Stevie's Silent Night- Who's Heard it This Season Already?

[Musicman408]

So my dad has the radio on on the computer and the first song that comes on when I come into the family room is SILENT NIGHT!!!! I love Stevie's version, but then again, I pretty much love everything she does, but still. It made my day. :nod:

What do you all think about her version?

[Macfanforever]

I heard it at Wal-Mart last tuesday on their pa system .was the original version.I like both versions.

[stevierocks87]

I prefer the newer version, especially the live one compared to the older live one.

[Musicman408]

What are the years of the versions? I didn't know there were two. When I heard the one this morning I said, oh I bet this is about 1994, but when I looked up Silent night on Nicksfix, it only had one and said 1987, so I don't know.

[Johnny Stew]

The first 'A Very Special Christmas' was released in 1987, and featured the studio version of Stevie's "Silent Night." She also performed it live that year on the 'Top Of The Pops' Christmas special, which I believe aired on CBS.

In December of 2000, she again performed it live -- this time with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- for the Spirit of the Special Olympics Celebration. That performance was released the following year on 'A Very Special Christmas 5.'

They've just released 'A Very Special Christmas: The 20th Anniversary Music Video Collection' on DVD, but, disappointingly, Stevie isn't included (although she's mentioned in the press release among the "most important recording artists in the world," who've contributed tracks to the various 'AVSC' projects).

[jannieC]

I love Stevie's Silent Night, but I'm not listening to *any* Christmas music yet. I'm just not THERE yet.

[Macfanforever]

The first 'A Very Special Christmas' was released in 1987, and featured the studio version of Stevie's "Silent Night." She also performed it live that year on the 'Top Of The Pops' Christmas special, which I believe aired on CBS.

In December of 2000, she again performed it live -- this time with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -- for the Spirit of the Special Olympics Celebration. That performance was released the following year on 'A Very Special Christmas 5.'

They've just released 'A Very Special Christmas: The 20th Anniversary Music Video Collection' on DVD, but, disappointingly, Stevie isn't included (although she's mentioned in the press release among the "most important recording artists in the world," who've contributed tracks to the various 'AVSC' projects).



Yes Johnny, I remember that cbs broadcast. I do have it somewere on tape,But,I like to know where,as I remember my local cbs affiliate preempt the special for some other show and I had to record it from WCBS CH2 New York and as the cable was crappy reception back then on the New York Channels my recording came out crappy.Yes the second version aired on TNT cable.

[petep9000]

I watched it on CBS that night, and recorded it on my 'vcr'. Except, I was a scrooge when it came to video cassettes and always wanted to squeeze in the most stuff on one. Consequently, the image was recorded on low speed and looked crummy. Then again, this '87 Christmas special featured a not-very-lucid Stevie, with huge Tango-era hair shellacked into tremendous heights and those odd brimless hats she was wearing back then. Her eyes were half shut, as she related the story of how she caught her father assembling a dolls' carriage for her on Christmas eve. Then, 'Nia Peeples' cuts away to Stevie on stage with Sharon and Lori (in long black gowns), Waddy and...Robbie Nevill. Mr. Nevill (who actually had 2 singles that I liked in the 80's, 'C'est le vie' and 'Wots it to ya') positively chewed the scenary with his dramatic rendition of his background vocals. He looked like he was in some sort of pain, like he had some desolate but excruciating look on his face like perhaps he had make a #2 really bad, or something. And I'm wondering if whoever was the stylist on duty taking of Robbie that night said to him "nah, your hair looks great. I wouldn't comb it, or wash it. Just let it hang there, everyone will love it"

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give this performance 2 Klonopins.

[David]

Then again, this '87 Christmas special featured a not-very-lucid Stevie, with huge Tango-era hair shellacked into tremendous heights and those odd brimless hats she was wearing back then. Her eyes were half shut, as she related the story of how she caught her father assembling a dolls' carriage for her on Christmas eve. Then, 'Nia Peeples' cuts away to Stevie on stage with Sharon and Lori (in long black gowns), Waddy and...Robbie Nevill. Mr. Nevill (who actually had 2 singles that I liked in the 80's, 'C'est le vie' and 'Wots it to ya') positively chewed the scenary with his dramatic rendition of his background vocals. He looked like he was in some sort of pain, like he had some desolate but excruciating look on his face like perhaps he had make a #2 really bad, or something. And I'm wondering if whoever was the stylist on duty taking of Robbie that night said to him "nah, your hair looks great. I wouldn't comb it, or wash it. Just let it hang there, everyone will love it"

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give this performance 2 Klonopins.I'm always agreeing with Pete. I think Robbie Nevil sucks. Why did she do that with him. He's about as interesting as those other Muzak guys she worked with, Dave Koz & Kenny G.

[michaelD]

I love her version of the song....
I personally think that the first volume of A Very Special Christmas is the best one... (Springsteen, Pretenders, Sting, Run DMC etc.......... AND STEVIE?!!! AWESOME!

[michelej1]

This is from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review:

A Very Special Christmas -- 20 years


It opened with "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," by The Pointer Sisters, and ended with "Silent Night," by Stevie Nicks. The very first "A Very Special Christmas" album, out in 1987, featured tracks from Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, U2, Bon Jovi and other '80s favorites.


The money raised from the album went to Special Olympics, and the effort was so successful that it launched a series of follow-up volumes for years to come, including "Noche de Paz," showcasing Latin music, "A Very Special Acoustic Christmas" and "Jazz to the World."


The series has raised more than $100 million, and this year there's a 20th anniversary DVD coming out, with rare Christmas footage from some of the artists featured on the albums.

[David]

The series has raised more than $100 million, and this year there's a 20th anniversary DVD coming out, with rare Christmas footage from some of the artists featured on the albums.I recall, with unpleasant & vague sensations of dread & happiness, seeing video of Stevie singing the studio track with her women friends. She was wearing white ...?

Tell me I'm not insane here.

[Johnny Stew]

I recall, with unpleasant & vague sensations of dread & happiness, seeing video of Stevie singing the studio track with her women friends. She was wearing white ...?

Tell me I'm not insane here.
While I can't necessarily vouch for your sanity, MTV did air footage (during an entire weekend devoted to the first 'A Very Special Christmas' release) of Stevie in the studio, wearing white, singing both solo and alongside Sharon.

The segment also featured a little interview with Jimmy Iovine, as well as Stevie (interviewed after having gotten off the plane for some tourdate with Fleetwood Mac) saying that she'd always wanted to record the song, and then relating the same Christmas memory that she shared on the CBS Top Of The Pops special.

[vivfox]

While I can't necessarily vouch for your sanity, MTV did air footage (during an entire weekend devoted to the first 'A Very Special Christmas' release) of Stevie in the studio, wearing white, singing both solo and alongside Sharon.

The segment also featured a little interview with Jimmy Iovine, as well as Stevie (interviewed after having gotten off the plane for some tourdate with Fleetwood Mac) saying that she'd always wanted to record the song, and then relating the same Christmas memory that she shared on the CBS Top Of The Pops special.

Yes, I happen to have this on videotape. The plane had flown in from Canada and landed at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut for FMac's Hartford,Ct. show. We also get to see Stevie waiting to get thru customs in a beautiful fur coat and cigarette in hand.
The in studio video was recorded in July in LA.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/Stevie_Rhiannon/Stevie/proll.jpg

[LiamMcConville]

For those of you haven't already seen it on YouTube or Stevie Nicks INFO, here's the 1987 performance:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hiBucppAXcA&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hiBucppAXcA&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[wolfontherun]

I did not know that there were so many versions of this song by her. I just saw 2 on youtube. One with Tom Petty that was well done. Especially the paert where she goes " well it was a" in her upper register. Man if only she could sing every note of every song in that register.

Then I saw the 80s MTV performance witht he Neville guy helping out on the vocals. Nice job here too.

I do not ccare for the very first version that she did, I saw her do it on TV as well and I just thought it was terrible. Glad she re rocorded it several times.