Dave Stewart or The Pet Shop Boys?

[TrueFaith77]

Although I can't find the article now (anyone able to post this?), a few years ago the Pet Shop Boys indicated a real desire to make an album with Stevie Nicks. They said that they thought she was sounding great and would love to work with her and that if she is reading this, she should get in touch with them.

However, Stevie is not working on new material with the Pets (so far as we know). Apparently she is working with Dave Stewart. I was curious to know if Ledgies felt she made the right decision.

Here's some of the thinking behind my vote:

Pet Shop Boys

The Pets have a history of working with female artists yielding stellar results: Liza Minnelli (Results), Dusty Springfield (Reputation). They reinvigorated the career of the horrendous Boy George with his only good record ever ("The Crying Game"). They took a "Sorry" Madonna track and remixed it into her strongest track since "Bedtime Stories" (thank you, Bjork!). They breathed some life into another Gaga dirge (their remix of "Eh, eh"). They've worked with Kylie, Tina, Yoko, Alcazar ("love life"!), Pete Burns ("Jack & Jill Party"!), Elton John, The Killers, Sam Taylor-Wood, Girls Aloud, MGMT, SHIRLEY BASSEY. They produced/curated The Crying Game soundtrack. They wrote/produced(?) Robbie Williams' best-ever song--"She's Madonna". Their collaborations with Electronic yielded three of the greatest songs of all time: "Disappointed," "Getting Away With It," "The Patience of a Saint." They refer to their single "Home & Dry" as their Fleetwood Mac song. They often work with Johnny Marr--Lindsey Buckingham's rival in my heart. They've never faultered--their last album 2009's Yes joins the upper echelon of their work, which ranks among the finest outputs in the history of pop. (Also, they join FM as having moved100,000,000 units over the course of their careers.) Working with the Pets would also be an interesting way of honoring Stevie's gay following.

Dave Stewart

Dave Stewart made Annie Lennox listenable.

My Vote

The Pet Shop Boys

[Jondalar]

It's really funny that you mentioned this, because I was just thinking of the same thing. The Pet Shop Boys discovered Nicks sorta late in their careers and they love her and want to work with her. When I heard she was working with Dave Stewart, that article popped into my head because of the English connection. I hope that they get their chance. It's obvious that they would try to do her justice. They really helped out Dusty Springfield.

[Dodfather]

Dusty Springfield (Reputation). They've worked with Kylie, Tina,

Dave Stewart made Annie Lennox listenable.



I love the Pet Shop Boys! Their work with Dusty was inspired and their track with Kylie, In Denial, is brilliantly darkand was a real departure for her. I'm a huge Kylie fan and was so surprised when she inculded it in her set for the first lef of the Showgirl tour. I didn;t know they'd worked with Tina Turner though (I'm assuming that's whoyou mean) - what did they do with her?

I HAVE to disagree with your commen about Dave and Annie though. Annie has a truly remarkable vopice. It;s amazing. Yes, Dave Stewart made great songs for her, but she is entirelylistenable without him! Her solo career is great.

[TrueFaith77]

I didn;t know they'd worked with Tina Turner though (I'm assuming that's whoyou mean) - what did they do with her?

Tina Turner's "Confidential": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_KNdV_MLy4

Pet Shop Boys' demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UcXIOYl4A4


Also with Kylie ("Falling") which sounds kinda St. Etienne meets Vogue to me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfRvnAGHaRc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNx-NUdoM4E

[petep9000]

They reinvigorated the career of the horrendous Boy George

wa wa what??? Horrendous? He made such great pop music with Culture Club!

[HejiraNYC]

I HAVE to disagree with your commen about Dave and Annie though. Annie has a truly remarkable vopice. It;s amazing. Yes, Dave Stewart made great songs for her, but she is entirelylistenable without him! Her solo career is great.

Well, Diva was a phenomenal solo debut. But she basically fell off of a cliff thereafter- each album was worse than the one that came before. Even the 1999 Eurythmics album kinda sucked. Indeed, she still possesses one of the most amazing voices in the world; however, one has to wonder how/why she fell from grace so suddenly and permanently.

Back to the topic at hand, I don't think Stevie is quite up to the level of camp that the Pet Shop Boys are at currently. In their past collaborations, the Pet Shop Boys seemed to be paying homage to these female icons while also mocking them at the same time. I get the feeling that a PSB-Stevie collaboration would result in a parody of a Stevie album as performed by a drag version of Stevie. One of the things I love about Mama is that she is so lacking in self-awareness that she does things straight from her gut- not some kind of ironic interpretation of what she is supposed to sound like. "Sister Honey" is fun, not because Stevie is winking at you and telling you it's campy. It's unintentionally fun because she truly means every word of the song!

[TrueFaith77]

Back to the topic at hand, I don't think Stevie is quite up to the level of camp that the Pet Shop Boys are at currently. In their past collaborations, the Pet Shop Boys seemed to be paying homage to these female icons while also mocking them at the same time. I get the feeling that a PSB-Stevie collaboration would result in a parody of a Stevie album as performed by a drag version of Stevie. One of the things I love about Mama is that she is so lacking in self-awareness that she does things straight from her gut- not some kind of ironic interpretation of what she is supposed to sound like. "Sister Honey" is fun, not because Stevie is winking at you and telling you it's campy. It's unintentionally fun because she truly means every word of the song!

We very much hear the Pets in a different way. While irony is a tool in their considerable arsenal, they could NEVER be accused of mocking the artists who perform their work (not even the "cheeky" version of "Sorry" which actually validates Madge's humanity--as proven by the fact that Madonna herself performs the Pets mix on tour).

[AncientQueen]

We very much hear the Pets in a different way. While irony is a tool in their considerable arsenal, they could NEVER be accused of mocking the artists who perform their work (not even the "cheeky" version of "Sorry" which actually validates Madge's humanity--as validated by the fact that Madonna herself performs the Pets mix on tour).

I'm not sure if I agree with your interpretation of HejiraNYCs post. Kylie, Dusty (to an extend, later in her life) and especially Liza have been or are able to see themselves and their public image with a sense of humour, taking themselves not so serious. Stevie seems unable to question, make light of or mock her pompus self image. And that rather makes her a target then part of the joke. And in their most distinguish posh english ways, the Pet Shop Boys sound like they are mocking basically everything, no matter how serious they might be.

That said, imho they are still by far better than Dave Stuart has ever been.

Finally and after all, they wrote "Suburbia" and "Alright" .

[tilthefirefades]

I voted Pet Shop Boys, because not only are they quite good, but it seems to me like that would put her one step closer to her duet album with Morrissey....my God I would die if that happened :D:D:D

[mikebise]

In 1987, when "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" was a hit, a local station also played the dance mix of "Big Love" after it, with Stevie's wicked extra vocals. I always wondered what a PSB-produced Stevie track would sound like.

[LukeA]

Well, Diva was a phenomenal solo debut. But she basically fell off of a cliff thereafter- each album was worse than the one that came before. Even the 1999 Eurythmics album kinda sucked. Indeed, she still possesses one of the most amazing voices in the world; however, one has to wonder how/why she fell from grace so suddenly and permanently.

Hey, "Bare" has some great moments!

[TrueFaith77]

I voted Pet Shop Boys, because not only are they quite good, but it seems to me like that would put her one step closer to her duet album with Morrissey....my God I would die if that happened :D:D:D

I don't think Moz would work with anyone who collaborated with Johnny's collaborators . . . "It's too soon . . . "

Now, if it would encourage Moz to work with Lindsey to get revenge: THEN I'd be happy. Morrissey needs to work with a great guitarist again (there's some awfully good guitar work on Years of Refusal though--especially the Fleetwood Mac-esque "Black Cloud").

ETA: Actually, Black Cloud is very much about these such emotional experiences. Broken hearts and ideal collaborators. Life is hard.

[tilthefirefades]

I don't think Moz would work with anyone who collaborated with Johnny's collaborators . . . "It's too soon . . . "

Now, if it would encourage Moz to work with Lindsey to get revenge: THEN I'd be happy. Morrissey needs to work with a great guitarist again (there's some awfully good guitar work on Years of Refusal though--especially the Fleetwood Mac-esque "Black Cloud").

ETA: Actually, Black Cloud is very much about these such emotional experiences. Broken hearts and ideal collaborators. Life is hard.

Haha yeah that is true, I didn't care too much for Years of Refusal though. Except for That's How People Grow Up, which I still play all the time.

[LittleCharmer]

Pet Shop Boys! I have no feelings towards or against Dave Stewart, but IMO Stevie working with PSB would be much more interesting. Also love Morrissey, but can't imagine any kind of collaboration between Moz and Stevie :laugh:

[TrueFaith77]

Haha yeah that is true, I didn't care too much for Years of Refusal though. Except for That's How People Grow Up, which I still play all the time.

At first, I wasn't hot on it, but now . . . WOW! I think it's in his top 4 solo albums. Maybe THIRD! :eek:

One of the ways I approached the album was I heard the echo of a familiar longing: for a once-intimate kindred spirit. That seems to be the thread running through the songs . . . as if to say: "Johnny, come back!" -- alas, look at the title. NOW, how do you persevere after all these years of refusal? For the answer, check out the final track--the most amazing punk testament since Johnny Rotten.

[tilthefirefades]

At first, I wasn't hot on it, but now . . . WOW! I think it's in his top 4 solo albums. Maybe THIRD! :eek:

One of the ways I approached the album was I heard the echo of a familiar longing: for a once-intimate kindred spirit. That seems to be the thread running the songs . . . as if to say: "Johnny, come back!" -- alas, look at the title. NOW, what do you do? For the answer, check out the final track--the most amazing punk testament since Johnny Rotten.

What?! This is intriguing, now I must listen to it again. Seems like now all I can do is compare things to You Are the Quarry since it was soooo good. Still yet, Viva Hate will always hold a huge part of my heart.

[TrueFaith77]

What?! This is intriguing, now I must listen to it again. Seems like now all I can do is compare things to You Are the Quarry since it was soooo good. Still yet, Viva Hate will always hold a huge part of my heart.

Yes, it was precisely because they aren't You Are The Quarry (number 1!!!!) that I at first was a little bummed by Ringleader and Refusal. Ringleader's faults (songs that don't feel fully realized, too long, sequencing flaws) ultimately attest to its urgency: a deep look into the heart of Fascism. It turns out that Refusal is flawless: just different. After The Smiths albums (and Viva Hate--number 2!!!!), Morrissey began treat albums less as a collection of perfect songs, single-ready, than songs as pieces in a whole (an approach which reached perfection on Quarry--having had 7 years to shape the album and choose from an astonishing batch of songs). Now, Years of Refusal is a return to the Smiths model of an album as a collection of singles, individual tracks, each one perfect. It's perfectly sequenced (note how Carol's spirit, released at the point of death, becomes the banshee wail on the next track "That's How People Grow Up"). Because he also released it on vinyl, it is blessedly short. And another point, in this itunes era, note how when playing the album on repeat "I'm OK By Myself" (wowowowwowow) transitions perfectly into "Something Is Squeezing My Skull"--Your Arsenal (number 3?4?) doesn't end with "OK"'s kick--it's Morrissey's best ever closer! And I would give anything for the Mac to cover "Black Cloud"!

OMG

"It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" . . . his final moan of "yesterday" makes me cry every time.

[tilthefirefades]

Yes, it was precisely because they aren't You Are The Quarry (number 1!!!!) that I at first was a little bummed by Ringleader and Refusal. Ringleader's faults (songs that don't feel fully realized, too long, sequencing flaws) ultimately attest to its urgency: a deep look into the heart of Fascism. It turns out that Refusal is flawless: just different. After The Smiths albums (and Viva Hate--number 2!!!!), Morrissey began treat albums less as a collection of perfect songs, single-ready, than songs as pieces in a whole (an approach which reached perfection on Quarry--having had 7 years to shape the album and choose from an astonishing batch of songs). Now, Years of Refusal is a return to the Smiths model of an album as a collection of singles, individual tracks, each one perfect. It's perfectly sequenced (note how Carol's spirit, released at the point of death, becomes the banshee wail on the next track "That's How People Grow Up"). Because he also released it on vinyl, it is blessedly short. And another point, in this itunes era, note how when playing the album on repeat "I'm OK By Myself" (wowowowwowow) transitions perfectly into "Something Is Squeezing My Skull"--Your Arsenal (number 3?4?) doesn't end with "OK"'s kick--it's Morrissey's best ever closer! And I would give anything for the Mac to cover "Black Cloud"!

OMG

"It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" . . . his final moan of "yesterday" makes me cry every time.

This. :D:D

And omg yes, It's Not Your Birthday Anymore is brilliant also.

[Dodfather]

Hey, Bare has some great moments!

I have to agree. A Thousand Beautiful Things, Pavement Cracks etc... it's really pretty good. Yeah, Medusa wasn't brilliant but it was a covers album (and did the "songs by men, by women thing way before Tori Amos and Strange Little Girls). I also think that Songs Of Mass Destruction, despite its thoroughly dreadful title, is pretty solid. Dark Road, Womankind, Coloured Bedspread are all great!

[Pyewacket]

Both! But if I have to choose, then....Dave!

I love some PSB, they're very slick-sounding, and if they're only producing (not writing), that could make for a very chart-worthy combination (I wouldn't really want them to invade Stevie's songwriting, and I wouldn't want to hear Stevie repeating spoken lines like "what have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?" -- it just wouldn't sound right). I'm not sure about the fit, but, it would definitely be an interesting collaboration.

And while Annie Lennox has proven that she was no singing puppet (I love all of her solo albums, even as she's gotten darker and more morose), Dave was responsible for so much more than half of the Eurythmics' output. He co-wrote "Don't Come Around Here No More" with Tom Petty (the song was actually his creation and Tom Petty came in for the assist -- interesting story below). He also penned "Underneath It All" with Gwen Stefani and "Stay" with Shakespear's Sister (#1 on the UK charts for 8 weeks!) and "Taking Chances (What Do You Say?)" with Kara DioGuardi (a huge hit for Celine Dion). He's worked with Bon Jovi, Sarah McLachlan, Bob Geldof, Bryan Ferry, Sinead O'Connor, Mick Jagger, U2 and more. And I think his songwriting would work with Stevie's quite well.

And now, the interesting story (gleaned from the booklet for Dave's "Songbook" CD which I just bought yesterday, so sorry if this has been posted before and is, in fact, not that interesting at all):

Dave: "Jimmy Iovine asked Tom Petty to come down to the studio where I was working on a song for Stevie Nicks. Tom was the coolest cat I'd ever met; we hit it off immediately and with just a few raised eyebrows and knowing nods from Tom, I got to understand the situation I was in. Tom is very sensitive and finely tuned. We finished the song in about 20 minutes and then Tom was saying to Jimmy, "I think I should sing this song"."

Uh...what?!?!? :eek: Tom Petty stole "Don't Come Around Here No More" right out from under Stevie?!?!? :laugh: Well, I guess he's entitled, since he technically co-wrote it and he's given her a few other great tunes over the years...and frankly, I love the song for its weird, production (sitar, anyone?), which might not have made it in place if it had become a Stevie song. But, um...wow.

[mylittledemon]

I feel Dave Stewart could work with Stevie and fill in that "Lindsey-like" producer-hole better than the Pet Shop Boys would.

[LukeA]

I think Stevie should collaborate with The Escape Club.

And, if they're not available, maybe Timmy T.

[TrueFaith77]

I feel Dave Stewart could work with Stevie and fill in that "Lindsey-like" producer-hole better than the Pet Shop Boys would.

Well the Pets def would not be filling the Lindsey hole.

[Nikolaj]

I chose Dave.
While I like The Pet Shop Boys, I don't think their 'taste level' is worthy of Stevie. They can be clever, but they also can be cloying. The yellow LP/cd- I think it was called 'Up'-- I don't recall one memorable song from it, and I think I gave my vinyl copy away. However, mid 1980s, I loved a lot of Pet Shop Boys music, especially one summer I spent in Belgium. They were perfect for Europe, for me. Probably still are perfect for Europe.
I think Dave's work with Annie has generally been a stylistically better match for Stevie than PSB. Whom I like. Maybe I didn't give 'Up' a chance.
Plus, oh I just don't like the idea of Stevie working with the same producers who worked with Liza Minnelli. Stevie ain't exactly a fag hag of that caliber! (Offensive?- sorry if so).
Though SN has a gay following, she isn't primarily a 'gay act'-- Though I do have to hand it to PSB, the 'Results' cd with Liza is one of the few instances I can listen to her and not grit my teeth down to the enamel, so that must mean they are good producers.