Lady

[TxEpiscopalian]

I must say when I initially heard the snippet I was unimpressed. Certain parts were definitely strained and not on "point", but after having given the total song a few listens I think its definitely grown on me. Its a bit slow to start but the strength each recitation of the chorus gives is haunting and powerful. I think the rawness and not directly on pitch in certain points gives it authenticity and underscores the pain of the song.

I hope this is the case with Star Shine and I don't care which are my least favorite snippets so far.

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

well someone badgered Richard Dashut into listening to Lady and giving his opinion.

He thinks it's about a minute too long and under-produced; needs some Lindsey guitars and a bunch of backing vocals.

Well it's a good thing he's not involved then, isn't it?

[TxEpiscopalian]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

well someone badgered Richard Dashut into listening to Lady and giving his opinion.

He thinks it's about a minute too long and under-produced; needs some Lindsey guitars and a bunch of backing vocals.

At first when someone said it seemed like he was posting to try and get back in Lindsey's good graces I thought the notion was absurd......But after his take on Lady I am thinking it is the case lol

[Jondalar]

I like all the Europeans and Aussies and New Zealanders on this site. It's getting some flavor.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by TxEpiscopalian

At first when someone said it seemed like he was posting to try and get back in Lindsey's good graces I thought the notion was absurd......But after his take on Lady I am thinking it is the case lol

I agree that the song is too long.

But guitars, backing vocals?? Nooooo. He clearly misses the point. The appeal of the demos was the intimacy of the production-- just Stevie and the piano. What he sees as under-produced I see as just right, on this song.

[Johnny Stew]

One of Fleetwood Mac's most enduring, beloved songs -- and one from Richard's time with the band, no less -- spotlights Christine's voice and her piano. That alone should be a strong reminder to Richard that sometimes less is more.

How he can think that "Lady" needs guitar, backing vocals and more production is beyond me. It's gorgeous in its simplicity. That piano and Stevie's voice are the be-all and end-all for those 5 minutes.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

well someone badgered Richard Dashut into listening to Lady and giving his opinion.

He thinks it's about a minute too long and under-produced; needs some Lindsey guitars and a bunch of backing vocals.

I have to agree with Richard on one count- the song is definitely about a minute too long. The lyrics are very repetitive and drag on & the song would have a bigger impact (IMO) if it were shorter.

I couldn't disagree more regarding a more elaborate style of production, though. It took some serious guts for Stevie to release something this raw & flawed, and I'm honestly very proud of her for taking that risk. I think if this song were more lushly produced, it might come across as disingenuous. Lady will never be a favorite of mine, and I probably will never listen to it on the album, but I'm grateful to have it. It's a huge statement about who Stevie is right now, it's a clear snapshot of her unfiltered talent.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

One of Fleetwood Mac's most enduring, beloved songs -- and one from Richard's time with the band, no less -- spotlights Christine's voice and her piano. That alone should be a strong reminder to Richard that sometimes less is more.

How he can think that "Lady" needs guitar, backing vocals and more production is beyond me. It's gorgeous in its simplicity. That piano and Stevie's voice are the be-all and end-all for those 5 minutes.

Exactly... this is Stevie's Songbird. I do wish Lady had a bit of the atmosphere Songbird did, though. The theater Songbird was recorded in provided that fullness of sound Lady is missing. Extra instrumentation or vocals would ruin the song, though.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I have to agree with Richard on one count- the song is definitely about a minute too long. The lyrics are very repetitive and drag on & the song would have a bigger impact (IMO) if it were shorter.

I couldn't disagree more regarding a more elaborate style of production, though. It took some serious guts for Stevie to release something this raw & flawed, and I'm honestly very proud of her for taking that risk. I think if this song were more lushly produced, it might come across as disingenuous. Lady will never be a favorite of mine, and I probably will never listen to it on the album, but I'm grateful to have it. It's a huge statement about who Stevie is right now, it's a clear snapshot of her unfiltered talent.

Well Moonlight, Italian Summer, ghosts are gone, and Annabelle were all too long. She has a real problem with that.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

Well Moonlight, Italian Summer, ghosts are gone, and Annabelle were all too long. She has a real problem with that.

Yes, I am a firm believer that Stevie benefits from a good editor.

[sorcerer999]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

Yes, I am a firm believer that Stevie benefits from a good editor.

I agree wholeheartedly! Looking at the running times for some of these new songs, both "Lady" and "If You Were My Love" are about 5 mins and "I Don't Care" clocks in at over 6 minutes!

And yet you have songs like "Blue Water" at 4:46 and "24 Karat Gold" at 4:09 which, in demo form, clock in at nearly 6 and a half to 7 mins each. I think it bodes well that the two of those tracks were scaled back.

But back to "Lady"...still adore it even if it does run too long!

[Johnny Stew]

If they were going for radio play with "Lady," then I would say that, yes, it does need to be edited down. However, for album tracks, I don't feel that it -- or any of the four songs Jondalar mentioned -- is too long.

Of course, I have to admit that I'm partial to long, epic-length songs. Even if sections are repeated.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

If they were going for radio play with "Lady," then I would say that, yes, it does need to be edited down. However, for album tracks, I don't feel that it -- or any of the four songs Jondalar mentioned -- is too long.

Of course, I have to admit that I'm partial to long, epic-length songs. Even if sections are repeated.

well, but it is the single, right? do they think it'll get played on radio this long? I think for radio (if anyone actually got played on radio anymore) it should stop at 3:11 (1:45 shorter!! eeks) Or cut out one of the repetitions at the end and just get to that nice build up and ending sooner.

[HoursAndHours]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

If they were going for radio play with "Lady," then I would say that, yes, it does need to be edited down. However, for album tracks, I don't feel that it -- or any of the four songs Jondalar mentioned -- is too long.

Of course, I have to admit that I'm partial to long, epic-length songs. Even if sections are repeated.

^^This, completely. Sure, chop it up for radio, but leave the album cut for something closer to the artist's vision. I think Lady could maybe have benefited from a more complex piano piece in the middle, and in that context, it probably isn't long enough. But it's really, really good the way it is, so that's more of a "what I would have done if it were my song" conjecture than a complaint of any kind.

[WildHearted]

The current radio success "recipe" is that the song is around 3 minutes, and the chorus comes in around 30 seconds.