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Originally Posted by Johnny Stew
This actually brings up an interesting question (though hopefully not another Ledge war):
Since so many fans seem to prefer Stevie's solo outtake of "Running Through The Garden," what we now know is a solo version of "Thrown Down," her piano demo of "Goodbye Baby," and the "angry" version of "Smile At You" (which Ken Caillat has gone on record as saying was NOT recorded by Fleetwood Mac, but rather by Stevie's solo band, and a guitarist recreating Lindsey's style -- much to Lindsey's annoyance), and since so many people dislike the "altered voices" effects in "Illume" and "Everybody Finds Out"....
Is Lindsey not quite as in-tune with what's best for Stevie's songs as he used to be?
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No, I don't think he is. I've actually half-entertained making this point before, but didn't want to cause a big fight.
I think he did an absolutely *abysmal* job with the song "Say You Will." Those electric guitar parts in the verse are about the most pedestrian I've ever heard from him, and the children's chorus makes me cringe.
On "Illume," those silly voice effects nearly ruin what may be Stevie's best new song of the past 20 years.
"Smile at You" -- I have the same complaints many others have expressed.
"Silver Girl" is flat, and "Destiny Rules" is OK -- I really like the banjo stuff at the end -- but he steals an old guitar riff from "World Turning" for the verse.
I feel the only song he worked his old magic on was "Thrown Down," which has a simple and elegant arrangement that masks Stevie's rather boring chords -- though I see I'm in the minority on that.
In general, I'd say the problem is that he doesn't give her songs -- or his, for the matter -- enough room to breathe. There are too many overdubs, too many effects. Less is more. That's why I love "Rumours" and especially "Tusk" so much -- they weren't overdone. He used to leave something to the imagination!