Quote:
Originally posted by dontlookdown
after the white album, rumours, and especially Tusk - Stevie had earned herself quite a reputation as a serious singer and songwriter. When Bella Donna was released, suddenly any existing skeptics were converted. Stevie had surrounded herself with a large circle of musicians and producers who at the time, were considered to be the best in the business: Jimmy Iovine (who Stevie sought out because she loved the sound of Patti Smith's Easter record, Tom Petty (who came by way of Jimmy), Roy Bittan, other members of the E Street Band and the Heartbreakers - and the Eagles, etc.
Before she even knew it, Stevie was sort of rock and roll royalty. A lot of people were sure that she would just break from FM for good and enjoy her new friends who often rocked much harder.
When Stand Back was released, a lot of this respect went down the toilet.
Sure it was fun and Prince was all the rage but it wasn't rock and roll- at least not the kind you can find on a Tom Petty record.
I think that sort of started the downfall in terms of respect. It was also when a lot of the drunkeness and drugs started to get a lot of publicity.
Anyway - not sure if I would say she was a laughing stock - but a lot of the respect she got from being with Fleetwood Mac and being associated with Tom Petty went away. Rock A Little and The Other Side of The Mirror didn't help the situation. Either did her tracks on Tango In The Night. The Clinton "performance" of Don't Stop was so embarrasing and even I was shocked when I saw Stevie.
I think The Dance album and tour - and especially the PBS broadcast of the show saved Stevie's career. Her new found vocal training and the obvious hard work she put into rehearsing for those shows made everyone stand up and take notice. Silver Springs was sort of a celebration - at least for me - because it was sort of like getting our old Stevie back. That live version is about as close to perfection as Fleetwood Mac has ever gotten.
So - laughing stock or not - the point is she saved herself and thank god we have Say You Will. I still think they have one great album to record. I just hope Lindsey and Stevie can write together so it's more of a cohesive project.
I think I'll go listen to Stop Dragging My Heart Around or Hard Promises...
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What happened during the Clinton performance? Did she just look bad or something? Also, do you think that she has gained pretty much all her respect back after the Dance? Obviously she was in top form and looked great (and still does). I think with The Dance, the Practical Magic disc, Trouble in Shangrila, and the new cd she has pretty much gained a lot of respect. Not to mention the dixie chicks using her song and getting a lot of credit for that.
I guess what I really want to know is, if you bring up her name in a conversation today, would anyone make a nasty comment or something?