Stevie's Mirage submissions

[drzubritsky]

Originally Posted by Bandon

At the time, Gypsy was the first song from a recorded album when Stevie presented her "alto voice." After all these years, her voice does not seem so "alto" on Gypsy, but it did back then.

Yeah, for anyone who thinks Straight Back is bland, check out the extended version. I always loved that.

Yes, there were hints of that alto in parts of "Angel" and "Sisters Of The Moon" but "Gypsy" was the first song where she really let her lower range shine. And that low register has never sounded as good before or since as it did on Mirage. Imagine "FWIW" or "Destiny Rules" being sung in that "Gypsy" voice!

[GoldDustWoman22]

OK one question. I've been reading about how Stevie debuted her alto voice on Gypsy. But wasn't she always kind of more in the lower register? I mean even from Buckingham Nicks she always had that deep sound to her voice. And granted she did sing in a higher register on some early FM albums but I never would have necessarily considered her a soprano. More of a mezzo alto...I think that's an actual register ?

[LilyRose]

Originally Posted by GoldDustWoman22

OK one question. I've been reading about how Stevie debuted her alto voice on Gypsy. But wasn't she always kind of more in the lower register? I mean even from Buckingham Nicks she always had that deep sound to her voice. And granted she did sing in a higher register on some early FM albums but I never would have necessarily considered her a soprano. More of a mezzo alto...I think that's an actual register ?

As far as I can tell Stevie's always been an alto.

[Bandon]

Originally Posted by GoldDustWoman22

OK one question. I've been reading about how Stevie debuted her alto voice on Gypsy. But wasn't she always kind of more in the lower register? I mean even from Buckingham Nicks she always had that deep sound to her voice. And granted she did sing in a higher register on some early FM albums but I never would have necessarily considered her a soprano. More of a mezzo alto...I think that's an actual register ?

Even Stevie has stated on numerous occasions that her voice changed during the late 70's. In concert her voice was very different than the voice people heard on the studio LP's and singles after Rumours. The term "alto" may be inaccurate, but my point was she sang "Gypsy" in a much lower register than on her previous recordings.

[GoldDustWoman22]

Originally Posted by Bandon

Even Stevie has stated on numerous occasions that her voice changed during the late 70's. In concert her voice was very different than the voice people heard on the studio LP's and singles after Rumours. The term "alto" may be inaccurate, but my point was she sang "Gypsy" in a much lower register than on her previous recordings.

Yea I definitely did notice that. I was just curious to see what she might have defined herself as. I do know her voice changed...from doing too many Rhiannon's maybe? While I'm glad that a lot of people got to see FM live in the late 70s early 80s I feel like that may have done the most damage to her vocal chords for that time period. Even in that famous video clip of her singing in "Dreams" in 1978 I think it was she does have deeper sound than the one on the record, and you can tell that she is trying to make her voice go higher. So I'm wondering if maybe all the touring and her not being a trained singer might have affected her voice at that time. Because even her speaking voice in the Tusk era sounds really weak. Only to have everything come back 100% during Bella Donna.

[SaidSomething]

The rough crappy version was for Mirage and then offered to Tango. Neat vibe and spooky sound...some intense lyrics but, work was needed...ie...Tradgedy Of Ones Own Soul...neat idea, interesting work in progress...but, like an almost stoner poetry reading, avante garde style set to a sax...

Cool poety...then a line of run on sentences ..."then something in the mail comes and she gets driven into shock..." huh?

The better Joan of Arc demo was cut for Tango...
Jim

[GoldDustWoman22]

Has anyone ever noticed that "Straight Back" almost sounds like it could come right off of "Bella Donna"? I know that these albums were made back to back but to me, that song sounds like it could've been an outtake from the "Bella Donna" sessions. Just the melody and the way it is kind of spooky and has that haunted sound. Anyone else get that vibe?

[SaidSomething]

Originally Posted by Bandon

At the time, Gypsy was the first song from a recorded album when Stevie presented her "alto voice." After all these years, her voice does not seem so "alto" on Gypsy, but it did back then.

Yeah, for anyone who thinks Straight Back is bland, check out the extended version. I always loved that.

Youre right about her album vocals....except for the original Landslide from the white album.

I also heard they sped up her vocal tracks and set the music around them. It was high tech for the day....sometimes calling the method, "chipmunking" as it brings the sound of the voice to a higher pitch. So, it was subtle as possible but, noticeable on Rhiannon, Dreams, Seven Wonders...

Plus she admitted to singing with her throat chords instead of properly using her lower vocal chords.

[Stevieforever]

I didn't get the 4 songs Maria posted in time, the 3 "Smile At You"s, and the extended "Straight Back". If anyone has these, could you please post again or renew the link? Thank you sooooooo much if you can!!

[Travisevian]

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

If Nothing Ever Changes was written around then, it would have fit, too....or Sable On Blond

I had never thought of Sable On Blond for Mirage but it could've been great for Fleetwood Mac.

[justdreamin]

Originally Posted by Stevieforever

I didn't get the 4 songs Maria posted in time, the 3 "Smile At You"s, and the extended "Straight Back". If anyone has these, could you please post again or renew the link? Thank you sooooooo much if you can!!

Can I second that request? Thank you kindly!!!!