Which Version Of "The Chain' Do You Like The Best?
 

I like the Live "Mirage" version the best, simply because it is more high powered. I love the transistion from John's bass part into Lindsey's howling guitar solo that last longer than usual.

Re: Which Version Of "The Chain' Do You Like The Best?
 

I think you'll find you're in the M A J O R I T Y there...lol..!

Yep, Mirage '82 IS the definitive version of The Chain IMHO....Everything, from the pace, the vocals, the intro., and of course, THAT guitar solo.....!

I know exactly what you mean about that "transition"...he does it so well.....playing that backing to John's bass...and then coming in like a thunderstorm! Awesome stuff!

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

I chose the Mirage version, too. It's awesome! Love the solo...but the vocals kick major @ss, too. When Stevie does that "aahhhhhhhhh" thing! lol! She rocks!:nod:

~~Angela~~:wavey:

I think The Chain on The Dance is the best done vocally, but I have to say The Mirage is the best as far as everything else goes. Performance, intensity, etc. So, I voted for Mirage. Actually, Stevie does a little screaming in The Chain on a Dance bootleg I have. After the first chorus she just does a little lower note "ohhhhhh," but the second time she just goes "AHHHHH!" It's not quite at the level of Mirage, but I was still excited to hear it. I love Fleetwood Mac back in the day, but their vocals got SO much better for The Dance as far as harmony and hitting the right notes goes. I love hearing "Rhia-a-a-a-a-a-a-annon" being sung on key and with passion like it is on The Dance. It actually sounds like an invocation. And for The Chain, all the harmonies are directly on for The Dance. But, as I said, the Mirage version is just too entertaining to pass up.

Although i agree about what you've all said about the Mirage version, i've always liked the Tusk version a little more myself...It was a bit slower which i liked...My favorite is the one on the Tusk tour documentary.

Sorcerer...i was at one of the Dance shows (i think it was Albany, NY) and she did that little bit of wailing and i was pleasantly surprised!

The only thing about the Dance version that bothers me is the lower key they did it in. But...that's just my opinion!

There's another version that got missed out - the version without the words.

ooh yeah...it's called "keep me there"...it's good too!

Mirage
 

Hi everyone

Hey, I'm back after a "Ledge" break. Anyway.....


Mirage Tour, LA Forum 21/10/82. Nothing else comes close.

:nod: :wavey: :nod: :wavey:

Re: Mirage
 

What do you like more? The song...or the date?? lol!;)

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

MIRAGE!!!!!!!!!
 

GOOD LORD, the Mirage version...no other Chain has come CLOSE to the intensity of that version!!!! WOOOOOO!!! Sorry, I get excited sometimes. :shrug::laugh:

I agree with Joe, the "Tusk doc" version is my fave at the moment. I STILL think LB is just saying "four" at the beginning (for the "count in") of the "Rumours" (regular studio version) and NOT "F---". JMHO though. :)

John

Depends...
 

I like the vocals on the "Dance" version but I prefer the music of the "Mirage" version...But since I like the vocals more I voted for "The Dance" version...Brian J.

I love the Mirage version, especially the end, I really do...

But the Dance is special, because when I first bought the tape in 1997 and popped it on in my car..that was the first thing I really heard from them and I was totally spell bound.

So that version just has to win because its so special!

Yes it is. I keep calling it The Chain and when I downloaded it, it said it was called The Chain.

"Mirage"!
 

I voted for the Mirage version because of two reasons:

1) It's just really cool! :thumbsup:

2) I loooovvveeee the way Lindsey says his first solo line: "and if... you don't love me now!" Just the way he says it!! Ooohhh!! :laugh:

I love the Mirage version:

- the look in Stevie's eyes & her dancing
- the pace
- Lindsey's lapdog yipping before the chorus
- the photo montage

The only thing The Dance version had for it was the suspense at the beginning - You see them in the shadows, and you've been waiting for this reunion for YEARS.

And somebody, Write me a love song.:cool:

- Jake

MIRAGE... No contest.

Favorite version?
 

The Mirage version. I love when Stevie does all of her "ahhhhhhs." That's my favorite part. :D

Re: Favorite version?
 

AWSOME:nod: So I'm not in the minority on liking these too?:D

Since it was the first time I ever heard the song I have to vote for the Mirage One. It has such energy from all ends of the band, Lindsey's Guitar work, John's Bass work, Lindsey's Vocals and Shouts, Stevie's Long Rasps, and Christine's Lush Harmonies. An awesome mix!

Love the Rumours, Mirage and The Dance versions all the best. I like Rumours because I love those "old" Fleetwood Mac harmonies. I love the bass solo to the end.

I like the Mirage version for the spontenaeity of it all. However the guitar solo at the end is a little boring once Lindsey steps back to the drum kit.

My favorite, is the the Dance version. I love the guitar work. It's impeccable. The vocals are Ok and I like the abrupt ending.

I didn't notice the OOTC option until after I hastily voted for the Mirage video version! The OOTC version I have is so different again, I'd like to make a vote in favour of it. It's a great take on it!

"The Chain" is just a fantastic song, period. You really can't go wrong with any version... but for me, the 'Mirage' video version is tops. Followed closely by the 'Dance' version.

What does everyone think of Stevie's solo take on it, from the September 18th, 1994, House Of Blues radio show (bootlegged as 'Welcome To My World')?
I thought her solo band did a great job of it, but as with Lindsey's solo versions on the 'OotC' tour, I think it lacks a certain fire when it's done outside of Fleetwood Mac.

There is a really good one that I have from Japan 1977 that I like but it's not my favorite. That's the Mirage concert version. Stevie also did a version of The Chain at her 1994 House of Blues concert. Its not the best version but its not bad.

Stevie's version is pretty good but it will never compare to Fleetwood Mac's version. I miss Lindsey's vocals on it.

I voted for the Mirage version (of course!) butthe Tango version is a really close second. It doesnt appear to be very popular at all, but I personally love Rick's guitar, and I think the song always sounds better with the guitar 'outro' as opposed to that ubrupt stop a la The Dance...

I found the Tango and BTM era versions to be uninspired and bland. I don't know what it is, but I hate the Billy-Rick versions of GYOW and The Chain. On the other hand, I love that era's take on Oh Well. Much better than Linds IMO.

Mirage VIDEO is the definitive version of The Chain. Frankly, I love every song on that video. There isn't one bad seed on the whole thing.

The "Mirage" version of "The Chain" would've been better if:

a) Stevie and Lindsey hadn't been showing off in front of each other, making themselves look so ridiculous

and

b) Stevie had kept in tune!!!

I agree that it is definitely an energetic (if not particularly tuneful) version, and I love the long intro. However I think the "The Dance" version is better...

James

I know EXACTLY what your talking about- the intro the The Dance is just incredible, especially when "Fleetwood Mac- The Dance" flashes on the screen and you see Stevie doing that pose with her tamberine.

But the Mirage version is definitely the best. The intensity is UNREAL, you can just feel all that bottled up negative emotion exploding out in this song. Stevie's howls are just awesome- she holds that first one out for like 10 seconds- no one could do that like her.

I'm not crazy about Stevie's version- it's definitely not the best. Who is that singing at the end? Not that great.

:wavey: adam :wavey:

I like Lindsey's solo version of it on the OOTC tour right up until he decides not to do the screaming part of the guitar solo.

But the Mirage video is definitely the best I've heard, for vocals and playing. Especially that bit where Stevie and Lindsey are looking at each other as he sings/screams "you do not love me now!" and she returns the line.

I've heard a couple of Rumours tour performances though, and Lindsey sings like a maniac on them and it rocks! Tusk tour as well actually.

And Stevie and Lindsey showing off, or trying to out-do each other is the Mac at their best live imo... Some of the looks on Lindseys face when they do Blue Letter are hilarious. He looks totally disgusted with Stevie, or someone.

Also, had Lindsey played the solo of Go Your Own Way a little more like The Dance version, on the mirage video, then that would be my fave version of that as well. I love the way the solo starts as Stevies still singing "Another lonely daaaaaaaaay!!!"