Sisters of the Moon Demo (1979)
This song made it on an album. It is on Fleetwood Mac's 1979 album, Tusk. This is the demo version of the song, and if you have ever heard the album version then the difference can be heard. The album version has more electric guitar work by Lindsey Buckingham. The beauty of this demo is the fact that it is only Stevie and her piano. It illustrates the massive transformation that a song can go through before it ends up on an album.
I believe that both versions, the demo and the album cut, are strong in their own ways. Each have their own quality and take on a personality of their own. In many ways, the demo and the album version are symbolic of what the artists is like during that time of the recording process. When a musician cuts a demo, they are usually unsure and "testing the waters" as to if they song will be able to fit on an album or not. Once the song does make the album, there is a confidence that is reflected in not only the musician's voice, but in the instrumental use as well. While I have your attention, please check out this clip of Sister of the Moon on Fleetwood Mac's 1983 Mirage Tour. In my opinion, it is the definition of a raw rockin' performance.
Here is the ending which has amazing, almost possessed vocals ( at mark 1:23 onward) by Nicks. Doesn't sound so timid anymore does she?
Sister of the Moon (Live on the Mirage Tour in 1983)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
All The Kings Horses
All The King's Horses Demo (Mid to late 80's)
This demo track was written and recorded to be on her 1986 Rock a Little Album. This is the extended demo which features her background vocalists, Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks. It is an example of the beauty of creating a song. She is figuring out "what works" on this track along with her background singers. Nothing is definite, but it is still beautiful. Her vocals are untouched and is signifies the true talent that this singer possesses. That talent is something that lacks into present day music.
The three girls are playing around with the lyric arrangement and harmonies. In my opinion, this song is written about a relationship that could not be saved, but the passion and desire is still present. The relationship could not work, but everytime she sees this "special someone", she can not fight the temptation of being with him. The lyrics "Not all the kings horses not all the kings men", resurfaces on her Trouble in Shangri-La album. The song is called Fall From Grace. , which leads me to say..yes....this song was written once again for Buckingham. Its little clues like that, which are proof that Nicks' songs are somehow related with one another. It is proof that her lyrics are formed upon real life situations. It is such a haunting song. Listen to it at mark 5:14 onward. Who thought that the children's story Humpty Dumpty could be so breathtaking?
This demo track was written and recorded to be on her 1986 Rock a Little Album. This is the extended demo which features her background vocalists, Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks. It is an example of the beauty of creating a song. She is figuring out "what works" on this track along with her background singers. Nothing is definite, but it is still beautiful. Her vocals are untouched and is signifies the true talent that this singer possesses. That talent is something that lacks into present day music.
The three girls are playing around with the lyric arrangement and harmonies. In my opinion, this song is written about a relationship that could not be saved, but the passion and desire is still present. The relationship could not work, but everytime she sees this "special someone", she can not fight the temptation of being with him. The lyrics "Not all the kings horses not all the kings men", resurfaces on her Trouble in Shangri-La album. The song is called Fall From Grace. , which leads me to say..yes....this song was written once again for Buckingham. Its little clues like that, which are proof that Nicks' songs are somehow related with one another. It is proof that her lyrics are formed upon real life situations. It is such a haunting song. Listen to it at mark 5:14 onward. Who thought that the children's story Humpty Dumpty could be so breathtaking?
Blue Water
Blue Water Demo ( Early 80's)
A beautiful demo recorded by Nicks in...I want to say...late 70's possibly early 80's. The reason as to why I say it was written during this time is because she references the name Gypsy within this demo track. You must have heard of her 1982 hit Gypsy? If not, it is a song off of the Fleetwood Mac Mirage album.
Stevie Nicks is a prolific songwriter, which means that she writes songs constantly. Since Nicks is only able to fit three, possibly four songs on Fleetwood Mac albums, she keeps other tracks for her solo work. This is a great example of a song that was possibly recorded for Fleetwood Mac, denied and then saved for her solo album. Unfortunately, this song never made an album.
A beautiful demo recorded by Nicks in...I want to say...late 70's possibly early 80's. The reason as to why I say it was written during this time is because she references the name Gypsy within this demo track. You must have heard of her 1982 hit Gypsy? If not, it is a song off of the Fleetwood Mac Mirage album.
Stevie Nicks is a prolific songwriter, which means that she writes songs constantly. Since Nicks is only able to fit three, possibly four songs on Fleetwood Mac albums, she keeps other tracks for her solo work. This is a great example of a song that was possibly recorded for Fleetwood Mac, denied and then saved for her solo album. Unfortunately, this song never made an album.
My Heart
My Heart Demo (2001)
This is one of those songs where at first listen, you aren't too sure if you like it. The song builds and then reaches the chorus. Once you are about fifty second in, you are hooked. It literally gives me a shudder EVERY single time I take a listen to it. It is an utterly beautiful song that never made it on her 2001 album, Trouble in Shangri-La.
So, maybe I am just a Stevie Nicks/Lindsey Buckingham romantic, but I speculate that this song is about Buckingham. You see, the two "ex" lovers were on again, off again for years after their breakup in 1976-or it is speculated to be so. I for one, believe that this is true. Anyways, the relationship seemed to be officially over in 1987, when Buckingham took leave of the band. They never spoke or saw one another until President Bill Clinton chose Don't Stop, a Rumours classic, to be his campaign song. Fleetwood Mac reunited for his inauguration ceremony in 1993. This event lead to a Fleetwood Mac reunion tour in 1997, which was called The Dance. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were able to be with one another much like they were before they joined the band in 1975. They were mature about their relationship, and it is because of that maturity that they were able to look at their love for one another in a different light. Again, it was speculated that there was a relationship between the two musicians during this tour.
Many of her songs that were featured on her Trouble in Shangri-La album, were written at the same time-or soon after- The Dance tour in 1997. Again, the proof of this ongoing love affair is in the lyrics. Even Nicks herself has said in previous interviews, that Lindsey is an ongoing inspiration for her songs.
This is one of those songs where at first listen, you aren't too sure if you like it. The song builds and then reaches the chorus. Once you are about fifty second in, you are hooked. It literally gives me a shudder EVERY single time I take a listen to it. It is an utterly beautiful song that never made it on her 2001 album, Trouble in Shangri-La.
So, maybe I am just a Stevie Nicks/Lindsey Buckingham romantic, but I speculate that this song is about Buckingham. You see, the two "ex" lovers were on again, off again for years after their breakup in 1976-or it is speculated to be so. I for one, believe that this is true. Anyways, the relationship seemed to be officially over in 1987, when Buckingham took leave of the band. They never spoke or saw one another until President Bill Clinton chose Don't Stop, a Rumours classic, to be his campaign song. Fleetwood Mac reunited for his inauguration ceremony in 1993. This event lead to a Fleetwood Mac reunion tour in 1997, which was called The Dance. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were able to be with one another much like they were before they joined the band in 1975. They were mature about their relationship, and it is because of that maturity that they were able to look at their love for one another in a different light. Again, it was speculated that there was a relationship between the two musicians during this tour.
Many of her songs that were featured on her Trouble in Shangri-La album, were written at the same time-or soon after- The Dance tour in 1997. Again, the proof of this ongoing love affair is in the lyrics. Even Nicks herself has said in previous interviews, that Lindsey is an ongoing inspiration for her songs.
Planets of the Universe (No Light)
Planets of the Universe Demo (1976)
Besides Silver Springs, (two posts down) this is a song that belonged on the Rumours album. It is dark and truthful. It is literally dark. In fact, the demo track for this is entitled "No Light". If you listen to the tone in her voice, you can feel her pain. This was a demo that was made for the Rumours album. Nicks is not known for her instrumental use. Her instrument is her voice as well as songwriting abilities....and well, maybe a tambourine.
This song later emerged on her 2001 CD, Trouble in Shangri-La. She added a bit of a dance/fast beat to the song to give it a little update. In my opinion, I like this demo version better. It is a perfect example of how a rough demo track can be better than the "clean" released track.
Besides Silver Springs, (two posts down) this is a song that belonged on the Rumours album. It is dark and truthful. It is literally dark. In fact, the demo track for this is entitled "No Light". If you listen to the tone in her voice, you can feel her pain. This was a demo that was made for the Rumours album. Nicks is not known for her instrumental use. Her instrument is her voice as well as songwriting abilities....and well, maybe a tambourine.
This song later emerged on her 2001 CD, Trouble in Shangri-La. She added a bit of a dance/fast beat to the song to give it a little update. In my opinion, I like this demo version better. It is a perfect example of how a rough demo track can be better than the "clean" released track.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Not Make Believe
Not Make Believe Demo (2000)
The fact that this song never made an album breaks my heart. It is such a great song that I once again believe is written for her ex-lover Lindsey Buckingham. Although this song was written for her Trouble in Shangri-la album in 2000, the emotions towards her ex lover are still ever so present within this song. The proof is in the lyrics of this song.
A little background:
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Before they joined, they were struggling musicians who recorded music together. Their musical relationship then evolved into a romantic one and the rest is history (literally). They "broke up" during the making of their Rumours album. It may only be speculation on my part, but I believe that they have been "on again, off again" for years afterwards. This song illustrates my point.
The fact that this song never made an album breaks my heart. It is such a great song that I once again believe is written for her ex-lover Lindsey Buckingham. Although this song was written for her Trouble in Shangri-la album in 2000, the emotions towards her ex lover are still ever so present within this song. The proof is in the lyrics of this song.
A little background:
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Before they joined, they were struggling musicians who recorded music together. Their musical relationship then evolved into a romantic one and the rest is history (literally). They "broke up" during the making of their Rumours album. It may only be speculation on my part, but I believe that they have been "on again, off again" for years afterwards. This song illustrates my point.
Silver Springs
Silver Springs Demo (1976)
Here is the best of both worlds. We have both a demo as well as an unreleased song. Silver Springs is a song that never made it on the 1977 Rumours album. In the midst of recording, it was decided that there was simply not enough space on the album for Nicks' song. This song is a song that was written about her boyfriend and fellow band mate Lindsey Buckingham. It is one of the most beautiful breakup songs that I have ever heard. The original song finally got the light of day when it appeared on their 1997 album the Dance. The original version has the guitar and percussion pieces, however this demo is simply Nicks on her piano. The simplicity of the demo ironically fits perfectly with the turmoil of her love life at the time.
Here is the best of both worlds. We have both a demo as well as an unreleased song. Silver Springs is a song that never made it on the 1977 Rumours album. In the midst of recording, it was decided that there was simply not enough space on the album for Nicks' song. This song is a song that was written about her boyfriend and fellow band mate Lindsey Buckingham. It is one of the most beautiful breakup songs that I have ever heard. The original song finally got the light of day when it appeared on their 1997 album the Dance. The original version has the guitar and percussion pieces, however this demo is simply Nicks on her piano. The simplicity of the demo ironically fits perfectly with the turmoil of her love life at the time.
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