Sara (Cleaning Lady Version)?????

[Lala]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
I guess the best thing we can hope for is that they did indeed include this version on the remastered 'Tusk,' and that those "extensive liner notes" will offer some explanation as to the song's origins.

Uhhu

Thanks for all the information guys.

[David]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
Since the typical order of things always seemed to be: record demo - play it for the band - band then turns it into a full-blown song... I guess it was natural to assume that Stevie's Dallas recording had to have come before Fleetwood Mac worked on the track.

Maybe it did. But I brought up a long time ago the possibility that the "cleaning lady" thing isn't really Stevie's demo of "Sara" (I just reject the idea that a demo contains drum, guitar, bass, piano & vocal tracks that are obviously part of the finished product).

I have a few piano demos of "Sara" that are more like something Stevie used to play for the group in those days for consideration. These piano demos have a really heavy, wet stage reverb on them -- the kind of effect you'd add in a recording studio (like Goodnight Dallas). On many of the demos from the reels, you can hear Stevie frequently request more "echo"; she really loves her echo on both her piano playing & her vocal. I think it's possible that these piano demos are what was recorded in Dallas in July 1978, although I don't hear additional vocals on them. So I give up.

It's all pretty screwy, Johnny Stewy.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by David
But I brought up a long time ago the possibility that the "cleaning lady" thing isn't really Stevie's demo of "Sara" (I just reject the idea that a demo contains drum, guitar, bass, piano & vocal tracks that are obviously part of the finished product).

I don't think it's a "demo" in the strict sense either... it has far too much production for a demo.
My theory was just that the original demo might have served as the skeleton for the track we're hearing, and they built up the instrumentation around it.
Your theory is an excellent one though... I can get on board with that.

The tracks that really deserve the "demo" indentification, are those with just a piano/keyboard accompaniment... or, as is the case with some really old songs like "Sorcerer" and "If You Ever Did Believe," some slight arrangement ideas with guitar and vocals.

Anything else... like the "Cleaning Lady" track... would be more along the lines of a rough-take or an outtake.

But some fans just apply "demo" to everything... which makes it all the more confusing when trying to discuss two or more different versions of the same song!

Originally posted by David
It's all pretty screwy, Johnny Stewy.