Thoughts on Crystal Visions CD / DVD

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by MacMan

Rock and Roll was recorded in Pheonix August 4, 2005. If you have the dvd, check it out - it matches perfectly. Only thing different is her yelp at the end of the song... It must have been added while mixing it.

Thanks for the info! I had just assumed that "Rock And Roll" and "Stand Back" were both recorded in Santa Barbara, like "Rhiannon" was.

[estranged4life]

I need to dig through my master reel collection of CDR's and see if I can line up the "Making of Bella Donna" tracks with those reels.

Edit: Couldnt get 'em to match up to the master reels, so I guess I will be extracting the audio to CDR for the "Making of Bella Donna"

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

In just a few short days, it's become my favorite "Edge" of all time.

Stevie sounds flawless, and I love the eerieness that the orchestration adds.

The video for it is on youtube - but the new one is mixed better.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by MacMan

On the Bella Donna footage the one thing that is clearly evident is her voice was completely effortless - it looks like she's hardly even trying to sing well, it just happens.

I noticed that too and that's partially the reason I sobbed (well okay, teared) through it. She is just so young and yes- it all looks so effortless.

[SpyNote]

Originally Posted by MacMan

Those vids were a combo of a couple of nights put together and her HBO show was one show... one night.

I thought the HBO show (In Concert) was recorded over two nights. I vaguely recall someone saying that the vocal during Edge doesn't match up with Stevie's lips. Or was the one show overdubbed w/ a new vocal later?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by SpyNote

I thought the HBO show (In Concert) was recorded over two nights. I vaguely recall someone saying that the vocal during Edge doesn't match up with Stevie's lips. Or was the one show overdubbed w/ a new vocal later?

I think she dubbed the studio recording of Edge in some parts - it sure sounds like it to me. But, it could be from another night.

[jkmaletic]

What show was the live "Rhiannon" from?

[MacMan]

Originally Posted by jkmaletic

What show was the live "Rhiannon" from?

In the booklet, she says they recorded it in Santa Barbara.

[AliceLover]

Can someone post the Live Stand Back Mp3 so I don't have to pay another 17bucks for this?

[skcin]

Originally Posted by UnwindedDreams

I just want to ask again, does anybody think that Edge Of Seventeen Live W/ MSO is absolutely AMAZING
Like possibly one of the best Edges ever done?

The song itself witht he orch - yes, fantastic. The vocal? Eh.

Originally Posted by carrie721

yeah. i may reconsider if she adds some new stuff for the tour. a little pee came out last night when she mentioned adding "whole lotta trouble" to the set.

Really? Cuz a little vomit came out when I heard that. I loathe that tune.

Originally Posted by Phil

Are you for real Johnny? The instrumentation is excellent, enhanced by the orchestration, but Stevie is way off in my opinion. I can't recall a version of this song that contained a worse vocal, except perhaps for the Storytellers performance.

That said, I thought that the vocal on Landslide was supreme and yet a few members here have criticised it for various reasons. I guess this all just demonstrates our diversity, at least when it comes to personal taste.

I don't agree that her vocal is way off. A tad bland though.

Originally Posted by AliceLover

Can someone post the Live Stand Back Mp3 so I don't have to pay another 17bucks for this?

It's only on iTunes, I believe. I could be wrong. But it's not on the regular CD or CD/DVD pakage.

[AliceLover]

Originally Posted by skcin

It's only on iTunes, I believe. I could be wrong. But it's not on the regular CD or CD/DVD pakage.

Yeah, I have the Cd/DVD, but you can only get Stand Back on Itunes if you buy the whole thing. You can't download it individually.

[diamondsnake]

I think her comments on the Everyday video were the best. "At least this video makes sense. Okay it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it makes a little sense." And I love when she said how much she loved her dress "and then he wanted me to get in the swan water... of course I refused."

I couldn't believe that her favorite hair from all the videos was from Sometimes Its a Bitch! What is she smoking? Her hair looks so dated and big in this video. I don't like it! But, whatever floats Stevie's boat.

I thought she looked beautiful in the Blue Denim video. It is funny that this was considered a low point for Stevie, but I think she pretty much looks like current day Stevie in that video, just with a perm. Which, I love the hair in that video!

Who wants to bet me that she doesn't add Whole Lotta Trouble to the setlist? It will never happen, but it is interesting that she said it out of all the videos. I would like her to do Blue Denim live, but she seemed really detached from that song. "I guess it is about Lindsey", as if she has no clue when she even wrote the song. Oh well!

Loved the Standback videos! But how did she think that the second Standback video made sense? I thought the civil war video had more of a storyline. I loved how she said that the horse almost killed her! I kept waiting for her to tell us this was a bad dream she had after watching too much Gone With the Wind.

Love the DVD!!!! The CD, which I have only listened to once, is just okay. Landslide seemed boring (it's just too overplayed at this point), Rhiannon seemed like a poor man's version of the Live In Boston Rhiannon... Edge is pretty great though! And, I love Rock and Roll...

[ELIUD]

Originally Posted by Phil

Are you for real Johnny? The instrumentation is excellent, enhanced by the orchestration, but Stevie is way off in my opinion. I can't recall a version of this song that contained a worse vocal, except perhaps for the Storytellers performance.

That said, I thought that the vocal on Landslide was supreme and yet a few members here have criticised it for various reasons. I guess this all just demonstrates our diversity, at least when it comes to personal taste.

I agree totally with your comment on our personal taste and opinion of Landslide live on the CD. This is the best recording of it since the FM live album of 1980. But I disagree with your comments on Edge. The vocal isn't her best ever but it's but it's the best we can expect from her now. I think the Live at Red Rocks version is probably the worst version I've heard. The ending is fantastic with her going on about "somewhere in the middle of the night, I think about you...". Love it.

[Macfanforever]

As I said in my birthday thread. I will listen and watch the CV cd/dvd on my birthday, the 4th.and post my review here. The cd was awesome especially the live cuts with the MSO I think she should of release a live cd/dvd complete with them, as I though she was going to do.The deep dish Dreams was awesome in it's self.the cd was filled up to the max.The DVD was Awesome seeing Standback civilwar in living color and clearity. now I can delete the crappy ones on my computer.I can now retire the I Can't Wait completion vhs tape.so worned out, r.i.p. . The BellaDonna behind the scenes was out of this world,hum I wonder she videoed any other album recording sessions.the photo shoot was very interesting, and funny.looks like Stevie was having good time.The narrated portion was very, very interesting and informational.Maybe all artists should do this.my over all
score on this one is excellant.but one thing I wish it was on the dvd line up,she could of sneak in, the Wild Heart dressing room demo video.

[Phil]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil
The instrumentation is excellent, enhanced by the orchestration, but Stevie is way off in my opinion. I can't recall a version of this song that contained a worse vocal, except perhaps for the Storytellers performance.

From Johnny:

The really funny thing is that the Storytellers performance, since I first heard it in 1998, had been my favorite live "Edge" ever. So go figure!

Like you said, it's all about diversity.

From Eliud:

I agree totally with your comment on our personal taste and opinion of Landslide live on the CD. This is the best recording of it since the FM live album of 1980. But I disagree with your comments on Edge. The vocal isn't her best ever but it's but it's the best we can expect from her now. I think the Live at Red Rocks version is probably the worst version I've heard. The ending is fantastic with her going on about "somewhere in the middle of the night, I think about you...". Love it.

What makes me giggle about this is that the Red Rocks version of Edge Of 17 is my absolute favourite version - without a doubt! The only section I don't like is the "singin' it for ya" part but the rest of the phrasing is sublime in my opinion. Further evidence of diversity I guess...

Now if only we could meld the intense Red Rocks vocal with the superb instrumention of the MSO version...

Eliud, I almost agree with your comment regarding Stevie's current vocal ability but every now and then, we are reminded that she is still capable of delivering a great performance. For instance, the aforementioned Landslide MSO version, this newly released version of Rock 'N' Roll plus the recent live takes of Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, I Need To Know and Insider with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. I also dig the "somewhere in the middle of the night, I think about you" line but rather than soar, she kind of stops short in half-arsed fashion. This should (and could) have been raised to the ****ing roof. Do you know what I mean?

I'm digressing here but Stevíe's vocal prowess is still resplendent on studio cuts such as Sorcerer (the falsetto), It's Only Love, Planets Of The Universe (particularly the last section of the full version) and the Deep Dish version of Dreams, which I am convinced she did totally re-record (yes I know it's been teaked here and there, but she can still hit the high notes if she so chooses).

Further digression... why are so many Ledge members intent on Stevie singing in her higher register at all costs? Sure I would love her to reintroduce the falsetto in Dreams, Sorcerer and others on stage but more for contrast than anything else. I don't actually favour her somewhat strained higher register these days even though most do. For example, I think her SYW vocals on Running Through The Garden, Smile At You and Everybody Finds Out are impressively energetic but they do seem to have been produced under duress so, to my ears, sound forced and a tad grating. The other problem I have with these takes is that she doesn't vary the register - if she attempts to sing higher, she remains in that register for the duration of the song which creates the same problem as only singing in a lower register - the old "monotone" chestnut. All this makes one wonder what the supposed vocal coach, Steve Real, is actually contributing to proceedings. Why not ditch the technical (questionable) precision and reclaim the intensity/passion? Stevie needs to embrace her gentler side again - the tenderness of her vocals on It's Only Love, Goodbye Baby and the MSO Landslide warrant much praise. Also, before I duck for cover, whether you tolerate the song or not, recognition should be given to the relaxed, fluid vocal on Silver Girl. This delivery (not the song) actually reminds me of the Bella Donna days.

PS Is it just me or does Stevie's take on Rock 'N' Roll sound incredibly similar to I Need To Know?