Songs originally slated for RAL in 1984
 

I came across this interesting tidbit in an old Stevie fanzine called ‘Dreams’ (Nov./Dec. 1984 issue):

‘Rock A Little’ is scheduled for a January 15, 1985 release, preceded by the single ‘Mirror Mirror’. 21 songs were recorded in Dallas and Los Angeles. Possible album tracks include ‘Chanel, Chanel’, ‘Lady From the Mountain’, One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star’, ‘The Dealer’, ‘Seems Like 1000 Days Since You’ve Been Gone’, [and] ‘Battle of the Dragon’ with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Personally, I’m glad ‘Talk to Me’ made it on the album as it was a big hit for Stevie. I don’t think ‘Mirror Mirror’ (in its many incarnations) was commercial sounding enough.

I like ‘Chanel, Chanel’ that Stevie did with Sheryl Crow, so it would have been nice if it (the older version I mean) were indeed included on RAL. Ditto for ‘Lady From the Mountain’ , and ‘Dragon’ with Tom (with his grunts and all as in the demo floating around). :thumbsup:

That said, to put these 3 on RAL, I would drop ‘Some Become Strangers’, ‘The Nightmare’, and ‘Sister Honey’ which I don’t really care for. :sorry:

You drop "Strangers" & "Nightmare," & I don't buy Rock a Little.

Mirror Mirror should have been on the album point blank. I really wonder why it wasn't. If anybody has any ideas why let me know. Chanel Chanel is one of my top 5 demos so I'd have been thrilled if there was an official release. Stevie recorded Chanel Chanel with Sheryl Crow?? This is news to me. Someone PLEASE post. I would have died for OMBTRARS! That should have officially been released long before Enchanted. I'm not a fan of Talk to Me but I'm glad it was on there since it was a big hit for her. I could have done without Sister Honey but The Nightmare and Some Become Strangers were great choices for this "rocking" album. I could take or leave Imperial Hotel.

Imperial Hotel is about the old Sunset Marquis in Hollywood. Stevie used to rendezvous with Stan Lynch there.

Great song & vocal with Benmont Tench's best B3 work on any Stevie track.

And great percussion from Bob-bay Hall. Esp in the first verse, the first "she will call you when she needs you.." I hear her do a fascinating chicka-chicka thing with her tambo.

I understand that some people don't like the Nightmare, but it makes thematic sense to me. I MUCH prefer the 12" version though.
Mirror and Battle should definately have been included, in my opinion. I would have cut Sister Honey and Imperial Hotel too, although I do agree about the percussion on that track...
I've really been getting into this album lately. I used to really dislike it!

Define rendezvous :cool:.

Whaaaaaaat? Where is this?

On Chanel Chanel - isn't that the version we all have from TISL??? Not that I hear Cheryl's voice on it, but I'm sure she was there. I was shocked when I saw it was considered for RAL!!! I have never heard that. The version we have now isn't from RAL era...I'd love to hear that!

OMBTRARS was released officially in 1985 on the b.side of the Talk To Me single

I think the Rock a Little album is a good example of how artistry was over-ruled for the sake of trying to be contemporary/commercial for its time. The rulers (the bad lovers that they are!) sacrificed many of Stevie's songs that should have been on the album.

Agreed.
I wonder what the actual 'Mirror Mirror' album would have been like?

I stand corrected. I was referring to main album tracks, not b-sides. I guarantee you a lot more people would have been exposed to this song had it been on the regular album as opposed to a b-side as many people probably bought the tape/record as opposed to the single of TTM.

I must be smoking something b/c I'm totally unfamiliar with this. I have tons of TISL demo/outtake stuff and nothing with Chanel Chanel. Could you please post this? So Chanel Chanel was going to potentially be on TISL?

Edit: This is the one I've had forever I just thought it was from earlier than 1996. Would LOVE to hear RAL version unless I already have it and don't realize it's that version. Is there more than one version cirulating?

Here's the demo of Chanel Chanel I have - on my computer it's labeled as being a demo from 1996, as part of early TISL sessions. Anyone know if this is accurate?

http://www.mediafire.com/?ziivtu2ttzm