Stevie Nicks: Soundstage (2-disc set) - July 1, 2008 release

[RockALittle250]

Originally Posted by eric51078

I am a far cry from a new fan. I never pre-order. I always buy the day of.

I'm not referring to you, I'm referring to the members on here who have written about 4 paragraphs each about how disappointed they are with Stevie and how this release won't change their disappointment.

[eric51078]

Originally Posted by RockALittle250

I'm not referring to you, I'm referring to the members on here who have written about 4 paragraphs each about how disappointed they are with Stevie and how this release won't change their disappointment.

Oh my bad sorry bout that

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by starshine

I do understand what your saying here. Theres nothing wrong with express your opinion even if others don't like it. I've been a Fmac/Stevie fan for over 20 yrs and I'm feeling some of the same frustrations that you are. Maybe the 'new' younger fans can't really understand. I to feel that Stevie has put herself in a box so to speak. She only plays the same setlist of songs over and over again cause she doesn't want to break out anymore from her own comfort zone. I don't think its not that your not a 'fan' so to speak.....it's like some think its wrong to say how you may feel about your favorite artists. But they do disappoint at times. I feel that when Stevie started out with her solo stuff.....I think she was gonna try to get alot of music out but it seems after the 80's were over alot changed. She hasn't released much new music (solo wise really) other than SA and TISL....not counting the endless compilations : TS/Enchanted/CV.....I love Enchanted and the CV DVD but the rest well....its really nothing 'new'....I am also like you in expecting much but not getting anything ....I'm thinking solo wise...this will possibly be my last solo Stevie concert. Personally, I don't think Stevie likes her own music anymore since she only wants to sing the same songs over & over again. If she truly did she would in turn take MORE chances in that regard but she has chosen not to over the years. Heck even FMac would do like the same setlist over & over again too. How sad for both artists to not sing more of maybe the not so famous songs. I think any song off an LP/cd can be done if you want it to be done live....if only certian songs can be sung live than well thats a total
shame.....I think its only an excuse to not even 'try' to sing it live. I know Stevie has said that in interviews in the past (don't recall which ones right now though--sorry). I actually like songs that aren't so famous or popular really. I guess were to get this soundstage cd/dvd? In July but it's technically a rashing of the 'hits' all over again. Life goes on....A part of me will always love Stevie & FMac....that is true....but the other part of me is sad by how it all seems to be ending. They could both do much better and serve there fans much better. I'm sure my response is not popular like yours isn't....Maybe other 'older' long time fans don't feel this way? Maybe they do but no matter 'how' you do feel. Feelings change as do the music artists. I'd like them to end there careers on a much higher note. Heck you can record & not tour. It shouldn't be just about the $$ heck they should have tons of $$ but I guess they don't if they keep spending it. If they do keep touring solo or group they need to rethink what they are doing on stage and how they can keep justify the high ticket prices for the same boring setlist. Yes, its our fault for paying it too. I'll never say never.....but its getting pretty close to that right now. Disagree if you must.....Put out a better tour etc. Put some heart into your shows....not just go through the motions. Do it for the die-hard fans.....heck do it for yourself. I could keep going on and on..........

I thought this was a good post and built upon another very good post from Saint Bernard.

Stevie Nicks is lazy - sorry but I think she is. She wants to live a rock'n'roll lifestyle but not put the work in. She has a back catalogue to absolutely die for. She must have 50/60 tracks that are superb and comparable with the very best musicians in her peer group. On top of that her last studio album was wonderful (my second fave after Bella Donna) and demonstrated that she can still write great songs. I can't believe that she has run out of ideas or isn't still working up new and exciting material.

But the fact is she can earn a decent living tripping 'round the casinos singing Dreams and I don't think she can be bothered anymore. It's just too much effort. Sorry but I don't get excited about the fact that she does a few cover versions - Stevie Nicks has enough great work of her own.

I'll buy the Soundstage cos I'm a fan of the Mac and will buy everything they release, but I'm disappointed with her.

[RockALittle250]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

I thought this was a good post and built upon another very good post from Saint Bernard.

Stevie Nicks is lazy - sorry but I think she is. She wants to live a rock'n'roll lifestyle but not put the work in. She has a back catalogue to absolutely die for. She must have 50/60 tracks that are superb and comparable with the very best musicians in her peer group. On top of that her last studio album was wonderful (my second fave after Bella Donna) and demonstrated that she can still write great songs. I can't believe that she has run out of ideas or isn't still working up new and exciting material.

But the fact is she can earn a decent living tripping 'round the casinos singing Dreams and I don't think she can be bothered anymore. It's just too much effort. Sorry but I don't get excited about the fact that she does a few cover versions - Steveie Nicks has enough great work of her own.

I'll buy the Soundstage cos I'm a fan of the Mac and will buy everything they release, but I'm disappointed with her.

This is what I don't understand about some of the fans on here. Stevie has been working in music for 33+ years...she's gonna be 60 next month...how much more do you people expect from her...do you want her to continue going at a non-stop pace until she has a nervous breakdown? Stevie is far from lazy...nostalgic, yes...lazy, no. If she wants to continue doing what she has been doing for the last couple of years, then let her. She doesn't owe us anything. We don't even know if there are going to be any new studio recordings on this release, so why are so many people jumping the gun? Even if there aren't, then yes, it will be pretty disappointing, but no one is forcing you to buy the thing. Why is there so much frustration being vented about her lack of output in a thread about a new release??

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by RockALittle250

This is what I don't understand about some of the fans on here. Stevie has been working in music for 33+ years...she's gonna be 60 next month...how much more do you people expect from her...do you want her to continue going at a non-stop pace until she has a nervous breakdown? Stevie is far from lazy...nostalgic, yes...lazy, no. If she wants to continue doing what she has been doing for the last couple of years, then let her. She doesn't owe us anything. We don't even know if there are going to be any new studio recordings on this release, so why are so many people jumping the gun? Even if there aren't, then yes, it will be pretty disappointing, but no one is forcing you to buy the thing. Why is there so much frustration being vented about her lack of output in a thread about a new release??

Cos the new release is just a re-hash of what we have heard before! Other than a cover version - we have heard this and we have heard it done the same way for quite some time.

I may not have made my point very well but my frustration/disappointment is that she is so much better than this. She has a stack of great songs but doesn't sing them - why wont she learn them and play them? Does she think we don't wanna hear them?

I saw Mavis Staples a few months ago. Ten years older than Stevie, nothing like the talent at songwriting, but my god that woman worked her arse off to play a variety of songs for fans. I'd settle for Stevie not recording a new album if we could hear just a few different tracks played live.

[eric51078]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Cos the new release is just a re-hash of what we have heard before! Other than a cover version - we have heard this and we have heard it done the same way for quite some time.

I may not have made my point very well but my frustration/disappointment is that she is so much better than this. She has a stack of great songs but doesn't sing them - why wont she learn them and play them? Does she think we don't wanna hear them?

I saw Mavis Staples a few months ago. Ten years older than Stevie, nothing like the talent at songwriting, but my god that woman worked her arse off to play a variety of songs for fans. I'd settle for Stevie not recording a new album if we could hear just a few different tracks played live.

I think we should be happy that she is still performing and touring. I personally don't mind hearing the same songs. I am thrilled that she is still going at 60. Also with learning new (old) songs is that not everyone that goes to see her is a huge fan. I would love to hear a few newer songs but look at the TISL tour...she tried out a few new songs and ended up dropping them because the crowd wasn't into it. Same thing with Say You Will...she dropped Running Through The Garden and Destiny Rules. She wants to make money as well. Don't we all? New songs that people haven't heard in 2o years or don't know at all well some people really only want to hear the classics. You have to step back and look at it from a fan perspective, a non fan perspective and a money making perspective.

[Johnny Stew]

As I see it, Stevie is "semi-retired" without making an official announcement as to such.

A few of my family members have retired in recent years, and two of them have taken part-time jobs just to have, as they've said, "something to do."
Stevie's yearly one- or two-month tours are probably her "something to do."

She's too antsy to sit completely still -- hence the touring -- but is probably enjoying not having to deal with the other headaches of the music industry.

Even at that, she seems more determined than ever to get her "Rhiannon" project off the ground -- which, at the very least, should net us another album.

And, yeah, it wouldn't kill her to switch up the setlist a little more, but it's always a fan's choice whether or not they want to pay to see her. When you consider that she could be one of those 60-something performers who isn't doing anything, it's nice that Nicks fans at least have a choice -- even if it's not exactly what we wish she were doing.

Just my two cents.

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

As I see it, Stevie is "semi-retired"

Yes I agree with that and if she sticks with her two to three month solo casino tour that is fine - but her ambitions with regards to a new Mac tour seem to extend beyond semi-retirement.

[The Catdancer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

As I see it, Stevie is "semi-retired" without making an official announcement as to such.

A few of my family members have retired in recent years, and two of them have taken part-time jobs just to have, as they've said, "something to do."
Stevie's yearly one- or two-month tours are probably her "something to do."

She's too antsy to sit completely still -- hence the touring -- but is probably enjoying not having to deal with the other headaches of the music industry.

Even at that, she seems more determined than ever to get her "Rhiannon" project off the ground -- which, at the very least, should net us another album.

And, yeah, it wouldn't kill her to switch up the setlist a little more, but it's always a fan's choice whether or not they want to pay to see her. When you consider that she could be one of those 60-something performers who isn't doing anything, it's nice that Nicks fans at least have a choice -- even if it's not exactly what we wish she were doing.

Just my two cents.

I totally agree with this post. I'm just glad she's still around. She could've ended up like Janis. She could read the phonebook for all I care.

[paleshadow]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Cos the new release is just a re-hash of what we have heard before! Other than a cover version - we have heard this and we have heard it done the same way for quite some time.

I may not have made my point very well but my frustration/disappointment is that she is so much better than this. She has a stack of great songs but doesn't sing them - why wont she learn them and play them? Does she think we don't wanna hear them?

I saw Mavis Staples a few months ago. Ten years older than Stevie, nothing like the talent at songwriting, but my god that woman worked her arse off to play a variety of songs for fans. I'd settle for Stevie not recording a new album if we could hear just a few different tracks played live.

I agree with you, and what you said in your previous post. I don't really know that I would say "lazy" though. I think comfortable, and maybe a bit scared that she won't be able to have the success she perceived Trouble in Shangri-La had. Remember she calls this her "masterpiece".

I see where others are coming from as far as not understanding why fans might be unhappy. Something is better than nothing, but at the same time Stevie always says how prolific she is when it comes to writing, and fills us with hopes of all these magnificent projects like the Rhiannon movie, that just never come to fruition. I do get a bit upset with how she places so much value on, for lack of a better word, the casual fan who is really only familiar with Rumours. You know, the one who you end up sitting near at a concert and overhear them telling their friend that Stevie and Lindsey were married for a long time, but got divorced, and that's when she got fat. Stevie is always saying that they can't change the set list too much because it's people like that who won't know the "new" songs. While that's probably true, it is the people like us who would really appreciate it, and it would be nice if she would acknowledge that more often.

As far as fans complaining about these things, this may not go over well, but I feel like we do have the right to do that. We support Stevie financially. In a way, we are her employers, and I know if my performance is less than what is expected of me at work, I am told about it. True, you can say it's about the art, and Stevie is an incredible artist, but as she said in the Destiny Rules Documentary regarding Lindsey "This isn't about art".

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Yes I agree with that and if she sticks with her two to three month solo casino tour that is fine - but her ambitions with regards to a new Mac tour seem to extend beyond semi-retirement.

Good point, but I think anything Fleetwood Mac-related is always a different story.

No matter how much she bitches about Lindsey, it seems that she can never totally bring herself to say "no" to the band. Whether that's due to loyalty, financial motivation, or if she's just sado-masochistic, it's hard to say.

When it comes to Fleetwood Mac, I don't think Stevie could ever really say "I'm done," like Christine did, and stick with it for very long.

[starshine]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

I thought this was a good post and built upon another very good post from Saint Bernard.

Stevie Nicks is lazy - sorry but I think she is. She wants to live a rock'n'roll lifestyle but not put the work in. She has a back catalogue to absolutely die for. She must have 50/60 tracks that are superb and comparable with the very best musicians in her peer group. On top of that her last studio album was wonderful (my second fave after Bella Donna) and demonstrated that she can still write great songs. I can't believe that she has run out of ideas or isn't still working up new and exciting material.

But the fact is she can earn a decent living tripping 'round the casinos singing Dreams and I don't think she can be bothered anymore. It's just too much effort. Sorry but I don't get excited about the fact that she does a few cover versions - Stevie Nicks has enough great work of her own.

I'll buy the Soundstage cos I'm a fan of the Mac and will buy everything they release, but I'm disappointed with her.

I like your post as well....These are thoughts upon thoughts....I didn't say in my posts (as another posters mentioned in this thread) that I wouldn't purchase the soundstage when it was released....but it will still be the same stuff that she's lived off of for years now. I do love some of the known 'hits' but well.....I can get tired of them.....thats why as a singer of those songs I'd think you'd be tired of them as well.....that's why you take chances and change things up some if not for your fans but for yourself. Of course with that being said...Stevie will turn 60 and well.....she's past the age of changing period now. Too set in the comfortable way of doing things the way she has done for some 30-40 yrs now. Not gonna happen. As die-hards we do support her life style. With the music and concerts and merchandise we have purchased through the years (solo & with FMac)....with the praise also comes the hard truth...this is what we will be getting. Stevie & Fmac still have many, many ways commerically that they 'could' release stuff but as of right now choose not too. Stevie could do a Bob Dlyan type thing as release outtakes/masters/extended versions....We all know she has many unreleased songs as well as released songs in different versions. Sadly in some valuet not ever to be heard from again. As well as 'full' concert videos that should be released with many extras....than theres a photo book or she could have her own merchandise online (web site)/she needs a new web site--Nicks fix needs major updating big time. Does anyone recall how wonderful the Sararhiannon web site was.....it made hers pale in comparison really. Great site sad its gone. Same with Fmac--they have more re-issues and dvds they could release but don't. Stevie could also re-issue her own solo catalog with tons of extras.....we all know theres tons....and just think of what we don't know or will never ever know. She doesn't even have to tour to support any of it. I know she or Mac owes us nothing but for themselves and there own pride in there work they should want to get the 'best' out there if nothing else period. Don't even get me started on the 'offical' release of Buckingham/Nicks....will it ever 'see' the light of day? Does it matter since bootlegs have been done for like forever now?? As a fan you have to look at the good and the bad....not just the best......I guess I always thought Stevie wanted to do more for her fans & herself. I don't think I'm really sure of that anymore really. I don't think she is either. This is only IMO that is....I truly mean no offence.....but I can't look at things with rose colored glasses anymore.....it is what it is.......She doesn't need to do covers with all the wonderful songs in her own catalog.....IMO anyway.

[petep9000]

Originally Posted by saintbernard

I'm afraid I have to agree here. This is much too little much too late for me.

I'm nowhere near the fan I used to be. I hated SYW and I can't say I'm much of a FM fan at all anymore. I'd prefer the band break up and never put out another record like that again and the respective members put out their own solo records. I'd much rather hear an entire new album from Lindsey and an entire new album from Stevie. And if Christine wants to put out more new music, well, all the better.

My Stevie fandom is seriously waning as well. I haven't cared for any of her solo shows since 2001. Everything from 2005 on is the same old, same old. Same old tired songs, different day. Throwing "Crash" into the setlist didn't help. That song was bad enough the first time around. I don't know why Stevie thought she could make it any better and make a bad song good. The last truly great tour she did was the Enchanted tour in 1998. It had old favorites, new favorites and songs that had never been done live before. She took chances then. She could take chances now if she wanted to but it doesn't seem that she wants to.

I used to expect a lot from Stevie and FM and they used to deliver. None of them seem to be inspired anymore. I have to give Lindsey credit for his work with UTS and the supporting tour. At least he wanted to do something new and accomplished what he wanted. He actually performed an interesting setlist with new and old favorites and a few surprises. Stevie can't or won't compete with that now.

I keep checking the boards and a few sites every day in hopes that there will be something new and exciting to renew my liking of the band and its members but every day it's the same old disappointments. I find myself moving on to other bands and artists that aren't afraid to take chances and create new and exciting music instead of staying with what they find "safe".

It used to bother me when I would tell someone that my favorite band was Fleetwood Mac and my favorite singer was Stevie Nicks and they'd say "you like who??" then laugh and make jokes about what "has been's" they all were. That doesn't bother me anymore because the joke isn't that far off now.

Much truth, this. I'm too lazy lately to write as long of an essay, but I think what you wrote is perfect. I check in to see if anything new and exciting is happening too. But since TISL, what has?

[petep9000]

Originally Posted by RockALittle250

It's so ironic...when Stevie is finally coming out with something new, all of a sudden there are fans coming out of the woodwork saying that they're not going to buy it.

Do we know what's going to be 'new' on it? Lots of old things from the attic turned into pretty stage pieces, like '24 Karat', 'I Can't Wait', 'Blue Lamp', 'Julia', 'If You Were My Love', and 'I Call You Missing'?

Because most likely it will be live versions of 'Crash', EO17, 'Circle Dance', 'Gold Dust Woman', 'Rock And Roll' and 'Stand Back'? What I'm 'hearing' loud and clear on this thread is a bunch of voices saying "meh."

[petep9000]

Originally Posted by The Catdancer

I totally agree with this post. I'm just glad she's still around. She could've ended up like Janis. She could read the phonebook for all I care.

And you'd buy it? And if she toured with the phonebook, wearing bunny slippers, you'd go? And feel good that you went?