Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, and the Common Denominator

[Scarlett DuBois]

I figured this post would probably get more interesting responses on the band page than the Nicks solo page, as I think there would probably be more actual musicians on this one. Also, nothing personal against Stevie, but I want nothing to do with her voice after say, 1982. Seriously. I mean, love the gal, but let's draw limits. I'm not a fanatic.

So, I've got a pretty sharp ear for detail in music, particularly vocals, and I can't help but feel I've noticed something interesting. Now bear with me here, and keep an open mind.

I reccommend to see what I mean, you check out some Jackie DeShannon demos: some particularly good, spare examples with very clear, high-mixed vocals are her acoustic demo of "Don't Doubt Yourself, Babe", her demo of "Dream Boy" with Jimmy Paige, and an obscure demo from 1971 called "Now That The Desert Is Blooming". I also reccommend her excellent song, "Should I Cry".

NOW. Check out some of Stevie's early vocals - not on the Rumours album, I mean, I love that album, like I love the Beach Boys, but in the same way, it is polished into something otherworldly. Check out maybe "Crying In The Night" from Buckingham Nicks, or a Fleetwood Mac live version of Frozen Love to see what I mean. Stevie's early scratchiness. That adorable throatiness. even her live backing vocals on Chris's "Over my head" is a good example.

Now, go back to DeShannon, and then go check out Blondie's song "Accidents Never Happen". An awesome song, by the way.

Now, this may sound crazy, but I can't help but notice that Stevie Nicks and Debbie Harry both, at moments, sound REMARKABLY like Jackie DeShannon. I really don't think I'm imagining this, folks.

Interesting, huh?

[David]

Scarlett, I'd love to respond to your post because you say such interesting things in a literate way, but I'm just not familiar enough with these singers.

My old friend Brian used to say that Stevie Nicks vocalizing used to remind him of ... Melanie? I guess because of that stridency in the dynamics (the louder these singers get, the harsher their timbre) and a sort of gin-soaked countryish quality, too. There's also a casual, toss-off quality to ad-libs that you might find in both singers—they step back and let their projection curlicue every which way, they don't "regulate" their vibrato.

And remember Stephen Holden's video case notes for the Mirage concert video?

[egg cream]

Originally Posted by David

And remember Stephen Holden's video case notes for the Mirage concert video?

I certainly don't.

[UndoingTheLaces]

I don't know any of Jackie DeShannon's work so I can't compare but going along the lines of this thread I was watching a really early performance of Rhiannon and it struck me that Stevie really made me think of Grace Slick. Not in vocal style, obviously, but in her whole demeanor and dress. I wonder what a hugely different direction she would have taken had Buckingham Nicks taken off and she could do her thing without the restraints of Fleetwood Mac. I think the other fireflies kept her grounded enough so that when it came time for Belladonna she was ready to burst with creative energy but was seasoned enough to keep it contained. She could have burned out early if she had been left to her own devises.

[BombaySapphire3]

As far as stage presence and performance there is no question that Stevie was influenced by Slick as well as Joplin..in a rock context there were really not many other female precursors to her at that point in time.She never mentioned Melanie Safka but had to have been aware of her as well.

[Scarlett DuBois]

Yeah, I actually think Stevie probably took a lot more from Grace than Janis. However much Stevie may praise Janis, she does very little Joplin type stuff - Janis did a lot of endless ranting in a very bluesy way - a lot of talk-singing, a lot of hammering on one note. Grace was much more likely to get moody and toy with the phrasing. Grace and Stevie don't STOP the song - they just get a step ahead or behind the beat as they please, and toy with it in a jazzy sort of way. Janis just RANTED.

I DO agree Stevie sounds quite a bit like Melanie. That's probably not any conscious influence, as just genetics - a person's vibrato has a lot more to do with the structure of their vocal cords than any conscious plan.

Still say Stevie and Debbie Harry both sound QUITE a lot like Jackie DeShannon at moments though. Probably just a coincidence, but an interesting one.