Stevie, '75 vs. '77

[ShangriLaTroubl]

Originally Posted by AuDustWoman

Rick, what are you saying about Stevie'sperformance being !!! Let's see what kind of rocker you are at the age of 57!!! How dare you pass judgement like that, and you call yourself a fan? You should be thrilled that she is still out there Rockin' her heart out for us, her devoted and eternally grateful fans!!!

Well first of all I dont think you should pass judgement to him for having an opinion...he can have whatever opinion of any era of Stevie's performance he wants to dont you think?
I like that Stevie is still rockin at 57, but some people just dont like it..and that's their choice.. I think she's doing much better now at 57, than she was in 1986 when she was so coked out she talked her way and growled through songs, often actually sounding like a goat..We all have our eras we prefer over others...I don't think he is any less a "Fan" because he doesnt like the current era.

[ShangriLaTroubl]

Originally Posted by StevieNicksEO17

I LOVE that first picture of Stevie in your signature!

I was just thinking that also!

Chris

[David]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

Do you know what sparked the change? Maybe just gaining confidence?

Probably. I mean, everybody in that situation would gain some confidence sooner or later: Lindsey certainly did. He blossomed as a performer throughout the Rumours Tour & was the onstage leader for the Tusk Tour & after. When people are applauding & cat-calling & whistling for you, your confidence is going to blossom. Plus you get into the swing of things with your new band: the first few months of touring aren't going to be as relaxed as the months after that. You get into the groove & you're able to play on autopilot & you don't have to worry about technical things that you worried about at first. It's just like any job: You learn how to do it & you learn to expend less & recoup more.

As far as the costume, I take Stevie pretty much at face value: She said Margi designed an outfit (the black chiffon outfit) for her that she could wear every night & accessorize & look really cool in & not have to worry about. There must be something really confidence-inducing about that outfit because look at all the women (& men) who dress up in it--for Fleetwood Mac concerts & fan gatherings & grocery shopping. I think thousands of people really love wearing that particular outfit, so part of the reason must be that it makes them feel cute, sexy, alluring, comfortable, &c.

So which band is Fleetwood Mac opening for on this Capitol Centre video? And did it really take place in May? I thought it was in September.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I don't think he's passing judgement. I've loved Stevie for over 20 years, but her performances of today in no way match her performaces of almost 30 years ago.

Actually, I disagree. There is no denying that Stevie was electrifying in her younger days, mainly the 70’s and early 80’s. But we all know that was enhanced by substances. It eventually caught up with her and her performances in the last 80’s and early 90’s suffered as a result of that. Now that Stevie is clean and sober and has been for a very long time, from the late 90’s to now, I don’t think Stevie has ever been more consistent in her performances. This past Gold Dust tour was my favorite tour ever (Mac or solo) seeing Stevie live. Unfortunately, people have a hard time watching our favorites performers grow old. I know for a while I was one of the ones that insisted there had to be better footwear than those platform Reeboks, LOL. But now I’m totally over it. I could care less. If it means that Stevie is more comfortable and is able to give us great performances such as this past tour, then that is fine with me.

[The Tower]

Originally Posted by AuDustWoman

Rick, what are you saying about Stevie'sperformance being !!! Let's see what kind of rocker you are at the age of 57!!! How dare you pass judgement like that, and you call yourself a fan? You should be thrilled that she is still out there Rockin' her heart out for us, her devoted and eternally grateful fans!!!

Originally Posted by AuDustWoman

There is having an opinion and then there is just being rude.

Let him put his money where his mouth is. Wait I forget when you are 17 you know it all.

Wow- the post that Ryan made was infuriating enough to warrant SIX mad emoticons?? Geez, I wonder what calling Stevie a fat, old, washed up goat would get?

Regarding old footage, I'm still on "Ebony Eyes" from Cal Jam II. She looks so great and the smile on her face is just pure rapture. She really looks happy in that one. I would love to be able to sit down with her in the present and play that video and get her comments on it.

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I can't believe after all the times I've defended Stevie on and off this board that I would have to defend my status as a fan.

You don't.

I also think her Vegas performance that I have on DVD (first performance of the run) was stiff and uninspired. When I compare Rhiannon from Rosebud with Rhiannon from Vegas, sorry but it's to me.

I'll do you one better- her performances of "Rhiannon" these days just plain suck. But, I've said that one before.

I also noticed the comparison because I just finished watching Heart soundstage and couldn't believe how much Ann Wilson still rocks and hits high notes. She's probably not that much younger than Stevie, and I was thinking to myself, wow what a difference.

Ann is two years younger than Stevie. Comparing the two of them really isn't fair. Stevie isn't on the same level as Ann is vocally. If we're talking about holding up to the ravages of aging, I think Stevie wins this one. Ann was looking great after stomach surgery and when I was standing three feet away from her in the front row of the Greek on the Jupiter's Darling tour she still looked pretty good. However, just a year later on the Soundstage performance her face is looking much older and puffier and she has gained back a significant amount of weight.

Originally Posted by StevieNicksEO17

I LOVE that first picture of Stevie in your signature!

It's odd that she has her hands clenched into fists. Anyone else think that looks kinda strange?

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by The Tower

It's odd that she has her hands clenched into fists. Anyone else think that looks kinda strange?

I noticed that too...but after looking at it again I think she's holding the tips of her coat, like she does during the Today Show appearance.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I also noticed the comparison because I just finished watching Heart soundstage and couldn't believe how much Ann Wilson still rocks and hits high notes. She's probably not that much younger than Stevie, and I was thinking to myself, wow what a difference. Then I put on the Stevie DVDs, and...well, never mind.

Preach it friend. I feel the same way whenever I see/hear Ann Wilson sing. She is STILL amazing, and I make the same comparison you do between Ann and Stevie or Stevie and anyone else out there still belting it like Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner, etc. Stevie is not rising to the vocal challenge. Don't get me wrong, she still rocks, but it's just like she doesn't put her heart and soul into it vocally anymore. Straining one's voice is not really singing, and that's what Stevie tends to do more than anything these days.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by The Tower

Ann is two years younger than Stevie. Comparing the two of them really isn't fair. Stevie isn't on the same level as Ann is vocally.

I think they are comparable. Why not? They both have had a good career of shredding their voices, the only difference is, Ann still sounds good and delivers killer performances whereas Stevie strains through the vocally challenging parts of her songs and takes the safe way out by lowering high notes and not "belting it" the way she used to. There's a marked difference between older Stevie voice and younger Stevie voice, the same is not true of Ann.

And one person who I am amazed does not have a ravaged voice is Robert Plant and just LOOK at the abuse he has heaped upon his vocal chords throughout the years. I'm surprised the man can still talk much less give amazing vocal performances at his age.

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by The Tower

Wow- the post that Ryan made was infuriating enough to warrant SIX mad emoticons??

I know, I felt so bad that I ruined someone's Sunday out there.

I'll do you one better- her performances of "Rhiannon" these days just plain suck.

Well, I agree, but I was trying to be non-controversial in my opening post! I think Stevie should keep Rhiannon to a ballad these days if she's not going to let loose at the end. And I think she's perfectly capable of letting loose; she just holds herself back.

Comparing the two of them really isn't fair. Stevie isn't on the same level as Ann is vocally. If we're talking about holding up to the ravages of aging, I think Stevie wins this one.

No, I was talking about maintaining the same vocal abilities as 30 years ago. You are right, Ann has always been at a different level. But I also think that Stevie plays it way too safe vocally these days, and Ann doesn't. Physically, though, you're right. Stevie is way ahead.

And, by the way, I saw Stevie on the Gold Dust Tour, and thought she was really good. My comments about her recent performance was specific to Vegas, May 10, 2005.

[The Tower]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

I think they are comparable. Why not?

Because Stevie has never been in the same vocal league as Ann- ever. There really isn't any singer out there that is really in Ann's league. However, Stevie is truly not the same caliber of singer that Ann is.

There's a marked difference between older Stevie voice and younger Stevie voice, the same is not true of Ann.

I would disagree with that. Ann's vocal timbre had changed quite a bit- her range is still there for sure, the the tone of her voice has aged.

And one person who I am amazed does not have a ravaged voice is Robert Plant and just LOOK at the abuse he has heaped upon his vocal chords throughout the years. I'm surprised the man can still talk much less give amazing vocal performances at his age.

Sorry, babe- Robert Plant's voice is a pale, pale shadow of it's former self. The difference/decline began with In Through the Out Door and has cruised downhill ever since.

[markolas]

Originally Posted by The Tower

Wow- the post that Ryan made was infuriating enough to warrant SIX mad emoticons?? Geez, I wonder what calling Stevie a fat, old, washed up goat would get?

A couple of busted kneecaps, probably.

[The Tower]

Originally Posted by markolas

A couple of busted kneecaps, probably.

Well, then I won't call Stevie that, cuz I need my knees in good condition!

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Travis

Now that Stevie is clean and sober and has been for a very long time, from the late 90’s to now,

In program terms, she is neither.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by The Tower

Regarding old footage, I'm still on "Ebony Eyes" from Cal Jam II. She looks so great and the smile on her face is just pure rapture. She really looks happy in that one.

It's one of my favorite performances.

Originally Posted by The Tower

It's odd that she has her hands clenched into fists. Anyone else think that looks kinda strange?

Yeah, I noticed that. She's tense there.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

And one person who I am amazed does not have a ravaged voice is Robert Plant and just LOOK at the abuse he has heaped upon his vocal chords throughout the years. I'm surprised the man can still talk much less give amazing vocal performances at his age.

He dodges most of his high notes. And he gets a lot of help from his sound guy. I don't think Robert's voice sounds that great anymore.