Grace Slick vs Ms Nicks.

goldustsongbird · #1 01-13-2006, 05:23 PM

I got a copy of the Jefferson Airplane bio "Got a Revolution!", by Jeff Tamarkin last night, and of course, you know the first thing I did was check the index for any mention of Stevie or the Mac. They weren't listed, but I did come across this quote by David Crosby about Grace's onstage presence:

When they got Grace in the band, that was just beyond belief. She was stunning. She had a power and intensity onstage that Stevie Nicks should only ever dream she could get. With Marty she was like a bullfighter with a bull. She would circle him and dart at him and pull from him and electrify him and touch him with bare wire. And Marty rose to the occasion

I don't know what year that was in, but what do you think? I've always thought Grace kicked serious ass, onstage and off, and she is captivating, but not in the same way as Stevie. Actually, I couldn't even imagine her doing anything like that-- she would probably rather gouge her eyes out with one of those "Jefferson Airplane Loves You!" pins, than twirl around in a shawl and boots.

Thoughts?

cliffdweller · #2 01-13-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldustsongbird

I don't know what year that was in, but what do you think? I've always thought Grace kicked serious ass, onstage and off, and she is captivating, but not in the same way as Stevie. Actually, I couldn't even imagine her doing anything like that-- she would probably rather gouge her eyes out with one of those "Jefferson Airplane Loves You!" pins, than twirl around in a shawl and boots.

Thoughts?

Pffft! Exactly. I love Grace Slick. She's crazier than bat**** but I think that's why I love her. She's alright in my book. She's one of my favorite female vocalists ever.

dissention · #3 01-13-2006, 05:31 PM

I find it accurate. Grace Slick is unparalleled when compared to other "female rockers" if you ask me (actually, I think she's on par with Joplin). I've got tons of old Airplane bootlegs and she's absolutely ****ing riveting based on that voice alone. She grabs you by the balls and roughs you up. Some of that old footage of Grace is beyond words. One major difference between the two is that Stevie was very feminine in practically every aspect, Grace was not and that led to very different performances.

DavidMn · #4 01-13-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I find it accurate. Grace Slick is unparalleled when compared to other "female rockers" if you ask me (actually, I think she's on par with Joplin). I've got tons of old Airplane bootlegs and she's absolutely ****ing riveting based on that voice alone. She grabs you by the balls and roughs you up. Some of that old footage of Grace is beyond words. One major difference between the two is that Stevie was very feminine in practically every aspect, Grace was not and that led to very different performances.

I've never seen some of thses old performances.Based on your opininon, it might not be a bad idea for me to do so.

JazmenFlowers · #5 01-13-2006, 05:36 PM

I don't think the 2 should really be compared. I'm not familiar enough with Grace Slick to really even add my 2 cents, but from what I have seen of Grace, I'm not really impressed with and I mean that with humility and love.

No, honestly though, I like Stevie because her music and lyrics connect with me and her voice is so moving. The little I have heard of Grace sounds like nails on a chalkboard. Maybe I need to educate myself in the world of Graceland...

And I agree with Diss, that Stevie is kind of like Cinderella (the emotional, ultra-fem) and Grace is more a step-sister (skoal-chewing, man fighting).

ok, maybe I took liberty with his comments...so, sue me

oh, and by the way, no one, I don't give a damn, will ever have more intensity and power than Stevie during her Rhiannon and Gold Dust Woman heydays - what does David Crosby know anyway? Well, you know what, I won't go there...

goldustsongbird · #6 01-13-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

Pffft! Exactly. I love Grace Slick. She's crazier than bat**** but I think that's why I love her. She's alright in my book. She's one of my favorite female vocalists ever.

Yeah, she's one crazy mofo, that Grace. Me love her long time.

jannieC · #7 01-13-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

One major difference between the two is that Stevie was very feminine in practically every aspect, Grace was not and that led to very different performances.

I absolutely agree with this.

I have never even thought to compare the two though, because to me the music is so different. Personally, I don't like as many Jefferson Airplane songs as I do Fleetwood Mac or Stevie songs, but that's just me.

cliffdweller · #8 01-13-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

what does David Crosby know anyway? Well, you know what, I won't go there...

Nothing. But Grace WAS intense, make no mistake about that. Stevie was intense too but she didn't have the crazy-stink-eye like Grace

. Grace was scary intense, kinda like she might cut you in a dark alley if the mood struck her

.

goldustsongbird · #9 01-13-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I find it accurate. Grace Slick is unparalleled when compared to other "female rockers" if you ask me (actually, I think she's on par with Joplin). I've got tons of old Airplane bootlegs and she's absolutely ****ing riveting based on that voice alone. She grabs you by the balls and roughs you up. Some of that old footage of Grace is beyond words. One major difference between the two is that Stevie was very feminine in practically every aspect, Grace was not and that led to very different performances.

I don't know if they could really be compared fairly, Stevie and Grace. They have different dynamics... I'd put her up tere with Janis, too. I love the strength behind her voice. Stevie's got the voice, but she's so much more airy-fairy than Grace. That's one thing I've always liked about Grace, she doesn't take **** from anyone.

JA boots, eh? I'm drooling.

dissention · #10 01-13-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

Maybe I need to educate myself in the world of Graceland...

A good CD for her stuff is "The Best of Grace Slick" if you haven't heard a whole lot of it. It doesn't include the stuff I would have included on it, but it's a good starting point. Based on studio tracks alone, Stevie's never recorded anything as intensely brutal and vocally filthy as Grace did with "Wrecking Ball." The song's not her greatest, but christ, what a performance.

DavidMn · #11 01-13-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

A good CD for her stuff is "The Best of Grace Slick" if you haven't heard a whole lot of it. It doesn't include the stuff I would have included on it, but it's a good starting point. Based on studio tracks alone, Stevie's never recorded anything as intensely brutal and vocally filthy as Grace did with "Wrecking Ball." The song's not her greatest, but christ, what a performance.

I'm guessing there are some sexual references in it?

goldustsongbird · #12 01-13-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

No, honestly though, I like Stevie because her music and lyrics connect with me and her voice is so moving. The little I have heard of Grace sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

I was thinking about that as I read it. I've never heard Grace once sing a song that made me go, "Oh, wow, that's so beautifully poetic!" Not that that's a bad thing. It's just not her style. I think she's got a strong voice, though. I think that's evident in nearly every song.

BombaySapphire3 · #13 01-13-2006, 05:50 PM

I've never seen Grace on stage her, prime was before I was old enough to go to shows.I do believe she had a great stage presence more riveting than Nicks in her prime which I have seen ?

I'm not in a position to judge.I do think out of all the women in rock she was more a direct precursor to Nicks than Joplin was .She even wore very witchy looking clothes and capes on occasion as well.Vocally, as one critic back in the the day put it both women had unique voices and 'sounded like some deep sea creature".As far as songwriting goes I'd have to give it to Nicks ,even Grace's 2 big Summer of Love hits weren't penned by her alone.Stevie had more of a sense for hooks and melody and was consistent for far longer.I do love Grace though and her like will never be seem again.

dissention · #14 01-13-2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldustsongbird

I don't know if they could really be compared fairly, Stevie and Grace. They have different dynamics...

True. They're both very different animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldustsongbird

I'd put her up tere with Janis, too. I love the strength behind her voice. Stevie's got the voice, but she's so much more airy-fairy than Grace. That's one thing I've always liked about Grace, she doesn't **** from anyone.

You should see the Dick Cavett DVD set that came out over the summer. Grace doesn't care that she's on TV and shouts "Up against the wall, mother****ers!!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldustsongbird

JA boots, eh? I'm drooling.

Can you download from Dime? They usually have some really great stuff on there. The old versions of "Somebody To Love" were spectacular. Each one was so different from the last.

jadegypsy · #15 01-13-2006, 05:56 PM

Well comparing them is a bit like comparing apples and oranges, they are so very different. But voice wise I'd say Grace hits and holds some notes that Stevie never will (not necessairly high notes...) Sorry guys but hearing her belt out Somebody to Love Live is pretty awesome.

As for intensity, Grace is awesome when she's not being TV filmed, Monterrey POP is a great clip to see her in, but the Fly video though good is not Grace at her best, she isn't a great TV persona. I wasn't around to see either of then in their "hey days" but my Dad saw Grace several times and she was one of the best performers he ever saw (and he saw them all including Joplin). Unfortunatly for Grace I often feel she gets overlooked in the rock category. And yes I'll agree that I would never want to meet her in a dark alley, although her book is a hoot, she is SO blunt with such take no sh*t attitude.

I do love Stevie as well, and live she is great, but a completely different type of intensity more one of emotion and bittersweetness, she doesn't have the "rip you heart out" intensity, even in the older boots I've seen from her.