Stevie Demos: Unreleased Songs vs. Early Versions of Released Songs
 

Hey Everyone - -
From one obsessed Stevie fan to others who I know are out there :D

I have noticed that there seem to be two categories of rare Stevie materials: early versions of songs which have been released on Stevie's solo albums, including piano and working demos, as well as alternate takes, etc... (some of which I feel are better than the takes which were released, for example, Smile at You!) ; and songs which were recorded but never released, which Stevie fans never hear until they begin collecting demos (for example, Cecelia, My Heart, etc..)

I thought it might be interesting to see which demos other Stevie fans love most

For me, it's such a mixed bag. I loved some of the stuff that never made it to an album (as yet) such as 'The Dealer', or 'Castaway', 'I Call You Missing' or 'Joan of Arc'. But, I equally loved some of the cuts that did: the various 'Mirror, Mirror' takes, the creepy versions of 'Sleeping Angel' and 'Silver Springs' which I heard first on a crackly, poppy vinyl copy of the old 'Uncirculated Rumours' set, and 'If You Ever Did Believe'.

And we can't forget my fave; that nutty, stoned-out 'Juliet' demo.

the Tango outtake?
that is my favorite :D
way better than wot ended up on Mirror

Can anyone post this demo of Juliet? I've heard lots about it, but never heard it! Thanks in advance:)

hmmm...


some of my favorites

i sing for the things (uptempo outtake)
smile at you (angry version)
sara (cleaning lady version)
blue lamp (particularly session 3)
cathouse blues (B/V)
wild heart (makeup session)
are you mine? (solo demo)
so sad (#1 with tom petty)
the dealer
forsaken love
planets of the universe (from the rumours disc 2)
she loves him still
my heart


i'm sure there's a ton more, including several edges and lady from the mountains, but that's all i can think of for right now

It really is hard to choose..

I'm gonna have to lean towards the more unreleased stuff..

I'm in love with her 80's Electric sounding songs.. as well as her TISL demos.. but most of all, just the songs where it is only her voice and a piano..

I also really love the 'Julia' outtake. The more complete one, with the Roy Bittan piano prominant. The first verse is such a delicate, fragile Stevie vocal.

"...and the fire will be burning long before you return to me."

Love Is and Bombay Sapphires are two that I play alot. Both were much better in demo format........

The other one I love and desperately want to hear recorded is 'If You Were My Love' - I'd like to see it on an FM rather than SN album though. It needs the Lindsey guitar.

Welcome to the Ledge BTW.

There is an 'If You Were My Love' floating around there with FM. I thought it was from the 'Tusk' sessions, but it might have been 'Mirage'. Or both. Can't remember, but his vocal is prominant and the guitar is unmistakable. It's a great song, probably one of the greatest from them that never made it to an album.

I have a few versions. I like the original piano demo but the Mirage one (which I think you're referring to) is my favourite. Lindsey joins in singing about three quarters of the way through. Stevie's vocal is very good. She starts really quiet and then kicks off from the first chorus.

Would you mind posting this? I'd love to hear it :angel:.

Of course I don't mind:).

Here is the solo master demo of it

http://www.mediafire.com/?zz2dxtk4udd

And here it is with Fleetwood Mac

http://www.mediafire.com/?ttkchocyzx1

If you haven't heard it, try the solo version first and then listen to it with the Lindsey Buckingham treatment. Although a bit rougher it is so much better and gives a good sense of what Lindsey and his guitar brings to her work.

Let me know what you think.

Piano demos are the greatest!
 

Yes! The piano demos definitely have to be my favorite! I have a really relaxing "Piano playlist" that includes early versions of released songs as well as unreleased songs:

2 different piano versions of Rhiannon
The Nightmare - piano demo
Christian
Knocking on Doors
Gypsy Beggar
China Doll
After the Glitter Fades - early piano
The Tower
Bella Donna - piano
Sara - Cleaning Lady Version
Bella Fleur piano
How Still My Love - piano version
Blue Water - piano demo
Gypsy - slow sad piano version
Rock a Little - piano demo w/ Mick
Beautiful Child - rock n roll lullabye
Forsaken Love - piano
Three Birds of Rhiannon
Forest of the Black Roses

And a few others.... It is so special to me to hear Stevie playing piano and singing, in her own natural environment in the process of developing these songs...

There are a few piano demos I am lacking - maybe ledgies can help me out?
I am missing Planets of the Universe - No Light and Sisters of the Moon - piano demo
:angel:

Stew Matthews, thank you so much for the two If You Were My Love demos! I really liked them both, but I think I prefer the FM version. It just had something that the solo version lacked. Which is your favourite?

SmileAtYou I've got the POTU piano demo, and it's great :). I don't have SOTM though, but I'd be interested in hearing it too.

Planets of the Universe Piano Demo
http://www.mediafire.com/?onjjeggsexc

The piano demos accompanied only by piano are my favorites too.

My very favorite piano demos::
Forest of the Black Roses (of course :) )
Planets of the Universe - No Light
Three Birds of Rhiannon
Forsaken Love
If You Were My Love
Rhianon (early ballad version)
Blue Water
Fireflies (too bad it's just a short little experiment...is there a longer version?)

Other demo favorites:
Beautiful Child (lullaby)
Smile At You (angry)
Battle of the Dragon
Mirror Mirror
And more....

The following piano demos are still on my want list. If anyone can post good audio versions, I'd be really grateful: :blob1:
*The Tower
*China Doll

SmileAtYou, there is a piano demo of The Nightmare? I'd love to have it. I'd also love to have a piano demo of Bella Donna and Rock A Little. I have never even heard any of these. If you could please post upload links, I'd really appreciate it. I have only one piano demo of Rhiannon. There are two? Is one the more modern version with the older Stevie, or are they both early demos? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance. :)
Unfortunately I don't have the Sisters of the Moon piano demo you're looking for. As much as I love that song. I've never liked that demo, for some reason.

Stevie Nicks isn't playing the piano on Bella Donna.

Silly Me :)

Some pretty piano demos ~ ~
 

THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU!

Yay, this demo is so pretty, This is one happy Stevie fan



One of my Rhiannon piano demos is the early one, where, at the beginning, Stevie says "Richard, I've finished the song... We have to record the sound of birds rising..." ~ ~ and the other is a much later Stevie, I think it might be from Storytellers.

My version of The Tower is probably not A quality, although very beautiful, there is some white noise...

The piano version of The Nightmare is one of my favorites ever, it's more than 14 minutes long!


I am alway very grateful for the rare materials other ledgies share, so as a new ledgie I am definitely glad to give back to the community...


Bella Donna - piano demo
http://www.mediafire.com/?0mhntzihimm

China Doll
http://www.mediafire.com/?jxinyajpgm3

The Tower
http://www.mediafire.com/?yl61jnvzxhv

Rock a Little piano demo w/ Mick
http://www.mediafire.com/?n12xsvmuhyn

The Nightmare - long piano demo
http://www.mediafire.com/?nzjdtmjlozf

Enjoy! :thumbsup:

This is actually said to be a later 'Rhiannon', for a film idea which some people were shopping around for her. This, and also 'Three Birds of Rhiannon'. Possibly 'Forest of The Black Roses' too, but maybe someone can help me out with that last one. Not 100% sure about the 'Roses' being part of that project.

Could Someone please post the 'lullaby' version of Beautiful Child as well as the slower Gypsy that SmileAtYou was talking about?

:)

I dont think that I have ever heard either of those...or have them on my other harddrive.

Thank you so much for posting those demos SmileAtYou. I love stevie and the piano as well.

[QUOTE=Livvy;744375]Stew Matthews, thank you so much for the two If You Were My Love demos! I really liked them both, but I think I prefer the FM version. It just had something that the solo version lacked. Which is your favourite?

Glad you liked them - I prefer the FMac version.

Thought that those who haven't heard these might be interested. If You Were My Love acapella is so crisp and pure.

Stevie Nicks - If You Were My Love (Acapella, 1980 Master Reel).mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/?86evdmdketx

Stevie Nicks - Smile At You (Acapella, 1980 Master Reel 120).mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/?1jneixdm0jx

Oh yes, that is the one I have. I love it. I don't favor the later one as much. Thanks for answering.

Thank you a million, trillion times!!!!!! I am SO happy to have these. :blob2: I REALLY appreciate it.

Thank you so much for posting those. :xoxo: I had snatched them earlier :D, from the other thread where I saw you had posted them. They are fabulous.

Again, many thanks to both of you!!!!!!!!!!!

Here you go:

Beautiful Child:
http://www.mediafire.com/?2kttwzwbdyy

Gypsy:
http://www.mediafire.com/?vzon01znela

That is the only version of Gypsy I've ever liked, but that is because I'm a bit of an oddball. I'm one of the few people who does not care for that song, but there is something about it as a ballad that I really like. I just wish they would have used a piano for it, instead of the synthesizer.

Enjoy! :wavey:

I think when we say "early" Rhiannon piano demo, we mean that it came before the one she did after she got a bit older. As I recall, Forest of the Black Roses was definitely part of the story/film project. I think there were about 11 songs on the list that were. I use to have the list somewhere on my computer, but I can't find it now. Where is David? He would probably know what the songs are. He knows everything. :D

Like Socrates to the Oracle at Delphi, I insist that I know only that I know absolutely nothing; I am confident in the knowledge that I am ignorant of everything.

Now isn't that a galvanizing riddle for the ages? It's an endlessly regressive internal paradox: to know that one knows nothing is an impossibility, is it not?

Nicksians, lace gypsies, & sisters of the moon-mama have been wondering for years what songs are part of the Rhiannon cycle mentioned in the Daisann McLane article on Fleetwood Mac in 1980. Lists have been compiled, but I don't think any final authoritative stamp has been given on any of those lists. I've seen the following on them:

RHIANNON
MISTAKEN LOVE
FOREST OF THE BLACK ROSES
BLUE WATER
MAKER OF THE BIRDS
THE TOWER
SORCERER
BLUE LAMP

I used to think one of them was a commercial jingle for an FTD shop: FLOREST OF THE BLACK ROSES.

http://www.leonardgreen.com/Images/Logos/FTD.gif

Ahhhhhh, yes...perfect logic....breath of fresh air....the philosopher of the board. I must say that your avatar fits you quite well David, and I have taken quite a liking to you. One great mind recognizes another. :laugh:

I knew you would have the answer. :D I think they've all been somewhat speculative anyway, but the songs themselves are a bit revealing in terms of such a project, if you read between the lines, so to speak. There was a longer list, but I think some of the songs were prospects, as opposed to actual conclusive selections.

Very funny. :p I'm highly offended. :lol: How couldest thou tread so profanely on my most sacred ground like that? :shocked:

thanks SmileAtYou for posting that version of Bella Donna. It's my favorite of her solo stuff and its a great version thats new to my ears!!

-jeb

The demo for 'Mistaken Love' which appeared on my old vinyl 'Uncirculated Rumours' set was exquisite in it's simplicity, longing, and even a hint of creepiness. It's almost existential.

That is the most balls-out funkiest FM song ever! I love how it starts out kind of loose and unsure but then ends up as a smoking bluesy foot stomper. Always gets me dancing.

On YouTube there is a video of Annie Liebowitz's Rolling Stone photo shoot where Stevie is higher than Jesus while posing and singing along to a tape of "If You Were My Love," which is different from the version released on the "Other Mirage" bootleg. I believe it is another FM version (or a solo version with a full band?), and it rocks hardHas this version leaked? Must. have. it.

This is the one that I've heard too, and I did have it (on cassette, LOL!). My old box of cassettes was lost, during one move or another. I always leaned towards as this being a 'Tusk' demo/outtake, because LB's guitar does sound something like what he was doing on the 'Tusk' single.

I was listening to my i-pod today, and I realised that I do have this demo! I don't think it has been posted in this thread yet. I'm not quite sure how I came to have it, but the quality is pretty good. Enjoy it!

Sisters of the Moon-Piano Demo
http://www.mediafire.com/?y1d1mj35xtr

Yep, that's the one with good audio quality. There is another one out there that is not as good. Thank you for posting it Livvy. I've always thought this piano demo was a very monotone version of the song, and not nearly as good melodically as the song turned out to be later, but her voice sounds great.

Stevie Nicks fans are the nicest people!
 

Yay! Thank you Livvy!

You're right, great quality! I love this version, I think it is one of the prettiest piano demos. I love contrasting, listening to this version, and then, for example, the rockin' Mirage Tour 1982 version! :D

There are just too many songs to list that I love and wish were released...but of unreleased versions...I love:
All The Beautiful Worlds/Chanel,Chanel/
Blue Water/Mirror, Mirror--with the extra lyrics at the end/the original 'Listen To The Rain'...sorry I know it is released but I don't like how Stevie changed the lyrics for SA version/If You Were My Love...all versions...cool/My Heart/The Dealer 'Jessie' version & Acallpea version/Forest Of The Black Roses/City Of Hope--wish we had the complete version to this song/same with -It Takes a Long Time /Its Not A Dream/Starshine (of course)/24 Karat Gold/At The Fair/Love Is-demo version--much better than SA version/Lady from The Mountian/What Has R & R Ever Done For You--better version/Mistaken Love/Castaway/I Sing For The Things-BD version/Love & War Mix Down/Ooh Baby/One More Tomorrow/Smile At You--Mirage angry version--best version/3 Birds Of Rhiannon/Beautiful Ghost/Dial The Number-WH version/Tied Up In Promises/All The Kings Horses/Sanctuary/Stay Away--master version/Space Needle/Have No Heart/Love Don't Fail Me Now/Thousand Days--RAL fast demo version/....plus masters/songs we don't have demos too (ex: Stand Back/Edge Of 17...etc)/outtakes/remixes/ extended versions/edit versions from 45s/etc.......so many to list...than of course all of the songs we don't even know about....sorry this list could keep going.........:]:D I'm sure I've forgotten something......

You're very welcome! I love it too, it's one of my very favourite versions of this song :D.

By the way, starshine, would you be so kind as to post the version of Stay Away that you mentioned in the post above?

Piano of Sisters of the Moon
 

Hi,
I do have the piano demo of sisters of the moon. I'd love to share it with you, just send me your email address and I will send it...
it's beautiful and painfully haunting as with all her Piano demos....
yours
SJB

Hi: sorry I don't have anything really download to my computer much...plus I really don't understand all the uploading....I'm not as techno as most...Maybe someone else can upload it. As far as I know theres only one version? I could be wrong though? So sorry.......:shrug::sorry:

Here you go Livvy and anyone else who wants it. You probably won't find a clearer copy, but if you do, please pass it on...
Stay Away
http://www.speedyshare.com/468836530.html

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...Steviedoll.gif