Belinda Carlisle and Stevie Nicks resemblance
 

I've just listened to Belinda Carlisle's 1987 "Heaven on Earth" album which was produced by Stevie Nicks' long time collaborator Rick Nowels. I haven't heard this album in years and must say that it sounds exactly like "Rock a Little" album. I mean almost every bit of this album resembles Stevie Nicks. Even Belinda's voice sounds like Stevie's. When I heard songs like "Circle In The Sand", "I Feel Free" or "Should I Let You In" I thought immediately of all Rick Nowels co-written songs that Stevie recorded during her career. I don't know if it's true but it seems that Carlisle was hugely influenced by Stevie Nicks. What do you think about it?

And I thought Lindsey's co-writing Since You've Gone was the only connection to FM. You've made me want to check out Heaven On Earth.

Michele

I remember that when Heaven on Earth came out, one of the reviewers - was this in People? - gave a negative review that pointed out the Nowels connection and said Belinda's voice was even shakier than Stevie's.

- Jake

I always like her music.

I always liked Belinda Carlisle. Funny....I had a dream this morning about Southern California. I woke up thinking about the few years that I lived in the outskirts of San Bernardino back in '87-89. This song completely brings me back there as well. Time warp...anyway, it was a pretty big hit. I had no knowledge of the production but it was probably the most Stevie-ish song I had ever heard up till that point. I recall a drummer friend of mine had the single or cassette and I looked through it and recognized some names - which then made sense as to how the song sounded like a Stevie producion.

Ironically, when Rooms on Fire came out, it reminded me of this song.

I love Belinda Carlisle and so I always seek out any connection to Stevie! There's a Sandy Stewart connection too... does anyone know that little bit of trivia before I list it here? :)

I started digging deeper in Carlisle's discography and found her album "Real" which was released in the early 90's. This time she didn't remind me of Stevie even a bit. Maybe because the songs were neither written nor produced by Rick Nowels. I know that many of her songs were co-written by Ellen Shipley. I heard she used to be Stevie's back up singer. Is this true?

Real is a fantastic album!

Well, Belinda has already done Playboy...... so Stevie will have to do Playboy.......... before I can tell about any resemblance.

Runaway Horses was her best album. Unfortunately, rock started to be out. La Luna and Runaway Horses are my favortire tracks from that album. Came out the same year that the Other Side of Mirror Came out, only a whole bettter. Of course,Belinda didn't touch the sonwriting.

I don't think Carlisle was hugely influenced by Stevie. The similarity in style is of its time, and, of course, the shared production of Rick Nowels.

Trivia...what is it you speak of?


I don't see any resemblance between
Stevie and the lovely Belinda Carlisle.
Nor do I hear it. I do like them both
though.

She really liked Stevie. But her main influence was David Bowie. She not a writer or producer so didn't matter. She made her money.

Track 8 on the Runaway Horses album - Valentine - is co-written by Sandy Stewart and features her on backing vocals too.

I'll have to check that out.

"Runaway Horses" is great album and there's the anthemic "Leave a Light On". This song is such a perfect slice of Pop music. I wonder why it didn't do better in US. George Harrison played on the guitar. "La Luna"-another standout.

I've found a review of "Runaway Horses" on RateYourMusic website and one of the reviewers wrote this: "Surprisingly good.I have never heard the whole album,only some tunes in radio long time ago.Is there Stevie Nicks singing with her,sounds like Fleetwood Mac record to me". While I don't think it's completely true still I can trace some similarities between these two ladies :)

I always thought it was funny that Stevie was mentioned in the liner notes to the Heaven Is A Place on Earth album in the "Special Thanks" section:


"Rick Nowels would like to thank Stevie Nicks, Jimmy Iovine, Michael & Terry Lippman and Maria Vidal"

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...da001_crop.jpg

Say what you want but I think that "I Get Weak" sounds almost exactly like Stevie's "Talk To Me" and perhaps was considered by Nowels as a song for Stevie's "Rock a Little" album. On the other hand Belinda's "Do You Feel Like I Feel" from 1991 release "Live Your Life Be Free" sounds similar to "I Can't Wait". Also I have to mention that on this song background vocalist was...Sheryl Crow with whom Stevie would work in the future. The similar thing is also with blending Belinda's voice with background vocals just like in Stevie's case...Stevie has her Lori and Sharona and Belinda (at least on her "Heaven on Earth" album) had 2/3 of Wilson Phillips (Chynna & Carnie) backing her up :)