Is Rhiannon and Landslide truely Stevie's best?
 

Time and time again on American Idol and other shows when performers do Stevie Nicks it is either Landslide or Rhiannon. Is this really Stevie at her best? I think Stevie's best is probably Bella Donna because it defined her as a solo artist, but it seems like she is not going going to be remembered that way.

At least Stevie has a legacy. People talk about Joni Mitchell but no one is buying her stuff on itunes and Janice is stuck in time like a prehistoric fly in amber because of her early death. I think the last third of Stevie's career has been great, except for some bad performances. However, the Landslide/Rhiannon thing is starting to bother me.

IYD has shown me that Stevie is still capable of great things vocally. I love the rasp of her honest voice on Soldiers Angel. I think she needs to record and record. She can still create a feeling. It's not over. However, I think Landslide/Rhiannon have been done to death and people are getting sick of hearing them.

The first time they did Stevie on AI, the girl sang Edge of Seventeen. Then last year in Hollywood week, one of the group songs was Dreams. Then on The Voice the other day they did Leather and Lace. So no, I don't think Landslide or Rhiannon are her best or the only ones people do.

She had one big chance to become a star.Remember Fleetwood Mac initally wanted Lindsey.These are the two songs that did it for her otherwise there likely would not have been the career that followed period.Mayhap she should take another vacation to Aspen.

Like many hardcore fans, I too am sick of Landslide and Rhiannon. But when most people think of Stevie Nicks, they think of Fleetwood Mac. And when most people think of Fleetwood Mac, they think of the 1970s. For better or worse, Landslide and Rhiannon are Stevie's most iconic songs. Are they her best? It depends on what you mean by 'best.' I think her best songwriting can be found on Storms. Her best vocal? That trophy might go to her backing vocal on Tunnel Of Love by Walter Egan. All of this stuff is of course highly subjective. I think it's a pretty objective that her most iconic songs are indeed Landslide & Rhiannon, though. I'm not saying they earn the title by substantive merit at all. But in the public's mindset, these are the songs that define Stevie.

I think "Edge of Seventeen" & "Gypsy" are arguably just as iconic. For my money, "Gold Dust Woman" sounds the best live out of all of them. That's one song that has held up well on every tour, no matter the condition of her voice, & is pretty iconic in its own right.


- Jake

I'd say they're 2 of... perhaps 6 songs which will forever be most closely associated with Stevie. The other 4 being Dreams, Gold Dust Woman, Edge of Seventeen and Gypsy. If they're Stevie at her best or not, I'm not so sure; everyone has their own favourites. I have a friend who cries everytime she hears landslide, another who's totally gaga for Edge, etc. While I think for most casual fans, those 6 songs will be called her best; and they're certainly her most recognizable, I think for most hardcore fans, her best work is most likely to be one of her more obscure tracks from Tusk, Bella Donna or Wild Heart.

For me it might be Leather and Lace. That song is just magical to me.

Rhiannon is certainly one of my favorites. I think when most people who are 'casual fans' think of Stevie's songs with Fleetwood Mac, they think of Dreams. For her solo career, they think of Edge of Seventeen.

To casual fans...they connect Stevie with those songs. IMO, they are nowhere near her best. I never liked Rhiannon. But that's no secret around here:lol: Landslide, I'd be fine if I never heard it again. But like it or not. She will beat these songs over our heads as long as she's alive. And they'll be here long after she's gone.

Mick

That's a great question Jondalar, back in the "day" Landslide was more or less an obscure album track that got played live and Rhiannon was the radio song. Popularity wise, they are Stevie's signature songs. As far as being her best, there's such a wealth of material out there that is superior in terms of creativity, Gold Dust Woman defines Fleetwood Mac as a classic rock act, Storms defines rawness and brilliance in writing and Bella Donna is the essential female singer songwriter album. Fast forward to today and we have Stevie back in her game and living up to her legendary status. By the way the whole legendary thing is starting to wear on me as the new album puts her out front as a going concern in my view. Vocally and songwriting wise, In Your Dreams ranks with all of the classic stuff. I must agree with Louie on the Walter Egan back up vocal, what an amazing find and her voice is simply spell binding on that song.

I'd say no, and point out as an example that I think After The Glitter Fades and The Highwayman are both far better tracks than Rhiannon, especially in terms of lyrics and songwriting.

Best? I wouldn't say best. More like 'most recognisable'. Their the songs she is known for, and in turn, singing competition shows will use what the general audience will known and can hum along to.

Everyone gets trapped into their iconic mold. Madonna is still known for her Like A Virgin persona. Michael Jackson will be known for Thriller. The Eagles: Hotel California. No matter what they keep putting out....it's what first drew you in years ago, that you will remember most. For Stevie, it's her Aspen songs.

When I bring up Stevie with someone who doesn't recognize who she is, I always start singing the chorus to Dreams and they automatically go, "Oh, ok. I know that" so I really think Dreams should be included with Rhiannon and Landslide, if not before. Solo stuff definitely Edge.

Casual or focused fan, I think Rhiannon is one of her best. Landslide? Not so much.

I also think that Edge is great, as are the studio versions of two of her more popular songs: Gypsy and Dreams.

If I were one of the AI contestants, I don't think I'd go for any of those well known releases though.

Michele