty loud. And I didn't like her At Last.
I'm not really into loud. Don't you agree she sounds more operatic than country? An aquaintence friend of mine has played guitar for her for years, and even that connection hasn't allowed me to like her. Sorry, she'll always be Old Yellar to me.... :rolleyes: :xoxo: :shrug:

[PenguinHead]

[QUOTEA country album, though... I don't know. I feel like Stevie would pick the wrong kinds of producers and people to work with and it'd turn into an overly-commercialized Nashville mess, but maybe I'm not giving her enough credit. How about a collaborative effort with Dolly Parton or Lucinda Williams? Or get Jack White in the studio with her...[/QUOTE]

Great points! Jack White producing Stevie would be something!

[GateandGarden]

This may be a really unpopular sentiment here, but has anyone heard Christina Aguilera do it? Sometimes she overdoes it and plays too much, but when she does it right (IMO), she might as well be the original performer. I think songs like that are her specialty. And, of course, she nails the high note at the end. It's very hard for me to be satisfied with Stevie's version after hearing several of Aguilera's.

But I know some of you hate her, and that's okay. :laugh:

[MACFAN]

I really love Stevie's version of this song. I feel she put a lot of emotion into the song.

[belladonna.]

She also robbed it of any true emotional power, much the same way the Dixie Chicks did to Landslide. Absolutely stunning vocal performance, but other than that, I find it incredibly hollow. Just my opinion. :o
i don't understand how you can be so impressed by her voice in the song but find it hollow at the same time?
that sounds like a total contradiction to me..

[dissention]

i don't understand how you can be so impressed by her voice in the song but find it hollow at the same time?
that sounds like a total contradiction to me..

I'm impressed by Whitney Houston's pipes, but she does nothing to get an emotional response out of me.

[belladonna.]

ahh

so you're not necessarily saying that there is no emotion in her voice, you're saying that you just don't feel anything from it?

and did anyone notice that performed is spelled wrong in the thread title?
<shrug>

[dissention]

ahh

so you're not necessarily saying that there is no emotion in her voice, you're saying that you just don't feel anything from it?

Exactly. :nod:

and did anyone notice that performed is spelled wrong in the thread title?
<shrug>

Yes, and it's been driving me nucking futs. :lol:

[belladonna.]

that makes a lot more sense to me

i hate typos, man, i am totally anal about them
ESPECIALLY when they're in the thread TITLE

...

[HomerMcvie]

Exactly. :nod:



Yes, and it's been driving me nucking futs. :lol:
That **** drives me nuts, too!!!!!
But, I realize that I'm more than a tad anal retentive, so I try to keep my assessment of the poster as being illiterate, to myself. :lol: :wavey: :sorry:

[skcin]

The only other version of At Last that I really liked was Cyndi Lauper's version. She made it her own and came close to capturing the magic of it, though she didn't really succeed completely. Her voice just soars on it. Her versions of "Stay" and "Sunny Side of the Street" from the same album are better than the originals, though.


I adore Cyndi's "Stay!" :angel:

Might just have to watch the DVD tonight now that you mention it...

[dissention]

I adore Cyndi's "Stay!" :angel:

Might just have to watch the DVD tonight now that you mention it...

She holds those notes FOREVER. :eek: I want to scream for her to take a damned breath!

[jwd]

It's fabulous. I never thought Stevie could have done THAT kind of song like THAT.

[Moony]

This may be a really unpopular sentiment here, but has anyone heard Christina Aguilera do it? Sometimes she overdoes it and plays too much, but when she does it right (IMO), she might as well be the original performer. I think songs like that are her specialty. And, of course, she nails the high note at the end. It's very hard for me to be satisfied with Stevie's version after hearing several of Aguilera's.

But I know some of you hate her, and that's okay. :laugh:
I happen to like Christina and think she's one of the best singers around, period. I have yet to hear her version of At Last. I'm sure I would love it though.

[GateandGarden]

I happen to like Christina and think she's one of the best singers around, period. I have yet to hear her version of At Last. I'm sure I would love it though.Want it sent to you? I can't do mp3s, though. I could only send it as a big-ass wma file. :sorry:

[Moony]

Want it sent to you? I can't do mp3s, though. I could only send it as a big-ass wma file. :sorry:
Sure, Hillary, I would love that :) It's ok if it's a big file...I'll just make time to download it tonight or something :woohoo:

[GateandGarden]

Sure, Hillary, I would love that :) It's ok if it's a big file...I'll just make time to download it tonight or something :woohoo:Great! I'm on it! :)

[Moony]

Great! I'm on it! :)
:xoxo: Thanks, doll!

[dissention]

Want it sent to you? I can't do mp3s, though. I could only send it as a big-ass wma file. :sorry:

Hey, just in case someone can't receive those big files next time, try http://www.yousendit.com (you can upload up to 1 GB!). I'd die without it! :laugh:

[GateandGarden]

Hey, just in case someone can't receive those big files next time, try http://www.yousendit.com (you can upload up to 1 GB!). I'd die without it! :laugh:I forgot about that place! Thank you. :thumbsup:

[CreepingDeath]

I'm kinda late to this thread. :sorry:

Anyway, I adore Stevie's version of At Last. I saw her perform it at the Andre Agassi Benefit, and it was steller. One of my all- time favourite moments.

[SuzeQuze]

I have to agree with Diss on this one, Etta's version evokes more of a response from me than Stevie's. I do like Stevie's, it just doesn't reach me as deeply.

[PenguinHead]

I have an extra copy of the official Stormy Weather cd...just in case anyone here would like to trade for it. Let me know. I've been trying to find a good home for it.

[WildInTheWind]

I'd be interested in it, if you haven't found someone already. Click on the link above my banner...that's my trade stuff.

[thea]

Laura!
Congratulations. And what a kick-ass first dance song (is that appropriate phrasing? Oh, well, you know what I mean).
I wish you tons of happiness together.

Elga? Is it you?