"24 Karat Gold: Songs From The Vault" album discussion episode of Phonogenics 101
Taking a break from the recent "he said/she said" tea, we went back to 2014 and discussed Stevie's "24 Karat Gold: Songs From The Vault" album. Can you believe it's been 7 years already.
Look forward to reading the additional discussions in the comments! https://youtu.be/Ec_5hRb1Uuo |
Probably my favourite of hers. Sincere work, 100% Stevie being Stevie throughout. Can't wait to sit down and watch this discussion!
|
The album is clearly a treat for real fans, the general public or casual fans are unlikely to get most of it. As one panelist said, it is honest and there is no grasping desperately for a radio hit and (almost) no cowrites or covers.
The songs are really Stevie and Dave Stewart seems to have let her run free here while supporting the songs with good production for the most part. Listen to some tricks here and there, like the whispered "wrap her in velvet" in the intro to 24 Karat Gold. In some cases, like Blue Water, Lady, She Loves Him Still it sounds like Stevie was working hard on the vocal or they did the vocal in one take, making it seem almost concert-like at times. The discussion focused on comparisons to old demos a lot, which is typical of fans, but I like to take the finished products as they come. I love the album, it is quirky and self-indulgent and rambling and Stevie. I always seem to deviate sharply from the majority of fans in this: My favourite thing about it is that it has no less than 4 ballads, 5 is you count Hard Advice. The best non-ballad is, of course, Mabel Normand, which is bat ***** crazy but delivered with such strength and conviction you are yanked hard into the nutso world of Stevie at her kookiest. A roller coaster ride of almost nonsense but sounding oh so important. And unlike most, I put Watch Devil and Belle Fleur at the bottom of my list, that style of Stevie leaves me bored and cold. Or lying face-down in the rain... |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQIk_SOsiys |
I keep listening over and over and for the life of me I can't hear that whisper on the album version of "24 Karat Gold" - I was also the guy who never saw the "hidden picture" in those weird paintings back in the 90s lol. Where exactly in the song is this whisper? I've tried like 5 times with no luck!
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
With the absence of representation from 24 Karat Gold in Stevie's 2023 Tour setlist, I gave this record a listen.
I can't pick up a theme from this record like I could on IYD, which was magical love, loss, and death. I think All The Beautiful Worlds is the best song on this album. I'm shocked she never performed the title track live. Stevie only played 3 songs live from this album. One of those had very good lyrics. Starshine is great instrumentally but the lyrics aren't worthy of applause. Belle Fleur is repetitive lyrically but the music is so good I think it was worthy of a live debut. I don't think Stevie is as proud of this record as she is of In Your Dreams or Trouble in Shangri-La. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:45 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
© 1995-2003 Martin and Lisa Adelson, All Rights Reserved