'98 Stand Back Performance on Leno

[UnitingNations]

The Enchanted Tour was nothing short of amazing. I saw it in Indianapolis - a brilliant first Saturday of June ... it wasn't too hot, it wasn't too cold, it was kind of an overcast day ... cool breeze in the air - perfect Stevie Nicks weather.

Boz Scaggs came out at 8:05, he was done at 8:57, Stevie Nicks came out at 9:23 and rocked right until 11:05 or so. it was nothing short of amazing. the set, the lighting, the mystique, the aura. ahhh.

I'm kind of surprised more Enchanted Tour performances haven't made it up on YouTube.

[johnnystorms]

Originally Posted by APerfectLie

Agreed!

the terrible "deterioration" of her voice of which you all speak. slightly different phrasing, but seems to hit the same sweet spots shed needs to. i mean it is 12 years. no one sings the same over that course of time. although those "ah ah"s sort of annoy me at the end.

[APerfectLie]

Originally Posted by johnnystorms

the terrible "deterioration" of her voice of which you all speak. slightly different phrasing, but seems to hit the same sweet spots shed needs to. i mean it is 12 years. no one sings the same over that course of time. although those "ah ah"s sort of annoy me at the end.

To me her voice just seems shaky at some points, and like she has trouble keeping up with the pace. Her voice itself isn't awful, but she doesn't use it like she used to.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by johnnystorms

the terrible "deterioration" of her voice of which you all speak. slightly different phrasing, but seems to hit the same sweet spots shed needs to. i mean it is 12 years. no one sings the same over that course of time. although those "ah ah"s sort of annoy me at the end.

Her voice was rich, full, and buttery in the '98 performance... it's thin and shrieky in the '11 one. Her upper range has deteriorated further. She's very pitchy and off key so much these days. Overall, her instrument just sounds degraded and broken down after decades of abuse. I think it's the relentless touring that has taken it's toll.

[johnnystorms]

Originally Posted by APerfectLie

To me her voice just seems shaky at some points, and like she has trouble keeping up with the pace. Her voice itself isn't awful, but she doesn't use it like she used to.

somewhat... the pacing could just be nerves. listening to the sizzle reel, she seems to have re-captured that wistful vulnerability, especially in Moonlight and Wide Sargasso Sea. withholding judgement on Italian Summer because it sounds very "produced". but i do love the end of it. we'll see soon enough.
she's not going to do a 2hr. concert and nail every performance. but i've seen her on every tour since '87 and she consistently entertains and pleases her audience.

[AnthonyMI]

I was at the first show of the the tour. Front Row. Sigh. That was the best. And Yes, she was the OLD stevie on that tour. Stevie is getting older too!

[AnthonyMI]

p.s. She was actually 49 in this video. She turned 50 like the night before The opening show. The audience sang Happy BIrthday to her that night!

[Hawkeye]

you picked the worst Stand Back ever to compare the Leno performance to. Post Leno and the recent MSG performance, and I think the ":deteriation" is much less noticable. Still there but much lesss and really 49 VS. 62

[Spoinny]

I don't think the difference in her voice is all that much different. Get a video from 1977 and compare with a video from 1986, now THEN you'll see the difference!

[AnthonyMI]

something I did notice is her make up was MUCH better in 1998. Her eyes are the most notable. Gravity and botox also has had its effect. BUT I mean, really people... my Grandma LOOKED like a grandma at 63. Stevie looked 38 when she was 49 and looks (botoxed) 49 when she is 63. In another 13 years when she is 76 and hopefully retired we will be WISHING she looked and sounded as good as she did when we was 63. Who knows, she might even be dead in 13 years! Look what happened to Mary Travers! She died at 73!

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

Her voice was rich, full, and buttery in the '98 performance... it's thin and shrieky in the '11 one. Her upper range has deteriorated further. She's very pitchy and off key so much these days. Overall, her instrument just sounds degraded and broken down after decades of abuse. I think it's the relentless touring that has taken it's toll.

"Nothing Ever Changes" - It goes without saying, but still worth mentioning - people/fans have been saying this same exact thing - record/tour after subsequent record/tour - since 75' all the way up until today, and most likely till Stevie stops recording and touring. The only consistent thing on which one can count on is Stevie's instrument will always change and evolve. It keeps things interesting and controversial that for sure.

[ragrsrocalot]

Originally Posted by fringed n fab

Oh the Enchanted era and tour were awesome!

Yes it was.

[APerfectLie]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

you picked the worst Stand Back ever to compare the Leno performance to. Post Leno and the recent MSG performance, and I think the ":deteriation" is much less noticable. Still there but much lesss and really 49 VS. 62

Well I didn't go find the worst one on purpose, I picked the most recent televised performance shes done. It isn't my fault she decided to pull her worst performance out that day. But I agree, Stand Back seems to spund better at these recent shows.

[lvhlive!]

I think it's hard to pinpoint exactly what goes on with Stevie's voice with each tour.. if you listen to The Dance, it's perfect - sultry, but not strained, then The Dance tour something happened and she became EXTREMELY raspy and sheep-like.. some of her Stand Backs I have of that tour are really poor quality vocals. Then comes the Enchanted tour and she was really back on form, even late in the tour. THEN came TISL and on that tour I have some really weak vocal mp3s both pre and post 9/11, so I don't think 9/11 can be blamed. She said at that time she was working with a vocal coach just like during the Enchanted era, so why so weak? Then comes SYW and since then her voice has been stronger than TISL but less nuanced.

Enigma! Though I think it's safe to say her voice will never get MORE nuanced from now on - a good reason to try out some other songs that suit that - Gold and Braid & Whole Lotta Trouble come to mind! I've never understood the "I'll never get to do these songs again" bull**** from the 1998 shows. WHY NOT!

[jrpjr]

listen..i love stevie to death...unconditionally...but lets face it..if she went on american idol to audition...as an unknown...she wouldnt make it beyond the first round...i would still listen to her sing if she had a tracheotomy...she has beem there for me for 36+ yrs and has never truely let me down...just saw her the other night in boston...she can barely sing anymore...she doesnt move from the mike at all..and sometimes she even sings a line or 2 likeshes bored...but i didnt blimk my eyes and during her high moments..she was having a blast