The Dealer

[SpyNote]

Originally Posted by Turn It On

Since the first single has now been released in Australia and the UK, and will be released in the US in a few hours, I'm curious as to people's opinions of the finished track.

Personally, I think it's been decently produced, it's nothing revolutionary, but we were never going to get that with this album. It does seem to be quite low quality in places - you can hear the limitations of the format.

I also feel as though her voice seems considerably 'thinner' on this release, although this likely is due to her age.

I think the production is great. But it was more or less finished in the versions we've heard before, so the other demos that were less polished may impress more. I'm most looking forward to "All the Beautiful Worlds," one of my favorite demos of all time. Her voice was pretty ragged at that point, so I think her current voice should be able to handle it pretty well.

[blinker12]

Really love the production and arrangement here, but that vocal - oy.

I cringe most at the way she strains to go up high on "and my wine…" in the second verse. It just sounds like a scream? I suppose I have in mind her velvety falsetto from 1981, and that's not fair. (Or isn't it? We heard her do falsetto on IYD a few times…)

On the plus side, I like the extra low note she adds to "I gave it all ouuu-out" the second or third time around. Very nice, and suits her current voice well.

This reminds me how hard it'll be to let go of my memory of her original, 30-year-old vocals on many of these songs!

[BlueLight]

Originally Posted by SpyNote

I think the production is great. But it was more or less finished in the versions we've heard before, so the other demos that were less polished may impress more. I'm most looking forward to "All the Beautiful Worlds," one of my favorite demos of all time. Her voice was pretty ragged at that point, so I think her current voice should be able to handle it pretty well.

Agreed. And as to the Dealer, I listened to the Tusk demo again, and frankly, her voice sounds strained and thin. I far prefer the new (released!) version. Loving it.

[jkmaletic]

I think she sounds great and so does the production.

I'd like to thank whoever figured out that it was even available for download today. I mean, no announcement or anything (other than obscure messages from Dave Stewart).

Such smart and investigative fans - who needs Liz Rosenberg! (just kidding Liz- you're cool and everything.)


~ Jamie

[Jondalar]

It's a comfortable song, not really single material but good and solid.

[StevieNicksfann]

I think it's a great single - verse, chorus with a great hook. So glad to hear this finally released. I only wish the lyric Jesse Showed Me At An Early Age was in it but all in all, I love it!

[mitzo]

It is a certain type of Stevie song, certainly not one I would have chosen. It sounds, well, boring. And quite casually produced and sung. A skip-over for me. But let's see how the rest sound. I am not inclined to pre-order based on this clip.

[Phoenixgypsy]

I am loving this!! This has been my favorite demo since I first heard it, I think back in 89. I am so excited that we finally have an official version of The Dealer!!

[KarmaContestant]

Her vocal really warms up later in the song. Overall, I like it!
It might have been nice to have layered her the vocals and harmonies throughout the entire song. It would lend some punchiness and give it that 7" mix quality that is so great about single mixes.

[BlueLight]

I love it. But I gotta say, I miss that "yeaahhh," after "Id've run away." Just sayin.

[gssmith]

How do you download it from iTunes?

[gssmith]

Wholly ****! You can download it! I just realized it. I never would have tried if it wasn't for y'all.

[HoursAndHours]

Originally Posted by blinker12

Really love the production and arrangement here, but that vocal - oy.

I cringe most at the way she strains to go up high on "and my wine…" in the second verse. It just sounds like a scream? I suppose I have in mind her velvety falsetto from 1981, and that's not fair. (Or isn't it? We heard her do falsetto on IYD a few times…)

On the plus side, I like the extra low note she adds to "I gave it all ouuu-out" the second or third time around. Very nice, and suits her current voice well.

This reminds me how hard it'll be to let go of my memory of her original, 30-year-old vocals on many of these songs!

That's more the trick, I think. Her voice is different now, but I don't think she's straining so much as just singing differently. There's a lot of complexity to her voice in this song, she sounds more soulful and in control to me than she has in about 30 years. I've been listening to this intermittently between songs on The Wild Heart and it stands, as far as I'm concerned. I really #%&*ing love this song.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by mitzo

It is a certain type of Stevie song, certainly not one I would have chosen. It sounds, well, boring. And quite casually produced and sung. A skip-over for me. But let's see how the rest sound. I am not inclined to pre-order based on this clip.

^This. It's clear why it never made an album before.

[AliceLover]

Not loving it as much as Secret Love, when it came out. The second half if the song is certainly better!