Thoughts on Crystal Visions CD / DVD

[ELIUD]

Phil, your ear for vocals is so much better than mine and I see your point on all the songs you mentioned. Even Silver Girl! I've always thought part of what's ruining her more recent vocalizing is her damn projection. It's like she thinks the microphone is not carrying her voice, and she has to yell her songs out to the crowd. I blame the vocal coach. That's why I love Landslide on the old live album. Her voice is almost gone and she's just gives this lilting performance that absolutely captivates her audience to the very end. There's a second of total silence when she's finishes before the crowd begins to applaud. It gives me chills.

But I still don't hold much hope for Edge, she's just been doing it like this for too long.

[jkmaletic]

I was in an FYE store yesterday just to see how they were displaying Crystal Visions. I was unable to find anything but Timespace. Stevie's name was up on the board behind the register as a new release, so I asked the girl working the register about it. She said, "Wow- is she coming to town or something? Everyone's been coming in here asking about her new CD! We're actually out of them right now." She asked if she could order one for me and I told her no - that I already had one, and that I was just a big fan and was curious.

Anyway, I thought that was so cool that at least here it seems to be selling well.

~jamie

[DestinyRules]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

In just a few short days, it's become my favorite "Edge" of all time.

Stevie sounds flawless, and I love the eerieness that the orchestration adds.

I don't think she sounded "off" as in missing notes, but I thought she sounded pretty lifeless on the track. The MSO definitely adds something to the performance.

I'm really jonesing on "Rock And Roll" though. Great addition to the set, though I would have wanted a killer live version of "Stand Back" AND "I Need To Know" on there. Hell, I'd even have taken the Blockbuster version of "Fall From Grace."

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by ELIUD

I've always thought part of what's ruining her more recent vocalizing is her damn projection. It's like she thinks the microphone is not carrying her voice, and she has to yell her songs out to the crowd. I blame the vocal coach.

Yeah, she bellows a little too much when she sings live now. She shouldn't be afraid to sing a little softer, even if it means that her voice sounds raspier -- which is an aspect of her vocal performances that I LOVED and have missed since she started singing "like a female Jon Bon Jovi" (as per an old review in Entertainment Weekly).

I still love that vocal on the MSO version of "Edge" though. I don't know why -- I just do.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

there is none, I looked and looked to no avail - so no 'Easter Eggs' on this DVD

How would one go about looking?

[marc402]

hi guys, finally got the package on thursday. had to buy it for euro 29.99 (at the only shop in amsterdam who could even order it for me)
I asked my friend to get it for me on amazon as a pre-order before but he had not yet come around to it and my patience had run out i know this was expensive but i needed to have it. Have been staying away from the ledge al together as to avoid any spoilers.

must say i love the package.
the cd :
I love rock 'n Roll (never heard the original so it was a new song to me, listened to the original Led Zeppelin version only yesterday for the first time, and that even reinforced my feeling that she did a great job on the cover)
I really dig the instrumentation on Landslide aswell and love on Edge the part where the orchestra really kicks in with those string arangements.
Wich one of the old songs were actualy remixed , cause i thought that sorcerer, if anyone falls and dreams deep dish mix at least sounded slightly difirent than the versions i'm used to , although haven't really compared the tracks with the other versions i have.

the dvd :
put it in before the cd actualy , and went straight to the bella donna footage.
I'm in love with the entire Blue lamp section and the fashion show is lots of fun too.
then i watched the video's and again with commentary straight after.
had already seen the commentary for IAFIL, sorcerer, SB (scarlett version) and EO17 online earlier.
liked her humor on the vid's
my favorite :Everyday -" Men in tree's, men in tree's".

all in all worth every penny i've paid for it

[strandinthewind]

I played the Mel. Orch. ones on my Ipod the other day and the difference in what you can hear is amazing. I highly suggest it

[Musicman408]

Absolutely love it. The DVD is great. Every aspect.

I love the live tracks on the c.d and it is nice to have a copy of rumours Silver Spings.

[SpyNote]

Originally Posted by Phil

What makes me giggle about this is that the Red Rocks version of Edge Of 17 is my absolute favourite version - without a doubt! The only section I don't like is the "singin' it for ya" part but the rest of the phrasing is sublime in my opinion. Further evidence of diversity I guess...

Now if only we could meld the intense Red Rocks vocal with the superb instrumention of the MSO version...

The irony is that a new Edge vocal was overdubbed in the studio for the Rock Rocks video release. Some of the original live vocal was used, maybe 40 seconds worth, strategically patched in with the new vocal. The MSO version, however, was the actual live vocal from that night.

[petep9000]

Originally Posted by SpyNote

The irony is that a new Edge vocal was overdubbed in the studio for the Rock Rocks video release. Some of the original live vocal was used, maybe 40 seconds worth, strategically patched in with the new vocal. The MSO version, however, was the actual live vocal from that night.

Oh yes, definately. Her vocals on the 'Red Rocks' are blatently different from other nights on the tour that I've heard. During the RAL tour, Stevie's vocals were ragged, soaring, harsh, and full of a huskier vibrato. On the 'Red Rocks' video it sounds like she took a hit or two from a helium balloon.

RAL fan that I am, I have to admit the heresy of actually not owning the boot of the ORIGINAL vocals from the Red Rocks stop. Shame on me...

Originally Posted by marc402

hi guys, finally got the package on thursday. had to buy it for euro 29.99 (at the only shop in amsterdam who could even order it for me)


all in all worth every penny i've paid for it

Still you got ripped off, I got it thru CD-WOW, paiud only € 14.95 for it. Free P&P and paid thru my bank-account....ok, had to wait for it for 2 weeks, but still....

[crtrofthenight]

The more I listen to EO17 on crystal visions, I can't believe how horrible her vocal is. I'm sorry but it's true. No range. She could have done much better.

[marc402]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer_NL

Still you got ripped off, I got it thru CD-WOW, paiud only € 14.95 for it. Free P&P and paid thru my bank-account....ok, had to wait for it for 2 weeks, but still....

I did not know that at cd- wow you could pay trough your bank acount,
Thanx for the info though since i will look into that first next time around
since i don't have a creditcard anymore i'm always depending on someone else to order for me where imports are concerned.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by crtrofthenight

The more I listen to EO17 on crystal visions, I can't believe how horrible her vocal is. I'm sorry but it's true. No range. She could have done much better.

I don't mind the vocal. I mind that there is no orchestra until past the two minute mark. There are some dramatic moments from there on out in the arrangement, but they are few. The symphony on that song was used simply as filligree. Six gingerbread cutouts under the windows as opposed to working it into the framing and architecture. It could have underpinned the entire structure of the song and moved and grown to an enormous crescendo. God knows the song has the inherent drama and sonic space available. I don't think whoever arranged it was capable of doing it on that scale. Won't be listening to it much. Except for two or three distinct sections of the song it drives me nuts that the orchestra is sitting there essentially doing nothing.

[strandinthewind]

^^^

I think I read that Waddy did the arranging - I agree, he should have used them way more than he did. I will say though, his actual use of them was good - I just want more of it.