Seven Wonders (Early Version)

[Andyleo]

Just downloaded this from iTunes. I love the "Rock A Little" singing she does after the point where the original fades out. Very interesting to listen to but it will never come close to the brilliance of the original for me.

[SisterNightroad]

Oh thanks, I was about to post about it.
If someone wants to listen to it without buying you can do it here on Soundcloud, you just have to use an extension like Hola who lets you access to site from other countries and select "Spain": http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20170216/escucha-version-inedita-seven-wonders-fleetwood-mac/1491290.shtml

[tango87]

Me too! It's a bit less sophisticated than the final version, isn't it?

I still can't work out what she's singing in the bridge, even though it's a bit clearer - it sound like 'carer'... or even 'Karen'!

[Andyleo]

I know, I've listened a few times now and like you said it's much clearer but I can't decipher that word either. I used to think it was "Sara" though I can't hear an S.

[SisterNightroad]

Fleetwood Mac – hear an unreleased version of Seven Wonders
We’ve got an early version of one of the standouts from Tango in the Night for you. Have a listen and let us know what you think

Fleetwood Mac have spent the past few years reissuing their peerless back catalogue in the obligatory remastered, expanded, deluxe editions. Last year brought us the 1982 album Mirage, which somehow managed to make an album already slathered in cocaine sound even more cokey, all sheen and shine.

Next up is Tango in the Night, coming out on Warner on 10 March, and we’ve got this early, unreleased version of the Stevie Nicks track Seven Wonders for you. It’s longer but also a little harsher than the album version, drawing out the fatalism of the chorus and de-emphasising the keyboard hook.

Tango in the Night came out five years after Mirage, and had originally been planned as a Lindsey Buckingham solo record – Nicks spent only two weeks in the studio with the band because she was concentrating on her solo career. Be thankful that it became a full-band record, because the album became defined not by his songs but by the contributions of the other writers; without the two singles from Christine McVie – Everywhere and Little Lies – it would be a very different record. While many Mac fans might have their favourite writer in the group, it takes all three of Buckingham, Nicks and McVie to balance the group. It was noticeable how different the shows with McVie back in the band were to those when the group was performing only the Buckingham and Nicks songs; it was if her songs were the bridge between Nicks’s airy proto-gothiness and Buckingham’s barely suppressed rage.

That balance is what makes Tango in the Night so great. For all that the music is of a piece – sophisticated, slick, without ever being over-complicated – it manages to shift through moods effortlessly. Buckingham is on edge throughout and has explained that Big Love, his single from the album, gets misinterpreted: when he sings that he is “looking out for love”, he doesn’t mean he is looking for love, he is putting himself on guard for it. In the title track, he’s restless, discomfited (“Try to sleep, sleep won’t come”); Caroline upbraids a woman who is crazy and lazy; Family Man seems to be a hymn to domestic stability, but even then he can’t help observing that “the road gets tough”.

McVie’s songs appear much more straightforward. Everywhere is a simple, gorgeous statement of love; Little Lies its counterpart, the realisation that the feelings of Everywhere depend on self-deception. Nicks’s are neither straightforward, nor angry: Welcome to the Room … Sara was written after treatment at the Betty Ford clinic, and uncertainty echoes throughout her contributions (“If I see you again / Will it be the same?” she asks on When I See You Again. “If I see you again / Will it be over?”), and Seven Wonders exemplifies that, with Nicks confronting the notion that even living to see the seven wonders will never match what she has lost.

Have a listen: https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2017/feb/16/fleetwood-mac-hear-unreleased-version-seven-wonders

[Wdm6789]

Only available in the U.K. Wtf?

[Andyleo]

Try this one

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-fleetwood-macs-unreleased-seven-wonders-outtake-w467411

[FuzzyPlum]

My god, that sounds atrocious. The last minute or so sounds decent but the rest of it is really plodding and clunky. I don't know whether it is but it sounds so much slower than the final version. Good job Lindsey polished this up into something so much better.

[MikeInNV]

My god, that sounds atrocious. The last minute or so sounds decent but the rest of it is really plodding and clunky. I don't know whether it is but it sounds so much slower than the final version. Good job Lindsey polished this up into something so much better.

You're right about the slower tempo, but other than that I think I prefer this version. Musically I like the more subdued keyboards, and the vocals at the end are great!

[KenB]

I actually like this version a lot. I don't mind that it's a bit slower, although certainly the rhythm track needed to be seriously beefed up. Most of all I like that the keyboards are toned down, lending more emphasis to Stevie's vocals, which are some of her only excellent latter-day work. As much as I love the original, the keyboards were overwhelming (and too synthetic).

[TheWILDheart]

I honestly think that this is the same vocal take as the album version but with all Lindsey's production taken off. Certain moments are identical. I mean that part where she makes a noise rather than singing before the 2nd chorus is the same as the album take - "wweeeellll ablab I'm sorry but...".

Maybe the album version is multiple versions shoved together?

[SisterNightroad]

I honestly think that this is the same vocal take as the album version but with all Lindsey's production taken off. Certain moments are identical. I mean that part where she makes a noise rather than singing before the 2nd chorus is the same as the album take - "wweeeellll ablab I'm sorry but...".

Maybe the album version is multiple versions shoved together?
Yes, it's very likely.

[FuzzyPlum]

I honestly think that this is the same vocal take as the album version but with all Lindsey's production taken off. Certain moments are identical. I mean that part where she makes a noise rather than singing before the 2nd chorus is the same as the album take - "wweeeellll ablab I'm sorry but...".

Maybe the album version is multiple versions shoved together?


Isn't Seven Wonders the song that she supposedly only did one or two takes of? I can't remember. Anyway, yes, it does sound the same.

[Macfan4life]

I got all excited for nothing :(
Yes it is the same vocal track as the album. Its probably just the original cut before all the fancy production and add ons. Big deal
I wish the group worked together more during this time and there were real lost demos of songs we never heard. I dont see this "new revealation" as being that different than what is on the album. Really grasping at straws to find something "new" about Tango.

[FuzzyPlum]

I got all excited for nothing :(
Yes it is the same vocal track as the album. Its probably just the original cut before all the fancy production and add ons. Big deal
I wish the group worked together more during this time and there were real lost demos of songs we never heard. I dont see this "new revealation" as being that different than what is on the album. Really grasping at straws to find something "new" about Tango.

You really aren't fussed about TITN are you?

[KenB]

It is absolutely the same vocal.

[bombaysaffires]

Hmmm.... does this answer the ongoing Tara/Sara/Aaron mystery?

Definitely not "sara" and sure doesn't sound like "aaron" to me.....

Don't hear any "T" like tara....

only hear the first vowel..... Ara.....

the mystery continues.....:shrug:

On the other hand it does sound like she calls it the "rainbow's edge"

[bombaysaffires]

I know, I've listened a few times now and like you said it's much clearer but I can't decipher that word either. I used to think it was "Sara" though I can't hear an S.

sorry, didn't see your comment first time through. Agreed! The mystery continues.

[SisterNightroad]

Hmmm.... does this answer the ongoing Tara/Sara/Aaron mystery?

Definitely not "sara" and sure doesn't sound like "aaron" to me.....

Don't hear any "T" like tara....

only hear the first vowel..... Ara.....

the mystery continues.....:shrug:

On the other hand it does sound like she calls it the "rainbow's edge"
I remember reading a music critic saying he heard "certain" once.

[KenB]

I thought it was "never" (pronounced as "nev-uh"). Repeated from the line "I'll never see that beauty again."

[bombaysaffires]

I thought it was "never" (pronounced as "nev-uh"). Repeated from the line "I'll never see that beauty again."

hmmm... have you listened this early version? I'm curious if you hear nevuh in there.

Whatever she's saying starts with a vowel sound (a) so.......maybe it's Aaron after all......:shrug:

[KenB]

hmmm... have you listened this early version? I'm curious if you hear nevuh in there.


I have, and one of them does sound like "never" to me. Maybe the others are "ever"? Like never ever?

[tothegypsy]

Could it be Hera?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hera

[lilyfee]

At the end she is definitely saying "rainbow's edge."

I like this version a lot. It sounds like the same vocal from the album version but more raw. It's stripped down instead of overpoweringly 80s.:nod:

[bombaysaffires]

I had to listen to the released version back to back with this one. The tempo on the released one is faster, and it sounds like her vocal is sped up to go with the slightly faster tempo. (Maybe they couldn't get her in to do another take, or maybe they did but none were as good as this one?)

[annabellee]

(Maybe they couldn't get her in to do another take, or maybe they did but none were as good as this one?)

Exhausting.

[Andyleo]

As far as tempo goes, you can see here the comparison of the two versions. The top line is the original album release, it's from about 17 seconds to 27 seconds into the song.

[BLY]

I love the extended ending with Stevie's additional vocals and the chours with Buckingham/McVie's voices more prominent.

[bombaysaffires]

As far as tempo goes, you can see here the comparison of the two versions. The top line is the original album release, it's from about 17 seconds to 27 seconds into the song.

if i'm reading it right it looks like it starts out same but starts going out of synch the more it goes along

[SpyNote]

Hmmm.... does this answer the ongoing Tara/Sara/Aaron mystery?

Definitely not "sara" and sure doesn't sound like "aaron" to me.....

Don't hear any "T" like tara....

only hear the first vowel..... Ara.....

the mystery continues.....:shrug:

On the other hand it does sound like she calls it the "rainbow's edge"

I definitely hear "Aaron" and "rainbow's edge." And "Ara" is pretty darn close to "Aaron."

In the second chorus, it sounds like Stevie would have sung "rainbow's edge" again, but "edge" was clearly edited out (1:47). I only hear Lindsey and Christine singing at that point.

Here's the "hidden" link (https://soundcloud.com/rhinorecords/seven-wonders-early-version-fleetwood-mac-us/s-kgSWR) to the "Seven Wonders" Soundcloud page. It looks like Rhino posted it two days ago.

[Andyleo]

if i'm reading it right it looks like it starts out same but starts going out of synch the more it goes along

That's exactly right. I lined up the very first drumbeat at the same spot and as you can see it's quite quickly out of sync.

[KenshiMaster16]

The more laid back take on it almost makes me think this is the sound they would've gone with if they'd have done the song with Lindsey on tour in '88 or for The Dance in '97.

Just a little bit slower and more emphasis on guitar and vocals.

[Phil]

Stevie is definitely singing "Aaron", which I believe was the original title of the song, as written by Sandy Stewart. The "additional lyrics" credit is undoubtedly due to Stevie's ad-libbing throughout and probably also in recognition of the song title being changed.

[SisterNightroad]

This Unreleased Version of Fleetwood Mac's 'Seven Wonders' Is Better Than the Original
Listen to a stunning Stevie Nicks vocal performance.

While most styles of music come and go, Fleetwood Mac always feels somewhat relevant no matter the year. Recently, though, as the '80s have made their way back on the big wheel of trends, Fleetwood Mac's most inconsistent era is more influential than ever. (Just look at recent albums from Taylor Swift, Haim, and Tegan and Sara.) Which makes it the perfect time for the band to release the 30th anniversary edition of Tango in the Night. The album itself might have been hit-and-miss, but what's exciting about this reissue is it comes with unheard recordings, including alternate takes of "Mystified" and "Seven Wonders" and a demo of "Tango in the Night."

Normally, these alternate versions of songs aren't anything to be too excited about. But Fleetwood Mac is different. With each anniversary release, Fleetwood Mac includes plenty of demos and alternate tracks of every song on the album. The Super Deluxe version of Rumours had early, stripped-down versions of the songs from their seminal album. Take the version of "Second Hand News," for example: Without any of the production, it really just shows off Lindsey Buckingham's songwriting ability.

Today, the band shared an early, unheard version of "Seven Wonders" that accomplishes much of the same. Without the production, this take on the song cuts out those bongos and that dorky synth hook. It's still a glossy Fleetwood Mac pop song, but feels more raw and subsequently more timeless. More importantly without the studio mess, Stevie Nicks' vocals carry the song, which should always be the case.

Compare that to the original version below:


http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/news/a53214/fleetwood-mac-seven-wonders-tango-in-the-night/

[Macfan4life]

You really aren't fussed about TITN are you?
I did not know what you meant until I googled the meaning of "fussed." In the states we have a different meaning. To make a "fuss" means to make a big deal. Your context is to be excited?
Tango is probably my least favorite Mac album but I love the re-releases to give the band the credit they deserve. The point I was making that I read so many making a "fuss" about this Seven Wonders demo. Every online page had some article "The unleased/demo of Seven Wonders is so much better than the original or album version."
I don't see they are much different. The vocal track is the same and its just a stripped down version of the song.
IMHO
Too much fuss ;)

[TheWILDheart]

Stevie is definitely singing "Aaron", which I believe was the original title of the song, as written by Sandy Stewart. The "additional lyrics" credit is undoubtedly due to Stevie's ad-libbing throughout and probably also in recognition of the song title being changed.

Sandy's original lyric:

"You touched my hand, all the way all the way down you held the line"

Stevie sang:

"You touched my hand, all the way, all the way down to Emmiline"

That's the only reason she got a writing credit.

[olive]

I thought it was "never" (pronounced as "nev-uh"). Repeated from the line "I'll never see that beauty again."

i thought it was nearer ....... Near-rah

[SpyNote]

I did not know what you meant until I googled the meaning of "fussed." In the states we have a different meaning. To make a "fuss" means to make a big deal. Your context is to be excited?
Tango is probably my least favorite Mac album but I love the re-releases to give the band the credit they deserve. The point I was making that I read so many making a "fuss" about this Seven Wonders demo. Every online page had some article "The unleased/demo of Seven Wonders is so much better than the original or album version."
I don't see they are much different. The vocal track is the same and its just a stripped down version of the song.
IMHO
Too much fuss ;)

I agree. They aren't radically different. To fans who grew up with the remixes, the music on the early version is familiar. Lindsey's solo which is in the background of this mix is called out on the Seven Wonders dub version.

[FuzzyPlum]

I did not know what you meant until I googled the meaning of "fussed." In the states we have a different meaning. To make a "fuss" means to make a big deal. Your context is to be excited?
Tango is probably my least favorite Mac album but I love the re-releases to give the band the credit they deserve. The point I was making that I read so many making a "fuss" about this Seven Wonders demo. Every online page had some article "The unleased/demo of Seven Wonders is so much better than the original or album version."
I don't see they are much different. The vocal track is the same and its just a stripped down version of the song.
IMHO
Too much fuss ;)

Sorry, I need to be more aware of my British colloquialisms. Yes, I recall from previous posts you don't tend to hold Tango in particularly high esteem and I think that came across in your assessment of the Seven Wonders outtake. For me TITN is the album that got me into the band and for that matter it will always be my favourite. I've been so excited about the deluxe releases so far. Though I love TITN so much it is without a doubt the one deluxe release that has excited me the most- for several reasons. I'm sure I'll get it but I havent bothered to order it yet.
I too seem to be in the minority and cannot see the big fuss over the early Seven Wonders version. I don't dislike it but I personally much prefer the polished version with all the extra synth hooks- they made the song so...catchy.

[The Juggler]

Interesting the final version is slightly sped up, hence the slightly higher pitched Stevie vocals.

I think he did the same thing with Everywhere and Isn't It Midnight too, Christine's voice sounds higher than usual.

[shackin'up]

That dorky Synth Hook. Exactly. Lindsey''s tasteful warm guitarline on this version was butchered for it. Unforgivable. The pace of the endversion is better, though.

[SisterNightroad]

If someone is interested, now the song is available also on Spotify.

[jbrownsjr]

Love this version. It's plods along... but some things are really cool about it. I love the backing vocals. You can hear them better. Great lead vocal by stevie. Sounds the same to my ears. One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac Songs.

[brad975]

Same vocal. But slightly sped up for album version. It's long been told that she received writing credit because Lindsey didn't like any other take than this one, in which she flubbed some of the original lyrics. Given her vocal condition at the time, it's easy to believe that he couldn't get a better performance out of her.

[MikeInNV]

So something you hear a lot is that Stevie only spent two weeks in the studio for TITN. I've also heard that 7W is her last pre-Betty Ford vocal. Then there's WTTRS, which is about the Betty Ford experience. Is two weeks an approximate cumulative total for off-and-on work in the studio during 1986 and early 1987? Do we have any idea what was recorded when?

[Macfan4life]

So something you hear a lot is that Stevie only spent two weeks in the studio for TITN. I've also heard that 7W is her last pre-Betty Ford vocal. Then there's WTTRS, which is about the Betty Ford experience. Is two weeks an approximate cumulative total for off-and-on work in the studio during 1986 and early 1987? Do we have any idea what was recorded when?
That's a good question. I would bet all the vocals were post Betty Ford. Stevie really only joined them in the studio after her RAL tour and Betty Ford stint. She sent them demos while on the road but I don't believe she ever went to the studio during her tour.
This Seven Wonders "unreleased" version really sheds light on how basic her time was in the studio. I think everyone was expecting a different version of the song or a demo of some sort. This track is the main track that was recorded and then worked with later to create the final product. It just demonstrates (to me) how little time she spent on her songs. It would have been cool to have heard a different vocal or different variation of the song. It appears the keyboard tracks were just added on to this basic track and they called it a day :)
On the bright side, the song has Mick drumming and real percussion which both are pretty rare on Tango :eek:

[BombaySapphire3]

That's a good question. I would bet all the vocals were post Betty Ford. Stevie really only joined them in the studio after her RAL tour and Betty Ford stint. She sent them demos while on the road but I don't believe she ever went to the studio during her tour.
This Seven Wonders "unreleased" version really sheds light on how basic her time was in the studio. I think everyone was expecting a different version of the song or a demo of some sort. This track is the main track that was recorded and then worked with later to create the final product. It just demonstrates (to me) how little time she spent on her songs. It would have been cool to have heard a different vocal or different variation of the song. It appears the keyboard tracks were just added on to this basic track and they called it a day :)
On the bright side, the song has Mick drumming and real percussion which both are pretty rare on Tango :eek:

The Seven Wonders vocal is pre Betty Ford by a matter of days .She recorded it over Halloween weekend 1986 and went into Betty Ford the following month. It is the final recorded vocal of her "coke and brandy" years. Maybe that it is why it is so raw .loose and passionate compared to say her vocals on TOSOTM.

[DauphineMarie]

So something you hear a lot is that Stevie only spent two weeks in the studio for TITN. I've also heard that 7W is her last pre-Betty Ford vocal. Then there's WTTRS, which is about the Betty Ford experience. Is two weeks an approximate cumulative total for off-and-on work in the studio during 1986 and early 1987? Do we have any idea what was recorded when?

Well, When I See You Again was recorded pre-Betty Ford. I have a bootleg from the RAL Tour that says she just finished recording that song with Fleetwood Mac... that was 21 June 1986.. She also brought her studio people on the tour as well, hence the earliest recordings of What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done For You, and Whole Lotta Trouble, and Juliet (all of these were considered for Tango) plus I'm sure a lot of the RAL demos we have assuming they're from 84/85 are actually from the tour.

However, there exists a demo version of WTTRS (apparently) from 1986... So I have no idea.

[svnwndrs]

Thank you Spynote for the Soundcloud link!

Also, isn't there a master reel with Joan Of Arc that is dated 3/9/1986? I could have sworn I saw that on a FM bootleg trade webpage years and years ago. I could be wrong, especially since I always used to think that was written about Betty Ford. But if I am recalling correctly, then that would mean that it's very likely Stevie spent atleast a few days with the group in March 1986, after her time in Australia with Petty and Dylan, and before her RAL tour began in April...

[secondhandchain]

Her vocals during the era are so atrocious. Over the top, warbling. She became a caricature of herself at this point. Awful.

[rockalilcutie25]

Her vocals during the era are so atrocious. Over the top, warbling. She became a caricature of herself at this point. Awful.

Her singing at this time is my most favorite now! When I first heard some of the RAL shows, not my fav either. But now, it was a rough time, singing from the heart my girl I love it. Earlier comments some of these vocals have to b pre-Betty Ford becuz there RAL shows where she talks about it. One of my favs come to mind Alpine Valley 5/31/86 she says Fleetwood Mac is doing a record and it's a wonderful record.

[Macfan4life]

This is just my opinion and a thought so please don't everyone flame me ;)
I think when Stevie says she just finished recording When I see you again, she was talking about the demo she sent to the Mac while on tour. There is an interview with Stevie backstage during the RAL tour. She is asked about recording and touring with the Mac. She says she just "sent" them a song that is a Landslide type of song and they really liked it. I think she was stretching it to say she recorded it "with" the Mac.. Her RAL tour was extremely busy (more so than any of her tours). In June 1986 she was on the east coast and I don't see how she had time to get the CA to record anything with the Mac. The Halloween 1986 recording of Seven Wonders makes sense because its after her tour and when she is back from Australia. Since Welcome to the Room Sara is written about the Betty Ford experience then of course its post rehab.
You know its totally possible (based on this just released track of Seven Wonders) that Lindsey took the vocal from her demo and made the song with the vocal. Could you imagine that one? Maybe that is why he added his vocals to the end since she was not there to finish the song.
I just wish someone would ask Lindsey direct questions about this era promoting the Tango re-release. I hate it when these music "reporters" ask the same questions over and over for 30 years. All those questions about the break ups during the Rumours era. I would love to ask Lindsey the following questions.

Did you know Mick was buying drugs in your driveway?
Was Stevie in the studio singing with the band or was her voice taken from the demos and played with a track the band made?
What about the songs that never made it to Tango?
What are your favorite songs from Tango and why?
You say recording Tango was the worst experience in your life. Tell us why.
Do you care to give your versions of events the night you left at Christine's house?

[SisterNightroad]

Yesterday when searching for something else I stumbled upon this Tango interview in which Stevie and Lindsey talk about recording the album:

Where Was Stevie Nicks?

Although not quite missing from Tango In the Night, Stevie Nicks isn’t exactly all over the thing. To be precise, she contributed two songs of her own ("Welcome to the Room…Sara" and "When I See You Again") and a third song by her friend and collaborator, Sandy Stewart ("Seven Wonders").
"In the beginning part (of making Tango) she was touring," Lindsey explains. "She was having her own problems. Without being judgmental about her reasons, she made herself very hard to get ahold of. When her own tour was done she went off to Australia for some reason - felt she had to do that. So it was hard to pin her down.
"Once she settled down" - a small laugh here - "she was fine. She came in towards the end-it really was towards the end of the project that she made herself available, constructively. And so we had to work with a limited amount from her."
Christine McVie, who contributed quite a bit to the album ("My favorite group of her songs on any album," says Lindsey), offers this: "The studio junkies, if you like, are pretty much me and Lindsey and Mick. John spends a lesser amount of time in the studio; he doesn’t like to hang around doing nothing. Neither does Stevie, because she doesn’t actually play any instruments in the band - that drives her crazy when there’s nothing for her to actually do."

Stevie Nicks Speaking

"I was there at the very beginning," she says, "but you plan an album on a cycle kind of thing. What happened is everything took a little longer, so I ended up being on the second single from my album and getting ready to go on the road when Fleetwood Mac really got started on it.
"Lindsey was doing another solo album, too. If he hadn’t been Lindsey - if he’d have been me - then he could’ve gone ahead and done his at the same time Fleetwood Mac was doing theirs. But Lindsey, having to be the boss - and pretty much the head of this particular tribe at this particular moment - he couldn’t do both. I could, because there wasn’t all that much for me to do, in the technical sense, at the beginning of the record. I didn’t feel weird about it because I didn’t have any choice."
Later on, when asked if she doesn’t feel a bit short-changed by the way Tango turned out, she adds: "I could feel short-changed if I wanted to look at it that way. I would prefer to look at it that I had my own thing going, and if I had been there more I would be on it more.
"If I want to blame everyone else for it, I suffer. If I want to blame myself, then I can deal with it."


The entire piece is here: http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=785&c=18

[Macfan4life]

Yesterday when searching for something else I stumbled upon this Tango interview in which Stevie and Lindsey talk about recording the album:

Where Was Stevie Nicks?

Although not quite missing from Tango In the Night, Stevie Nicks isn’t exactly all over the thing. To be precise, she contributed two songs of her own ("Welcome to the Room…Sara" and "When I See You Again") and a third song by her friend and collaborator, Sandy Stewart ("Seven Wonders").
"In the beginning part (of making Tango) she was touring," Lindsey explains. "She was having her own problems. Without being judgmental about her reasons, she made herself very hard to get ahold of. When her own tour was done she went off to Australia for some reason - felt she had to do that. So it was hard to pin her down.
"Once she settled down" - a small laugh here - "she was fine. She came in towards the end-it really was towards the end of the project that she made herself available, constructively. And so we had to work with a limited amount from her."
Christine McVie, who contributed quite a bit to the album ("My favorite group of her songs on any album," says Lindsey), offers this: "The studio junkies, if you like, are pretty much me and Lindsey and Mick. John spends a lesser amount of time in the studio; he doesn’t like to hang around doing nothing. Neither does Stevie, because she doesn’t actually play any instruments in the band - that drives her crazy when there’s nothing for her to actually do."

Stevie Nicks Speaking

"I was there at the very beginning," she says, "but you plan an album on a cycle kind of thing. What happened is everything took a little longer, so I ended up being on the second single from my album and getting ready to go on the road when Fleetwood Mac really got started on it.
"Lindsey was doing another solo album, too. If he hadn’t been Lindsey - if he’d have been me - then he could’ve gone ahead and done his at the same time Fleetwood Mac was doing theirs. But Lindsey, having to be the boss - and pretty much the head of this particular tribe at this particular moment - he couldn’t do both. I could, because there wasn’t all that much for me to do, in the technical sense, at the beginning of the record. I didn’t feel weird about it because I didn’t have any choice."
Later on, when asked if she doesn’t feel a bit short-changed by the way Tango turned out, she adds: "I could feel short-changed if I wanted to look at it that way. I would prefer to look at it that I had my own thing going, and if I had been there more I would be on it more.
"If I want to blame everyone else for it, I suffer. If I want to blame myself, then I can deal with it."


The entire piece is here: http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.php?page=index_v2&id=785&c=18
Thanks for posting this. I do remember the Australia thing and was like why is Stevie going on tour again with Bob and Tom in Australia while her band is making an album. Stevie went to Australia for her last BIG party before rehab. That part would really irk me. Stevie was on her solo tour so could not make it to the studio, then she went to Australia, then rehab. Its no secret why her songs are the weakest on Tango.
When you are an addict, the drug always comes first. It comes before family, friends, your job, your career, etc. It was more important to party her brains out with Tom in Australia than be concerned about the new Mac album.

[SisterNightroad]

Thanks for posting this. I do remember the Australia thing and was like why is Stevie going on tour again with Bob and Tom in Australia while her band is making an album. Stevie went to Australia for her last BIG party before rehab. That part would really irk me. Stevie was on her solo tour so could not make it to the studio, then she went to Australia, then rehab. Its no secret why her songs are the weakest on Tango.
When you are an addict, the drug always comes first. It comes before family, friends, your job, your career, etc. It was more important to party her brains out with Tom in Australia than be concerned about the new Mac album.
Actually she was very briefly in Australia since she'd been repatriated quite soon because she didn't have a passport or something to that extent.
But yes, RAL was her worst period.
However I'm surprised by the fact that she said that she was there at the very beginning before her second single from her own solo album went out, so it must be that sometime between right before and at the beginning of RAL the band did reunite to work on something, and I didn't know or remember that.

[bwboy]

Just speculation on my part, but I know Stevie has said her management did an intervention with her and basically made her promise to go to rehab after her RAL tour was over. I often wondered if Stevie went to Australia as a way of avoiding rehab, so as not to actually break her promise. You know, like "Look, I know I said I would go to rehab after my tour, but I promised Tom Petty I'd do a few shows in Australia first..."

Tango sounds like a case of bad timing for Stevie, between her tour and rehab. She was much more present for Fleetwood Mac after that

[Macfan4life]

Actually she was very briefly in Australia since she'd been repatriated quite soon because she didn't have a passport or something to that extent.
But yes, RAL was her worst period.
However I'm surprised by the fact that she said that she was there at the very beginning before her second single from her own solo album went out, so it must be that sometime between right before and at the beginning of RAL the band did reunite to work on something, and I didn't know or remember that.
You are correct. She went to Australia twice. She was in Australia right before her RAL tour kicked off. She deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals. This was March 1986 just once month before the tour kicked off. A good point of reference was the David Letterman skit about her I Cant Wait Video in which her management company gave Letterman a cease and desist order while she was in Australia. So she abandoned her own band as well as Fleetwood Mac to party down under. If you forgot about this. Here is one of the snippets from Letterman in 1986. These things lasted a few weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKwqs1bDCnw

[SisterNightroad]

You are correct. She went to Australia twice. She was in Australia right before her RAL tour kicked off. She deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals. This was March 1986 just once month before the tour kicked off. A good point of reference was the David Letterman skit about her I Cant Wait Video in which her management company gave Letterman a cease and desist order while she was in Australia. So she abandoned her own band as well as Fleetwood Mac to party down under. If you forgot about this. Here is one of the snippets from Letterman in 1986. These things lasted a few weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKwqs1bDCnw
Now that you mention it, in her commentary for the video of I can't wait Stevie said that David Letterman asked her to be on his show while she was touring with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan and had an argument with her management of which she wasn't aware of and they eventually called her and told her to come back to US because the song had become a hit and she had to solve the situation with Letterman:

<iframe width="710" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f10b9Ju_fCo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[bwboy]

You are correct. She went to Australia twice. She was in Australia right before her RAL tour kicked off. She deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals. This was March 1986 just once month before the tour kicked off. A good point of reference was the David Letterman skit about her I Cant Wait Video in which her management company gave Letterman a cease and desist order while she was in Australia. So she abandoned her own band as well as Fleetwood Mac to party down under. If you forgot about this. Here is one of the snippets from Letterman in 1986. These things lasted a few weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKwqs1bDCnw

"Deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals?" Do you really that that's an accurate account, or are you still po'ed that Stevie didn't record with FM for their latest album? Going on tour for an album is a contractual obligation, as I'm sure you're aware of. And rehearsing before a tour is a necessity. Stevie can be criticized for a lot of things, but touring to support her solo album, and rehearsing for it, is not one of them, even if it interfered with recording a FM album.

[dreamsunwind]

"Deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals?" Do you really that that's an accurate account, or are you still po'ed that Stevie didn't record with FM for their latest album? Going on tour for an album is a contractual obligation, as I'm sure you're aware of. And rehearsing before a tour is a necessity. Stevie can be criticized for a lot of things, but touring to support her solo album, and rehearsing for it, is not one of them, even if it interfered with recording a FM album.

You may have a point about her own RAL tour but she did essentially ditch them to unnecessarily tag along with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. If one of my coworkers did that when we were supposed to be working on something I'd have been reaaaaaally annoyed.

[olive]

You may have a point about her own RAL tour but she did essentially ditch them to unnecessarily tag along with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. If one of my coworkers did that when we were supposed to be working on something I'd have been reaaaaaally annoyed.

in her case ,they are not her coworker , they are her employees

[bwboy]

You may have a point about her own RAL tour but she did essentially ditch them to unnecessarily tag along with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. If one of my coworkers did that when we were supposed to be working on something I'd have been reaaaaaally annoyed.

I agree 100% with you about AFTER her RAL tour. The band had every right to be annoyed with her then, but not before. And Lindsey pretty much implied that was how they felt.

[elle]

I agree 100% with you about AFTER her RAL tour. The band had every right to be annoyed with her then, but not before. And Lindsey pretty much implied that was how they felt.

looks like y'all are talking about 2 different things: people are talking about Stevie abandoning her band (SN band) that she was supposed to rehearse with for RAL tour and instead she went to Australia where she was trying to sing with Petty but didn't have appropriate papers to work/perform there so was deported back after a few dates (or something like that).

you seem to be talking about Fleetwood Mac and Tango.

[SisterNightroad]

I think we're mixing facts with assumptions.

Stevie was in Australia with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan in the early February 1986, not March; she got repatriated after having done just two dates, precisely the 11th and 12th, because she didn't have a working permit.
This fits with her story about being called by her management while she was touring with Tom and Bob Dylan and they told her to come back because her single I can't wait, that had been released in the US in February 1986, was becoming a hit and she also had to resolve their disagreement with Letterman.

Also I've seen that I can't wait was released in Australia earlier than other countries, precisely in December 1985 and it first charted there the 13th January 1986, and peaked at 20 in February hence during her short tour with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. This was for once a good promotional decision taken by Stevie.

So she went back to the US from mid to late February and it was way before the start of her own tour in early April, so she had plenty of time to rehearse. Even if she hadn't been repatriated, Tom and Bob Dylan's Australian tour she had agreed to attend would have ended the 1st of March so she still had time.

Also we know that her first demos for what would have become Tango were dated early March, I mentioned Joan of Arc on another thread. Since she said she was available at the very beginning this was probably the time when she popped up in the studio, and then went on to prepare for her tour. Also probably her visit was so brief that it's not being mentioned in the interview.

What Lindsey is probably referring to in the interview I posted isn't the tour with Tom and Bob Dylan, but the Australian leg that she added later at the end of her Rock a Little Tour during the September of 1986, which she probably did because her album was having the most success right there in Australia.

[svnwndrs]

I think we're mixing facts with assumptions.
Stevie was in Australia with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan in the early February 1986, not March; she got repatriated after having done just two dates, precisely the 11th and 12th, because she didn't have a working permit.
This fits with her story about being called by her management while she was touring with Tom and Bob Dylan and they told her to come back because her single I can't wait, that had been released in the US in February 1986, was becoming a hit and she also had to resolve their disagreement with Letterman.

Also I've seen that I can't wait was released in Australia earlier than other countries, precisely in December 1985 and it first charted there the 13th January 1986, and peaked at 20 in February hence during her short tour with Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. This was for once a good promotional decision taken by Stevie.

So she went back to the US from mid to late February and it was way before the start of her own tour in early April, so she had plenty of time to rehearse. Even if she hadn't been repatriated, Tom and Bob Dylan's Australian tour she had agreed to attend would have ended the 1st of March so she still had time.

Also we know that her first demos for what would have become Tango were dated early March, I mentioned Joan of Arc on another thread. Since she said she was available at the very beginning this was probably the time when she popped up in the studio, and then went on to prepare for her tour. Also proably her visit was so brief that it's not being mentioned in the interview.

What Lindsey is probably referring to in the interview I posted isn't the tour with Tom and Bob Dylan, but the Australian leg that she added later at the end of her Rock a Little Tour during the September of 1986, which she probably did because there her album was having the most success in Australia.

This is exactly what I said yesterday. It's pretty clear 1986 was a very crazy year for Stevie. And I guess it was the end of an era in a way. Afterwards, it was head on into Klonopin-town!

[SisterNightroad]

This is exactly what I said yesterday. It's pretty clear 1986 was a very crazy year for Stevie. And I guess it was the end of an era in a way. Afterwards, it was head on into Klonopin-town!
Yes, Joan of Arc is dated early March as you pointed out here.
Also, isn't there a master reel with Joan Of Arc that is dated 3/9/1986? I could have sworn I saw that on a FM bootleg trade webpage years and years ago. I could be wrong, especially since I always used to think that was written about Betty Ford. But if I am recalling correctly, then that would mean that it's very likely Stevie spent atleast a few days with the group in March 1986, after her time in Australia with Petty and Dylan, and before her RAL tour began in April...

I also think she had written it about detoxification, but as you said she entered Betty Ford much later. However I still think it's about her expectations about it since she decided much earlier that she'd enter the clinic at the end of the 1986 tour. I've read in more places that all the members of FM supposedly tried to detox entering rehab many times during the years but ended up quitting after few days, she may have not been an exception; also many of her friends and acquaintances had her same problems and she must have heard stories, so she definitely wasn't new to the concept of drug treatment.
Another major theme of the song is definitely her break-up with Joe Walsh.

However I find much crazier the klonopin era somehow.

[dreamsunwind]

However I find much crazier the klonopin era somehow.

80s coke Stevie is pretty crazy because that's what coke does but I agree klonopin Stevie is more fascinating. I look at some of her interviews from around then and she's just bitter bitter bitter about everything. Especially the Mick/Silver Springs thing is so ridiculous but she was PISSED. She didn't even appear in the Going Home doc. And she was even worse at Lindsey even though for once she didn't really have much reason to be, since he wasn't even there anymore but was still doing most of the things they asked like the Chain box set, playing on BTM etc. I've always wondered what her close friends were thinking during that time and how she was.

[Macfan4life]

"Deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals?" Do you really that that's an accurate account, or are you still po'ed that Stevie didn't record with FM for their latest album? Going on tour for an album is a contractual obligation, as I'm sure you're aware of. And rehearsing before a tour is a necessity. Stevie can be criticized for a lot of things, but touring to support her solo album, and rehearsing for it, is not one of them, even if it interfered with recording a FM album.
What? There is a radio interview where Stevie says she was off to Australia and told her band to learn the songs and practice without her. 100% factual. Her solo tour kicked off April 11 1986. Does it make sense to be in another country partying hard with other bands while your solo tour is just weeks away? I think not. It just shows her priorities in those days. Then after the tour to rush to Australia again when the Mac is trying to get you in the studio. It once again showed her priorities in those days. I am not sure why you want to project the nonsense to me about Stevie not recording with the new Mac album. This has nothing to do with that. If you think her attitude of brushing off her RAL rehearsals and Mac studio time is fine, that's cool. You are entitled to your opinion. That's fantastic! I never criticized Stevie for touring. I criticized her for telling her band to practice WITHOUT her while she went to Australia just weeks before the tour was to begin. The same way she went off to Australia again when the Mac was looking for her to record Tango.

[James89]

Stevie had to go to Australia with the RAL tour because the album was selling extremely well. It was the 6th best-selling album of 1986 in Australia. Quite an achievement.

[SisterNightroad]

Stevie had to go to Australia with the RAL tour because the album was selling extremely well. It was the 6th best-selling album of 1986 in Australia. Quite an achievement.
Exactly. Also she did well to accompany Tom and Bob Dylan there in February since I can't wait peaked there in that period, so I'm sure that surely must have been part of the reason of the album success.

[SisterNightroad]

What? There is a radio interview where Stevie says she was off to Australia and told her band to learn the songs and practice without her. 100% factual. Her solo tour kicked off April 11 1986. Does it make sense to be in another country partying hard with other bands while your solo tour is just weeks away? I think not. It just shows her priorities in those days. Then after the tour to rush to Australia again when the Mac is trying to get you in the studio. It once again showed her priorities in those days. I am not sure why you want to project the nonsense to me about Stevie not recording with the new Mac album. This has nothing to do with that. If you think her attitude of brushing off her RAL rehearsals and Mac studio time is fine, that's cool. You are entitled to your opinion. That's fantastic! I never criticized Stevie for touring. I criticized her for telling her band to practice WITHOUT her while she went to Australia just weeks before the tour was to begin. The same way she went off to Australia again when the Mac was looking for her to record Tango.
There's no need to fight when it's evident you misunderstood each other.
However the facts are that Stevie decided to accompany her friend Tom Petty in his Australian Tour with Bob Dylan in early February while her band had already started rehearsing, the rest is your interpretation.
Since that was two full months before the start of the RAL tour it doesn't seem such a tight schedule, especially since Stevie doesn't play any instrument on stage so she doesn't need to start rehearsing from the beginning. I remember it was like that also for some early Rumours and Tusk rehearsals.
Also as we've already pointed out going to Australia with Tom and Bob Dylan before the tour and adding Australian dates at the end was a good promotional and marketing choice for her.

[Macfan4life]

There's no need to fight when it's evident you misunderstood each other.
However the facts are that Stevie decided to accompany her friend Tom Petty in his Australian Tour with Bob Dylan in early February while her band had already started rehearsing, the rest is your interpretation.
Since that was two full months before the start of the RAL tour it doesn't seem such a tight schedule, especially since Stevie doesn't play any instrument on stage so she doesn't need to start rehearsing from the beginning. I remember it was like that also for some early Rumours and Tusk rehearsals.
Also as we've already pointed out going to Australia with Tom and Bob Dylan before the tour and adding Australian dates at the end was a good promotional and marketing choice for her.
No one is fighting. There was a big misunderstanding. I am confused how my post had a completely different meaning to someone else. I was simply pointing out what Stevie did and my feelings about it. I never knocked Stevie's tour. But her tour rehearsals and her Mac commitment during 1986 are fair game for criticism. Doing shows in Australia with Bob and Tom would be a blast. But the group that made you famous almost put you on milk carton "missing."

[bwboy]

You are correct. She went to Australia twice. She was in Australia right before her RAL tour kicked off. She deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKwqs1bDCnw

I think our misunderstanding (at least on my part) stemmed from your comment that "she deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals." I took that comment to mean you felt she deserted Fleetwood Mac for RAL tour rehearsals, instead of recording Tango with them.

That's why I was confused.

[Macfan4life]

I think our misunderstanding (at least on my part) stemmed from your comment that "she deserted her band for RAL tour rehearsals." I took that comment to mean you felt she deserted Fleetwood Mac for RAL tour rehearsals, instead of recording Tango with them.

That's why I was confused.
Ahhhh I see. I meant her touring band.

[bombaysaffires]

In Tom Petty's autobiography it talks about Tom getting ready to go off on his Australia tour, and his wife was supposed to go but then said she wouldn't go. This is where Stevie had her infamous line like "promise her a Porsche, promise her some diamonds" --something very close to that. But nothing worked. So in the book it says that she knew he was having a hard time for whatever reason and so she asked him "Do you want ME to go with you?" And it was arranged that she would go.

The opening lines to Battle of the Dragon describe this time: "This was not preplanned, but after some calls, I decided to go to the other side of the world"

[bwboy]

That's interesting about Battle of the Dragon, one of my personal favorites. Talk about a dark song... I always interpret the words as being about a person contemplating suicide ("Well I got the message, stay among the living"). But the song was written in 1985, before the whole Austrailian thing, which happened in 1986, I thought.

[SisterNightroad]

In Tom Petty's autobiography it talks about Tom getting ready to go off on his Australia tour, and his wife was supposed to go but then said she wouldn't go. This is where Stevie had her infamous line like "promise her a Porsche, promise her some diamonds" --something very close to that. But nothing worked. So in the book it says that she knew he was having a hard time for whatever reason and so she asked him "Do you want ME to go with you?" And it was arranged that she would go.

The opening lines to Battle of the Dragon describe this time: "This was not preplanned, but after some calls, I decided to go to the other side of the world"
I miss half a story about how she wound up spontaneously touring with Tom Petty. “And I said, ‘Have you promised her diamonds or something? Buy her a ****ing Porsche.’ And he goes, ‘She won’t go’ ”—she imitates Petty talking about his wife in a low, mopey voice. Nicks went in her place to keep Petty company and had a grand time, she says, until the Australian government discovered she was performing without a work permit and told her, “ ‘If you even walk on that stage and go ping!, you can never come back to Australia. Not on a vacation, not with Fleetwood Mac, not with friends.’ And that’s, like, a career-killer right there.’ ”
I learn how she came back from that trip, having accidentally pilfered a bunch of melodies written for Petty, and wrote a song to one of them and recorded it with Fleetwood Mac and kind of like an idiot played it for Petty over the phone: “All I can hear is Tom screaming.”

http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/stevie-nicks-on-life-at-65-with-fleetwood-mac.html

[David]

In Tom Petty's autobiography it talks about Tom getting ready to go off on his Australia tour, and his wife was supposed to go but then said she wouldn't go. This is where Stevie had her infamous line like "promise her a Porsche, promise her some diamonds" --something very close to that. But nothing worked. So in the book it says that she knew he was having a hard time for whatever reason and so she asked him "Do you want ME to go with you?" And it was arranged that she would go.

The opening lines to Battle of the Dragon describe this time: "This was not preplanned, but after some calls, I decided to go to the other side of the world"Very interesting insight into the possible relevance of that line. I'm willing to buy it.

The L.A. Times ran a few tidbits that, if true, might explain why Stevie's album was out in late 1985 but her tour didn't start until mid April 1986. The Times (probably Patrick Goldstein) wrote that it was Stevie's abrupt decision to travel with Petty & Dylan that in fact postponed the start of her own tour, which would have started a lot sooner than four months after the album was released had she been around to get things going.

The other tidbit was that Stevie entered Betty Ford in early 1986, but didn't stay for the whole treatment.

Finally, Lindsey said some interesting things about Fleetwood's recording schedule at the Toxics concert in Long Beach. You'd have to dig it up and listen to it. It took place at the very end of August 1986.

[SisterNightroad]

Very interesting insight into the possible relevance of that line. I'm willing to buy it.

The L.A. Times ran a few tidbits that, if true, might explain why Stevie's album was out in late 1985 but her tour didn't start until mid April 1986. The Times (probably Patrick Goldstein) wrote that it was Stevie's abrupt decision to travel with Petty & Dylan that in fact postponed the start of her own tour, which would have started a lot sooner than four months after the album was released had she been around to get things going.

The other tidbit was that Stevie entered Betty Ford in early 1986, but didn't stay for the whole treatment.

Finally, Lindsey said some interesting things about Fleetwood's recording schedule at the Toxics concert in Long Beach. You'd have to dig it up and listen to it. It took place at the very end of August 1986.
The song Battle of the Dragon has been written in 1984 so the timeline doesn't match.