I bought Street Angel! - Page 2

amber · #16 01-21-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moony

Ok Ok I admit, Kick It is not bad. And actually, I kind of like Greta & Jane

Other than that...UGH.

And I'll use

whenever I please..cause I am one.

ok! *Blasphemer*

Aha! you admitted Kick It is not bad!

It's ok, when you never visit, i'll never put that on....

blinker12 · #17 01-21-2005, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepoetinmyhear

Not to hijack this thread, but along the lines of stripped down enchanted versions vs. album versions: does anyone know the story? I remember reading somewhere that stevie-on-klonopin heard the album with the final mixes, then managed to get off klonopin and hated the final mixes, she had them remixed and taken into further production (hence why she gets production credit on the album). Is there truth to this? Are the enchanted versions the original mixes?

OK, here's the whole Street Angel saga. I think it's been reported here several times before, but it bears repeating because it's so interesting. Most of this info comes from a 1994 radio interview Stevie did six months or so after Street Angel was released. In the interview she basically disowned the album.

The original producer on Street Angel was Glyn Johns; he began working on the project in 1992. He had a specific vision for the album. He wanted it to have an acoustic/country sound and told Stevie that her old friend Waddy Wachtel would NOT be coming in to play on the sessions. Struck speechless and still in her Klonopin haze, Stevie went along with his plan but hated the results she heard. There was little percussion and not much electric guitar. (I've always assumed "Inspiration" and "God's Garden," country-ish songs that didn't end up on the final album, give a real window into Johns' approach.)

He finished the album and returned to his native England. Two months later, Stevie went back into the studio for eight weeks (presumably with Thom Panunzio), this time with Waddy, Mike Campbell and Peter Michael (percussion) in tow. They added more guitars and remixed everything.

She was unhappy with her vocals, too, but left them mostly untouched. The time had come simply to give up and let the album go.

I'm pretty sure this was all before she kicked Klonopin. Her opinion of the album seems to have plummeted even further after rehab, though.

As for where the "Enchanted" mixes come from, I don't know. Maybe those songs were remixed specifically for the boxed set. Anyone?

Hawkeye · #18 01-22-2005, 12:12 AM

What's everyone prob wth Stevie singing about a freaking Chimpanzee. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I really like Jane, but LOVE Kick It, Docklands, Blue Denim, Street Angel, Love Is LIke a River and Just Like a Woman. The only song I hate is Unconditional Love.

dissention · #19 01-22-2005, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moony

Do yourself a favor and throw it in the trash.

Amen.

It's depressing to listen to, IMO. She just didn't give a damn and it showed.

gldstwmn · #20 01-22-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinker12

The original producer on the album (not Panunzio but I can't remember who it was)

I think it was Glyn Johns.

dissention · #21 01-22-2005, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinker12

Then she kicked Klonopin, went back to the studio and was horrified by her vocals. She re-recorded some, but not as many as she wanted. Still not pleased with the album, she finally decided to stop tinkering and "let it go."

From what Stevie has said, she didn't redo any of the vocals. She gave an interview where she said that she messed with everything else, but completely ignored the awful vocals.

amber · #22 01-22-2005, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Amen.

It's depressing to listen to, IMO. She just didn't give a damn and it showed.

I disagree. I really don't think it's too terrible. I think there's salvageable material there. But then, I don't love Bella Donna, so what do I know?

(there are exceptions. EO17 is fav. as is SDMHA. plus the one line where she goes "belladonna" in that low voice...)
This is me, fighting the powers of....NEGATOR!

blinker12 · #23 01-22-2005, 12:23 AM

Hey everyone, I found a transcript of the '94 radio interview where she talks about the album and edited my last post with the correct info.

Johnny Stew · #24 01-22-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

It's depressing to listen to, IMO. She just didn't give a damn and it showed.

I don't think she necessarily "didn't give a damn"... I think she cared as much as she COULD care about anything during that period of time. It just didn't match her level of commitment prior to that or in the years since.

And it's funny, because I don't find that album or any of her material from that era to be depressing, because I think it's a great example of the human spirit pushing forth through adversity. You know what I mean?
I can almost hear in her voice that she's TRYING to get back to what she used to be. She's struggling in places, but there's still that glimmer of "The Stevie Of Old," who's scratching and clawing her way back.

Anyway... that's not a "defense of Stevie," it's just what I come away from the songs with.

dissention · #25 01-22-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

I disagree. I really don't think it's too terrible. I think there's salvageable material there. But then, I don't love Bella Donna, so what do I know?

(there are exceptions. EO17 is fav. as is SDMHA. plus the one line where she goes "belladonna" in that low voice...)
This is me, fighting the powers of....NEGATOR!

The lack of passion or conviction that she puts into that train-wreck of an album is what ruins it for me. The material itself is awful at best (most of it was either written by someone else or pilfered from the RAL sessions), but if there was any emotion or power put into some of it, it would be tolerable. But as is? Bloody awful, IMO. She just sounds like she doesn't give a fiddler's fig. If Stevie Nicks can't sell the lines she's singing, she's not Stevie Nicks to me. And that is why I don't listen to it: it's not Stevie.

Just my opinion.

dissention · #26 01-22-2005, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

I don't think she necessarily "didn't give a damn"... I think she cared as much as she COULD care about anything during that period of time. It just didn't match her level of commitment prior to that or in the years since.

And it's funny, because I don't find that album or any of her material from that era to be depressing, because I think it's a great example of the human spirit pushing forth through adversity. You know what I mean?
I can almost hear in her voice that she's TRYING to get back to what she used to be. She's struggling in places, but there's still that glimmer of "The Stevie Of Old," who's scratching and clawing her way back.

Anyway... that's not a "defense of Stevie," it's just what I come away from the songs with.

Honestly, no, I don't know what you mean. That album epitomizes depression and a lack of interest for me. It is uncreative, boring, stiff, and a mess of bad production, writing, and singing. Her life sucked at that point and her music showed it. I've no use for it and take comfort in the fact that I'm not the only who dislikes it, Stevie herself does, too.

I don't expect anyone to agree with me, but that's how I've felt since I was 14. As much of a fan of hers that I am, Street Angel is, without a doubt, one of the worst records I've ever heard in my life.

amber · #27 01-22-2005, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

The lack of passion or conviction that she puts into that train-wreck of an album is what ruins it for me. The material itself is awful at best (most of it was either written by someone else or pilfered from the RAL sessions), but if there was any emotion or power put into some of it, it would be tolerable. But as is? Bloody awful, IMO. She just sounds like she doesn't give a fiddler's fig. If Stevie Nicks can't sell the lines she's singing, she's not Stevie Nicks to me. And that is why I don't listen to it: it's not Stevie.

Just my opinion.

I don't think the songs turned out that bad.

I didn't know the whole backstory before i listened. I know you hate it though, i just don't think it turned out that bad.

and TBH, I can't believe you can't find anything redeamable (sp) on that album. But perhaps that's why you're the superhero that you are...

I find a lot of conviction in Kick It, and a few other songs.
But so be it. At least you bought it...

Johnny Stew · #28 01-22-2005, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

Honestly, no, I don't know what you mean. That album epitomizes depression and a lack of interest for me. It is uncreative, boring, stiff, and a mess of bad production, writing, and singing. Her life sucked at that point and her music showed it. I've no use for it and take comfort in the fact that I'm not the only who dislikes it, Stevie herself does, too.

Stevie hates that album because she hates that period of her life. That's understandable.
But I still think she's wrong to distance herself so far from it... it's not the horrible train wreck of an album you and so many other people make it out to be. It's an album of rather subdued, "no frills" songs, which are ultimately beautiful. And, at times I find it to be quite inspired.
To me, at least.

But, as with anything "Stevie," I'd never expect everyone to love it or appreciate it, because it's all a matter of taste.

I'm listening to it now, as a matter of fact, and enjoying it immensely... as usual.