RS: Hear Stevie Nicks' Intimate 'Bella Donna' Demo

Danielle · #1 10-13-2016, 09:10 AM

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pr...a-demo-w444676

On November 4th, Stevie Nicks' first two solo albums — Bella Donna and The Wild Heart — will be reissued via Rhino. Each deluxe release will feature not only the original LP but rarities and bonus tracks, like the previously unreleased demo of her solo debut's title track, streaming below.

Stripped of its backing vocals as well as the raucous live band and synthesizers featured on the original album version, Nicks' demo is a tender, intimate take on the song. She sings softly above just the piano track, nearly whispering "Bella donna, my soul" and barely reaching the full-throated belt she unleashes on the 1981 recording.

Later this month and just before releasing the reissues, Nicks will embark on a solo tour with opening act the Pretenders. Nicks' tour is in support of her 2014 album 24K Gold, a collection of songs she had cut from her prior solo releases for various reasons. "These are the glory songs," she told Rolling Stone of her reason to follow a multi-year world tour with Fleetwood Mac with the solo dates. "These are the sex, rock & roll and drugs songs that I'm actually not really writing right now, and these are the songs I could never write again."

BlueLight · #2 10-13-2016, 09:32 AM

Absolutely, hauntingly beautiful.

sorcerer999 · #3 10-13-2016, 10:32 AM

Damn! That's beautiful. Even with her usual two or three chord "plunking", the skeleton of the song is RIGHT THERE! I love it!

Does anyone know if this particular demo has circulated in the past or is this something brand new to us?

P.S. I hate that they faded it out. Seems like there was a lot more to go. :/

**jbrownsjr** · #4 10-13-2016, 10:33 AM

I like this, but not as much as the produced track. . The final product was a masterpiece. Love this whole album and the title track touches me in a deep way. Amazing. Guess I'll go put it on.

**SisterNightroad** · #5 10-13-2016, 11:20 AM

It's beautiful, thanks Danielle.

louielouie2000 · #6 10-13-2016, 12:25 PM

It's been a very long time since I've had something remind me why I became a fan of this woman. Thank you for sharing this link. It's interesting to me how much of the magic is lost from her beautiful yet clunky piano demos through the finished product. While Bella Donna the song is far from overproduced, this demo really showcases how impactful Stevie's songs can be in their raw forms.

Jondalar · #7 10-13-2016, 03:01 PM

Great vocal.

**jbrownsjr** · #8 10-13-2016, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jondalar

Great vocal.

Stunning vocal. It really has an impact on me. Bella Donna puts tears in my eyes. It's just so beautiful

Macfan4life · #9 10-13-2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

Stunning vocal. It really has an impact on me. Bella Donna puts tears in my eyes. It's just so beautiful

This is the piano version that puts tears in my eyes. There is such intensity in her vocal and the pianist is out of this world. Notice my signature line. That line brings me strength during the toughest times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5CCGf2qn_w

Tango · #10 10-13-2016, 06:13 PM

^

I agree, this is a great demo. It's amazing how many demos we have. She worked and reworked this song a lot, and it shows. It's the same with any art, including writing- a good story (article, poem, etc) is not written; it's rewritten.

(btw, congrats to Bob Dylan)

**jbrownsjr** · #11 10-13-2016, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

This is the piano version that puts tears in my eyes. There is such intensity in her vocal and the pianist is out of this world. Notice my signature line. That line brings me strength during the toughest times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5CCGf2qn_w

I like this one better!!

olive · #12 10-14-2016, 08:35 AM

it's now on Spotify i hope the release on from The Wild Heart also