Grade the Dealer

[jbrownsjr]

I really liked it. I gave it a B+ overall. Some shaky vocal places... but Stevie is still hanging in there with her voice. And........... she is marketable.. kudos..

[mylittledemon]

I'm giving it a "D"... it's passable. Barely.

And in my opinion I don't think it's mixed very well either.

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I'm giving it a "D"... it's passable. Barely.

And in my opinion I don't think it's mixed very well either.

I listened to it on very crappy speakers. What about the mix don't you like?.. (so when I get it, I can listen for your notes. I'm a nerd. lol

[fairydust75]

I like it ....I'm thinking that the album will remain as true to the demo's as possible. I mean, isn't that what we "diehards" want. I love Waddy's guitar, Benmont should be playing those keyes! The girls are there, wouldn't have minded if they were more in the mix...
Overall, B, I can't wait to hear the rest.

[BombaySapphire3]

Wow I'm really glad I have no musical talents or knowledge of recording to speak of..It might really spoil the enjoyment of a good , well played and decently sung track.

[Phil]

Originally posted by BombaySapphire3

Wow I'm really glad I have no musical talents or knowledge of recording to speak of..It might really spoil the enjoyment of a good , well played and decently sung track.

I know what you mean. It would seem everyone's an expert these days...

Jesus people, just lighten up and either enjoy the music or not, but please desist with the microscopic dissection.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

Wow I'm really glad I have no musical talents or knowledge of recording to speak of..It might really spoil the enjoyment of a good , well played and decently sung track.

Originally Posted by Phil

Originally posted by BombaySapphire3



I know what you mean. It would seem everyone's an expert these days...

Jesus people, just lighten up and either enjoy the music or not, but please desist with the microscopic dissection.

If discussing, examining, & debating the music is off the table, exactly what are we supposed to do around here? Discussing Stevie's nearly hairless dog, Christine's spray tan job, & Kristin Buckingham's design "tastes" are far less relevant.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

If discussing, examining, & debating the music is off the table, exactly what are we supposed to do around here? Discussing Stevie's nearly hairless dog, Christine's spray tan job, & Kristin Buckingham's design "tastes" are far less relevant.

Pshaw. Kristin's strewn pears are more relevant than anything.

Michele

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Phil

Jesus people, just lighten up and either enjoy the music or not, but please desist with the microscopic dissection.

I think dissection is good. I have no musical ability, but I admire people who can specify why they dislike something and it causes me to respect their opinion more, even if I disagree with it.

Those that just throw an unfounded opinion out there are easier to discount.

Michele

[blinker12]

I'm giving it an A. I love the songwriting (it's always been one of my favorite demos). What about that lyric "I'll just almost hold you / You'll just almost stay"? That is heartbreakingly brilliant! Musically, I love the blue-note chord toward the end of the chorus -- very unusual for a Stevie song.
I also love the production and arrangement of this version. For the first time since The Dance, the production doesn't sound like it's trying REALLY HARD to make her sound "current." It's real, and I think that's part of why the more general audience seems excited by it. That classic rootsy sound.
I still don't like that "and myyyy wiiiiine" screech, but otherwise the vocal has grown on me, especially warming up (as others have noted) in the second half.
That's a minor quibble though. I'm already listening to this more than any other Stevie single since I started being a fan in 1990!

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by blinker12

What about that lyric "I'll just almost hold you / You'll just almost stay"?

Indeed. That one review singled this line out as being immature, but actually it's one of those that has made the favorite lyric list for years. What's a better way to describe the heartbreak of love you can only possess fleetingly?

Michele

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Pshaw. Kristin's strewn pears are more relevant than anything.

Michele

off topic but after that initial flurry of coverage, we really haven't seen/heard much from Mrs. Buckingham have we?

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

Wow I'm really glad I have no musical talents or knowledge of recording to speak of..It might really spoil the enjoyment of a good , well played and decently sung track.

Let me know when you hear a track that suits your description, then.

[StreetAngel86]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Indeed. That one review singled this line out as being immature, but actually it's one of those that has made the favorite lyric list for years. What's a better way to describe the heartbreak of love you can only possess fleetingly?

Michele

i love that line
it's SO sad

i'll only ALMOST hold you ... not properly and not forever.
you give a bit of yourself to me and that's enough
i'll pretend you're here to stay
but i know you're not

[shackin'up]

I have nothing against Stevie's voice on this one: it's honest, dry and direct. It's pure and vulnerable. My biggest criticism is based on the incredible predictable and boring instrumentation and arrangement. It's bland and idealess. No unexpected drumbreak, or counterlines on guitar or keys. Only bass scores a little. No, the song has so much possibilities that are unused. Listen to Tom Petty's new album and one knows how vintage songwriting has to be produced in 2014. C, Thanks to the beautiful insecurities in her voice, otherwise it would have been D or worse.