Why doesn't Stevie do what Emmylou does?
 

That's really a rhetorical question.

But I do think it would be great if Stevie started conducting her career a bit more like Emmylou Harris does hers. Apparently Stevie's not terribly interested in writing her own songs or releasing her own new material at this point, which is fine. But rather than just coast along as a nostalgia touring act, why not hit the studio with some of her friends and admirers and collaborate a little?

Stevie's greatest strength remains her ability to harmonize, and she's often at her best when she's singing with others, whether it be Sheryl or Petty or even Kenny Loggins (whatever you think of "Whenever I Call You 'Friend,'" you've got to admit that Stevie turns in a killer vocal performance on that track). Why not do more of this?

Emmylou Harris is a perfect model of what I'd like to Stevie start doing. She hasn't released an album of her own since 2003, but it sure seems like she's been everywhere the past few years, hasn't it? It's almost become a cliche to sing with Emmylou. She's toured with Elvis Costello, sung harmonies for Bright Eyes, performed with Neil Young, recorded an entire album of duets with Mark Knopfler... and she always sounds great, whomever she's singing with.

If, as she's suggested, one of the reasons Stevie doesn't want to release her own albums is because she feels she isn't popular enough anymore, she'd do well to keep her name in the public consciousness by singing along with some of her high-profile friends. Besides, everybody knows the music press can't resist collaborations and duet albums.

There's people out there turning music into gold, Stevie. Get back on the trolley!

Excellent question and well thought out. I haven't a clue as to why she doesn't diversify her work, I really don't? For someone who claims to love music as much as she does (and, I don't doubt her), it just doesn't seem to make sense as to why she's not doing more fun things, small projects, etc... She learned some bad habits from (MICK) Fleetwood Mac, I think..own everything in sight, do not share, an album isn't an album if it takes less than 13 months to record, under no circumstance do you ever change your set list, dont' sing other people songs because you have to pay them to do so...

I'd love to hear an iTunes exclusive 3-song Ian and Sylvia tribute ep from her, recorded in her garage, completed in 3 days...how cool would that be? Not everything has to be a big honkin' deal..it's not 1983 anymore.

Stevie's retired.

I don't expect to see anything new from her. Maybe the 40th anniversary thing next year (which isn't in the category of "new") and that's it.

Seems like it doesn't it? It seems like she has no interest to really be creative in music anymore. Writing, painting---something else is going to be her new muse I think, but music just doesn't inspire her these days. I think her last ounce was squeezed out for TISL and now she's just tapped, dude. Maybe music will never really inspire her again, maybe it will, who knows? :shrug:.

And for Stevie to collaborate with other musicians, well, that takes motivation and drive on the part of all the artists involved. Who says Stevie has that desire? I'm sure there are scads of artists out there who would like to collaborate with her, but does Stevie want to do it? I don't know. It just seems like, as Tower said, she's slipping into retirement and will probably be out of the spotlight completely in the coming years ahead. I hope not, but ****, all signs seem to be pointing in that direction. I hate to be a Debbie Downer because I want to see lots more from Stevie, but I don't want to see nostalgia acts and I don't want to see uninspired performances. I'd rather Stevie do what she feels passionate about. I hope I'm wrong, but her passion seems to be lacking for music these days.

I don't think she does at all, which is why I prefaced the whole thing with a note that question was really just rhetorical. I'm just fantasizing...

She did collaborate on TISL and in a big way. Then, she went straight into SYW and that was the next three or so years of her life. Then, she did the Vegas/Gold Dust tour thing, which I think just sort of happened as did the Australia thing I will note though that she changed her set on this last tour and included two new covers and pulled out some rare stuff like HSML. So, it is not like she was stagnant :shrug:

As for new stuff now, I doubt it. Maybe FM will reconvene, but I am not holding my breath for that because I think they were at each others' throats fo a significant portion of the last tour and recording session and La Nicks herself verified this as did the doc. Why would she go back to that stress if she did not have to? I certainly would not.

So, I say she is for the most part retired. But, in the past, just when I have thought that was it for her, she always proved me wrong.

I know, same here, and I hope this is the case!

Yeah, but it was put out there for response and reflection, no? I responded. I reflected. Now chut up. :laugh: :p

I hope Fleetwood Mac does reconvene soon, but Stevie certainly does not have to be a part of it, as far as I'm concerned. Actually, I'd prefer if she wasn't. Two appetizing possibilities:

1) Peter and Jeremy join up with Mick and John to record an "anniversary" album and/or do a small tour.

2) Fleetwood Mac becomes a power trio: just Lindsey on guitar and vocals, backed by Mick and John. I'm kind of salivating just thinking about it, actually. We know Lindsey loves playing with these guys and likes recruiting them to play on "solo" tracks anyway. Imagine the album they might come up with together. Even better, imagine the stripped-down tour, and all the great songs they would have a chance to play, with both Christine and Stevie's material put out to pasture. (If they wanted to pay tribute to the ladies, they could always perform "Think About Me" and "Crystal"...)

Bottom line: Stevie doesn't need (or want) Fleetwood Mac at this point. I hope Fleetwood Mac realize they don't need her, either. (Lindsey, on the other hand, does need Fleetwood Mac, or at least is a lot better off with them than without them.)

1) bore
2) bore

bottom line: you're wrong

imo, of course

:D

I don't like this idea. And good luck selling tickets for this debacle. Noone wants to see Fleetwood Mac without Stevie AND Chris! That's ridiculous. They could get away with it if they didn't call themselves F.M., they'd have to choose another name and call it a side project. They'd also have to play smaller venues for this to fly.

:high fives Jason:

:D

You don't have to go. Stevie will be off doing her own thing. You can go to her shows, and I'll go to my fantasy Mac shows, and all will be right with the world.

Stop it. You know better than that.

Stop it. You know better than that, too. Or do I need to call Mr. Denison over here?

Well duh.

I would love to hear a project involving Stevie and another singer-songwriter, or something like the Trio work of Emmylou Harris/Linda Ronstadt/Dolly Parton. I love to hear Stevie singing with others, but I have to say I especially love her voice with Lindsey's so I would hope she would be involved in any new Fleetwood Mac release, except of course some sort of reunion of an earlier FM.
I am posting in Chit Chat about the Emmylou/Knopfler cover story on the most recent Performing Songwriter. They have audio of Emmylou's interview on their site.