Rhiannon VS I'm So Afraid

[David]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

Anyway, as far as the topic at hand, I think the studio version of Rhiannon is fantastic

It is fantastic. It's one of the great seminal studio tracks by the then-new Fleetwood Mac. It's a beautiful conception that is executed perfectly.

I don't get the milquetoast responses to it.

People don't know a good performance when they hear one. Although, luckily, the radio audience did back then because the song was a big radio hit. Kind of ironic that today's typical Machead doesn't appreciate its qualities -- qualities that radio audiences appreciated back in 1976.

I think the F.M. Live album version IS the best, but the studio version is just magic imo.

Remember that the "Live" recording was from April 1977, not the Tusk Tour.

Stevie has never sounded sexier, more mysterious or more ethereal in any other studio recording she has ever done.

Excellent point. But that's not the only reason to be in love with the track. Listen to what the band is doing, too. It's extraordinary.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by David

Excellent point. But that's not the only reason to be in love with the track. Listen to what the band is doing, too. It's extraordinary.

Oh I know! Don't get me wrong, it's the band that enhances Stevie's sound and really adds that special magical quality to the whole arrangement. I was mainly drawing attention to the fact that Stevie's voice is like buttah on this song-smoother than it's ever been before and since.