The Live Duet - Not Stevie's Greatest Skill - Discuss

chriskisn · #1 05-28-2010, 07:50 PM

I was watching some YouTube clips last night of Stevie doing duets with Chris Isaak. Specifically when I was watching Solitary Man I was thinking, "Ok so I love you and everything Stevie but what are you bringing to this song?".

Then I thought about her duet with Tom Petty on Needles and Pins, and her Cal Jam duet with Bob Welch on Ebony Eyes, and began to realise that while Stevie might sound all very well singing a duet in the studio she doesn't do great duets when singing live. (and everyone blames Taylor).

Her timing is all out and at least in the case of Cal Jam, she wasn't even at the damn microphone when she was meant to be.

So, that is my opinion, please discuss...

Oh and sorry couldn't find a live clip of this one, but you get the idea...

CADreaming · #2 05-28-2010, 08:42 PM

More "harmony" than "duet"....and Stevie is an excellent harmony singer.

StreetAngel95 · #3 05-28-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CADreaming

More "harmony" than "duet"....and Stevie is an excellent harmony singer.

i agree a hundred percent. And even if Stevie isn't perfectly on time - so what! Her voice gives such a different atmosphere to a song that you just WANT to listen to hear how it will sound with her on it. One of my favorites happen to be "Needles and Pins", probably because Tom and Stevie have very similar vocal techniques (IMO). And regarding Taylor and Stevie, i truly believe Stevie tried hard to save the performance, but bottom line, Taylor started out singing flat and it's very difficult to change your pitch mid-song (i know from experience.)

EDIT: i actually can understand why someone would say that Stevie's timing is off. I really like, though. It makes her seem imperfect and relatable. Also, it gives you a better chance to hear her! LOL

alright, sorry to ramble - please proceed to disagree completely with what i said! LOL

APerfectLie · #4 05-29-2010, 12:59 AM

First off, I think she does amazing in the live version of The Insider. Not that she isn't good in the others, but that version of The Insider is one of my fav songs ever. Also, if you think she can't sing duets live, I suggest you go download some bootlegs of her and Don Henley's Two Voices Tour. Her duets with Henley on his and her songs are ****ing amazing. Go download Hotel California, Last Worthless Evening, and New York Minute, Stevie makes them even better than the originals IMO.

Sanne2 · #5 05-29-2010, 05:12 AM

I don't think she was meant to be at the damn microphone during Call Jamm II at all. That duet was never planned, she just jumped on stage and started singing.

MissLadyLoki · #6 05-29-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CADreaming

More "harmony" than "duet"....and Stevie is an excellent harmony singer.

I gotta agree with that. She isn't really the best in singing duets (hell, many people aren't, the only good duet I know of being Somewhere from West Side Story), but when it comes down to harmonies, she kills, especially when it's with Lindsey and Christine.

michelej1 · #7 05-29-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissLadyLoki

I gotta agree with that. She isn't really the best in singing duets (hell, many people aren't, the only good duet I know of being Somewhere from West Side Story), but when it comes down to harmonies, she kills, especially when it's with Lindsey and Christine.

I like the way she and Lindsey do Second Hand News together. I consider that a duet. That's why I've been hoping they'd also do IDWTK ever since Christine left.

I really don't like It's Late by Stevie and Chris Isaak and I never could pinpoint why. A duet vocal arrangement has to add something to the song emotionally, so that you're conveying something together that you wouldn't be conveying solo. That's why it's sometimes better to change verses, so that each of you seem to be bringing a separate lyrical perspective to it.

When you're both just singing the same words at the same time without too much variation it either showcases your synchronicity or it becomes very monotonous very fast.

Michele

jwd · #8 05-29-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriskisn

I began to realise that while Stevie might sound all very well singing a duet in the studio she doesn't do great duets when singing live.

One case in point that I think would dispute this, at least in my opinion, is Stevie's and Sheryl's 'Strong Enough' from Storytellers. I thought she did a beautiful job.

ButterCookie · #9 05-29-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwd

One case in point that I think would dispute this, at least in my opinion, is Stevie's and Sheryl's 'Strong Enough' from Storytellers. I thought she did a beautiful job.

Unfortunately, that point became invalid as soon as you mentioned Sheryl

michelej1 · #10 05-29-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

Unfortunately, that point became invalid as soon as you mentioned Sheryl

I don't like Ms. Crow particularly, but I think Sorcerer turned out great, song and video.

Michele

Zanobbi · #11 05-30-2010, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

Unfortunately, that point became invalid as soon as you mentioned Sheryl

Living as I do in a country that is a monarchy, I can say this:
Stevie is the queen, but sure Sheryl makes a wonderful princess.

upontheventura · #12 05-30-2010, 07:56 AM

Does anyone have the MP3 of Insider with Stevie and Tom from 06?

I had no idea. It is beautiful. Its much sadder than the Packing Up The Plantation version. Wow.

Macfanforever · #13 05-30-2010, 10:58 AM

I've had friends notice she is off time and off key.on these tunes,but I say to them,Stevie just having a blast on stage,shes having a ball,To me I'm not worrying about the timing,I just want to see her perform.oh about The Taylor thing,The only thing I got pisted about is ,The producers did not give Taylor and Stevie much time to rehearse together,also I like Taylor,But i'm not condemning her because of that awards performance.If I was standing next to Stevie that night,I will be nervous and make a mess of Rhiannon too.

StreetAngel95 · #14 05-30-2010, 11:14 AM

I was actually just listening to the Jim Ladd interview from '86 - Stevie talked about how she and Tom never rehearsed "Needles and Pins" or "Knocking on Heaven's Door" - so give the girl a break! For no rehearsal, that's amazing!

Sleepless-Child · #15 05-30-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreetAngel95

I was actually just listening to the Jim Ladd interview from '86 - Stevie talked about how she and Tom never rehearsed "Needles and Pins" or "Knocking on Heaven's Door" - so give the girl a break! For no rehearsal, that's amazing!

I don't understand this thread

. "Needles and Pins" is so great live, Tom and Stevie's version is even ranked 27th on the 50 greatest live hit singles from Digital Dreamdoor