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  #61  
Old 07-27-2021, 04:35 PM
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aleuzzi aleuzzi is offline
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Stevie was destined for stardom from the beginning. She has that indefinable quality that sets one apart from the pack. As John Stewart sang, Stevie is the blonde star in a Texas sky.

I think Bella Donna has some cool songs on it (I like them all, actually) and some great lead vocal work, too. (I think some of the outtake vocals are even better.) It’s a swell little package that was obviously a labor of love and care. It’s a statement of Stevie’s mystique. But I have to agree with Mitzo and Al when they criticize the lack of innovation in the arrangements. I mean, you kind of expect it because everything was tracked live by the band — and that’s why the playing sounds exactly the same from album to White Winged Dove tour. The guys were just doing exactly what they did in the studio, Nashville style. But when Bella Donna was released in 1981, Fleetwood Mac and Talking Heads (Remain in Light) and Brian Eno (My Life in the Bush of Ghosts) and Kraftwerk (Computer World) and Elvis Costello and Kate Bush (The Dreaming) and many other forward-looking composers had really pushed boundaries in the art of building tracks. Bella Donna is a bunch of session guys and notable guests doing journeyman work on the tracks, just supporting Stevie and the songs. I guess that’s a kind of success, too. After all, it’s a singer-songwriter album, not an Afrobeat album. But it has no more particular instrumental character than a Dan Fogelburg album of the time or a James Taylor album or an Andrew Gold album. Same is true of all her solo albums, really. There’s no particular thrill in listening to a track of hers with her vocal stripped out, for example. The tracks are just pie crust and Stevie fills it with cherry glaze, mmm. . . .

Thoughts? Prayers?
You’re in my thoughts and prayers, David.

Seriously, I like your observation that the backing tracks are well-executed but lack character or personality. Listen to the instrumental bed for “Outside the Rain” or “Nothing Ever Changes” and what you hear is slick, economical, and professional. But it isn't distinctive or especially creative.

Case in point: “Sable on Blonde” is largely memorable for Mick’s drumming.

Last edited by aleuzzi; 07-27-2021 at 08:34 PM..
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  #62  
Old 07-27-2021, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by David View Post
Stevie was destined for stardom from the beginning. She has that indefinable quality that sets one apart from the pack. As John Stewart sang, Stevie is the blonde star in a Texas sky.

I think Bella Donna has some cool songs on it (I like them all, actually) and some great lead vocal work, too. (I think some of the outtake vocals are even better.) It’s a swell little package that was obviously a labor of love and care. It’s a statement of Stevie’s mystique. But I have to agree with Mitzo and Al when they criticize the lack of innovation in the arrangements. I mean, you kind of expect it because everything was tracked live by the band — and that’s why the playing sounds exactly the same from album to White Winged Dove tour. The guys were just doing exactly what they did in the studio, Nashville style. But when Bella Donna was released in 1981, Fleetwood Mac and Talking Heads (Remain in Light) and Brian Eno (My Life in the Bush of Ghosts) and Kraftwerk (Computer World) and Elvis Costello and Kate Bush (The Dreaming) and many other forward-looking composers had really pushed boundaries in the art of building tracks. Bella Donna is a bunch of session guys and notable guests doing journeyman work on the tracks, just supporting Stevie and the songs. I guess that’s a kind of success, too. After all, it’s a singer-songwriter album, not an Afrobeat album. But it has no more particular instrumental character than a Dan Fogelburg album of the time or a James Taylor album or an Andrew Gold album. Same is true of all her solo albums, really. There’s no particular thrill in listening to a track of hers with her vocal stripped out, for example. The tracks are just pie crust and Stevie fills it with cherry glaze, mmm. . . .

Thoughts? Prayers?
They said the same thing about the Eagles and Queen i.e. boring studio, session musicians and anyone can play their music.
What packs a punch is Stevie's writing and singing which most of Bella Donna is totally Epic songs. Edge of 17 is a lyrical masterpiece that sounds so darn good. It has everything but the kitchen sink in it. A song written about John Lennon's death, her grandfather passing, and the dove of Arizona. Only Stevie could put a song together like this.
Also, I would call Hotel California anything but boring studio musicians. I do agree Stevie had total star power. Her look. Her style. Her voice. All original and as Paul Fishkin said....she was going to be a superstar or a complete nothing.... nowhere in between.
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Last edited by Macfan4life; 07-27-2021 at 04:57 PM..
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  #63  
Old 07-27-2021, 05:18 PM
jbrownsjr jbrownsjr is offline
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But wouldn’t it have depended on who replaced Welch? They might not have reached the commercial apex they did but they might have continued on and even made some sort of breakthrough. The fact that HEROES made it to 34 or 35 on the Billboard charts does indicate they were getting “there”—whatever there might end up being is anyone’s guess.
My thoughts were the same. Who knows what would have happened. They needed each other. That we do know.
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  #64  
Old 07-27-2021, 07:46 PM
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When the lead singer of Fleetwood Mac went solo, good things were bound to happen

Tell that to Dave Walker!
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  #65  
Old 07-27-2021, 08:33 PM
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My thoughts were the same. Who knows what would have happened. They needed each other. That we do know.
True, dat!
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  #66  
Old 07-27-2021, 09:17 PM
BombaySapphire3 BombaySapphire3 is offline
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Tell that to Dave Walker!
Hey ! He did replace Ozzy as lead singer of Sabbath in 1977! For a few weeks
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  #67  
Old 07-27-2021, 09:24 PM
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Hey ! He did replace Ozzy as lead singer of Sabbath in 1977! For a few weeks
So you're saying the man can't hold a job?
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  #68  
Old 07-27-2021, 11:51 PM
BombaySapphire3 BombaySapphire3 is offline
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So you're saying the man can't hold a job?
That time Ozzy just decided to come back. He didn't shag the drummer's wife or anything.
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  #69  
Old 07-28-2021, 12:48 AM
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That time Ozzy just decided to come back. He didn't shag the drummer's wife or anything.
Obviously Mick can't hold a job either. So says Jenny. She said Bob Weston was the finest temp she ever hired!
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  #70  
Old 07-28-2021, 05:18 AM
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Tell that to Dave Walker!
Would you say that to Bekka Bramlett?
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  #71  
Old 07-28-2021, 09:07 AM
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Would you say that to Bekka Bramlett?
Bekka wasn't THE lead singer. She was(and IS) the best vocalist they ever had. She's got some pipes on her, lemme tell ya...
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  #72  
Old 07-28-2021, 09:53 AM
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Bekka wasn't THE lead singer. She was(and IS) the best vocalist they ever had. She's got some pipes on her, lemme tell ya...
If I have to explain my jokes to you, they are not really jokes are they?

Good gosh, I have to ruin everything by explaining. Stevie is not the lead singer of Fleetwood Mac and never has been. But it was extremely popular to read in 1981-1983 "Lead singer of Fleetwood Mac goes solo"
Would you say that to Bekka Bramlett? i.e. Would you say that to Bob Dylan?


***sigh***

I forgot you are from the mid west. I love those people but their sense of humor is different than most
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Last edited by Macfan4life; 07-28-2021 at 09:56 AM..
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  #73  
Old 07-28-2021, 10:13 AM
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If I have to explain my jokes to you, they are not really jokes are they?

Good gosh, I have to ruin everything by explaining. Stevie is not the lead singer of Fleetwood Mac and never has been. But it was extremely popular to read in 1981-1983 "Lead singer of Fleetwood Mac goes solo"
Would you say that to Bekka Bramlett? i.e. Would you say that to Bob Dylan?


***sigh***

I forgot you are from the mid west. I love those people but their sense of humor is different than most
Now you are explaining the obvious....
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  #74  
Old 07-28-2021, 10:31 AM
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Now you are explaining the obvious....
mansplaining
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  #75  
Old 07-28-2021, 10:48 AM
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mansplaining
For the record, I always stand up for Bekka. Because she's f*cking awesome. So even if I got your point, I have to bring up that she's the best singer FM ever had! Because she is! Not old Nasal $tevie.
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