Stevie Demos: Unreleased Songs vs. Early Versions of Released Songs

SmileAtYou · #1 02-28-2008, 09:41 PM

Hey Everyone - -
From one obsessed Stevie fan to others who I know are out there

I have noticed that there seem to be two categories of rare Stevie materials: early versions of songs which have been released on Stevie's solo albums, including piano and working demos, as well as alternate takes, etc... (some of which I feel are better than the takes which were released, for example, Smile at You!) ; and songs which were recorded but never released, which Stevie fans never hear until they begin collecting demos (for example, Cecelia, My Heart, etc..)

I thought it might be interesting to see which demos other Stevie fans love most

petep9000 · #2 02-28-2008, 10:08 PM

For me, it's such a mixed bag. I loved some of the stuff that never made it to an album (as yet) such as 'The Dealer', or 'Castaway', 'I Call You Missing' or 'Joan of Arc'. But, I equally loved some of the cuts that did: the various 'Mirror, Mirror' takes, the creepy versions of 'Sleeping Angel' and 'Silver Springs' which I heard first on a crackly, poppy vinyl copy of the old 'Uncirculated Rumours' set, and 'If You Ever Did Believe'.

And we can't forget my fave; that nutty, stoned-out 'Juliet' demo.

StreetAngel86 · #3 03-02-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petep9000

And we can't forget my fave; that nutty, stoned-out 'Juliet' demo.

the Tango outtake?
that is my favorite

way better than wot ended up on Mirror

PriSsyGaL75 · #4 03-02-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreetAngel86

the Tango outtake?
that is my favorite

way better than wot ended up on Mirror

Can anyone post this demo of Juliet? I've heard lots about it, but never heard it! Thanks in advance

michelle2677 · #5 03-02-2008, 01:10 PM

hmmm...

some of my favorites

i sing for the things (uptempo outtake)
smile at you (angry version)
sara (cleaning lady version)
blue lamp (particularly session 3)
cathouse blues (B/V)
wild heart (makeup session)
are you mine? (solo demo)
so sad (#1 with tom petty)
the dealer
forsaken love
planets of the universe (from the rumours disc 2)
she loves him still
my heart

i'm sure there's a ton more, including several edges and lady from the mountains, but that's all i can think of for right now

GypsyVisions · #6 03-02-2008, 02:10 PM

It really is hard to choose..

I'm gonna have to lean towards the more unreleased stuff..

I'm in love with her 80's Electric sounding songs.. as well as her TISL demos.. but most of all, just the songs where it is only her voice and a piano..

petep9000 · #7 03-02-2008, 05:19 PM

I also really love the 'Julia' outtake. The more complete one, with the Roy Bittan piano prominant. The first verse is such a delicate, fragile Stevie vocal.

"...and the fire will be burning long before you return to me."

Stew_Matthews · #8 03-02-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyVisions

.. as well as her TISL demos..

Love Is and Bombay Sapphires are two that I play alot. Both were much better in demo format........

The other one I love and desperately want to hear recorded is 'If You Were My Love' - I'd like to see it on an FM rather than SN album though. It needs the Lindsey guitar.

Welcome to the Ledge BTW.

petep9000 · #9 03-02-2008, 05:36 PM

There is an 'If You Were My Love' floating around there with FM. I thought it was from the 'Tusk' sessions, but it might have been 'Mirage'. Or both. Can't remember, but his vocal is prominant and the guitar is unmistakable. It's a great song, probably one of the greatest from them that never made it to an album.

Stew_Matthews · #10 03-02-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petep9000

There is an 'If You Were My Love' floating around there with FM. I thought it was from the 'Tusk' sessions, but it might have been 'Mirage'. Or both. Can't remember, but his vocal is prominant and the guitar is unmistakable. It's a great song, probably one of the greatest from them that never made it to an album.

I have a few versions. I like the original piano demo but the Mirage one (which I think you're referring to) is my favourite. Lindsey joins in singing about three quarters of the way through. Stevie's vocal is very good. She starts really quiet and then kicks off from the first chorus.

Livvy · #11 03-02-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

I have a few versions. I like the original piano demo but the Mirage one (which I think you're referring to) is my favourite. Lindsey joins in singing about three quarters of the way through. Stevie's vocal is very good. She starts really quiet and then kicks off from the first chorus.

Would you mind posting this? I'd love to hear it

.

Stew_Matthews · #12 03-03-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livvy

Would you mind posting this? I'd love to hear it

.

Of course I don't mind

.

Here is the solo master demo of it

http://www.mediafire.com/?zz2dxtk4udd

And here it is with Fleetwood Mac

http://www.mediafire.com/?ttkchocyzx1

If you haven't heard it, try the solo version first and then listen to it with the Lindsey Buckingham treatment. Although a bit rougher it is so much better and gives a good sense of what Lindsey and his guitar brings to her work.

Let me know what you think.

SmileAtYou · #13 03-03-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyVisions

It really is hard to choose..
.. but most of all, just the songs where it is only her voice and a piano..

Yes! The piano demos definitely have to be my favorite! I have a really relaxing "Piano playlist" that includes early versions of released songs as well as unreleased songs:

2 different piano versions of Rhiannon
The Nightmare - piano demo
Christian
Knocking on Doors
Gypsy Beggar
China Doll
After the Glitter Fades - early piano
The Tower
Bella Donna - piano
Sara - Cleaning Lady Version
Bella Fleur piano
How Still My Love - piano version
Blue Water - piano demo
Gypsy - slow sad piano version
Rock a Little - piano demo w/ Mick
Beautiful Child - rock n roll lullabye
Forsaken Love - piano
Three Birds of Rhiannon
Forest of the Black Roses

And a few others.... It is so special to me to hear Stevie playing piano and singing, in her own natural environment in the process of developing these songs...

There are a few piano demos I am lacking - maybe ledgies can help me out?
I am missing Planets of the Universe - No Light and Sisters of the Moon - piano demo

Livvy · #14 03-04-2008, 02:15 AM

Stew Matthews, thank you so much for the two If You Were My Love demos! I really liked them both, but I think I prefer the FM version. It just had something that the solo version lacked. Which is your favourite?

SmileAtYou I've got the POTU piano demo, and it's great

. I don't have SOTM though, but I'd be interested in hearing it too.

Planets of the Universe Piano Demo
http://www.mediafire.com/?onjjeggsexc

blackroses · #15 03-04-2008, 03:37 AM

The piano demos accompanied only by piano are my favorites too.

My very favorite piano demos::
Forest of the Black Roses (of course

)
Planets of the Universe - No Light
Three Birds of Rhiannon
Forsaken Love
If You Were My Love
Rhianon (early ballad version)
Blue Water
Fireflies (too bad it's just a short little experiment...is there a longer version?)

Other demo favorites:
Beautiful Child (lullaby)
Smile At You (angry)
Battle of the Dragon
Mirror Mirror
And more....

The following piano demos are still on my want list. If anyone can post good audio versions, I'd be really grateful:

*The Tower
*China Doll

SmileAtYou, there is a piano demo of The Nightmare? I'd love to have it. I'd also love to have a piano demo of Bella Donna and Rock A Little. I have never even heard any of these. If you could please post upload links, I'd really appreciate it. I have only one piano demo of Rhiannon. There are two? Is one the more modern version with the older Stevie, or are they both early demos? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately I don't have the Sisters of the Moon piano demo you're looking for. As much as I love that song. I've never liked that demo, for some reason.