The great Crystal slug-out!

[CastleWalls]

No contest. Practical Magic version.

The song was supposed to be sung by Stevie from the get-go.

[GoldDustOrphan]

"Practical Magic" version. I love the production and arrangement.
I love the FM version, but it's not on any of my playlists, but Stevie's version is a permanent fixture.

[APerfectLie]

I agree with Louie! I'm not a fan of the BN or FM versions at all. I never ever ever listen to them. I had to go back and listen to both versions just now to see if I had missed something. I had not. The PM version takes the cake and is perfect. I think it would be interesting to hear Stevie do this song for Bella Donna, but I think her age worked beautifully with the song. The Practical Magic versions of Crystal and If You Ever Did Believe are masterpieces in my opinion. Such a shame she seems to have forgotten about their existence.

[mezzoforte]

Originally Posted by Meowi

I see at as a gift from Stevie to Lindsey - when they were in love. It was an exchange of love - here words, his voice. That's why I think Lindsey should sing it.

Um, THIS. And her harmonies are so heartbreakingly lovely, I really don't see it as him taking her song. I think it's just a beautiful moment, shared by two people in love.

Originally Posted by elle

neither is he what? bob dylan or diplomatic? did lindsey ever claim to be bob dylan?


interesting! why does it need to boil down to camps? i definitely prefer lindsey over stevie as an artist and musician (if anybody's wondering), but i like stevie's version better, b/c of the reasons i stated (it's a very typical stevie song, etc).

Agreed--the matter needn't break down into camps! Although I guess I'm the opposite here--I prefer Stevie as an artist, but like the FM version better. And not because I dislike her new voice, so much as for the reasons above :-)

[Nikolaj]

It took me some time to fully appreciate Stevie's PM version, I liked it, but now it is my favorite 'Crystal'. That fade is one of the best of her entire career. One day I'll get creative and mix parts of the fades throughout the song,maybe even beginning the song with it. That fade is spacey, totally spaced-out gorgeous, such beautiful nuances.
Could maybe even make a great dance remix, totally exploiting the fade half a hundred times.
Rave on, trippy Crystal!

Originally Posted by mitzo

To me the Stevie PM version was an opportunity lost. Her vocals at the beginning of the song are flat and grating and false, but the latter part of the song with its dreamy flowing instrumentals and whispery vocals are really beautiful. If the whole song had that quality I'd choose it as the winner, but the White Album version is my choice despite the fact that it is not really Stevie.

I agree. Her voice is too strong in the beginning. I like how it gets softer at the end but I think that's how she should've sang it from the start. I think that's the problem with her voice now is that there's no softness left to it.

Funny this thread came up as I just started listening the the FM Crystal a few weeks back. I was up in the mountains taking some pics of winter scenes with partially frozen streams and snow and icicles etc and this song seemed so appropriate with all of its imagery. I voted for the FM version. I like them all and even the PM version because the production on it is pretty nice. I used to like the BN version over the FM one but not the case right now.

I have since been playing from the White album: I'm So Afraid, Crystal, then Sugar Daddy. Just those three. It's my favorite sequence lately. Hadn't really listened to those in a long time. ISA is so freaking heavy and dark and magnificent!!!

[Dodfather]

I went with the '75 album version but I love all of them. The Pratical Magic version is a very close second.

[mitzo]

Originally Posted by CADreaming

Huh??

I meant the FM version from 75 is sung by Lindsay not Stevie.

[fringed n fab]

I like Stevie's version and glad she released it at all but I had to go with the Mac's because I love the harmonies. For years FM's version always comes to mind as I'm driving through the Tennessee mountains on my way to Florida, I will think of that song...

Drove me thru the mountains
Thru the crystal-like clear water fountain
Drove me like a magnet
To the sea

<3

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by MissLadyLoki

Oh yeah, and does anyone know why Lindsey sang a song Stevie wrote?

Stevie said Lindsey just sounded better on it. I haven't heard more of an explanation than that.

Michele

[MissLadyLoki]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Stevie said Lindsey just sounded better on it. I haven't heard more of an explanation than that.

Michele

I thought there was something about she wanted him to sing a love song about her and she made him sing what she wrote, but come to think of it, your reason sounds right.

[seekerj]

Nothing could ever beat what Christine brought to it. That solo is transcendent.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by MissLadyLoki

I thought there was something about she wanted him to sing a love song about her and she made him sing what she wrote, but come to think of it, your reason sounds right.

I've heard her say she's written beautiful love songs for him and he never did for her. I also heard her say that during The Chain, for once in his life he just went up and sang it exactly the way she told him to.

So, what you've said does sound familiar. Just in different contexts.

Michele

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by bluefox4000

I just listened To Stevie's version for the first time in ages.....and i remembered why I stopped. Not that it's terrible.it's not. But it's not my my Favorite. It's slightly grating. Had she sung it way back when....I'm sure it would have been a million times better.

Mick

See? I disagree totally. I actually like the age and wisdom her voice carries on the Practical Magic version. To me, it just makes the song that much more poignant... especially given the lyrics.

How the faces of love have changed, turning the pages
and I have changed all but you, you remain ageless...

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by michelej1

I've heard her say she's written beautiful love songs for him and he never did for her. I also heard her say that during The Chain, for once in his life he just went up and sang it exactly the way she told him to.

So, what you've said does sound familiar. Just in different contexts.

Michele

She is so funny!!