Feeling some sympathy for Stevie

[Jondalar]

As I listened to Stevie's radio interviews, it occurred to me that selling yourself and album at 63 years old is a hard thing. She has to explain to people why she is opening for Rod Stewart, why Lady from the Mountain is really the Twilight song, why she didn't make a record in 2005, among other things. It seems to me like she still is looking for some type of validation as a writer, which is bogus. Who cares if she is only get sole songwriting credit on 3 songs.Many of her songs have stood the test time. Who cares when they were written. She also has been explaining to people why she does Stand Back on Ellen.

I don't know, but she is 63 years old. The explanations need to stop. I feel sorta sorry for her. She obviously had a great time making this record. She fealt renewed by it. We are getting a new album and by all indications it's a good one. After hearing the interviews, I do believe it will be the last one. She is excited, but there is something in her voice that tells me she can't do this for much longer. All the little things about the Twilight song, opening for Rod, blah, blah, blah are casting a shadow over things.

Truthfully, I never really thought she would do another record. Well, we are getting one. Maybe her Swan Song. And think about it, she is the only in that band, that actually promotes Fleetwood Mac. I mean she works for the attention... and is still doing it at 63.

[Nikolaj]

Jondalar wrote:

She also has been explaining to people why she does Stand Back on Ellen.


I missed that. Will you share?

I think she's the coolest singer, ever. I think it's incredible she has a huge collection of all-new material we will soon hear. I find her inspiring, ageless in her own way, and vital. I always have taken her songwriting and singing seriously. I respect beyond words her internal strength to be doing this in her 60s. She can sing whatever she wants, and has. I have long wished for solo tours to be only her solo songs, but that's her choice, and her choice doesn't change.
If only Rhiannon and Landslide and GDW could be saved for Fleetwood Mac tours, and she'd save Dreams for the encore, they would have so much more impact, and her solo catalogue would get the respect it deserves from her and from her audiences. I'd be kvetching less about the security guards who always interrupt my enjoyment of her performances trampling over me when I have never once recorded or taken photos.
So, why did she do SB on 'Ellen'- and on 'Ellen', the year before, and at The Superbowl Pregame, and on many televised performances in the past decade? Did she cop to how it raises her BMI publishing royalties, the more the song is repeatedly performed on television, the more she earns from the publishing rights to the song that her BMI membership ensures that she is paid?
Publishing is lucrative, and every performer is only paid union scale for talk shows. But did she say it?
What did she say?

[louielouie2000]

The root cause of all of this is that Stevie is terribly insecure. She hasn't recorded a new album in 10 years because she was afraid it would not sell. She keeps dredging up musty old demos from her heyday because she's not confident in her songwriting abilities anymore. Further evidence of this is Stevie's using Dave Stewart as a crutch for songwriting on In Your Dreams. She's terrified at the reality she needs to downsize the venues she plays, so she decides to tour with Rod Stewart.

I think it's so unfortunate that the ultimatum/reality check Tom Petty gave her back in the '90s really didn't stick. She's a living legend... and nobody does Stevie Nicks better than Stevie Nicks. Stevie's slowly been poisoning her own well for many years now... I hate she doesn't see it herself.

[Nikolaj]

^
I may partly agree, but SN has used collaborators on every solo album. I think it's good that she recognized Dave Stewart's ability to musically enhance her lyrics- she's an incredible singer, and a one-of-a-kind lyricist who often writes very well- but DS is a musician's musician and a good producer. (who can't really sing a lick, so everybody has their strengths!)
I think it's for the good of her albums that she seeks people who have strengths she probably needs for the songs to be the best they can be.
Her voice, alone, when it's in peak form, is what's the biggest draw, for me. She writes lyrics well, often times- but I don't know that she is a musician, exactly. I think she herself knows this. She's a poet and a voice and a good performer.
So, I think the collaborations with Mike Campbell and Dave Stewart and Rick Nowels have improved her solo output. Well, I'm guessing about Dave and won't know for sure until May!
I really thought she and Nowels had some excellent collaborations, as recently as 'Everybody Finds Out'.

[Jondalar]

Jondalar wrote:

She also has been explaining to people why she does Stand Back on Ellen.


I missed that. Will you share?

I think she's the coolest singer, ever. I think it's incredible she has a huge collection of all-new material we will soon hear. I find her inspiring, ageless in her own way, and vital. I always have taken her songwriting and singing seriously. I respect beyond words her internal strength to be doing this in her 60s. She can sing whatever she wants, and has. I have long wished for solo tours to be only her solo songs, but that's her choice, and her choice doesn't change.
If only Rhiannon and Landslide and GDW could be saved for Fleetwood Mac tours, and she'd save Dreams for the encore, they would have so much more impact, and her solo catalogue would get the respect it deserves from her and from her audiences. I'd be kvetching less about the security guards who always interrupt my enjoyment of her performances trampling over me when I have never once recorded or taken photos.
So, why did she do SB on 'Ellen'- and on 'Ellen', the year before, and at The Superbowl Pregame, and on many televised performances in the past decade? Did she cop to how it raises her BMI publishing royalties, the more the song is repeatedly performed on television, the more she earns from the publishing rights to the song that her BMI membership ensures that she is paid?
Publishing is lucrative, and every performer is only paid union scale for talk shows. But did she say it?
What did she say?

She was going to do another song, but Ellen always wants her to do Stand Back. Stevie sounded apologetic about but what can she do. Like she said, Ellen gets what Ellen wants.

[Jondalar]

The root cause of all of this is that Stevie is terribly insecure. She hasn't recorded a new album in 10 years because she was afraid it would not sell. She keeps dredging up musty old demos from her heyday because she's not confident in her songwriting abilities anymore. Further evidence of this is Stevie's using Dave Stewart as a crutch for songwriting on In Your Dreams. She's terrified at the reality she needs to downsize the venues she plays, so she decides to tour with Rod Stewart.

I think it's so unfortunate that the ultimatum/reality check Tom Petty gave her back in the '90s really didn't stick. She's a living legend... and nobody does Stevie Nicks better than Stevie Nicks. Stevie's slowly been poisoning her own well for many years now... I hate she doesn't see it herself.

That's your take on things. Like Stevie said, she only has to play 75 minutes with Rod Stewart and its a high profile tour. It gets her name out there before the records released. She's going to make a ton of money too.

As far as old demos are concerned, it wouldn't be a problem if people didn't steal her work. I'm happy that Lady from the Mountain is making it on one of her records in some shape and form. There are other demos like Three Birds of Rhiannon, Love You Enough and China Doll that should be recorded.

Colloborating with Dave Stewart was a smart thing to do. She's not getting any younger. With his help, she got the album done quickly and I'm sure the songs are going to be worth it. She shouldn't have to explain this. Choosing a writing partner to bring something new to the table is a smart thing to do. She's already explored the train of the thought stuff. This is new and she did it to put a good album out there that her fans would like.

[AliceLover]

The root cause of all of this is that Stevie is terribly insecure. She hasn't recorded a new album in 10 years because she was afraid it would not sell. She keeps dredging up musty old demos from her heyday because she's not confident in her songwriting abilities anymore. Further evidence of this is Stevie's using Dave Stewart as a crutch for songwriting on In Your Dreams. She's terrified at the reality she needs to downsize the venues she plays, so she decides to tour with Rod Stewart.

I think it's so unfortunate that the ultimatum/reality check Tom Petty gave her back in the '90s really didn't stick. She's a living legend... and nobody does Stevie Nicks better than Stevie Nicks. Stevie's slowly been poisoning her own well for many years now... I hate she doesn't see it herself.

I disagree completely. She had said 1,000 times over the past year that she has made this record for herself and doesn't care if ten people buy it.

[Nikolaj]

She was going to do another song, but Ellen always wants her to do Stand Back. Stevie sounded apologetic about but what can she do. Like she said, Ellen gets what Ellen wants.

Um. So, if Ellen wanted a 3 way with Portia and Stevie, she'd get it? I believe YOU, Jondalar- but I think that's one bullsh*t story Stevie told. Sure, Stevie.
Ca-ching.

[Jondalar]

She was going to do another song, but Ellen always wants her to do Stand Back. Stevie sounded apologetic about but what can she do. Like she said, Ellen gets what Ellen wants.

Um. So, if Ellen wanted a 3 way with Portia and Stevie, she'd get it? I believe YOU, Jondalar- but I think that's one bullsh*t story Stevie told. Sure, Stevie.
Ca-ching.

Huh? Where did that come? Why did she need a BS story? I'm sure she wasn't lying about Ellen. That would be really stupid. She said Ellen always wants her to do that song. That's Ellen's favorite song I guess. She wasn't lying about that. It's not important anyway. Who cares? See, this is one of the reasons I feel sorry for her. She is 63 years old and getting picked to death. UGG! I swear the more interviews she does, the more I don't want to listen. I just want the album. Mystery is sometimes a good thing.

[HejiraNYC]

The root cause of all of this is that Stevie is terribly insecure. She hasn't recorded a new album in 10 years because she was afraid it would not sell. She keeps dredging up musty old demos from her heyday because she's not confident in her songwriting abilities anymore. Further evidence of this is Stevie's using Dave Stewart as a crutch for songwriting on In Your Dreams. She's terrified at the reality she needs to downsize the venues she plays, so she decides to tour with Rod Stewart.

I think it's so unfortunate that the ultimatum/reality check Tom Petty gave her back in the '90s really didn't stick. She's a living legend... and nobody does Stevie Nicks better than Stevie Nicks. Stevie's slowly been poisoning her own well for many years now... I hate she doesn't see it herself.

This is all a bit unfair. I don't know how you could say that a woman with the audacity to tour every year and command the stage at her age is exactly lacking in self-assurance. Self-awareness... now, well, that's another matter altogether...

Stevie herself explained in the radio interviews that there were multiple reasons why she didn't record immediately after getting off the SYW tour- her managers advising against it + she was tired, i.e., burned out. And I'm sure that the trauma of recording SYW was still fresh on her mind. And I can totally relate to being so traumatized by something that you will make any excuse to avoid being in a similar situation again, e.g., getting back into a car after a bad accident. It was a tough album to make and a really arduous tour, which resulted in her blowing up in weight from all of the steroids she was taking for her throat. If anything, I think it was shocking that she would be so gung-ho to get back on the road so quickly in 2005. If you factor in the fact that she was on the road with FM for a year (2009) and then recording for a year(2010), that only leaves 2005-2008 for her to fritter away needlessly. But during that time she went on several solo tours, released two CD packages, released two DVDs, toured with Tom Petty, visited soldiers at Walter Reed, etc. To the diehards, this was a totally wasted period. But I suspect that in Stevie's mind, she was still working, and productively at that, despite the naysayers on her management team and her post-traumatic lassitude.

As for writing songs, I don't think it's purely an accident that she has drawn repeatedly upon her initial cache of songs from 70s over the years. You have to realize that she wrote a lot of these songs back before she was "Stevi Nicks" and then "Stevie Nicks, the solo artist" and then "Stevie Nicks, the Klonopin addict." I'd say there is easily a 15-18-year span between the 80s and 90s during which she was either too busy or too zonked out of her gourd to write songs. Meanwhile she cranked out band and solo albums, one right after the other in rapid succession. As she finally emerged from her fog in the mid-late 90s, she probably came to the realization that her vault was largely tapped out and that she needed new songs and new inspiration to keep her career humming along, which inevitably led her to seek collaborators. I don't fault her for that. However, I do call B.S. on the fact that she considers herself a really prolific songwriter. Yes, she has written some amazing songs over the years. But I don't think she has written enough amazing songs by herself to sustain a solo career and a band career.

Sure, Stevie has nobody to blame but herself for her missteps and her troubles. But if it wasn't for all of the FM drama, the drug addictions, the drug recoveries, the highs and the lows, Stevie wouldn't be Stevie. Unfortunately, she had to suffer for her art.

[HejiraNYC]

I don't know, but she is 63 years old. The explanations need to stop. I feel sorta sorry for her. She obviously had a great time making this record. She fealt renewed by it. We are getting a new album and by all indications it's a good one. After hearing the interviews, I do believe it will be the last one. She is excited, but there is something in her voice that tells me she can't do this for much longer. All the little things about the Twilight song, opening for Rod, blah, blah, blah are casting a shadow over things.


Where the hell do you come up with this?

[Fleetwoodmark]

As I listened to Stevie's radio interviews, it occurred to me that selling yourself and album at 63 years old is a hard thing. She has to explain to people why she is opening for Rod Stewart, why Lady from the Mountain is really the Twilight song, why she didn't make a record in 2005, among other things. It seems to me like she still is looking for some type of validation as a writer, which is bogus. Who cares if she is only get sole songwriting credit on 3 songs.Many of her songs have stood the test time. Who cares when they were written. She also has been explaining to people why she does Stand Back on Ellen.

I don't know, but she is 63 years old. The explanations need to stop. I feel sorta sorry for her. She obviously had a great time making this record. She fealt renewed by it. We are getting a new album and by all indications it's a good one. After hearing the interviews, I do believe it will be the last one. She is excited, but there is something in her voice that tells me she can't do this for much longer. All the little things about the Twilight song, opening for Rod, blah, blah, blah are casting a shadow over things.

Truthfully, I never really thought she would do another record. Well, we are getting one. Maybe her Swan Song. And think about it, she is the only in that band, that actually promotes Fleetwood Mac. I mean she works for the attention... and is still doing it at 63.

Hold on a minute,

It's only the fans that are having many of these debates, Where has she had to explain her choice of song on Ellen ? Has she explained the Twilight thing ?

In the music business today every artist has to explain themselves and their intentions for the record - not just Stevie - these are routine questions by any interviewer to try and shed light on the new album - they are not trying to trip her up.

From past interviews I can gather that Stevie was not happy with either SYW or TISL. I think bringing in Dave Stewart was a move primarily as a mentor/producer to guide where the album is going and to have an outside opinion on what is going to work.

If Stevie says she doesn't care if it sells or not, to me, that is just smoke and mirrors. Stevie defines herself on her success and this is the reason she did "Stand Back" on Ellen. Lindsey on the other hand has accepted his solo work will not reach a massive audience.

[Christopher]

As I listened to Stevie's radio interviews, it occurred to me that selling yourself and album at 63 years old is a hard thing. She has to explain to people why she is opening for Rod Stewart, why Lady from the Mountain is really the Twilight song, why she didn't make a record in 2005, among other things. It seems to me like she still is looking for some type of validation as a writer, which is bogus. Who cares if she is only get sole songwriting credit on 3 songs.Many of her songs have stood the test time. Who cares when they were written. She also has been explaining to people why she does Stand Back on Ellen.

I don't know, but she is 63 years old. The explanations need to stop. I feel sorta sorry for her. She obviously had a great time making this record. She fealt renewed by it. We are getting a new album and by all indications it's a good one. After hearing the interviews, I do believe it will be the last one. She is excited, but there is something in her voice that tells me she can't do this for much longer. All the little things about the Twilight song, opening for Rod, blah, blah, blah are casting a shadow over thing.

You may be partly projecting. Technology now allows us to stream all these radio interviews, which come across as rote after the 2nd and 3rd one in a row. So it does seem like a laborious task to have to talk about the same themes over & over & over again. However it also appeared that they were taking their cues from Stevie & Warners. To me it seemed obvious that the radio interviewers were each sent a "memo" of sorts about "In Your Dreams" and the contents that were highlighted were the collaboration with Dave, the inspiration drawn from a scene in the "New Moon" movie which motivated Stevie to write and finish a song & thus begin a new solo record after such a long absence from the studio..blah blah blah! This is par for the course for Stevie. She did the exact same rote interviews with every single album she has released. Its just that now we have access to all of them. With TISL, I remember the whole Tom Petty "grow a pair" conversation repeated in interviews ad naseum!

I think your really trying to convey that now at Stevie's age it probably is a bit more tiresome to drag herself through the motions. The thing is, that Stevie obviously has chosen to do so to a certain extent right now. Lord knows she has earned the right not to! But because she loves this new record, She is really trying to promote it as much as she can and obviously has the energy and enthusiasm to do it.

The root cause of all of this is that Stevie is terribly insecure. She hasn't recorded a new album in 10 years because she was afraid it would not sell. She keeps dredging up musty old demos from her heyday because she's not confident in her songwriting abilities anymore. Further evidence of this is Stevie's using Dave Stewart as a crutch for songwriting on In Your Dreams. She's terrified at the reality she needs to downsize the venues she plays, so she decides to tour with Rod Steward.

I disagree with this. At this point Stevie knows who she is. She is confident in her body of work, and in her standing as Rock n' Roll Grandma. Poet. Priest of nothing. LEGEND!
Stevie has already walked through her insecure phase which really began after RAL and became magnified after OSOTM through the mid 90's, when she was trying to figure out where she fit in the musical landscape, was she even relevant anymore. Stevie was a prolific writer from the early 70's through the mid 80's. During that timespane she wrote a ton of songs. Many good ones are still left in the vault as we know, so why wouldn't she drag out 2 or 3 per album now:shrug:. They are her songs, they are good, and it is her prerogative. And her collaborating intimately with another writer is a sign of a strong, brave and secure Stevie, not to mention a smart move at this juncture in her career, and one that I don't begrudge her for anymore. And finally Stevie tours the arenas with FM or Rod Stewart because she still can:):nod:

[MacMan]

The root cause of all of this is that Stevie is terribly insecure. She hasn't recorded a new album in 10 years because she was afraid it would not sell. She keeps dredging up musty old demos from her heyday because she's not confident in her songwriting abilities anymore. Further evidence of this is Stevie's using Dave Stewart as a crutch for songwriting on In Your Dreams. She's terrified at the reality she needs to downsize the venues she plays, so she decides to tour with Rod Stewart.

I think it's so unfortunate that the ultimatum/reality check Tom Petty gave her back in the '90s really didn't stick. She's a living legend... and nobody does Stevie Nicks better than Stevie Nicks. Stevie's slowly been poisoning her own well for many years now... I hate she doesn't see it herself.

Wow... All this is mighty presumptuous. You actually believe all that you wrote?

Did it ever occur to anyone that she brings up these old musty demos because she actually believes they are worthy of being on an album?

[markolas]

Some of you are talking about Stevie like she's packing up for the nursing home. She's 63, not 83.

Why should anyone feel sorry for her? She's just made an album that she clearly likes, and clearly loved doing. She's got fans who adore her (and she knows this), people are still coming to her shows in droves, and she'll never have to worry about where her next Prada suitcase is coming from. I mean, really.

[louielouie2000]

This is all a bit unfair. I don't know how you could say that a woman with the audacity to tour every year and command the stage at her age is exactly lacking in self-assurance. Self-awareness... now, well, that's another matter altogether...

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity. Why isn't she dragging out some of her lesser known songs? Instead she just continues to beat Rhiannon, Dreams, Edge, et al into the ground and sprinkles in cover songs to keep things fresh. WTH Stevie? :shrug: She should know that her fans are rabid for the rarities... hence their fascination with her unreleased demos. I remember during my Enchanted show, even my Mom (who isn't a Stevie fan) thought the best songs of the concert were Stevie's "trio" : Garbo, Rose Garden, Sleeping Angel. My Mother just thought it was a really artistically cool thing of Stevie to do.

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!

[michelej1]

I disagree completely. She had said 1,000 times over the past year that she has made this record for herself and doesn't care if ten people buy it.

I believe she made the album for herself. I don't believe she doesn't care if 10 people buy it. She does care. That's only human. You don't lose a lifetime ego overnight.

Even if the album doesn't sell, if she's proud of it, I hope she is always proud of it. I hope it's her FFG. Something that she stands by, even if it is not something that has appeal for casual fans.

Michele

[michelej1]

Hold on a minute,

It's only the fans that are having many of these debates, Where has she had to explain her choice of song on Ellen ? Has she explained the Twilight thing ?

In the music business today every artist has to explain themselves and their intentions for the record - not just Stevie - these are routine questions by any interviewer to try and shed light on the new album - they are not trying to trip her up.



Yes, I don't think she's being apologetic. You've got to have something to talk about in an interview. Why not those things? Better to talk about that, rather than the Rumours break ups.

On the one hand, I do understand the feeling that you don't want to have 63 year old people explaining themselves. During Destiny Rules when they were "auditioning" for the record executives and there was this Sally Fields' "please like me" vibe in the air, I cringed for them. It made me sad that they were still striving for acceptance, still hoping to make the cut, still scrounging when Britney Spears had it made. That hurt.

But so far, I haven't seen any of that going on with the Secret Love or IYD publicity. I haven't sensed nervousness or vulnerability. Things have been rather upbeat and, dare I say, joyous. I don't think Stevie is trying to justify anything, so much that she is just making conversation.

Michele

[SapphireSister]

From the stars in her eyes that I witnessed on Saturday, that woman's still got it and she knows it. I really think at her age and with her many accomplishments her entire ego is not resting on the number of albums she sells so I strongly disagree with that statement. She believes in this album, is passionate about it, and obviously had a great time creating it so what's the big deal? At this point in her career she really doesn't need to prove anything to anyone so she should spend her days doing what makes her happy, making music! I hate to keep bringing up the fact that I spent some time with her this last weekend but it really affected my perception of her and in my honest opinion, there is not a reason in the world to feel sympathy for this woman.

[SapphireSister]

She's not 63 yet people, she's only 62. Get it striaght!! :D

[michelej1]

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!

Having stage fright is not the same thing as being insecure.

I'm not saying Stevie's not insecure, but come on, being nervous on the set of Glee is no proof of that. Stage fright is more of a phobia than it is a confidence test. It's like vertigo, I'd say, not a measure of self-assurrance or self-esteem. It's a fear of sorts, but not a fear of failure.

I'm a nervous wreck around spiders, but that doesn't mean I'm unsure of my songwriting ability.

Michele

[APerfectLie]

She's not 63 yet people, she's only 62. Get it striaght!! :D

My thoughts exactly! It isn't May 26th yet.

Also, it is clear Stevie is choosing what to talk about. She had to talk about the Rod tour because that is what she is really promoting on the interviews right now. And she is throwing that tidbit in about Twilight to catch some younger ears and capitalize on that vampire money. Kind of like in 2009 when every interviewer asked her who came up with the word Unleashed. If Stevie didn't want to talk about these things, she wouldn't. And besides, it is an INTERVIEW. What is the point of an interview if she doesn't explain anything? Believe me, La Nicks has had much more exhausting interviews.

[StandbackStevie]

Definetly Stevie did this new cd to for herself and the die hard fans been waiting for a new cd for 10yrs from her so cause today the cd sales they make very little on if anything much its the touring they make alot of there money from so. It's definetly an artistic move on Stevie to do a new cd and also another way to promote a tour and make really nice money on tour. This will be her last for I am sure unless she releases another greatest hits package down the road too which will probably happen wish FM would release all of there videos on dvd would be awesome for me.

[MacMan]

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity. Why isn't she dragging out some of her lesser known songs? Instead she just continues to beat Rhiannon, Dreams, Edge, et al into the ground and sprinkles in cover songs to keep things fresh. WTH Stevie? :shrug: She should know that her fans are rabid for the rarities... hence their fascination with her unreleased demos. I remember during my Enchanted show, even my Mom (who isn't a Stevie fan) thought the best songs of the concert were Stevie's "trio" : Garbo, Rose Garden, Sleeping Angel. My Mother just thought it was a really artistically cool thing of Stevie to do.

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!

Nervous? Yes... Who wouldn't be during any kind of public speaking. A wreck? Not so much... And everyone is insecure about different stuff...

And you gotta catch a show... The covers don't sound half bad if you're there + plus the stage clothes aren't over a decade... Maybe some of the shawls are... but she's made quite a few changes to what she wears since 2005... Some of them are subtle, but the changes are there... The problem is most are black and in the same style so it kind of all looks the same... And who gives a crap what she wears day to day LOL

[HejiraNYC]

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity. Why isn't she dragging out some of her lesser known songs? Instead she just continues to beat Rhiannon, Dreams, Edge, et al into the ground and sprinkles in cover songs to keep things fresh. WTH Stevie? :shrug: She should know that her fans are rabid for the rarities... hence their fascination with her unreleased demos. I remember during my Enchanted show, even my Mom (who isn't a Stevie fan) thought the best songs of the concert were Stevie's "trio" : Garbo, Rose Garden, Sleeping Angel. My Mother just thought it was a really artistically cool thing of Stevie to do.

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!


The thing to keep in mind about Stevie is that she has never been the tortured artist on stage. Never. She has always been about pleasing and putting on a good show, no matter what it takes. She understands perfectly that her diehard fans want to hear "Sable on Blond" and "Kind of Woman" in the setlist. But she also realizes that the other 90% of the audience wants to hear "Dreams," "Rhiannon" and "GDW," so that's who she plays for. I am certainly no performing musician, but I suspect strongly that it is much easier to rock out on stage than to stand there perfectly still and sing a ballad. Upbeat rockers tend to make the audience happy, dance around, and smile. Slower songs tend to make audiences morose and restless, especially if they are obscure; it's often potty break time. I think this partially explains the covers in her set, which by and large have been upbeat rockers; quite honestly, Stevie doesn't have all that many upbeat rockers of her own to choose from (that she would still feel comfortable performing). I certainly don't like the covers, but at the same time I can sympathize. The Enchanted tour was definitely a treat, but I could imagine Stevie thinking the whole time OMG, I hope I'm not boring anyone with this obscure sh*t.

If you were visiting Stevie, Lindsey, Mick, John and Christine in a recording studio and delivering a speech extemporaneously to them, wouldn't you be, uh, freaking out in a major way? I know I would! Stevie is a major fan of Glee, so I am sure she was totally fantarding out in front of the cast, hence the fumphering, the jitters and the manic energy. I totally love the fact that at her age and stature she can still be fazed by something like this. It has nothing to do with insecurity, but everything to do with having enthusiasm and the ability to appreciate people.

[sherhiannon]

If I was Stevie just reading these message boards would make me an insecure wreck. Most of us on here are die hard Stevie fans who love her but some of you can be downright mean when "interpreting" what you think Stevie is all about or how she is feeling. I am just so happy that she is putting out a new CD & if she didn't so be it, she owes us nothing. She has plenty of money and doesn't need to do this anymore if she didn't want to. She seems really excited about this new CD and I'm excited for her. I'll take whatever she is willing to give us at the moment or be just as happy with the catalog of music she has already given us. Put yourself in her shoes and re-read some of the posts on here, how would you feel if you kept reading that you're insecure, wear old lame clothes, don't have the voice you used to, don't play the right songs in your shows, don't work hard enough for your fans, that some people are already disappointed with the album you haven't even released yet.......kind of sad huh? The world is already such a negative place why look for things to be unhappy about...WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW MUSIC! Be Happy!

[sorcerer999]

If I was Stevie just reading these message boards would make me an insecure wreck. Most of us on here are die hard Stevie fans who love her but some of you can be downright mean when "interpreting" what you think Stevie is all about or how she is feeling. I am just so happy that she is putting out a new CD & if she didn't so be it, she owes us nothing. She has plenty of money and doesn't need to do this anymore if she didn't want to. She seems really excited about this new CD and I'm excited for her. I'll take whatever she is willing to give us at the moment or be just as happy with the catalog of music she has already given us. Put yourself in her shoes and re-read some of the posts on here, how would you feel if you kept reading that you're insecure, wear old lame clothes, don't have the voice you used to, don't play the right songs in your shows, don't work hard enough for your fans, that some people are already disappointed with the album you haven't even released yet.......kind of sad huh? The world is already such a negative place why look for things to be unhappy about...WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW MUSIC! Be Happy!


AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KarmaContestant]

The thing to keep in mind about Stevie is that she has never been the tortured artist on stage. Never. She has always been about pleasing and putting on a good show, no matter what it takes. She understands perfectly that her diehard fans want to hear "Sable on Blond" and "Kind of Woman" in the setlist. But she also realizes that the other 90% of the audience wants to hear "Dreams," "Rhiannon" and "GDW," so that's who she plays for. I am certainly no performing musician, but I suspect strongly that it is much easier to rock out on stage than to stand there perfectly still and sing a ballad. Upbeat rockers tend to make the audience happy, dance around, and smile. Slower songs tend to make audiences morose and restless, especially if they are obscure; it's often potty break time. I think this partially explains the covers in her set, which by and large have been upbeat rockers; quite honestly, Stevie doesn't have all that many upbeat rockers of her own to choose from (that she would still feel comfortable performing). I certainly don't like the covers, but at the same time I can sympathize. The Enchanted tour was definitely a treat, but I could imagine Stevie thinking the whole time OMG, I hope I'm not boring anyone with this obscure sh*t.


I've often fallen back on this line of reasoning myself over the years, but as time goes by, I find myself doubting it more and more.

I don't really believe anymore that Stevie is the kind of artist that attracts an audience of people who don't have her albums - especially 90% of said audiences. I guess, what I'm trying to say is that I'd bet that the 90% of her audience you refer to would be equally thrilled to hear Sable On Blonde and Kind of Woman as the other 10%.

I really have serious doubts about the majority of her live audiences being fans who only know the hits. I have even more doubts about the so-called "casual fan" who knows nothing musically about Stevie other than the tracks that appear on FM Greatest Hits/Timespace, wanting to pony up 150 bucks to go to one of her shows to hear Stand Back, Dreams and songs by Bonnie Raitt or Led Zeppelin.

In fact, these days I'd consider reversing those percentages. If it were 1983, I'd agree with you completely, but not in 2011. Stevie just isn't enough of a who's-who to have 90% of her audience be people who aren't obsessed with her musical catalog.

Just my opinion.

[Christopher]

If I was Stevie just reading these message boards would make me an insecure wreck. Most of us on here are die hard Stevie fans who love her but some of you can be downright mean when "interpreting" what you think Stevie is all about or how she is feeling. I am just so happy that she is putting out a new CD & if she didn't so be it, she owes us nothing. She has plenty of money and doesn't need to do this anymore if she didn't want to. She seems really excited about this new CD and I'm excited for her. I'll take whatever she is willing to give us at the moment or be just as happy with the catalog of music she has already given us. Put yourself in her shoes and re-read some of the posts on here, how would you feel if you kept reading that you're insecure, wear old lame clothes, don't have the voice you used to, don't play the right songs in your shows, don't work hard enough for your fans, that some people are already disappointed with the album you haven't even released yet.......kind of sad huh? The world is already such a negative place why look for things to be unhappy about...WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW MUSIC! Be Happy!
:laugh:Thats Funny. But true!:o
Just goes to show you that you cannot please everyone, so why bother trying! Stevie set the bar so high with her compositions on the 1st 3 FM albums and her 1st couple of solo releases that she has been chasing that dragon all the way up to SYW. I really don't think it matters as much to her now. She's the one still standing, going into her 5th decade in this fickle industry:). She not just a survivor. She has survived. As someone mentioned, Stevie recorded this album for herself & her die hards with the hope that possibly it might catch on to the general public. It will be an artistic album. I have faith.

[Sorceress]

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity.

I quite like hearing Stevie do Rock-n-Roll. Crash, not so much, but I do enjoy the covers in general. It's interesting to me to hear her sing what she wants to sing--who she is listening to, the music she likes, what is inspiring her when she's planning her tour setlist. It's a tiny glimpse, but still one I can appreciate. It's actually kind of refreshing to see that she draws inspiration from other artists rather than being stuck in Stevie-land 100% of the time.

She may be insecure about some things, but I don't think doing covers is evidence of that. Probably her basic onstage and street clothes uniforms are related to insecurity about her weight (and her fixed idea of what looks good on her body shape), but who among us doesn't have issues with some aspect of our appearance and try to compensate accordingly?

[Jondalar]

Yeah, she does deserve some sympathy. She's been asked about being the opening act. Somebody from the message board or twitter has been telling her things. She seems to be on the defensive a bit, before the album has even been heard.

Of course Stevie wants the album to sell.That's only normal. Ann Wilson of Heart said it best "Singers want to be heard." Well, Stevie is excited about the album she made, so she is trying to get people interested in hearing it. She made it for herself, but she wants the world to hear it. She doesn't need the money.

62 or 63, bah. She's really the only artist at that age that is putting out completely new material that's not a duet album.

[jkmaletic]

From the stars in her eyes that I witnessed on Saturday, that woman's still got it and she knows it. I really think at her age and with her many accomplishments her entire ego is not resting on the number of albums she sells so I strongly disagree with that statement. She believes in this album, is passionate about it, and obviously had a great time creating it so what's the big deal? At this point in her career she really doesn't need to prove anything to anyone so she should spend her days doing what makes her happy, making music! I hate to keep bringing up the fact that I spent some time with her this last weekend but it really affected my perception of her and in my honest opinion, there is not a reason in the world to feel sympathy for this woman.

Ditto. After seeing her Saturday, I just feel like saying, " if you guys only knew!!". But, you'll see. In fact, I bet a lot of doubt will disappear after you guys see the sizzle reel.
Oh, and I think Stevie was very happy with TISL, but 9-11 happened that year and to say the least put a damper on things. Actually, on everything, as everyone knows.

[SapphireSister]

"WELL I FEEL I NEED A LITTLE SYMPATHY!"

*Now take me home, bitches.

[Christopher]

"WELL I FEEL I NEED A LITTLE SYMPATHY!"

*Now take me home, bitches.

Sassy Sapphire!! I like:thumbsup:. Enough of this pity party, Stevie is back! where's my party hat...Oh, there it is. :woohoo:

[louielouie2000]

The fact the press and others are still questioning Stevie and even giving her the time of day after all these years is a good thing. It shows people still care. And that's one of the many reasons why Stevie gets no sympathy from me. She's had one hell of a run... she's so very fortunate. And her run isn't over yet. She's worked her @ss off to get where she is. And she's made it to the top of the mountain. She was named the queen of rock. She's the single person who comes to mind when 99% of people think of Fleetwood Mac. She's been cited and adored by so many younger artists. Also by artists of other professions, such as fashion designers. She's been nominated for 8 Grammys... she's even won one. I'd argue there are lots of artists who are even more talented and harder working whom have never even received a Grammy nomination. There's no reason to feel sorry for Stevie at all... nothing to warrant sympathy. She's got an awesome freaking life. She owns incredible homes, she's healthy, gorgeous, talented, and highly successful. I'm sorry... but I think y'all's priorities are outta whack if you think Stevie Nicks deserves your sympathy and sorrow. I feel sympathy for those who are being killed and maimed for our country in the Armed Services. I feel sympathy for those who have lost their livelihoods during this economic depression. I feel sorry for single parents. I sympathize with those who have terminal illnesses such as cancer. I do NOT feel sorry for Stevie freaking Nicks! :p

[APerfectLie]

The fact the press and others are still questioning Stevie and even giving her the time of day after all these years is a good thing. It shows people still care. And that's one of the many reasons why Stevie gets no sympathy from me. She's had one hell of a run... she's so very fortunate. And her run isn't over yet. She's worked her @ss off to get where she is. And she's made it to the top of the mountain. She was named the queen of rock. She's the single person who comes to mind when 99% of people think of Fleetwood Mac. She's been cited and adored by so many younger artists. Also by artists of other professions, such as fashion designers. She's been nominated for 8 Grammys... she's even won one. I'd argue there are lots of artists who are even more talented and harder working whom have never even received a Grammy nomination. There's no reason to feel sorry for Stevie at all... nothing to warrant sympathy. She's got an awesome freaking life. She owns incredible homes, she's healthy, gorgeous, talented, and highly successful. I'm sorry... but I think y'all's priorities are outta whack if you think Stevie Nicks deserves your sympathy and sorrow. I feel sympathy for those who are being killed and maimed for our country in the Armed Services. I feel sympathy for those who have lost their livelihoods during this economic depression. I feel sorry for single parents. I sympathize with those who have terminal illnesses such as cancer. I do NOT feel sorry for Stevie freaking Nicks! :p

Two ;) tenchar

[MacMan]

Yeah, she does deserve some sympathy. She's been asked about being the opening act. Somebody from the message board or twitter has been telling her things. She seems to be on the defensive a bit, before the album has even been heard.

She's only addressed being the opening act once that we've heard in the recent interviews, unless I missed something... and I didn't sense any defensiveness, she said she was honoured to open for Rod and that she wouldn't open up for just anyone. You may be projecting your own feelings of her being an opening act into the situation... I don't think it's bad thing at all.. It's only a month of shows, call it a warm up to what she's got planned for the summer months... She'll probably get a month or two off after the Rod thing, then kick it up again for her own tour.

[tilthefirefades]

The fact the press and others are still questioning Stevie and even giving her the time of day after all these years is a good thing. It shows people still care. And that's one of the many reasons why Stevie gets no sympathy from me. She's had one hell of a run... she's so very fortunate. And her run isn't over yet. She's worked her @ss off to get where she is. And she's made it to the top of the mountain. She was named the queen of rock. She's the single person who comes to mind when 99% of people think of Fleetwood Mac. She's been cited and adored by so many younger artists. Also by artists of other professions, such as fashion designers. She's been nominated for 8 Grammys... she's even won one. I'd argue there are lots of artists who are even more talented and harder working whom have never even received a Grammy nomination. There's no reason to feel sorry for Stevie at all... nothing to warrant sympathy. She's got an awesome freaking life. She owns incredible homes, she's healthy, gorgeous, talented, and highly successful. I'm sorry... but I think y'all's priorities are outta whack if you think Stevie Nicks deserves your sympathy and sorrow. I feel sympathy for those who are being killed and maimed for our country in the Armed Services. I feel sympathy for those who have lost their livelihoods during this economic depression. I feel sorry for single parents. I sympathize with those who have terminal illnesses such as cancer. I do NOT feel sorry for Stevie freaking Nicks! :p

This has got to be the greatest post ever, and I completely agree :)

[Angel69]

If I was Stevie just reading these message boards would make me an insecure wreck. Most of us on here are die hard Stevie fans who love her but some of you can be downright mean when "interpreting" what you think Stevie is all about or how she is feeling. I am just so happy that she is putting out a new CD & if she didn't so be it, she owes us nothing. She has plenty of money and doesn't need to do this anymore if she didn't want to. She seems really excited about this new CD and I'm excited for her. I'll take whatever she is willing to give us at the moment or be just as happy with the catalog of music she has already given us. Put yourself in her shoes and re-read some of the posts on here, how would you feel if you kept reading that you're insecure, wear old lame clothes, don't have the voice you used to, don't play the right songs in your shows, don't work hard enough for your fans, that some people are already disappointed with the album you haven't even released yet.......kind of sad huh? The world is already such a negative place why look for things to be unhappy about...WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW MUSIC! Be Happy!


And the winner is.......sherhiannon!

[SufferYourLove]

Everyone makes such great points. I love Stevie Nicks. I think she is a great song writer. Of course she has badly written songs at times, the way she sings certain words can get annoying etc. But, all in all she is good. Nobody is perfect! The thing that frustrates me about her is the way that she adds other people’s songs to her albums and set list. It annoys me so much. Stevie has a huge catalog of work to choice from but she refuses to. Instead she sings crap like Docklands or adds songs like Circle Dance, Need to Know, Crash etc. I know a lot of you love Circle Dance and I can understand why it would mean a lot to her but come on!!! It’s boring and it’s not HER song. I was very excited for her soundstage and I was very disappointed!! She had the opportunity to showcase HER work and she decides to add Crash etc to it! What????? She is better off adding songs like Sable on Blonde or whatever else. I understand why she keeps Rhiannon, Dreams etc. on her set list. Those songs are where it’s at. She can’t replace those songs. Stevie has a way of touching me down to my core. I just wish she would make some better choices!! Think about all the music we are missing out on!! All those wonderful demos could have been released on some CD!!! Okay, time to sulk for a little bit!!

[SapphireSister]

Everyone makes such great points. I love Stevie Nicks. I think she is a great song writer. Of course she has badly written songs at times, the way she sings certain words can get annoying etc. But, all in all she is good. Nobody is perfect! The thing that frustrates me about her is the way that she adds other people’s songs to her albums and set list. It annoys me so much. Stevie has a huge catalog of work to choice from but she refuses to. Instead she sings crap like Docklands or adds songs like Circle Dance, Need to Know, Crash etc. I know a lot of you love Circle Dance and I can understand why it would mean a lot to her but come on!!! It’s boring and it’s not HER song. I was very excited for her soundstage and I was very disappointed!! She had the opportunity to showcase HER work and she decides to add Crash etc to it! What????? She is better off adding songs like Sable on Blonde or whatever else. I understand why she keeps Rhiannon, Dreams etc. on her set list. Those songs are where it’s at. She can’t replace those songs. Stevie has a way of touching me down to my core. I just wish she would make some better choices!! Think about all the music we are missing out on!! All those wonderful demos could have been released on some CD!!! Okay, time to sulk for a little bit!!

I feel your suffering! I've brought that point up many times that she has such an amazing collection of songs why in the heck would she ever put other people's songs on her albums?? From what I've heard those are songs that mean a lot to her or are written but her friends but still, Docklands? We have to keep in mine she wasn't in a good mind set during a lot of those times in her life so her decisions-making skills were affected and I'm sure the record labels pushed her into certain things. I don't however mind her doing covers at live shows from time to time (Circle Dance and Crash are both epic to me) but she tends to over-do it. I know she's just not comfortable doing songs like Sable but I've learned to accepted it and she has opened up and done a few oldies like Storms recently.