Cracks in Stevie’s career in the late 80’s

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by drzubritsky

I agree. While RAL was pretty successful, commercially, it didn't have the creative spark and SN signature touches that the previous albums had. It had a troubled production history which showed in the finished product. "Talk To Me" was certainly commercial, but it was paint-by-numbers top 40 rock that could have been recorded by anyone. It sounded exactly like what it was: a commercial song added at the label's insistence to ensure a hit single. You couldn't say that about the hits from BD or WH...they were very unique Nicks creations that happened to be commercial.

Nicks' vocal decline was also obvious on RAL. I remember playing the album on the day of release and wondering what in the world was going on with her voice on "I Sing For The Things".

Nevertheless, Stevie was still "in the game" during this era, despite her personal and professional troubles. Her stuff did well on the charts and her concerts sold well. But it was definitely the turning point from widespread mainstream appeal to more core followers.

I actually think she gave two of the best of vocals of her career on Talk to Me and Has Anyone Ever Written, but you are right the uniqueness. Talk to Me was hardcore Top 40. I like the song, but it was too mainstream While I really like Has Anyone Ever Written, she hit the nail on the head emotionally, but didn't work on the lyrics enough. Once again, the song didn't make enough sense within itself. Had she worked on the lyrics a little more that song would of been rerecorded over and over again. I'm sure that is why it was dropped from Whitney's record. Although people like it, it doesn't come across as a quality song.