Say you will vs Trouble IN shangrila

[Craig]

posted this on the Rumours board but assume I'll get more correct answers here

[nae]

I like them both, but I think I like Stevie's songs a little bit better on SYW because Linds put them together and plays. I especially like RTTG & EFO.

Nae

[ricohv]

As much as I loved TISL when it came out, I realize I'm not that wowed by it now. The 1st 3 songs are classic Stevie and deserved more airplay-but with SYW I realize what a difference her production can be. I think Linds can do things other producers might not have the nerve (or creativity?) to do-look at the changes in Smile at You or Not Make Believe.
It would be interesting to see TISL produced by Lindsey. Everyone seemed thrilled with Fall From Grace-I thought her voice sounded bad and the production was bad-kind of that garbled, recorded in a garbage can sound like No Questions Asked. Linds took her fast songs but kept her voice clear and at the front.
So in my opinion TISL was good (and a good redemption in the public eye from Street Angel-finally critics are kind) but Say You Will songs win!!

[gldstwmn]

I've always thought of Stevie's solo work and FM work as separate entities. I don't want to make comparisons because I don't think I can. It's apples and oranges.

[Johnny Stew]

It's definitely an apples and oranges thing for me too.
I love both albums... equally, but in different ways.

And when all the excitement from them being new(er) releases dies down, I have a feeling that both 'Trouble In Shangri-La' and 'Say You Will' will be near the top of my favorite albums.


By the way, I really hope Stevie brings John Shanks on board for her next solo album too. As far as her solo albums go, he and Jimmy Iovine have been her best producers so far.
(Though I have the somewhat unpopular opinion that Jimmy Iovine is her best producer, period.)

[ricohv]

I agree that Jimmy Iovine has been her best producer but I think it would be great if she ditched all the tried and true and did a whole album w/ Dallas Taylor (or what was his name -the TLC producer she did TISL tracks that didn't make the album?). Or maybe Madonna could lend her Mirwais! I would just love to see some whole new approach but hey, if she doesn't wanna shop for a new dress in the last few years I think a new producer would be going out too far on a limb (just kidding *kinda* hehe)!

[Johnny Stew]

Ah, yes... Dallas Austin.

When I first heard Stevie wanted to work with him, I was a little off-put, but then I started to think that it could be a pretty interesting combination.

Once I heard 'Trouble In Shangri-La' though, I was happy that he didn't have anything to do with it, as I felt (and still do), that the album is perfect as it is. John Shanks did a standout job on the tracks he produced, as did Sheryl, and I think any of the R&B leanings that Dallas Austin most assuredly would have brought to the table, would have been hopelessly anachronistic next to the more timeless quality of the other tracks, and of Stevie's lyrics.

As for Mirwais... well, I'm getting kind of bored with Madonna's music of late, so I doubt I'd want to hear Stevie do an album in the same vein, but maybe it could be interesting if they found a healthy balance between Stevie's pop/rock sound, and his more avant-garde techno-pop.

It's nice to experiment a little, but I prefer when an artist stays fairly true to their signature sound.
I'm not talking about basically recording the same song over and over again (*cough*Jimmy Buffett*cough*), I'm just talking about not straying too far afield from the unique sound that the artist has, while simultaneously broadening the musical palette.

Which is why I love the synthesizers, and drum machines on 'The Wild Heart,' and 'Rock A Little,' mixed in with the electric and acoustic guitars, and piano... but find the production on 'Other Side Of The Mirror' lacking, because they took it one step too far, and pushed the REAL instruments too far into the background. Thereby losing part of the essential components to Stevie's "sound."

This is also why I love the production on 'Say You Will.'
With all due credit to Lindsey, I think he achieved the greatest balance he's ever managed on a Mac album... between the signature "Fleetwood Mac sound," and the more left-field quirky touches.

[chiliD]

Originally posted by Craig
posted this on the Rumours board but assume I'll get more correct answers here

"CORRECT ANSWERS"??? I didn't know OPINIONS were "right" or "wrong"? Sich heil, Herr Kommandant!

[strandinthewind]

Johnny - I agree - people are seemingly always getting onto Stevie for never taking risks and venerating LB for being a risk taker. Yet, I consider RAL to be very progressive for the time and she gets slammed. So go figure!!!!!!

[Craig]

Originally posted by chiliD
"CORRECT ANSWERS"??? I didn't know OPINIONS were "right" or "wrong"? Sich heil, Herr Kommandant!

that was a joke..

[ivorymorning]

Regarding the possibility of Stevie working with one of Madonna's producers, I would have been intrigued to hear what William Orbit (Ray of Light) would have done with Stevie.

The style on Music and American Life grates on me

Rachel

[ricohv]

I was just being sort of tongue in cheek when I said she should work with Mirwais. But William Orbit is actualy a really great idea Rachel . He could keep the depth to her work and her sensitivities but add a unique musical backdrop.
Ricoh

[Miranda]

I'd wonder what kind of sparks, flames, dishes, etc. would be flying if Stevie got Lindsey on board to produce her solo as well? Would he do it? Yes, I think he would if she dared to ask. He'd probably say yes after dropping his jaw with a gaping wide-eyed look! I'm sure she'd never dare to do it because it could get quite ugly in the process and with nobody in sight to mediate...Time Bomb Town!

[chiliD]

Originally posted by Craig
that was a joke..

So was mine.