Nicks about IYD doc and Grohl's role, Buckingham

[elle]

http://www.hitfix.com/news/stevie-ni...s-pivotal-role

Stevie Nicks on her new 'In Your Dreams' documentary and Dave Grohl's pivotal role

Why she and Fleetwood Mac mate Lindsey Buckingham are getting along better than ever

BY MELINDA NEWMAN MONDAY, APR 1, 2013 6:53 PM

Stevie Nicks performs with Dave Grohl's Sound City Players at the 2013 SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas.

Credit: AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner
When Dave Stewart first suggested to Stevie Nicks that he film the making of her 2011 solo album, “In Your Dreams,” which he co-produced, her blunt reaction was “I think you’re nuts.”

However, the Eurythmics co-founder convinced Nicks by simply reassuring her “If you don’t like it, we don’t use it.” And in the end, she not only liked it, but she saw the documentary as a way to extend the shelf life of the critically-acclaimed album, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, but did not have the high-profile run Nicks hoped it would.

[More after the jump...]


Nicks screened the 100-minute film last night (March 31) for fans, as well as held a Q&A at Los Angeles’ Landmark Theater. “In Your Dreams” will play in theaters in more than 75 cities in North America on April 2. Virgil Films will make the film available on Video on Demand and Digital Download shortly thereafter.

Stewart and co-producer Glen Ballard recorded much of the album in Nicks’ Los Angeles house and working with Stewart gave Nicks great joy, she told an adoring audience at the theater. Upon their first meeting about the album, “I’m thinking this is going to be such a trip because he’s such a trip. He’s trippy. He gets up happy every day,” she said with a certain amount of astonishment. “I rather like suffering a lot.”

As the documentary details, Stewart is the first person Nicks has ever written with in the same room. She gave Stewart 40 poems of hers (she calls them "poetry", not lyrics), culled from her many, many books of poems, and he showed up at the house to start to write a song. “He doesn’t really think we’re going to write in the same room,” Nicks recalls. But they did, eventually penning seven songs for the album together. She credits Stewart’s lack of arrogance as the key to making their co-writing work. “Dave watched my face. Whenever he’d go to a chord I didn’t like, he’d go a different way.” (One of the film’s best scenes flashes back to video of Lindsey Buckingham criticizing Nicks’ lyrics on 2003’s “Destiny Rules. She snaps back that he wouldn’t criticize Bob Dylan).

The documentary will find its greatest appeal with the legion of Nicks’ faithful. It goes through the creation of each of the 13 tracks, her 30-year plus relationship with her back-up singers Lori Perry Nicks and Sharon Celani (which could be its own film), and the great time they had making the album. In fact, the biggest drama in the entire film comes when Nicks correctly note that the Stewart solo she hears on a song is not the one she originally heard and favors. Other than that, it’s a complete love fest that becomes somewhat redundant at times, though given how fractious the making of some of the Fleetwood Mac albums was, it's nice to see her have an easy time of it.

Dave Grohl, with whom Nicks worked on the “Sound City” documentary, served a vital behind-the-scenes role at a pivotal time. A few months ago, she was telling Grohl that she was “heartbroken” by the album’s lack of success, especially after she felt that she had “done every TV show known to man” to promote it, including “The Voice” and “Dancing With The Stars.” Grohl asked her if she filmed the making of the album. She said yes. He suggested finishing the documentary, adding “‘this will give your record another run for your money”,” she said. “I called Dave Stewart and said ‘We have to finish this...it’s the only way to save this record.’ Had it not been for Dave Grohl, I’m saying that I don’t know what I would have done.”

“In Your Dreams” documentary bows as Fleetwood Mac kicks off a new tour on April 4 in Columbus, Ohio. Nicks said the year-long tour comes at a time when she and former boyfriend Buckingham are “for the first time in 30 years, we’re getting a long really well. We had a little talk a year ago and he had a year to think about it. He’s understanding that it’s really good to be my friend.”


Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/news/stevie-ni...a035s8PFF9S.99

[WildHearted]

We had a little talk a year ago and he had a year to think about it.

This makes it sound like Stevie lectured him and then sent him to timeout to think about what he had done.

[KenshiMaster16]

Uhm.....as much as I love the album, it's time has been up for about a year now.... Stevie just needs to let it go and move onto the next project, i.e. Fleetwood Mac. It's a great album, honestly, but if the general public didn't get it/want it, you can't beat them over the head with it hoping they change their minds, doesn't work that way. You make a piece of art you, your camp and your fans adore. Leave it at that.

[bombaysaffires]

she filmed the whole recording of the album (as she did with Bella Donna and other stuff) and it never occurred to her to *DO* anything with all that footage?!? If Dave Grohl hadn't prompted her to get it together it she wouldn't have known what to do?!!? Wow, this explains a LOT.

I love this: She had a "little talk" with LB, he had a year to think about it, and he now realizes "it's good to be my friend".....somehow that sounds like some kind of well, I don't know if "ultimatum" is quite the right word, but it sure as h*** sounds like a power play. She knows she holds the cards for the whole band and she is making it clear she ain't afraid to use 'em.

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

This makes it sound like Stevie lectured him and then sent him to timeout to think about what he had done.

[whitewingdove]

She should have started a tv show! I would have watched it. Otherwise she totally could have extended the movie a few. I could totally sit through a full 24 hours straight of film with no breaks watching that stuff! I love watching her hard at work!

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Is it just me or did the last piece of the Fleetwood Mac Album Drama just fall into place?

2005 - Stevie is ready to record another solo album, but is talked out of it by 'people in the business'

2009 - On tour with Fleetwood Mac in Australia, Stevie sees 'New Moon' (cringe) and repurposes Lady From The Mountain as Moonlight. She tells Karen she's ready to record a new album.

2011 - In Your Dreams is released to critical acclaim. Stevie does tv shows, radio interviews, and tours to support the album. Sales are good, if soft for the album. The documentary is talked about in the press, but is not finished.

2012 - Fleetwood Mac's upcoming tour is siderailed when Stevie announces she'd like to keep touring to promote In Your Dreams. (It's hear that we realize Stevie is mush more concerned with the sales of the album than she likes to let on.) Mick gives interview chastising Stevie for being selfish about the album and publicly wonders if Fleetwood Mac will ever get back together. Lindsey gets the guys together while Stevie is on the road, and they record 8 new songs expressly for a Fleetwood Mac project. Stevie and Lindsey participate in Sound City documentary, with Stevie contributing a song. (From this interview, I gather that 3 things happen: Stevie is discouraged by the sales of In Your Dreams, and admittedly has let the documentary languish. She's also more convinced that 'People Don't Buy Records Anymore. Dave Grohl convinces her that finishing the doc will help propel the sales of In Your Dreams.)

2013 - Fleetwood Mac reunites for tour, but sends mixed signals about new material, with Stevie constantly admitting, 'People Don't Buy Records Anymore.'

[Gene]

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Is it just me or did the last piece of the Fleetwood Mac Album Drama just fall into place?

2013 - Fleetwood Mac reunites for tour, but sends mixed signals about new material, with Stevie constantly admitting, 'People Don't Buy Records Anymore.'

Put out a good one and they will. This is starting to shake out as another greatest hits tour. Even the Beach Boys put out a new record to tour behind.

[FM77]

Originally Posted by Gene

Put out a good one and they will. This is starting to shake out as another greatest hits tour. Even the Beach Boys put out a new record to tour behind.

She told me over a year ago she wasn't interested in doing a FM record because no one buys records. I also think she put her heart and soul into IYD and it did not have the commercial success she expected. She is very disheartened by that. I think for her to focus and complete a record (a really good record), she needs to be driven by Lindsey or inspired by someone like Dave. Lindsey isn't going to provide the nurturing, fun environment she needs. Too much history, drama. It's a shame because I think they could do a good record but it is just easier to go and cash out doing shows. That is guaranteed money. I'm not sure any of the band feel compelled to prove themselves by doing another record. Both LB and Stevie seem much more satisfied with solo projects.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by FM77

She told me over a year ago she wasn't interested in doing a FM record because no one buys records. I also think she put her heart and soul into IYD and it did not have the commercial success she expected. She is very disheartened by that. I think for her to focus and complete a record (a really good record), she needs to be driven by Lindsey or inspired by someone like Dave. Lindsey isn't going to provide the nurturing, fun environment she needs. Too much history, drama. It's a shame because I think they could do a good record but it is just easier to go and cash out doing shows. That is guaranteed money. I'm not sure any of the band feel compelled to prove themselves by doing another record. Both LB and Stevie seem much more satisfied with solo projects.

Well Lindsey seems to find solo work rewarding even if it never sells anywhere near what FMac projects sell. His definition of success for his solo work isn't based so much on sales figures.
Stevie, however, seems really shaken by the low sales figures as you mention, and that seems to be her main metric for success. So we'll see if the disappointment she feels after IYD keeps her from doing another solo album...

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by whitewingdove

She should have started a tv show! I would have watched it. Otherwise she totally could have extended the movie a few. I could totally sit through a full 24 hours straight of film with no breaks watching that stuff! I love watching her hard at work!

I would love Stevie do a reality show.I know I hate reality shows but I will watch her show all the time.


Other artists had their shot doing shows.She should give it a try.

[On Ice]

She told me over a year ago she wasn't interested in doing a FM record because no one buys records.

While I can understand that Stevie is disappointed with record sales, I would like to see her acknowledge those of us who have stuck by her for her entire time in the limelight. Yes, we do buy her "records" as well as other records for that matter. It would be much healthier for her to accept that her day as a superstar are long gone and the mass appeal of Rumours or Bella Donna is simply not achievable with new material. Most of her contemporaries are in the same boat but still churn out amazing work as she did with In Your Dreams. Her core fans appreciate her work and will stand by her and it would be nice to see her appreciate that instead of complaining about poor record sales. In Your Dreams is a smash success because it is a good album, not because it sold millions of copies. As a fan, my focus now is enjoying whatever new music they can provide, not attending augmented concerts with ancient set lists and paying ridiculous ticket prices.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

Well Lindsey seems to find solo work rewarding even if it never sells anywhere near what FMac projects sell. His definition of success for his solo work isn't based so much on sales figures.
Stevie, however, seems really shaken by the low sales figures as you mention, and that seems to be her main metric for success. So we'll see if the disappointment she feels after IYD keeps her from doing another solo album...

I agree. Time will tell. I'm hoping that the "best year of my life" recording IYD plus her mom's death really do inspire/push her to create more new music & keep recording.


Anyone else wonder if she & Dave completed more tunes during IYD that didn't make the cut on the album & they're now in the vault?

[FM77]

I have asked many times about doing older songs like Races are Run, That's Alright, SOTM, Sleeping Angel etc.. and she INSISTS everyone comes to hear Dreams, Landslide, Rhiannon and they would be disappointed if they didn't hear them. She says for every "new" song that is added an old one has to be taken out. (My thought is just make the set longer?) She seems very reluctant to move away from staus quo. I have asked her about SOTM for 10 years at least. I am glad that got in but surprised too. She has said that Sara is hard to sing live. I think she can sing anything she wants. I wish she would cut loose more like everyone else.

[The Catdancer]

Originally Posted by FM77

I have asked many times about doing older songs like Races are Run, That's Alright, SOTM, Sleeping Angel etc.. and she INSISTS everyone comes to hear Dreams, Landslide, Rhiannon and they would be disappointed if they didn't hear them. She says for every "new" song that is added an old one has to be taken out. (My thought is just make the set longer?) She seems very reluctant to move away from staus quo. I have asked her about SOTM for 10 years at least. I am glad that got in but surprised too. She has said that Sara is hard to sing live. I think she can sing anything she wants. I wish she would cut loose more like everyone else.

Maybe she's afraid of changing (pun intended)? Well, she's right where the casual fans are concerned. They do want to hear Dreams, Landslide, Rhiannon etc. but 99% of the hardcore fans do not. We've been there for decades and even though I don't play any instruments I could play Dreams in my sleep. Making the set longer would be great but they often have to deal with curfews.
I think they should do a mix of some hits, new songs and songs we've never heard live before. That way everyone gets something they want for the ridiculous over priced tickets.