SYW production

[ELIUD]

I don't really appreciate demos all that much. They just don't sound ready to me but for a few exceptions. And I LOVE Lindsey's production on Stevie's songs for the most part and think if the two of them were f*cking again they'd make better albums. I want a new Buckingham Nicks collaboration.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by FMtastic

I think SYW is already aging poorly and that's because Stevie's songs weren't that good. Silver Girl is not only incredibly dull musically but the lyrics sound like they were composed by a drowsy fourth grader. Several of the songs sound like they should have been in an 80s record and I believe this happened because she wanted them that way. None of Lindsey's songs sound like that. When he took her songs in an unexpected direction, like the one about 9/11, whatever it was called, it seemed to miss the target in a way. It's as if he was restrained in what he could have really done with it because maybe she didn't want him to go too far

I take it you're a Lindsey fan! To each his own I suppose. But when I find myself playing SYW, which is rarely, I usually play Stevie's songs. I know, I'm more of a Stevie fan. I think you give Stevie way too much credit for having total control over how her songs turn out, at least within the confines of FM. It is a band after all, and Lindsey usually takes the lion's share role in the production.


Seems to me at this point, that Lindsey and Stevie should just "Go Their OWn Ways". I think they're both a lot happier that way. Lindsey creates some incredible music on his own, without the "interference" of Stevie. It won't sell too many copies , but that's not what being an artist is all about, RIGHT?! And I don't think that Stevie is inspired by Bucky anymore. Put her in a room with Henley, Petty, Crow, Shanks, or some other artist/producer and she soars. Spread your wings and fly little Stevie.

Runs off to play TISL................

[FMtastic]

Originally Posted by jwd

I think you give Stevie way too much credit for having total control over how her songs turn out, at least within the confines of FM. It is a band after all, and Lindsey usually takes the lion's share role in the production.

If you compare Running About the Garden in SYW with the demo, it isn't that different, from a production standpoint, and that is one of the songs I think really sound like Loverboy in 1981 or something. There are other songs, like the title track, that weren't that different from the demos. Lindsey messed with Illume and that last song, Goodbye Baby, but the others sound like they were kept as she wanted them.

Seems to me at this point, that Lindsey and Stevie should just "Go Their OWn Ways"..

I couldn't agree more.

[diamondsnake]

I have to say that I love Stevie's SYW songs and Running Through The Garden has to be one of my favorite Stevie rockers. If they would have replaced "Silver Girl" with "Not Make Believe" and gotten rid of "Come" it would be a perfect album to me. I know a lot of people like "Come", but I am just not a fan.

My favorite Stevie songs on the album are RTTG, Illume, SYW, and Destiny Rules. Although I will admit that I don't listen to the album regularly anymore. I have been playing "The Dance" a lot lately. I really just want some new music to play because I am getting a tad bored with the same old same old. Come on Stevie, get in the studio!

[wheart]

Originally Posted by jwd

I can honestly say that I'd be perfectly content if Stevie never did another album with Lindsey/FM again. Especially after seeing how much she has come to life on both her Gold Dust Tour with and without Henley, and this year, singing fabulously with Petty and the Heartbreakers. As Petty said so aptly in another article, Stevie is in a good place right now, singing better or as good as she ever has. I agree, and that makes me happy.


Thanks for posting that article Daniel. Interesting reading.

I completely agree! To me, Stevie is a little "weighted down" with the Mac, both on record and on stage. The solo Stevie really comes to life

[strandinthewind]

I maintain and will always do so that La Nicks did SYW as a present or favor to LB, whose career was in the toilet. Granted, she got benefit from it too, but she really had to juggle her life and success (albeit somewhat lesser financially but not critically) outside of FM to do so. I think LB did what he could with her songs while she was on the road with TISL, but he lost his flair with them and IMO tricked them up with all the gimmick crap that he loves, e.g. that helium voice - OY! Then, she delivers these amazing vocals on RTTG and SAY and he turns them into something with lackluster production. I am not saying he did this to be mean to her; I think he thought he was doing good by her. But, the songs are just dull to these ears.

In the end, I do not care for his production of her demos on SYW and likely never will.

On edit - I think La Nicks is a pragmatist and she thought the SYW songs were good enough to go out - so she was happy from that vantage point. That, however, is wildly different than being totally thrilled about the way they were produced - which is what she says in that interview

But, yes, they have to sugarcoat it for the press surrounding the release and FM is always gonna play the LB/La Nicks tension card.

[JazmenFlowers]

^^^
couldn't agree more.

[FMtastic]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I maintain and will always do so that La Nicks did SYW as a present or favor to LB, whose career was in the toilet.

Is this supposition or has any of the band members said something to this effect? If they have, I haven't seen it. I am aware, however, that prior projects, such as Tango, were more about helping other band members out of a hole, not Lindsey.

Lindsey's solo career was over, yes, but his career with the band was just as alive as any other band member's, and I don't think the band got together for SYW at Lindsey's suggestion. It wasn't the case for The Dance and it wasn't the case for SYW, unless of course you can share statements from band members that would contradict this.

[strandinthewind]

Well, LB said his career was in the toilet because Warner's dropped GOS. So, what was he going to do? Moreover, why would La Nicks come back to FM? Enchanted and TISL were mostly commercial successes and they certainly were, esp. TISL, critical successes. So, what other than loyalty would make her come back to the tension filled FM drama? Would you go back? I am pretty sure I would not - except out of loyalty. Remember, there was talk of a FM recording after The Dance, but them CM did not want to participate if it meant touring. La Nicks released two records and did two tours in the meantime (no pun intended ) -- So, she really did not need FM as she did in 97. Conversly, LB has pretty much always need FM from a commercial standpoint and her certainly did after GOS was a no go.

I am not demeaning LB and glorifying La Nicks. I am just saying La Nicks is the commercial draw and pretty much always has been. I mean TISL and SYW sold or shipped roughly the same amount (within like 100,000 I think). That speaks volumes.

[FMtastic]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Well, LB said his career was in the toilet because Warner's dropped GOS.

I remember Lindsey mentioning something to the effect that he decided to pull the record because he and Warner couldn't agree on some things, in light of changes in management at the label. Then he got philosophical and said it was more important to get the music out, even if it meant doing it as part of Fleetwood Mac.

I am just saying La Nicks is the commercial draw and pretty much always has been. I mean TISL and SYW sold or shipped roughly the same amount (within like 100,000 I think). That speaks volumes.

Yes, she has been perceived as the biggest commercial draw through the years, but that still doesn't mean she went back to FM to get Lindsey's career out of the toilet, which is what you said earlier. Did she go back out of loyalty? Sure, loyalty to the band.

As for who was the biggest commercial draw, you start to really wonder when you realize how poorly SYW did in the record stores. It had the weakest sales of all the albums with Buckingham and Nicks. What it lacked was Christine, and it seems the public wasn't too interested in buying FM music without Christine, Stevie's draw notwithstanding. Stevie's Enchanged and Sangri-La commercial success was limited to her core fan base, anyway. It's not as if she was selling at Bella Donna levels.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Conversly, LB has pretty much always need FM from a commercial standpoint and her certainly did after GOS was a no go.

No. Lindsey doesn't need the commercial success. He can have two warm meals a day with or without new records. That he would like to have a commercial success with his work is a sure thing for me, but that are two different things.
The point is. Lindsey got used to this major label and attention thing. This whole crappy Stevie and Lindsey drama show-thing they did on the concerts are part of this too. One could blame him for doing so and a lot of fans did so.
He could have released his material over the years on smaller independent labels like some others do too. He opted not to do so, therefore we had to wait 14 years for a new album. Surely Stevie is not needed to get an album out that he wanted to get out. It did help to get it out by Warners for sure.

SpyNote, thanks for digging the interview article out.
I look at her songs on SYW in a different way. Stevies solo outings to me are very much lacking of something. There are 2-3 songs on here solo things I could appreciate but most of her stuff is just redundant and boring to me. (esp since OTOTM) TISL makes no exception. Her FM songs are`nt suffering from that effect as much to me. Of course songs like Silver girl are extremely hard to stand through. That kind of thing would fit on her solo outings better imo. However I like Illume very much, as it is something completely different and had a fresher sound to my ears. RTTG is of course an 80's style production and I wonder if that was an intentional thing or not. I assume it was. On TITN it would have been perfect. But be that as it may, I like this one, it also is something different. There are some songs on SYW I don`t like too much too but my point is. Stevies SYW songs alone put together on a virtual solo album still sound much more interesting to my ears than f.e. TISL.

[strandinthewind]

No. No other member of FM has sold 1/10 of what La Nicks has sold in her solo career - worldwide or just in the US. Most recently, TISL sold somewhere around 700,000 copies - which is close to what SYW sold. Moreover, whose songs got radio time on The Dance? Finally, she toured rather successfully last Summer with no recoird to supprt - a feat neither LB nor CM could pull off to such crowds (and sadly so) - So, La Nicks clearly is the commercial draw. I think that pisses so many people off, which I will never get because facts are facts. It does not mean she is better per se than any other FM member. It just means she has an added talent of being coveted by people and she consistently works at that.

LB went on about how the time was bad at Warner's etc. The bottom line is no matter what he says, Warner's would have chomped at the bit had it thought it had a commercial success on its hands.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by stefan

No. Lindsey doesn't need the commercial success. He can have two warm meals a day with or without new records. That he would like to have a commercial success with his work is a sure thing for me, but that are two different things.
The point is. Lindsey got used to this major label and attention thing. This whole crappy Stevie and Lindsey drama show-thing they did on the concerts are part of this too. One could blame him for doing so and a lot of fans did so.
He could have released his material over the years on smaller independent labels like some others do too. He opted not to do so, therefore we had to wait 14 years for a new album. Surely Stevie is not needed to get an album out that he wanted to get out. It did help to get it out by Warners for sure.

I agree that LB could have released it, but I think the ole ego gets in the way at times. He goes on about how the big machine is evil, but he runs back to it every chance he get, the exception being TITN and even then, he recorded the record instead of the solo project Mind you, I'd do the same thing

Also, yes, La Nicks is not needed, but they would have a tough time in FM without her, though they could do it IMO - just on a snaller scale. But, my point was I think La Nicks thought one more time with FM would be cool and LB could use the help. Rumors abounded about this during the day and esp when the third leg was added to the tour. And, these rumors were from credible sources, though I never heard one first hand.

[FMtastic]

Wind, you have changed your story. You say Stevie rejoined FM for SYW to save Lindsey's ass, a supposition that I challenged. Now you are anchoring your entire argument on her commercial succes, but it's not the same thing. Stevie could not have toured for two years by herself selling out at or near capacity. But, whatever, good for her that she has been so popular over the years. That still does not mean she agreed to do SYW to save Lindsey. That is what I am disputing, and which you haven't proven.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by FMtastic

Wind, you have changed your story. You say Stevie rejoined FM for SYW to save Lindsey's ass, a supposition that I challenged. Now you are anchoring your entire argument on her commercial succes, but it's not the same thing. Stevie could not have toured for two years by herself selling out at or near capacity. But, whatever, good for her that she has been so popular over the years. That still does not mean she agreed to do SYW to save Lindsey. That is what I am disputing, and which you haven't proven.

No I have not. I still maintain that and her commercial success is part of that. She knew without it LB and FM would not have a chance at the record company getting behind them like it did. Again, why else would she go back to that drama?

Does it really piss you off that she is so popular?