Thoughts on Crystal Visions CD / DVD

[estranged4life]

My copy could be in tomorrow - Which is fine, had enough drama the last two days so I need to relax to something new.

[AliceLover]

I thought it was humerous that all of the songs she could add back into the set, she talks about doing Whole Lotta Trouble. While *I* agree with her saying there is a lot of energy in that song, I thought there would be a lot of opposition against it. Personally if she added anything from OSOTM I'd be thrilled. I think its safe to say that Rooms on Fire is gone. She didn't even put it in the booklet.

[Kelly]

I love the "fashion show" part...that is so cute. Her comments about EveryDay were goofy...."the swans fight all day long but at least they are married". Okay Stevie. I cannot believe she likes the Blue Denim hair! Gack. So she wrote Blue Denim for Lindsey.......did anyone actually think it was about someone else?

I seriously teared up watching her sing "After the Glitter Fades"......she was just so stunning!

The linear notes were somewhat interesting...especially the comments about each song. My favorite was Planets of the Universe and her comment about Lindsey being blown away by JS's work on the song.

Lastly, her comments about "lip singing" cracked me up. Doesn't she remember recording "Whole Lotta Trouble" live? She thought her lip "singing" was better in that video.......uh, yea Stevie, you were actually singing!

[Kris10723]

Originally Posted by Kelly

Lastly, her comments about "lip singing" cracked me up. Doesn't she remember recording "Whole Lotta Trouble" live? She thought her lip "singing" was better in that video.......uh, yea Stevie, you were actually singing!

I think that the song was recorded live and then she did a video in the studio. Or at least part of it because her lips are off in a few places so she can't be actually singing in the video because she would have missed some of the words.

But I loved all the comments throughout the videos. I haven't finished all of the Bella Donna footage yet, but I can't wait. And what is this about hidden features? Is it just on this DVD or are there any on the other DVDs? If so, can someone help me out and let me know what to do to get to them? Thanks so much!

[Somajoseph]

Just spent the last few hours watching the DVD, and I love it! Loved the comments on 'Everyday'-she was so honest, saying she wasnt very pleasant to work with and the director must have hated her by the end of the shoot. And I love when she laughs. I realized I love her talking voice as much as I love her singing voice.
It was worth going downtown to Virgin to get this, although I noticed I didnt see any of the DVD's except for the one I got off the shelf in the CD section. I expected them to have a bunch in stock.
Anyhow, it's great, and I havent even listened to the CD yet.

[Phil]

No offence Takenbythesky, but Stevie's comments regarding Jon Bon Jovi really left a bad taste in my mouth. When she commenced talking about him on the dvd, I initially thought from the hesitant tone of her voice that she was attempting to be diplomatic and perhaps was unsure of what she could say that would be deemed positive. However, when she began gushing about what a great guy and producer he was, it made me surge with anger.
This guy is an absolute prick and Stevie has attested to as much in the past. Does she even recall what she said during the Vox interview in early 1992? She spoke about how unpleasant and controlling he was, not to mention the fact that she had her hand forced in regard to recording that piece of crap or else "her career was over".
JBJ (I can't even bear to repeat his name in full) was a powerful industry player at that time whereas Stevie wielded none of his clout. This, coupled with her advancing years in age and the prescription drug dependancy, made her easy prey and that son-of-a-bitch exploited the situation.
(Belinda Carlisle is on record as stating that he threatened to end her career in the late 1980's unless she "put out" for him. Thankfully, the little worm was no match for bold Belinda but she was indeed younger, feistier and more bankable than Stevie at the time.)
I also have a radio interview that Miss Nicks did in 1991 where she spoke of not even being able to tolerate being in the same room as JBJ and that she actually waited until he abandoned the sessions before returning to the studio to lay down the vocal without him breathing down her neck.
What hypocrisy! I know that Stevie is fickle at the best of times but my god, this takes her inconsistent behaviour into a whole other realm!
What are we to make of this latest admission? Did Stevie secretly lust after this misogynist or did she actually lay the hard word on him only to be spurned, resulting in the subsequent (well deserved) denigrating of his character at the time? As for JBJ being loyal to his "wife of thirty years" - what is this woman smoking? Maybe that's how she dealt with the possible rejection of her advances??
This time I've been well and truly turned off. I'm losing respect...

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by Phil

No offence Takenbythesky, but Stevie's comments regarding Jon Bon Jovi really left a bad taste in my mouth. When she commenced talking about him on the dvd, I initially thought from the hesitant tone of her voice that she was attempting to be diplomatic and perhaps was unsure of what she could say that would be deemed positive. However, when she began gushing about what a great guy and producer he was, it made me surge with anger.
This guy is an absolute prick and Stevie has attested to as much in the past. Does she even recall what she said during the Vox interview in early 1992? She spoke about how unpleasant and controlling he was, not to mention the fact that she had her hand forced in regard to recording that piece of crap or else "her career was over".
JBJ (I can't even bear to repeat his name in full) was a powerful industry player at that time whereas Stevie wielded none of his clout. This, coupled with her advancing years in age and the prescription drug dependancy, made her easy prey and that son-of-a-bitch exploited the situation.
(Belinda Carlisle is on record as stating that he threatened to end her career in the late 1980's unless she "put out" for him. Thankfully, the little worm was no match for bold Belinda but she was indeed younger, feistier and more bankable than Stevie at the time.)
I also have a radio interview that Miss Nicks did in 1991 where she spoke of not even being able to tolerate being in the same room as JBJ and that she actually waited until he abandoned the sessions before returning to the studio to lay down the vocal without him breathing down her neck.
What hypocrisy! I know that Stevie is fickle at the best of times but my god, this takes her inconsistent behaviour into a whole other realm!
What are we to make of this latest admission? Did Stevie secretly lust after this misogynist or did she actually lay the hard word on him only to be spurned, resulting in the subsequent (well deserved) denigrating of his character at the time? As for JBJ being loyal to his "wife of thirty years" - what is this woman smoking? Maybe that's how she dealt with the possible rejection of her advances??
This time I've been well and truly turned off. I'm losing respect...

It is laughable I agree but do you really think she's going to rake this annoying individual over the coals in a DVD best of package?She was probably more honest in her Klonopin haze when whatever came up came out than she has ever been subsequently.

[Keith]

it's called Crystal Visions..

The CD – Love is.. the live version of Edge…probably one of my favorite things about this package.. ah.. when she finishes singing ..the sea does not change.. and the strings power in… good, good stuff.. great use of an orchestra on a rock and roll song.. Also, love Rhiannon live. Great arrangement.. captured the song’s darkness..

I had high hopes for the stringed laced Landslide, but her voice, for the most part, seems uninspired. I also felt like there was too much going on – keep it simple – Stevie's voice and guitar.. of course, it's hard to top the Dance version. also, the guitar strumming needs to be softened.. There were a few moments when the orchestra seems to work..and i do like the instrumentation after she sings the first "I'm getting older, too.." but overall, disappointment fell in my path.. the ending is cool.. her voice seems to perk up a bit.. saves the song, somewhat..

The Videos – The best part of the package… after viewing “Edge” there is definitely a need to release the White Winged Dove HBO complete show on dvd.. Stevie looked delicious, the band was on fire, and everyone loved her back then.. I totally loved Blue Denim (good to see some Street Angel representation).. the band.. the colors.. the hair.. and although it’s not one of my favorite songs, I do think the I Can’t Wait Video is one of her best.. and I guess I was stoned during the 80s because I don’t remember her brother being one of the dancers..

Stevie’s Scarlett at the saloon having a strong drink.. you can’t shoot that man in my video.. Stevie was right.. her idea was bad… Stand Back take 2.. a bit better, but she was right on about it being so 80s. and the tread mill.. Ugh..

The Making of Bella Donna – Love her studio dance to Edge…how she ends “Blue Lamp”.. her interaction with Jimmy Iovine.. how her voice sounded so beautiful during “After the Glitter…” her fingers playing air piano during “How Still My Love..” love the echo of the voice.. notice how she was wearing something different in each scene.. loved the Outside the Rain posing by the blue lamp photo shoot.. great stuff..

Overall, a nice collection for this Stevie fan.. I’m enjoying it.

[Phil]

It is laughable I agree but do you really think she's going to rake this annoying individual over the coals in a DVD best of package?She was probably more honest in her Klonopin haze when whatever came up came out than she has ever been subsequently.

Yes I realise it's neither the time nor the place for recriminations but she would have been well advised to just a) concentrate on the video - after all, her commentary is supposed to be in regard to the clips even though she probably spends more time actually talking about the various songs' origins and b) perhaps shut the ol' trap from time to time and not feel the need to compensate for pauses with inarticulate nonsense - this approach in general would stand her in good stead more often than not.

Better still, it may have been an idea to dispense with SIAB altogether and fight for If You Ever Did Believe's right to party instead?

Moving on, am I the only one disappointed that the studio clip for Edge Of Seventeen wasn't included? Sure I dig the live version but that could have been reserved for the inevitable dvd release of the HBO concert. Alas, another wasted opportunity eluding our increasingly out-of-touch earth mother.

[Phil]

Keith, I'm glad you're enjoying the collection but I have to say I'm in disagreement with you over the live versions. I actually adore the orchestrated Landslide - to the point where I consider it virtually perfect. I attended the MSO concert and remember initially being concerned about the slightly busy string arrangement but hearing it again after all this time, I find it deeply affecting and actually quite beautiful. Well done Miss Stevie.

Strangely enough, I also really like the version of Rock 'N' Roll, despite not having any real affinity for the song itself. This sounds as good as the recent versions of I Need To Know and Stop Draggin' My Heart Around she performed with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Good stuff indeed.

That said, Rhiannon and Edge Of Seventeen, in my opinion, leave a lot to be desired. Rhiannon sounds suspiciously like a cut 'n' paste job - sufficiently doctored as if to almost be a studio recording (did I hear someone say "Red Rocks?"). Whilst it trods along okay, to these ears, it's also somewhat listless and uninspired.

As for Edge, well I love the string section (at least what we get of it), but the vocal is decidedly off for the most part and the phrasing is embarrassing. I guess I'm also still a little pissed off that this song is represented twice at the expense of greater, more deserving songs/singles, both solo and with the Mac.

This all poses the question for me as to whether she will issue a live album later in the year as previously touted. If so, this would be the opportunity to get more from the MSO concert (Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, Rhiannon, Beautiful Child, Beauty & The Beast) as well as the wondrous Circle Dance from one of the Vegas shows.

Now for a laugh... what's up with the ridiculous artwork for the booklet? The front cover of the cd is okay and the back cover is completely gorgeous but once you delve inside, it's sadly all downhill. Some of the photos included are not only tasteless, Stevie actually looks ugly in quite a few of them, even though I know her to be a fantastic looker. How odd.

[strandinthewind]

I remember her always saying how she liked Bon Jovi, but the song was not for her, etc. So, she did it his way and then changed it after. I'd like to read the interviews that say she hated him, etc. Does anyone have those? If so, please post.

On edit - here is the 2/92 Vox interview, in which she does not diss John Bon Jovi at all, to wit:

"I was told that if I didn't do a song by Jon Bon Jovi then my career was over. I don't have any reason to hate Jon Bon Jovi. He wrote me a song that was a wonderful thing to do. I knew that just me singing it wasn't going to go over well with my fans, which it hasn't. But I was told by the industry, by management, and by everybody else that if I did NOT do this, and reach this new audience, that my career was simply, finally, completely over.

They exerted all the pressure you could possibly exert, they scared me to death. So I did the song, and is it a big hit song? No, it's not."

She found it particularly distasteful to sing the word 'bitch', which she considers a swear word. Stevie concedes that she has difficulty challenging authority figures.

http://bla.fleetwoodmac.net/index.ph...2&id=1181&c=11

Note - the interviewer in this was not that good and the article is full of inaccuracies.

[Kelly]

^^ She definately said JBV was controlling and she disliked him. Of course her tune changed after she kicked the klonopin. Stevie was more honest when she was out of it. Hopefully someone can post the radio interview from Timespace...I think that is one place she did comment on John. I am not all up in arms because she said John had a nice ass in the dvd though. She is consistently inconsistent in her statements, so why should this dvd be any different? I also thought she was being flip in that whole segment....


Oh and the shot of Jimmy Iovine in those tight white jeans? Good God....I nearly lost my dinner. I do not need to see him sans undies every again. (Lindsey...anyday but not JI)

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Kelly

^^ She definately said JBV was controlling and she disliked him. Of course her tune changed after she kicked the klonopin. Stevie was more honest when she was out of it. Hopefully someone can post the radio interview from Timespace...I think that is one place she did comment on John. I am not all up in arms because she said John had a nice ass in the dvd though. She is consistently inconsistent in her statements, so why should this dvd be any different? I also thought she was being flip in that whole segment....


Oh and the shot of Jimmy Iovine in those tight white jeans? Good God....I nearly lost my dinner. I do not need to see him sans undies every again. (Lindsey...anyday but not JI)

^^^^

I know she said that about the producer and her record company people. But, in the Timespace liner notes and elsewhere during the period, she says mostly nice things even though she did not want to do the song. I remember the live interview where she says she Bon Jovi made her sing it one way and that her fans would never like it, so she did it and then changed it after.

There is also an interview with him where he praises her by saying what you see is what you get with her.

Of course, all of this is from memory, except for the article above.

[Kelly]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

^^^^

I know she said that about the producer and her record company people. But, in the Timespace liner notes and elsewhere during the period, she says mostly nice things even though she did not want to do the song. I remember the live interview where she says she Bon Jovi made her sing it one way and that her fans would never like it, so she did it and then changed it after.

There is also an interview with him where he praises her by saying what you see is what you get with her.

Of course, all of this is from memory, except for the article above.

Yea, it is not the Timespace liner notes, I recall a radio interview where she was rather vocal about John. It really does not matter to me....she can hardly be 100 percent honest and candid in interviews. I am sure she says she likes people, when she really doesn't.

Hey, wasn't that Whole Lotta Trouble video recorded live? Of course some of the vocal could have been tweaked and reworked in the studio, but the video was recorded on tour, right? So, she is not "lip singing".

[MacMan]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

^^^^

I know she said that about the producer and her record company people. But, in the Timespace liner notes and elsewhere during the period, she says mostly nice things even though she did not want to do the song. I remember the live interview where she says she Bon Jovi made her sing it one way and that her fans would never like it, so she did it and then changed it after.

There is also an interview with him where he praises her by saying what you see is what you get with her.

Of course, all of this is from memory, except for the article above.

Yeah, I don't remember reading or hearing an interview where she rips him apart either... If there is one, I'd like to. I remember the same as strand.. about the record company saying she NEEDED to record his song etc.