Feeling some sympathy for Stevie

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

This is all a bit unfair. I don't know how you could say that a woman with the audacity to tour every year and command the stage at her age is exactly lacking in self-assurance. Self-awareness... now, well, that's another matter altogether...

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity. Why isn't she dragging out some of her lesser known songs? Instead she just continues to beat Rhiannon, Dreams, Edge, et al into the ground and sprinkles in cover songs to keep things fresh. WTH Stevie? She should know that her fans are rabid for the rarities... hence their fascination with her unreleased demos. I remember during my Enchanted show, even my Mom (who isn't a Stevie fan) thought the best songs of the concert were Stevie's "trio" : Garbo, Rose Garden, Sleeping Angel. My Mother just thought it was a really artistically cool thing of Stevie to do.

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by AliceLover

I disagree completely. She had said 1,000 times over the past year that she has made this record for herself and doesn't care if ten people buy it.

I believe she made the album for herself. I don't believe she doesn't care if 10 people buy it. She does care. That's only human. You don't lose a lifetime ego overnight.

Even if the album doesn't sell, if she's proud of it, I hope she is always proud of it. I hope it's her FFG. Something that she stands by, even if it is not something that has appeal for casual fans.

Michele

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Fleetwoodmark

Hold on a minute,

It's only the fans that are having many of these debates, Where has she had to explain her choice of song on Ellen ? Has she explained the Twilight thing ?

In the music business today every artist has to explain themselves and their intentions for the record - not just Stevie - these are routine questions by any interviewer to try and shed light on the new album - they are not trying to trip her up.

Yes, I don't think she's being apologetic. You've got to have something to talk about in an interview. Why not those things? Better to talk about that, rather than the Rumours break ups.

On the one hand, I do understand the feeling that you don't want to have 63 year old people explaining themselves. During Destiny Rules when they were "auditioning" for the record executives and there was this Sally Fields' "please like me" vibe in the air, I cringed for them. It made me sad that they were still striving for acceptance, still hoping to make the cut, still scrounging when Britney Spears had it made. That hurt.

But so far, I haven't seen any of that going on with the Secret Love or IYD publicity. I haven't sensed nervousness or vulnerability. Things have been rather upbeat and, dare I say, joyous. I don't think Stevie is trying to justify anything, so much that she is just making conversation.

Michele

[SapphireSister]

From the stars in her eyes that I witnessed on Saturday, that woman's still got it and she knows it. I really think at her age and with her many accomplishments her entire ego is not resting on the number of albums she sells so I strongly disagree with that statement. She believes in this album, is passionate about it, and obviously had a great time creating it so what's the big deal? At this point in her career she really doesn't need to prove anything to anyone so she should spend her days doing what makes her happy, making music! I hate to keep bringing up the fact that I spent some time with her this last weekend but it really affected my perception of her and in my honest opinion, there is not a reason in the world to feel sympathy for this woman.

[SapphireSister]

She's not 63 yet people, she's only 62. Get it striaght!!

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!

Having stage fright is not the same thing as being insecure.

I'm not saying Stevie's not insecure, but come on, being nervous on the set of Glee is no proof of that. Stage fright is more of a phobia than it is a confidence test. It's like vertigo, I'd say, not a measure of self-assurrance or self-esteem. It's a fear of sorts, but not a fear of failure.

I'm a nervous wreck around spiders, but that doesn't mean I'm unsure of my songwriting ability.

Michele

[APerfectLie]

Originally Posted by SapphireSister

She's not 63 yet people, she's only 62. Get it striaght!!

My thoughts exactly! It isn't May 26th yet.

Also, it is clear Stevie is choosing what to talk about. She had to talk about the Rod tour because that is what she is really promoting on the interviews right now. And she is throwing that tidbit in about Twilight to catch some younger ears and capitalize on that vampire money. Kind of like in 2009 when every interviewer asked her who came up with the word Unleashed. If Stevie didn't want to talk about these things, she wouldn't. And besides, it is an INTERVIEW. What is the point of an interview if she doesn't explain anything? Believe me, La Nicks has had much more exhausting interviews.

[StandbackStevie]

Definetly Stevie did this new cd to for herself and the die hard fans been waiting for a new cd for 10yrs from her so cause today the cd sales they make very little on if anything much its the touring they make alot of there money from so. It's definetly an artistic move on Stevie to do a new cd and also another way to promote a tour and make really nice money on tour. This will be her last for I am sure unless she releases another greatest hits package down the road too which will probably happen wish FM would release all of there videos on dvd would be awesome for me.

[MacMan]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity. Why isn't she dragging out some of her lesser known songs? Instead she just continues to beat Rhiannon, Dreams, Edge, et al into the ground and sprinkles in cover songs to keep things fresh. WTH Stevie? She should know that her fans are rabid for the rarities... hence their fascination with her unreleased demos. I remember during my Enchanted show, even my Mom (who isn't a Stevie fan) thought the best songs of the concert were Stevie's "trio" : Garbo, Rose Garden, Sleeping Angel. My Mother just thought it was a really artistically cool thing of Stevie to do.

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!

Nervous? Yes... Who wouldn't be during any kind of public speaking. A wreck? Not so much... And everyone is insecure about different stuff...

And you gotta catch a show... The covers don't sound half bad if you're there + plus the stage clothes aren't over a decade... Maybe some of the shawls are... but she's made quite a few changes to what she wears since 2005... Some of them are subtle, but the changes are there... The problem is most are black and in the same style so it kind of all looks the same... And who gives a crap what she wears day to day LOL

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity. Why isn't she dragging out some of her lesser known songs? Instead she just continues to beat Rhiannon, Dreams, Edge, et al into the ground and sprinkles in cover songs to keep things fresh. WTH Stevie? She should know that her fans are rabid for the rarities... hence their fascination with her unreleased demos. I remember during my Enchanted show, even my Mom (who isn't a Stevie fan) thought the best songs of the concert were Stevie's "trio" : Garbo, Rose Garden, Sleeping Angel. My Mother just thought it was a really artistically cool thing of Stevie to do.

Those who think I'm spouting off BS about Stevie being insecure, just watch the video from her visiting the Glee set. She's a nervous, insecure wreck there... bless her heart. And just look at the video... she's worn the same street clothes for a decade. And she's worn the same stage dresses for over a decade. She's terribly insecure, or else she'd mix things up some!

The thing to keep in mind about Stevie is that she has never been the tortured artist on stage. Never. She has always been about pleasing and putting on a good show, no matter what it takes. She understands perfectly that her diehard fans want to hear "Sable on Blond" and "Kind of Woman" in the setlist. But she also realizes that the other 90% of the audience wants to hear "Dreams," "Rhiannon" and "GDW," so that's who she plays for. I am certainly no performing musician, but I suspect strongly that it is much easier to rock out on stage than to stand there perfectly still and sing a ballad. Upbeat rockers tend to make the audience happy, dance around, and smile. Slower songs tend to make audiences morose and restless, especially if they are obscure; it's often potty break time. I think this partially explains the covers in her set, which by and large have been upbeat rockers; quite honestly, Stevie doesn't have all that many upbeat rockers of her own to choose from (that she would still feel comfortable performing). I certainly don't like the covers, but at the same time I can sympathize. The Enchanted tour was definitely a treat, but I could imagine Stevie thinking the whole time OMG, I hope I'm not boring anyone with this obscure sh*t.

If you were visiting Stevie, Lindsey, Mick, John and Christine in a recording studio and delivering a speech extemporaneously to them, wouldn't you be, uh, freaking out in a major way? I know I would! Stevie is a major fan of Glee, so I am sure she was totally fantarding out in front of the cast, hence the fumphering, the jitters and the manic energy. I totally love the fact that at her age and stature she can still be fazed by something like this. It has nothing to do with insecurity, but everything to do with having enthusiasm and the ability to appreciate people.

[sherhiannon]

If I was Stevie just reading these message boards would make me an insecure wreck. Most of us on here are die hard Stevie fans who love her but some of you can be downright mean when "interpreting" what you think Stevie is all about or how she is feeling. I am just so happy that she is putting out a new CD & if she didn't so be it, she owes us nothing. She has plenty of money and doesn't need to do this anymore if she didn't want to. She seems really excited about this new CD and I'm excited for her. I'll take whatever she is willing to give us at the moment or be just as happy with the catalog of music she has already given us. Put yourself in her shoes and re-read some of the posts on here, how would you feel if you kept reading that you're insecure, wear old lame clothes, don't have the voice you used to, don't play the right songs in your shows, don't work hard enough for your fans, that some people are already disappointed with the album you haven't even released yet.......kind of sad huh? The world is already such a negative place why look for things to be unhappy about...WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW MUSIC! Be Happy!

[sorcerer999]

Originally Posted by sherhiannon

If I was Stevie just reading these message boards would make me an insecure wreck. Most of us on here are die hard Stevie fans who love her but some of you can be downright mean when "interpreting" what you think Stevie is all about or how she is feeling. I am just so happy that she is putting out a new CD & if she didn't so be it, she owes us nothing. She has plenty of money and doesn't need to do this anymore if she didn't want to. She seems really excited about this new CD and I'm excited for her. I'll take whatever she is willing to give us at the moment or be just as happy with the catalog of music she has already given us. Put yourself in her shoes and re-read some of the posts on here, how would you feel if you kept reading that you're insecure, wear old lame clothes, don't have the voice you used to, don't play the right songs in your shows, don't work hard enough for your fans, that some people are already disappointed with the album you haven't even released yet.......kind of sad huh? The world is already such a negative place why look for things to be unhappy about...WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW MUSIC! Be Happy!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

The thing to keep in mind about Stevie is that she has never been the tortured artist on stage. Never. She has always been about pleasing and putting on a good show, no matter what it takes. She understands perfectly that her diehard fans want to hear "Sable on Blond" and "Kind of Woman" in the setlist. But she also realizes that the other 90% of the audience wants to hear "Dreams," "Rhiannon" and "GDW," so that's who she plays for. I am certainly no performing musician, but I suspect strongly that it is much easier to rock out on stage than to stand there perfectly still and sing a ballad. Upbeat rockers tend to make the audience happy, dance around, and smile. Slower songs tend to make audiences morose and restless, especially if they are obscure; it's often potty break time. I think this partially explains the covers in her set, which by and large have been upbeat rockers; quite honestly, Stevie doesn't have all that many upbeat rockers of her own to choose from (that she would still feel comfortable performing). I certainly don't like the covers, but at the same time I can sympathize. The Enchanted tour was definitely a treat, but I could imagine Stevie thinking the whole time OMG, I hope I'm not boring anyone with this obscure sh*t.

I've often fallen back on this line of reasoning myself over the years, but as time goes by, I find myself doubting it more and more.

I don't really believe anymore that Stevie is the kind of artist that attracts an audience of people who don't have her albums - especially 90% of said audiences. I guess, what I'm trying to say is that I'd bet that the 90% of her audience you refer to would be equally thrilled to hear Sable On Blonde and Kind of Woman as the other 10%.

I really have serious doubts about the majority of her live audiences being fans who only know the hits. I have even more doubts about the so-called "casual fan" who knows nothing musically about Stevie other than the tracks that appear on FM Greatest Hits/Timespace, wanting to pony up 150 bucks to go to one of her shows to hear Stand Back, Dreams and songs by Bonnie Raitt or Led Zeppelin.

In fact, these days I'd consider reversing those percentages. If it were 1983, I'd agree with you completely, but not in 2011. Stevie just isn't enough of a who's-who to have 90% of her audience be people who aren't obsessed with her musical catalog.

Just my opinion.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by sherhiannon

If I was Stevie just reading these message boards would make me an insecure wreck. Most of us on here are die hard Stevie fans who love her but some of you can be downright mean when "interpreting" what you think Stevie is all about or how she is feeling. I am just so happy that she is putting out a new CD & if she didn't so be it, she owes us nothing. She has plenty of money and doesn't need to do this anymore if she didn't want to. She seems really excited about this new CD and I'm excited for her. I'll take whatever she is willing to give us at the moment or be just as happy with the catalog of music she has already given us. Put yourself in her shoes and re-read some of the posts on here, how would you feel if you kept reading that you're insecure, wear old lame clothes, don't have the voice you used to, don't play the right songs in your shows, don't work hard enough for your fans, that some people are already disappointed with the album you haven't even released yet.......kind of sad huh? The world is already such a negative place why look for things to be unhappy about...WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME NEW MUSIC! Be Happy!

Thats Funny. But true!
Just goes to show you that you cannot please everyone, so why bother trying! Stevie set the bar so high with her compositions on the 1st 3 FM albums and her 1st couple of solo releases that she has been chasing that dragon all the way up to SYW. I really don't think it matters as much to her now. She's the one still standing, going into her 5th decade in this fickle industry. She not just a survivor. She has survived. As someone mentioned, Stevie recorded this album for herself & her die hards with the hope that possibly it might catch on to the general public. It will be an artistic album. I have faith.

[Sorceress]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I think the fact she's been singing gawd-awful cover songs during all of this excessive touring this past decade is further evidence of insecurity.

I quite like hearing Stevie do Rock-n-Roll. Crash, not so much, but I do enjoy the covers in general. It's interesting to me to hear her sing what she wants to sing--who she is listening to, the music she likes, what is inspiring her when she's planning her tour setlist. It's a tiny glimpse, but still one I can appreciate. It's actually kind of refreshing to see that she draws inspiration from other artists rather than being stuck in Stevie-land 100% of the time.

She may be insecure about some things, but I don't think doing covers is evidence of that. Probably her basic onstage and street clothes uniforms are related to insecurity about her weight (and her fixed idea of what looks good on her body shape), but who among us doesn't have issues with some aspect of our appearance and try to compensate accordingly?