Stevie Nicks ~ Dreams & Chains: The Anthology - Page 6

mikebise · #76 12-26-2010, 12:13 PM

Thanks again for the kind words.

Am I missing anything? Anything significant in Stevie's career?

The NON-Master Reels demos & outtakes, I think, just do not sound crisp enough on an anthology (unless that's all that's on it). So, unfortunately, "She Still Loves Him", "At The Fair", "One More Tomorrow", "Beautiful Ghost" and the rest just do not fit in this collection. If even clearer copies showed up, yes, of course.

The older "Cathouse Blues"-era demos sound good enough, so some are on Dreams & Chains, even if not true Masters.

I'm thinking Live Songs may need some rethinking. If the 1983 Us Fest "Outside The Rain" ALSO had "Dreams" attached, I would definitely have used that. I'm about to replace the 2005 "Stand Back" with the December 1983 Saturday Night Live performance. My audio for the SNL "Stand Back" comes from the official DVD, so the sound is perfect.

Part of my inspiration for Dreams & Chains was Barbra Streisand's mind-boggling 1991 collection, Just For The Record. On it, Barbra used live songs, TV performances, unreleased albums, single mixes, outtakes, obscure duets, and MORE to make an awesome career-spanning epic. I've always wished Enchanted had been a bit more like Barbra's box set.

Some songs/performances I still think I'm missing are:

"Jane"
"I Pretend" - Talk about obscure!
"Sara" - complete, unedited 1979 soundboard from St. Louis (the video version uncut!)
"Are You Mine?" - Duet with Billy Burnette; outtake from Rock A Little
"Castaway" - There's a great 4-minute version on the Masters Reels
"Annabel Lee" - The TISL demo; a taste of Stevie's new album?
"Baby Doll" - It's too perfect!!!
"Doing The Best I Can" - 1989 BBC-TV
"You Won't Forget Me" - Live 1975; I think the sound is excellent
"Somebody Stand By Me" - This was our FIRST hearing post-Street Angel Stevie; pretty important?
"Let Me Count The Ways" - 1996; Not important, but obscure and easily sequenced in anywhere
"Gate And Garden" - This and "I Will Run To You" are all that's left from the official The Wild Heart
"Have No Heart" - TISL demo
"Too Far From Texas" - Stevie did it in concert; country stations here in Dallas played the Hell out of it!
"The Highwayman" - outtake version from Bella Donna
"Illume" - Stevie loves this one!
"Needles & Pins" - Live 1982 AND a single!
"Love Is Dangerous" - A rock radio hit and single!
"Races Are Run"
"The Second Time"
"Smiling Islands" - 1982 duet
"Circle Dance"
"Space Needle" - It's pretty long, though
"Straight Back"
"That Made Me Stronger"
"Sweet Girl" - Live 1997
"Unconditional Love" - Almost a single!
"Without You"

Not that THESE songs are the most significant, but, by going to 8 CDs, some of these might be good choices to fill up the CDs, as classics are shuffled around a bit.

Just typing this has me started adding another CD. However, I will be reshuffling a few songs from each of the other CDs, taking them for the 8th one, so that the hits are dispersed accordingly.

Dodfather · #77 12-26-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebise

Thanks again for the kind words.

"Too Far From Texas" - Stevie did it in concert; country stations here in Dallas played the Hell out of it!
"Straight Back"
"That Made Me Stronger"

You're very welcome for the words - the work you've been putting in is excellent!

I'm VERY excited by Too Far From Texas! I've never heard a live version before that is of anywhere near decent quality! If you don't decide to go with it could you send me a link to it if it's available online?

I think Straight Back would be a GREAT random choice! I'd also pick That's Alright - since those 2 songs get overshadowed by Gypsy from that period (as awesome and important a song as that is of course).

That Made Me Stronger just doesn't do it for me - worst track from that album. Perhaps Fall From Grace from TISL instead, if it isn't included already? It's Stevie's return to a kick-ass rock sound after all. Really sorry if that sounds like I'm interfering!

Oooh Missionary · #78 12-26-2010, 07:19 PM

This thread reminds me of how extremely personal assembling compilations can be, at least those that stray from a basic hits/signature songs formula. It's wonderful to see you enjoying yourself and being creative (and to see others enjoying this as well) but I personally am not feeling the sequencing at all. I promise I'm not trying to be an ass and chose to state my opinion when you began encouraging feedback. This is, of course, only my opinion with which absolutely no one has to agree. I AM NOT TRYING TO BE NEGATIVE, JUST HONEST.

To begin with, this is too many discs and the sequencing is waaaay too random to make for an enjoyable listen. We're talking a span of nearly 40 years! Stevie's recordings work best in chronological or near-chronological order (this has always been one of my complaints about each of her official compilation releases, especially Enchanted.) I'm also extremely bothered by the omission of the original studio masters for "Rhiannon," "Landslide," "Gold Dust Woman" and "Silver Springs". Four of her most defining studio recordings shafted on a 7, possibly 8 CD set?!

By my count you've included only 13 songs that are not included on her official releases. What I would love to listen to is a pared down 2 disc set: one disc containing these unreleased songs/out takes and a second of the key alternate recordings/versions offering a new perspective of her released songs. This would nicely complement a chronological 3-4 disc set of hits, album cuts and other released studio masters.

Something that I really appreciate is your exceptional taste when it comes to using Chris Lord-Alge's remixes from Timespace and singles. I've long championed these as the definitive mixes and wish he would have done her entire back catalog!

I understand opting for the slightly longer unedited LP mix of "Leather And Lace" found on Enchanted and Crystal Visions (though I still prefer the 1991 mix), but I am curious as to why you use the LP version of "If Anyone Falls" instead of the Timespace remix.

As for the title...it's a bit predictable and (I'm sorry!!) corny. That said it's not as though I can come up with a better one off of the top of my head for the sake of this post.

I think, working with what you've already assembled, it would benefit the listenability to sequence the studio recordings in loose chronological order and consider adding/swapping the aforementioned studio takes not already included. Then place the other odds and ends (demos, live versions etc.) on their own discs.

*zips up flame-retardant suit*

SuiteShangriLa · #79 12-26-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badanimals87

I have a copy of the original Westwood One CD which still has the commercials as well as JJ Jackson's commentary. I edited all that crap out for my iTunes so if anyone is interested I will post the tracks as the sound quality is best from this CD.

Interested

badanimals87 · #80 12-27-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuiteShangriLa

Interested

mikebise · #81 12-27-2010, 07:53 PM

Ooh, fantastic! That is one of Stevie's best concerts ever!

peer_gynt10 · #82 12-27-2010, 08:48 PM

Just a quick question, Mike. Why did you chose to start with IYEDB, given the fact that it's not one of Stevie's best known songs? Don't misunderstand me, I love the song and I've always thought she should have included it on Trouble. Just curious.

mikebise · #83 12-27-2010, 09:25 PM

Well, like you, I think it's a fantastic, overlooked song. I think it's a great intro to Stevie's works. Written in 1978, that version recorded in 1998... such coolness in the timing of the song. Not a real "hit", but probably a song most Stevie fans are familiar with. And it should have gotten more exposure.

SapphireSister · #84 12-27-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebise

Well, like you, I think it's a fantastic, overlooked song. I think it's a great intro to Stevie's works. Written in 1978, that version recorded in 1998... such coolness in the timing of the song. Not a real "hit", but probably a song most Stevie fans are familiar with. And it should have gotten more exposure.

Agreed. It's a top 10 for me and I LOVE the early version...

Now that to me is a REAL love song.

peer_gynt10 · #85 12-27-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebise

And it should have gotten more exposure.

I agree completely! As I've said, it should've been part of Trouble. And maybe even Crystal Visions, to give more emphasis to the later recordings.

SuiteShangriLa · #86 12-27-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badanimals87

Taken from the Westwood One broadcast CD...

Fabulous!!!

Oooh Missionary · #87 12-28-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badanimals87

Taken from the Westwood One broadcast CD...

This is amazing! Thank you so much!!!

badanimals87 · #88 12-28-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

Ooh, downloading now!! Thank you, can't wait. I love Jim Ladd. I'm not crazy about the GDW arrangements in the 90's, except on the BTM tour, but I've never heard the undoctored bronchitis version of anything from this show before. So thanks again!

starshine · #89 12-28-2010, 08:34 PM

I love what you did with the cd list. The length of it doesn't bother me at all. 8 cds sounds awesome. I also wish we could've gotten much much more on Stevie's Enchanted Box set. We all know it could've been longer and much more extensive. (and the cover to me should've really been a beautiful photo of Stevie not the feather. The feather is cute but well with all the outtake photos its just a shame that one of those weren't used for the cover of it.) I love the Blue Lamp photos though just wish there had been more. It could've at least been 4 cds and one dvd. But it is what it is.
Thanks though for all your hard work , Mike. I love it for sure and would love a copy also. Just let me know any costs as well. We could go for 9 cds and include some more rare 'live' songs throughout her solo career. I'd love to vote for StandBack & Nightbird from Solid Gold (2) live songs with Tom Petty during WH tour at Radio City Music Hall: IWRTY (even though its not my favorite song/just because its rare live to hear it) and Stop Draggin. RAL : Talk To Me and I Can't Wait versions/Mirror: Juliet...only done a few times good copies??/Alice/ROF. So makes me wish she'd sang Long Way To Go live...that would've been so awesome!!! SA: Docklands/Destiny/Blue Denim or Maybe Love. Enchanted: Sleeping Angel/Rose Garden/Whole Lotta Trouble or Gold & Braid.(I wished she'd sang Blue Lamp bummer). TISL : Fall from Grace/Bombay Sapphire/Sorcerer. Anyway, Just some ideas. I don't think there are too many great live versions from the short BD tour except from the HBO special which is a shame since I love how she sang during that tour & she practically sang almost all of BD with BL and G&B. Thanks again for all of your hard work on this project, Mike!!!

mmm stevie nick · #90 01-02-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badanimals87

Street Angel Tour - House of Blues Hollywood 9/18/94 - live unedited radio broadcast

Thanks for uploading and sharing this.