The Uncirculated Rumours Project

[mikebise]

In Summer 1988, a 3-record (vinyl) set of Stevie rarities was released, with the titles:

Uncirculated Rumours
More Uncirculated Rumours
Last Of The Uncirculated Rumours

The original set of all 3 Uncirculated Rumours came on black vinyl, and the second release was on coloured vinyl (red, orange and green), and all front covers were of Stevie's Rhiannon painting with a different inset photo of Stevie on each one. Another batch of Stevie's demos and outtakes had previously been bootlegged ten years earlier on the Almanac album, which was released in November 1978. This set featured "Sorcerer", "Cathouse Blues", "Candlebright" and many more.

Uncirculated Rumours had a wide spectrum of sound quality for the songs, ranging from abysmal ("Blue Lamp", "Julia", "Battle Of The Dragon") to sublime ("Maker Of The Birds", "Leather And Lace", "Rhiannon"). Despite the disappointing sound on many songs, the collection was still an impressive selection of Stevie's unreleased work to that time.

Last week, Mathew (KarmaContestant) and I were talking about Uncirculated Rumours, and he mentioned his desire to have a complete set of Uncirculated Rumours in terrific sound quality. In the intervening 23 years since the vinyl release of Uncirculated Rumours, most of the songs have been massively upgraded in sound quality, whether through the Master Reels or other outlets.

I started this thread to see if we could make this dream a reality. I'm not at my DSL tonight, or I'd start posting links to upgrades or links of songs that need upgrading. There are several songs that I do not have on my computer, so I'd need to hear them again to determine if that version has been upgraded or not.

Some thoughts:

"Maker Of The Birds" - The version on Uncirculated Rumours sounds very good, and I still think it is the best. Maureen Loftus put out a "remastered" version in 1998, but I think it sounds muffled, whereas the Uncirculated Rumours version is loud and clear. There is also an audible gasp by Stevie after she sings, "He thought 'Maybe I'm going insane'..." that is not on Maureen's remastering. Does anyone have the Uncirculated Rumours vinyl version?

"Forest Of The Black Roses" - I do not have the second version, only on vinyl which I can't hear (no turntable).

"Think About It" - The Uncirculated Rumours version is on the Master Reels; However, on UR, there is an added electic guitar which kicks in about a minute into the song that is not on the Master Reels.

"Castaway" - This demo version is very different from Stevie's many takes on the Master Reels, incorporating a different second verse in this take (as well as in the piano demo). This is a great version, but the sound is terrible.

"Smile At You" - This take does exist on the Master Reels, but in an edited form, chopping out the second round of "What you did not need was a lady who was stronger..." part. The longer version on the Master Reels has Stevie singing the first verse twice! Is there a good sounding complete version of this take with the correct verses and vocals?

Uncirculated Rumours
Castaway - Demo Version - Not on any of the Master Reels; contains a different second verse
Silver Springs - Piano Demo 1976
Rhiannon - Piano Demo Version 1 (Where Stevie talks about the birds rising)
Forsaken Love - Piano Demo Version 1 (Listed here as "Mistaken Love", but copyrighted title is "Forsaken Love")
Rhiannon - Piano Demo Version 2 (Softer version)
Forsaken Love - Piano Demo Version 2 (Listed here as "Mistaken Love", but copyrighted title is "Forsaken Love")
Sleeping Angel - Demo
Sara - Piano Demo
Castaway - Piano Demo

More Uncirculated Rumours
Forest Of The Black Roses - Version 1
Forest Of The Black Roses - Version 2
Blue Water - Piano Demo March 1978; On Master Reels, flawless
Think About It - Outtake; Recorded/Mixed at Record Plant, Sausalito, California, February 4th, 1976-April 9th, 1976
If You Ever Did Believe - 1978
Smile At You - Tusk era studio recording, unedited (Master Reels versions are edited or have different vocals)
Leather And Lace - Early Demo with Don Henley
Julia (unlisted) - Version commonly believed to be from The Wild Heart (and confirmed to me by Gordon Perry in 1996 in Dallas)
Maker Of The Birds (listed here as "For You On The Three Birds Of Rhiannon")

Last Of The Uncirculated Rumours
Battle Of The Dragon - With Tom Petty 1984
After The Glitter Fades - Demo 1975
Crying In The Night - Electric Mix 1973 (Single Remix)
Kind Of Woman - Piano Demo 1975
I Sing For The Things - Demo 1984
Blue Lamp - Outtake 1981 (On the Master Reels)
Silver Springs - Live 1977 Kansas City
Violet And Blue - 1982; Soundtrack Version (released 1984)

I'll be posting links starting tomorrow, but anyone else can join in!!! :)

[jeffd8382]

Oh wow! Very interesting, Mike.. I never even knew that someone had released demos/outtakes on a vinyl format. I think I had seen the title "Uncirculated Rumours" thrown around here or there but never exactly what that referred to.

[mikebise]

Yes, Jeff, it was very exciting to be at that record show in Houston in August 1988, rifling through the Stevie/Fleetwood Mac bin, to see the three Uncirculated Rumours records there ~ and with ALL these titles I'd never even heard of! The first time I ever heard "Julia", there was no title listed for it!!

There were many LIVE vinyl bootlegs of Stevie and Fleetwood Mac on vinyl in the old days, but only Almanac (November 1978) had demos & outtakes, and they were all Stevie's songs (plus a few live songs: "Landslide", "I'm So Afraid", "Spare Me A Little" and "Rhiannon" from a 1975 radio show). This is where those songs came from first, long before Master Reels or anything.

Almanac
Watch Chain - 1978 Living Room demo
Spare Me A Little - Live 1975
Secret Love - 1978 Living Room demo
Without You
Storms - 1978 Living Room demo (2 takes)
Landslide - Live 1975
Candlebright
I'm So Afraid - Live 1975
That's Alright
Garbo
Silver Springs - B-side version
Sorcerer
Goldfish and Ladybug
Rhiannon - Live 1975
Cathouse Blues

[PenguinHead]

I have all three Uncirculated Rumours albums, as well as Almanac, and several other vinyl bootlegs. I obtained them in the ancient past (mid-eighties) when the terms such as"downloads" and "internet" didn't exist.

Getting unreleased stuff wasn't so quick, direct and simple then. You had to scour the classified sections of magazines such as GoldMine or Rolling Stone to find traders. Some would show long tiny print lists of what they had to offer. With others you had to write/call them to request a list. Once you got the list in the mail, you would write/call them with your order -- tedious and slow compared to the instant gratification/accessibility we've grown accustom to with computers and social media.

If you were fortunate to live near an independant record store, you might stumble upon some rare bootlegs. I think that is how I got my Uncirculated Rumours collection. The covers are very cool because they feature Stevie's artwork.

Back then, it was very special to get rare live/unreleased material. Note: the Silver Springs on Uncirculated Rumours isn't the studio b-side. It's a rare live performance from 1976/77. The song was very obscure then, and it was only performed one or two times.

[mikebise]

Note: the Silver Springs on Uncirculated Rumours isn't the studio b-side. It's a rare live performance from 1976/77. The song was very obscure then, and it was only performed one or two times.

Right. That's how I have it marked on Uncirculated Rumours, as the 1977 Live perfromance from Kansas City. Almanac has the B-Side version, as I listed.

I got all of my vinyl bootlegs at record shows in Houston or Austin. Oh, I did find Fleetwood Mac Plays The City Of Sin: Las Vegas '77 at a cool record store on Westheimer in Houston. Otherwise, it was always at record shows for me. Ah, the memories...

[mikebise]

I'll start putting in links here, and editing this post as more are added:

Uncirculated Rumours
Castaway - Demo Version - Not on any of the Master Reels; contains a different second verse (So, this one needs a major upgrade; anyone?)
http://www.mediafire.com/?p93z22d22ykkfwr
Castaway - Demo Version; Pitch Adjusted
http://www.mediafire.com/?c7i09vdnt2dg4d1
Silver Springs - Piano Demo 1976
http://www.mediafire.com/?eon6h9sxsnsmh5b
Rhiannon - Piano Demo Version 1 (Where Stevie talks about the birds rising) From the Rhiannon 03/28/1978 Master Reel (New link)
http://www.mediafire.com/?cvv9djghqy8s0v1
Forsaken Love - Piano Demo Version 1; Source: Rhiannon 2-Track Master Reel
http://www.mediafire.com/?gd5mwz4cmge54ot
Rhiannon - Piano Demo Version 2; Source: Rhiannon 2-Track Master Reel
http://www.mediafire.com/?8rcw5uk91gdjjp8
Forsaken Love - Piano Demo Version 2 From the Forsaken Love 24 Track Master Reel
http://www.mediafire.com/?7c876n7m2zz961m
Sleeping Angel - Demo; Source: Demos Reel 01/08/1980
http://www.mediafire.com/?wtc9a76d4sxdhf5
Sara - Piano Demo
http://www.mediafire.com/?vp1ke9oulnml3co
Castaway - Piano Demo; Source: Uncirculated Rumours original vinyl 1988
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?9vc162mc8xi27ma

More Uncirculated Rumours
Forest Of The Black Roses - Mix 1; Source 1: China Doll compilation
http://www.mediafire.com/?29n48tn64o74g26
Forest Of The Black Roses - Mix 1; Source 2: Uncirculated Rumours original vinyl 1988
http://www.mediafire.com/?au4mnp497bjjn6a
Forest Of The Black Roses - Mix 2; Source: Uncirculated Rumours original vinyl 1988
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?6d0kdwdltpjudtk
Blue Water - Piano Demo March 1978; Source: Rhiannon 2-Track Master Reel
http://www.mediafire.com/?lm1gohfk3c5sgcx
Think About It - Outtake; Recorded/Mixed at Record Plant, Sausalito, California, February 4th, 1976-April 9th, 1976; Source: Demos Reel 01/08/1980
http://www.mediafire.com/?9pwui95metp3c6c
If You Ever Did Believe - Version 1; From the Gems compilation
http://www.mediafire.com/?7890bk0i9bwi1fx
If You Ever Did Believe - Version 2; From Mystery Box: Rumours Mixes (even though this song is well after Rumours)
http://www.mediafire.com/?94rrq1t5r1ck1yi
Smile At You - Tusk era studio recording; Source: Mirror Ball CD
http://www.mediafire.com/?3z3yby7bbmec3yc
Leather And Lace - Early Demo with Don Henley; Source: Demos Reel 01/08/1980
http://www.mediafire.com/?9a3wimhgdik5vl3
Julia (unlisted) - Version commonly believed to be from The Wild Heart (and confirmed to me by Gordon Perry in 1996 in Dallas) Source: Master Reel Compilation Dated 01/20/1986
http://www.mediafire.com/?q0d2qq7aqc5ki34
Maker Of The Birds Source: China Doll compilation
http://www.mediafire.com/?5o8q6f4ouh5a3w7

Last Of The Uncirculated Rumours
Battle Of The Dragon - With Tom Petty 1984 (This one sounds better than on UR, but is it the same take?)
http://www.mediafire.com/?z3yopyb50uv7aa1
After The Glitter Fades - Demo 1975; Source: Demos Reel 01/08/1980
http://www.mediafire.com/?yee8wzdr3dr9gx9
Crying In The Night - Electric Mix 1973 (Single Remix)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ps8sp69i3vn998g
Kind Of Woman - Piano Demo; Source: Demos Reel 01/08/1980
http://www.mediafire.com/?ava27xfbsatbvb7
I Sing For The Things - Piano Demo 1982 (Am I right that this is the correct version? This is from an undated/unlabeled Master Reel.)
http://www.mediafire.com/?7xw8l3ftfm4jjk8
Blue Lamp - Outtake 1981; Source: 1/4 Reel 10/19/1980
http://www.mediafire.com/?1lnii512nnoaj7n
Silver Springs - Live 1976 Kansas City (I found this online to be from 06/18/1976 Kansas City, MO; Correct? Anyone have an upgrade?)
http://www.mediafire.com/?rmmm3khd1xv7xvi
Silver Springs - Live 06/24/1976 Milwaukee, WI.
http://www.mediafire.com/?l7r1q5t7lkt02r8
Violet And Blue - Unreleased Film Version 1982; Source: Mystery Box: Various
http://www.mediafire.com/?6z092hpx1v0nl73

[SummerlongBoots]

There's one for sale on ebay right now.



http://cgi.ebay.com/Uncirculated-Rumours-Fleetwood-Mac-Stevie-Nicks-3-LP-NM-/120729202915?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item1c1c0570e3

[mikebise]

As I'm uploading these, I'm only doing the ones not on the Masters nor the ones I have original CDs of (Maureen's Mystery Box CDs). Those songs I'm going to re-upload into my computer to ensure losslessness and maximum sound potential (yes, they originally were imported as the dreaded mp3s!). If anyone has better sounding copies, please post them.

Questions:

"I Sing For The Things" piano demo - Again, I'm not able to listen to my vinyl Uncirculated Rumours, but is the version on there from circa 1984, or is it really a sped up copy of the 1982 piano demo from the Master Reels? I just remember the sound was bad and Stevie sounded all Rock A Little-ish. but the poor sound and speed could have made it seem that way.

"If You Ever Did Believe" - Which version is on Uncirculated Rumours??? I'm going through mine, and there are so many early versions... or, actually, the same main one with different overdubs, backing vocals, edits, etc.

[holidayroad]

I'll start putting in links here, and editing this post as more are added:

Uncirculated Rumours
Castaway - Demo Version - Not on any of the Master Reels; contains a different second verse (So, this one needs a major upgrade; anyone?)
http://www.mediafire.com/?p93z22d22ykkfwr
Silver Springs - Piano Demo 1976
http://www.mediafire.com/?eon6h9sxsnsmh5b
Rhiannon - Piano Demo Version 1 (Where Stevie talks about the birds rising) From the Rhiannon 03/28/1978 Master Reel (New link)
http://www.mediafire.com/?cvv9djghqy8s0v1
Forsaken Love - Piano Demo Version 1 From the Rhiannon 2-Track Master Reel




Do you have an upload for Forsaken Love- From the Rhiannon master reel?

[mikebise]

Just did it! I had the place holding while I uploaded. I'm redoing ALL of my Stevie CDs... a BIG project, so I started here!

[StandbackStevie]

I have this on vinly I didn't realize it was a bootleg until I played for some reason I think I paid about @ $30 for the three at a local used record shop it was sealed in plastic. that is probably when I bought them back in 1988. just had rhiannon pics with Stevie pics on back has pics and song listings no Stevie Nicks name on it so was dissapointed at first with the quality of the sound but cool to listen to love Stevie's Demos.

[Macfanforever]

I also have this collection.I got it from a seller out of the Goldmine collectable magazine around 1993.way before Ebay.Thanks for uploading them.

[StandbackStevie]

I got mine all 3 sealed for $30 for all three they were sold seperately for $10 a piece I picked mine up at Brass City Records in Waterbury the owner Walter always had great stuff and reasonable too its like a gold mine going into his store finding all good treasures. I picked mine up in 1988 or 1989.

[Macfanforever]

I got mine all 3 sealed for $30 for all three they were sold seperately for $10 a piece I picked mine up at Brass City Records in Waterbury the owner Walter always had great stuff and reasonable too its like a gold mine going into his store finding all good treasures. I picked mine up in 1988 or 1989.

Maybe I should take a ride over to Brass City Records to see what he has available.

[Aussie W/Heart]

Thanks Mike:angel:, Ive just d/loaded Julia & Forsaken Love, so much appreciated as i lost a lot of Stevie's gems due to my old computer crashing:mad: one of my favorites Forest Of The Black Roses is still missing, so would it be possible for you to add both 1 & 2 versions.. Thanks in advance

[mikebise]

I also have this collection.I got it from a seller out of the Goldmine collectable magazine around 1993.way before Ebay.Thanks for uploading them.

Yay! I will finish uploading tomorrow, and most of those are from the Master Reels or Maureen's Mystery Box.

I'm still hoping someone has digital files of those vinyl versions of "Maker Of the Birds" and "Forest Of The Black Roses" because they sound so much better than the fuzzy files we ALL have and share over and over.

[mikebise]

Thanks Mike:angel:, Ive just d/loaded Julia & Forsaken Love, so much appreciated as i lost a lot of Stevie's gems due to my old computer crashing:mad: one of my favorites Forest Of The Black Roses is still missing, so would it be possible for you to add both 1 & 2 versions.. Thanks in advance

I want those, too! Like I said above, I have the vinyl for this collection, but no way to play it or transfer it. And I've never heard that second version of "Forest Of the Black Roses" anywhere else but on the Uncirculated Rumours vinyl. I find that same Version 1 over and over, and muffled sounding. So, hopefully, one of our friends will come through for us and post the vinyl versions here.

I will be uploading "Maker Of The Birds" and the first "Forest Of the Black Roses" tomorrow, but I would still like to see if someone actually has the vinyl versions to post, because I only have the 1998 "remastered" copies from Maureen Loftus. These vinyl versions sounded so much better. As proof of my memories, I spent a half hour this morning going through the endless copies I have of the same "Silver Springs" piano demo. The one that clearly sounded the best was from Uncirculated Rumours; you can even hear a vinyl "pop" in it once.

So, I'm sure someone has the vinyl for those other 2 songs. Please? :wavey:

[Macfanforever]

Yay! I will finish uploading tomorrow, and most of those are from the Master Reels or Maureen's Mystery Box.

I'm still hoping someone has digital files of those vinyl versions of "Maker Of the Birds" and "Forest Of The Black Roses" because they sound so much better than the fuzzy files we ALL have and share over and over.

Ok Mike thank you.I got to get out the ole crank turntable and transfer some of these plus give The Source radio show the I received from Ebay a while ago.The stuff is still packed away since I moved over here year in a half ago.

[Aussie W/Heart]

Well that should teach me not to speed read, sorry my bad. lol.. lets hope version 2 turns up, although I'd be really happy if i had the only version out there of FOTBR.. :thumbsup: i have looked in the demo thread, could not find it:o

[mikebise]

Mediafire has crapped out on me tonight, not letting me upload; probably too many people on all over the world? Cosmic rays??

Anyway, I will continue uploading in the morning, and "Forest Of The Black Roses" and "Maker Of The Birds" will be first. But, Stevie Fans out there: post yours if they are better!

I DID find the version of "Smile At You" that is on Uncirculated Rumours! Of course, it's not on the Master Reels. Like I detailed above, the versions on the Master Reels are either edited or, if longer, Stevie sings the same verse twice, omitting the "I am older now but I still remember" lyrics, which is a shame. But I found a very good version that is the same content as on Uncirculated Rumours, but better sounding. Not perfect like the Masters, but better, and totally fitting for this project! Source is the Maureen Loftus CD from 1999: Mirror Ball.

[Aussie W/Heart]

Cool!!! Thanks Mike..

[jeffd8382]

Mediafire has crapped out on me tonight, not letting me upload; probably too many people on all over the world? Cosmic rays??

Oh no... the dreaded Mediafire problem! :eek: Mike, one thing I have found that has helped on a couple occasions when I couldn't upload is to try updating the Adobe flash player. It should always remain updated for me, but doing it manually a couple of times has seemed to have worked anyway.

[Brad]

Here's the versions of Forest of the Black Roses and Three Birds of Rhiannon (at least this is what it's called on mine, maybe the real name is Maker of the Birds).

They're from a CD called China Doll Demos that I got in the late 90's, either from a trader here on the Ledge (Regina maybe?) or maybe Marty himself when there was still a trading/buying page.

I haven't heard any of the other versions, but I think I can hear the "pops" of vinyl on here and can't really imagine there being better quality of these out there, but who knows. So, sorry if they're not what you're looking for.

Three Birds:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/5g7ba3kfm5ko24a/03%20Three%20Birds%20of%20Rhiannon.mp3

Forest:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/2d6p9v98u2khl14/04%20Forest%20of%20the%20Black%20Roses.mp3

Let me know if it's what you need.

Brad

[Brad]

I'm a little confused on exactly which Smile At You you're looking for.

This one I have labeled as "Tusk demo." It doesn't repeat the first verse, and the chorus sounds complete to the end. The quality is a little muffled but definitely listenable.

Smile At You (Tusk)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/pnw8w8emoofdp33/Smile%20At%20You%20Demo%20%28Tusk%29.mp3

I'm not sure if it's needed, but I have labeled as "Mirage Angry" where she repeats the "flaming" stuff over and over at the end.

Smile At You (Mirage angry)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/82yycj5shbzxn51/Smile%20At%20You%20Demo%20%28Mirage%2C%20Angry%20Ver.mp3

And as an added bonus, here's a very high quality piano only version (labeled as a capella) where she talks a little at the end.

Smile At You (Piano)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/9qa21fr5zp0pb58/Smile%20At%20You%20%28a%20Capella%29.mp3

Hope these help. If I'm not "getting" what the purpose of the thread is, just tell me to shut up.

Brad

[mikebise]

Brad, you are contributing exactly as I had hoped~ thank you! The China Doll compilation was put out by Maureen Loftus in 1998, when she was getting all kinds of Stevie rarities from a guy who was working with Mick on a Fleetwood Mac rarities collection which never came out/got completed (it was supposed to be ready by Late 1998 for Fleetwood Mac's 30th Anniversary).

Maureen would take 4 or 5 of her new rarities and put them on a CD with several older, well-circulated demos/outtakes to fill up each CD, and then sell the CDs. This is where many, many of the unreleased songs we have of Stevie's were unleashed, through Maureen's selling/trading them in 1997-2001 or so.

"Maker Of The Birds" (the copyrighted true title of the song) and "Forest Of The Black Roses" were "remastered" by Maureen and put on China Doll, and the results are a LOT better than I remembered!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

So, there is a second "softer" take of "Forest Of The Black Roses" on Uncirculated Rumours. Does anyone have it?

(I will DL the "Smile At You"s in a bit~ THANKS AGAIN, BRAD!!!)

[KarmaContestant]

Wow, Mike - what a nice thing to log on and see after the long weekend. :) I'll have to go over this thread again when I get home and see what I can add to help this project.

[Brad]

Brad, you are contributing exactly as I had hoped~ thank you! The China Doll compilation was put out by Maureen Loftus in 1998, when she was getting all kinds of Stevie rarities from a guy who was working with Mick on a Fleetwood Mac rarities collection which never came out/got completed (it was supposed to be ready by Late 1998 for Fleetwood Mac's 30th Anniversary).

Maureen would take 4 or 5 of her new rarities and put them on a CD with several older, well-circulated demos/outtakes to fill up each CD, and then sell the CDs. This is where many, many of the unreleased songs we have of Stevie's were unleashed, through Maureen's selling/trading them in 1997-2001 or so.

"Maker Of The Birds" (the copyrighted true title of the song) and "Forest Of The Black Roses" were "remastered" by Maureen and put on China Doll, and the results are a LOT better than I remembered!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

So, there is a second "softer" take of "Forest Of The Black Roses" on Uncirculated Rumours. Does anyone have it?

(I will DL the "Smile At You"s in a bit~ THANKS AGAIN, BRAD!!!)

No problem. I'll look at your list again and see if there's any I have that you still need.

Brad

[mikebise]

It's been fun, Mathew!

The best thing is that it's forced me to go back and re-import all of my Stevie CDs, including the Master Reels and Maureen's Mystery Box CDs, to improve losslessness. In doing so, I've found a few upgrades I forgot about, and also now they are truly lossless, and not condensed into mp3s (as they were when I imported most everything in 2005).

I just went back and changed the links on "Sleeping Angel", "After The Glitter Fades", and "Leather And Lace", because I found the Master Demos Reel 01/08/1980 CD that they were from, and the quality is astounding!

Right now I'm uploading "Kind Of Woman" from that same Reel, and also "Blue Water" from the Rhiannon 2-Track Master Reel.

Edit: Both "Blue Water" and "Kind Of Woman" are new links.

[mikebise]

Okay, I put in two versions of "If You Ever Did Believe" since I did not remember which version is on Uncirculated Rumours. However, both of these are far superiour in sound quality to what was on that LP.

So, I did not put on a second "Forest Of The Black Roses" ~ since I don't have it digitized!

And I did not put on "Violet And Blue", because it was merely the commercially released soundtrack version, which is available on Enchanted, iTunes, etc.

[mikebise]

Oh, what the Hell! I put the unreleased outtake of "Violet And Blue" at the end of the collection, since I wasn't going to post the commercially available soundtrack recording which was actually on Uncirculated Rumours in 1988.

This version can be heard in the film Against All Odds, and I uploaded it from one of Maureen Loftus' various Mystery Box CDs.

[UndoingTheLaces]

This may not seem like much of an upgrade but it's huge if you are a fan of this track. The first version of Castaway on UR, the one with the keyboards, bass and multi-tracked vocals, has been floating around The Ledge for years but this mp3 has one major issue, about two thirds of the way through the pitch changes. I could never figure out why. Maybe the cassette player went out of synch or the belt on the turntable was bad. I dunno. But it always frustrated me. Some nice Ledgie on here sent me this mp3. It's still from the album so it's not any better as far as that goes but it does keep a consistent pitch. So it's a much better rip. So for me it's a really big deal.

I don't know what I'd do if someone found a better version of this from the original recording because I've only ever heard this UR version and it's my absolute favorite Stevie bootleg. I would love for her to dust this off and give it another go. Anyway, here's the best Castaway UR1 mp3 I have.

http://www.mediafire.com/?c7i09vdnt2dg4d1

[mikebise]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, I LOVE that version so much! Much, much more than I do Stevie's other demos of "Castaway".

Thank you very much!

[UndoingTheLaces]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, I LOVE that version so much! Much, much more than I do Stevie's other demos of "Castaway".

Thank you very much!

You're welcome. I do too. I love her harmonies. And while I love the stuff her background singers do, there's something so special about the way she harmonizes with herself. And I love what she does with this.

[HighPassion]

Thanks to everyone for the upgrade on this compilation! I had a thread going for old school compilations that got lost in the crowd.

Just a side note, I really dont think there's going to be a better version of the live Silver Springs out there. But good luck. I hope someone proves me wrong!

[mikebise]

I added in the pitch adjusted "Castaway" (THANK YOU AGAIN, UndoingTheLaces!!!).

If anyone has better copies to add, please do so.

STILL needing that second take of "Forest Of The Black Roses", if anyone has it. Any vinyl owners out there with transfer capability? I have the records, but no turntable.

[Aussie W/Heart]

Thanks Brad, Ive just d/l FOTBR a much clearer version than i once had.. much appreciated x

[mikebise]

Thanks to everyone for the upgrade on this compilation! I had a thread going for old school compilations that got lost in the crowd.

I took a lot of your suggestions seriously and implemented them this time when starting a thread. Thanks for the input and helping me make it better!

[holidayroad]

Just did it! I had the place holding while I uploaded. I'm redoing ALL of my Stevie CDs... a BIG project, so I started here!

Thanks! I actually have the LP, but no working record player at this time!

[mikebise]

This may not seem like much of an upgrade but it's huge if you are a fan of this track. The first version of Castaway on UR, the one with the keyboards, bass and multi-tracked vocals, has been floating around The Ledge for years but this mp3 has one major issue, about two thirds of the way through the pitch changes. I could never figure out why. Maybe the cassette player went out of synch or the belt on the turntable was bad. I dunno. But it always frustrated me. Some nice Ledgie on here sent me this mp3. It's still from the album so it's not any better as far as that goes but it does keep a consistent pitch. So it's a much better rip. So for me it's a really big deal.

http://www.mediafire.com/?c7i09vdnt2dg4d1

You know, I've been jamming to this version all morning!!! It's SO good!!! People slam "Castaway" and say "It's not a song! It's random phrases Stevie strung together!" Well, this version is defintiely a song, and a great one at that!

[GoldDustOrphan]

A DJ friend - who has high-end turntables in his home studio set-up - is going to rip the tracks from my recently acquired 12" vinyl of "Stand Back" (DJ Promo, 1983), so I will ask him to rip the tracks from my copy of the "Last of the Uncirculated Rumours," which I think I listened maybe twice.

I did notice that 3 record sets have been popping up on eBay with an increasing frequency. They've been selling for about $100 bucks a set.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/rickdunn101/DSCN0326.jpg

[mikebise]

Great that you have the black vinyl! I thought the sound was far superiour on the black versus the coloured vinyl. And should the coloured vinyl have been emerald green, snow-white and golden? ;)

[randydesertrat]

Here is a longer version of Castaway #2 from the Uncirculated Rumours album (the last track). The version that you posted Mike is 2:21 in length. This one is 3:10 and has more beyond where yours cuts off. This one also has a cutoff ending. The original source wasn't all that great so I converted it to WAV to prevent any further loss. I also did a very minor 1% pitch adjustment as the speed was slightly fast. I matched it to the piano track from "Sara" since Stevie uses a lot of Sara style piano chords and rhythms in this song.

Castaway (Uncirculated Rumours Piano Demo)
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?9vc162mc8xi27ma

[mikebise]

Randy, I'm at work, but I'm wondering if that "Castaway" piano demo is the re-edit I did circa 1994. Where the Uncirculated Rumours vinyl cuts off, right in the middle of Stevie singing, I edited back on a chorus, and then had it fade out before the second verse. Stevie pauses a lot in the song, so it was easy to make an edit.

I made hundreds of copies on cassette from 1994-1998 or so, and sent them all over the world in my Master Stevie Outtakes & Demos Collection. I wonder if this is my edit, and I hope so, since I thought I did a good job!!! :thumbsup: But my cassettes are all missing or lost and I don't have a way to convert it anyway. But maybe it's not my edit.

I guess I'll find out later when I DL it! AND you fixed the sound!!! :]

[jeffd8382]

Castaway (Uncirculated Rumours Piano Demo)
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?9vc162mc8xi27ma

Thank you for that, Randy! Nice work!!

And thanks to everyone else here too for sharing/contributing! :thumbsup:

[jeffd8382]

Randy, I'm at work, but I'm wondering if that "Castaway" piano demo is the re-edit I did circa 1994. Where the Uncirculated Rumours vinyl cuts off, right in the middle of Stevie singing, I edited back on a chorus, and then had it fade out before the second verse. Stevie pauses a lot in the song, so it was easy to make an edit.

When I looked at the spectrum, it looks identical with the exception of being longer... and now that I listen closely, I think you're probably right, Mike, that this must be your edit. Nice job with that!!

[mikebise]

Jeff, really? Wow! I actually get to contribute a little in the editing department!

On the vinyl, it cuts off right after the second chorus where Stevie is wailing "I could never OFFER...---" (Cuts!) Which is different than the 2:21 length that I posted. It IS longer than that on the VINYL, so I have no idea where I got this shortened 2:21 version. But it still cuts off soon after that, in the middle of the second chorus.

So, I recorded it from the vinyl onto cassette and then PAUSED the tape, moved the needle back a bit in "Castaway" to the FIRST chorus, and RESUMED recording as Stevie sang "Freedom..." from the first chorus and then used my mix board to slowly fade the song as Stevie is plunking away on the piano with it ending right before Stevie says, "What is it? It goes, 'Well, child'..."

THANK YOU, Randy for resurrecting it!

[HejiraNYC]

I did notice that 3 record sets have been popping up on eBay with an increasing frequency. They've been selling for about $100 bucks a set.



That is shocking to me because I found this set of demos to be decidedly unlistenable, even before all of the studio masters started spreading around the interwebs. Interestingly "Julia" was never listed on the track listing on the sleeve (at least on the original black pressing). So for many years I wondered what this garbled up, practically inaudible track was supposed to be. I thought it was "Suffer for the Love," or at least that's what I thought I heard; the sound was so mangled. There's also a live version of "Silver Springs" from thet Rumours tour that, again, is so garbled up that it is practically unlistenable. By contrast, the quality of the Almanac bootleg LP was superb.

[randydesertrat]

Jeff, really? Wow! I actually get to contribute a little in the editing department!

On the vinyl, it cuts off right after the second chorus where Stevie is wailing "I could never OFFER...---" (Cuts!) Which is different than the 2:21 length that I posted. It IS longer than that on the VINYL, so I have no idea where I got this shortened 2:21 version. But it still cuts off soon after that, in the middle of the second chorus.

So, I recorded it from the vinyl onto cassette and then PAUSED the tape, moved the needle back a bit in "Castaway" to the FIRST chorus, and RESUMED recording as Stevie sang "Freedom..." from the first chorus and then used my mix board to slowly fade the song as Stevie is plunking away on the piano with it ending right before Stevie says, "What is it? It goes, 'Well, child'..."

THANK YOU, Randy for resurrecting it!

Mike, I'm not sure that this is your edit. This might just be the longer vinyl version. The 2:21 track that you posted cuts off during the piano after Stevie sings "and I guess I miss you". The one I posted goes on from there with "play another role in your mystery - changes - mystery - changes..." and cuts off right after "but I could never - could never offer her". It sounds like maybe this is the version from which you then made your edit?

[UndoingTheLaces]

You know, I've been jamming to this version all morning!!! It's SO good!!! People slam "Castaway" and say "It's not a song! It's random phrases Stevie strung together!" Well, this version is defintiely a song, and a great one at that!

I love it. I did a cover of it some years ago but my computer was totally dying, so I'd sing a little bit but the playback would be out of synch so I'd have to move the vocals around to fit before I could do the overdubs. And I didn't realize when I recorded it that the music was out of my range, so it was too low for me to sing it well. Then the computer was in such poor shape that it made it sound like I was singing through a box fan. So yeah, it was all kinds of awful. But it did make me really sit down and learn the song backwards and forwards. The more widely spread Master Reels versions are really only half the song. I often wonder if the original recordings had been lost or stolen and Stevie was trying to do the whole thing from memory some years later as the chorus on the Master Reels is played very differently.

Another thought on Castaway. When did the term "Old School" originate? I don't recall ever hearing it until the 90's from the hip hop culture. As in "kickin' it old school". I was surprised to hear it in the line "you're a song child from the old school". The following line "I guess I miss you" always held such a wistful sweetness for me. Like she's saying she misses him but not in the way you miss the love of your life but in a way you think fondly of your high school boyfriend or a guy you dated briefly but never got too serious about. It's a fondness but not an obsession.

I also really love in the piano demo where she stops and goes "if you were doing this I suppose you would go...". I swear Stevie is the only reason I ever use the word "suppose" and it's because of this demo. LOL.

[mikebise]

I love reading your thoughts! The term "From the old school" is very old, dating back to carpenters and other kinds of workmen, who had a certain work ethic that was eroding slowly. A way of life was disappearing, and those who followed the time-honoured traditions were from the "old school". A LOT older than "Kickin' It Old School" LOL!

Randy, I guess you're right! Oh well! Hey, I just gave someone the directions on making an even longer mix... ;)

[jeffd8382]

Mike, I'm not sure that this is your edit. This might just be the longer vinyl version. The 2:21 track that you posted cuts off during the piano after Stevie sings "and I guess I miss you". The one I posted goes on from there with "play another role in your mystery - changes - mystery - changes..." and cuts off right after "but I could never - could never offer her". It sounds like maybe this is the version from which you then made your edit?

My apologies, Randy. I was going more by looking at the spectrum... it's interesting that it has the exact same high frequency cut-off as the one Mike posted originally... the waveform of both match almost perfectly (even though I know you adjusted the speed).

[GoldDustOrphan]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan View Post
I did notice that 3 record sets have been popping up on eBay with an increasing frequency. They've been selling for about $100 bucks a set.

Lady Gaga's "Judas" remix CDs are selling for $200 - $220 each, so nothing surprises me anymore.

[KarmaContestant]

Lady Gaga's "Judas" remix CDs are selling for $200 - $220 each, so nothing surprises me anymore.

Many of Depeche Mode's remix promos routinely sell for that much, even years afterwards. It sucks being a collector these days. Low pressings, sparse distribution, hoarders - everything collectible in the world of music is overpriced. Secret Love promos were going for 50-70 dollars. Just silly.

The fact that the labels don't see a money making opportunity with singles/remixes is incomprehensible.

[GoldDustOrphan]

Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys have fans that are voracious collectors.

FYI: about the "Secret Love'" promotional singles. There are a number of sellers based in the UK and Ireland pushing bootleg "Secret Love" CDs. A Reprise rep has filed a complaint with eBay when these started to pop up, but it hasn't stopped them. Even worse, they're all using the same photo of the disc against a red backdrop.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stevie-Nicks-Secret-Love-1-Track-Promo-CD-/280687574683?pt=UK_CDsDVDs_CDs_CDs_GL&hash=item415a487e9b

[KarmaContestant]

These were web downloads from years ago, so the quality is questionable.

Forest of the Black Roses 3:41
http://www.mediafire.com/?au4mnp497bjjn6a

And another Forest of the Black Roses 3:35
http://www.mediafire.com/?599xe5hej2w6kz7

[mikebise]

Okay, Mathew, THAT's the first vinyl "Forest Of The Black Roses"!!! It has the "I'm ready..." part at the beginning that Stevie says, straight from the vinyl! Yay!

So, the second one is giving me a RED ERROR message!!! Eek!!! I hope I can get it to work for me, since I'm sure it's the second rarely-heard version of "Forest Of The Black Roses".

[UndoingTheLaces]

I love reading your thoughts!

What a sweet thing to say. Thank you so much. :xoxo:

The term "From the old school" is very old, dating back to carpenters and other kinds of workmen, who had a certain work ethic that was eroding slowly. A way of life was disappearing, and those who followed the time-honoured traditions were from the "old school". A LOT older than "Kickin' It Old School" LOL!

I had never heard that expression before. See, you learn something new every day. Thank you for sharing.

[randydesertrat]

Okay, Mathew, THAT's the first vinyl "Forest Of The Black Roses"!!! It has the "I'm ready..." part at the beginning that Stevie says, straight from the vinyl! Yay!

So, the second one is giving me a RED ERROR message!!! Eek!!! I hope I can get it to work for me, since I'm sure it's the second rarely-heard version of "Forest Of The Black Roses".

Alas Mike, this second one is not the rarely heard version, just a different source version of #1. Stevie's playing and phrasing is exactly the same in both. We'll find that other one eventually!

[KarmaContestant]

Alas Mike, this second one is not the rarely heard version, just a different source version of #1. Stevie's playing and phrasing is exactly the same in both. We'll find that other one eventually!

I wondered about that. I didn't listen to them before uploading.

[HighPassion]

I took a lot of your suggestions seriously and implemented them this time when starting a thread. Thanks for the input and helping me make it better!

Glad I could be of help :)


I've got a contribution, As for it it will help or not I'm unsure.
This is the only live version of Silver Springs from 76 that I've ever known about (although that's not saying much) But it's I think it's from Milwaukee, not Kansas City. So if this is redundant, I'm very sorry :P


Silver Springs (Live, 6-24-76):
http://www.mediafire.com/?l7r1q5t7lkt02r8

[randydesertrat]

Hi Mike (and everyone interested in this thread),

I found the Uncirculated Rumours set posted elsewhere online and downloaded it. Here are the two Forest Of The Black Roses demos from the set:

Forest Of The Black Roses [Demo #1]:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?qnw50hgy7ykf2z7

Forest Of The Black Roses [Demo #2]:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?6d0kdwdltpjudtk

Now for the (possibly) bad news about these. Demo #2 is indeed a softer version as you remembered, but it is the exact same performance as Demo #1. To illustrate this, I have made an overlay version of both demos. Demo #1 is in the left channel and Demo #2 is in the right channel.

Forest Of The Black Roses [Overlayed Demos]:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?fd187t11nrm24c8

Mike, I don't know if you were thinking that Demo #2 was a different take. The two certainly give that impression because they sound so different. Demo #1 is very bright with a lot of reverb added, where Demo #2 is more intimate and dry and sounds softer like Stevie is sitting right there in front of you. But the performance, phrasing and piano playing are identical and we know that Stevie never sang/played anything the exact same way twice.

These two versions are the same take - just likely taken from two different sources. Much as some of us here have played with certain tracks to make them better, I suspect that a fan probably added the reverb and brightened up the tone back in the day. It seems unlikely that Stevie's engineer would have made two different mixes of this piano demo (though it is within the realm of possibility).

So that's my take on it. It is nice to have the two different sounds though. :)

[mikebise]

Wow, Randy, we have some weird psychic vibes floating around this week! Yesterday afternoon, I spent THREE HOURS going over all of the "Forest Of The Black Roses" various downloads and files in my computer. THREE HOURS!!!! And I DID have the version #2 I had been looking for. And I finally came to the same conclusion: they are the same version!

I was so worn-out, and my dog, Dino, wanted my attention, that I forgot to come back here and post my "discovery". "Well, I'm glad you stayed" and posted your technical findings, because I was definitely "Wild-eyed in my misery".

Thanks for the help! Mystery solved!

[mikebise]

Glad I could be of help :)


I've got a contribution, As for it it will help or not I'm unsure.
This is the only live version of Silver Springs from 76 that I've ever known about (although that's not saying much) But it's I think it's from Milwaukee, not Kansas City. So if this is redundant, I'm very sorry :P


Silver Springs (Live, 6-24-76):
http://www.mediafire.com/?l7r1q5t7lkt02r8

Thanks, Daniel! I'm at work and cannot download until later (although I can spend my work day on Stevie Nicks Fan sites!!!). But I will later today!

Back in 1994, I bought a bunch of LIVE cassettes from Wynnco, and there were a few "Silver Springs" on them, yes, more than one. I have no memory of where the shows were, but I DO know one was from 1976, like these, but one was from 1977, much later in the Rumours tour. Maybe Stevie demanded it back for some freshness. (Much like she started performing the then-unreleased "Sisters Of The Moon" in 1978 at the end of the Rumours Tour).

[BrownEyedGirl26]

I like this version better than the "Against All Odds" version! There is a more fuller sound because the drums and the guitar parts are more noticeable. Also, Stevie is singing it differently in this outtake!

[mikebise]

And Bobbye Hall is really working those bongos, huh???

And Waddy's growl at the intro!

[Supernaut]

Can anyone date the Maker of the Birds recording?

[mikebise]

Can anyone date the Maker of the Birds recording?

March 1978.

[Supernaut]

March 1978.

Awesome. Thank you!