The Soundstage Sessions (CD/DVD)

Stevie Nicks

Reprise, 2009

http://rockalittle.com

REVIEW BY: Mark Millan

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 04/25/2009

I remember when I happened to discover Fleetwood Mac as a youngster in the late ‘80s by becoming completely enchanted by the sight of Stevie Nicks on the album cover of the Mac’s mega-selling Rumours LP.  Now I could put a face to those old songs I kept hearing on the radio like “Dreams” and “Rhiannon.” For some reason, up until that point her soaring solo career had completely passed me by, my fault no doubt due to my dueling obsessions with Prince and Tina Turner.  So once I did get my hands on a couple of her solo and Fleetwood Mac works, I was a fan from that point on.

My appreciation of Nicks’ unique talents has never wavered, and when I recently learned that the Chicago concert filmed for the ongoing Soundstage series was to be released on DVD, it was a pleasant surprise.  It has indeed been a long wait for fans to get some new live material other than her work with Fleetwood Mac in recent times.  Her last and only solo live release was the Live At Red Rocks concert film released on VHS (but never as an LP or CD) way back in 1986. 

The deluxe edition that I’m reviewing here couples together the ten-track “live” CD and the two-hour concert film on DVD.  The CD is a little different because the tracks are obviously live recordings but have been produced to sound as if they are studio versions.  The audience noise has been completely left out and only nine of the seventeen tracks recorded for the film are included on the disc.  One additional recording, a beautiful reworking of “Beauty And The Beast” was added to close out the album and it was well worth it.

Of the tracks on the album that essentially are just re-recordings, it’s the older material that fares best.  Newer songs from her 2001 album Trouble In Shangri-La are almost identical to the original versions so I’d hardly call them essential, but she at least picked two of the best ones in “Fall From Grace” and “Sorcerer.”  The Dave Matthews original “Crash Into Me” is covered but the arrangement is a little choppy for my liking (not that it’s a great song anyway). The two standouts are easily the majestic “Sara” and “How Still My Love” from her solo debut LP my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250 Belladonna, which has lost none of its intriguing beauty.

The star of this show, however, is the DVD.  It’s expertly shot, sounds fantastic – and I gotta say, Stevie simply looks stunning throughout in her usual attire of lace and chiffon ensembles (even donning a feathered top hat for the encore). The material chosen pretty much represents the best of her career with a steady balance of Mac and solo songs. While I had hoped a couple of personal favorites would’ve been dusted off – namely “Gold And Braid” and “Outside The Rain” – I won’t complain because there’s lots here to get excited about.

The show kicks off with three songs from Nicks’ second solo album The Wild Heart.  Up first is the blistering, synth-driven “Stand Back,” which finds Nicks and her band in top form right from the get go.  This is quickly followed after a brief greeting by her jangly country rocker “Enchanted” and rounding out the trio is the synth pop of “If Anyone Falls In Love.”  The ‘80s synth-laden sound is beefed up by Nicks’ long time guitar virtuoso Waddy Wachtel and rhythm player Carlos Rios.

A short and slightly haunting piano leads into “Rhiannon,” which stands alone as one of Nicks’ finest moments; she still clearly loves singing it too.  Another clear standout is the menacing “Gold Dust Woman,” a track that has evolved into a classic over the years and remains Nicks’ most prolific lyric regarding her former relationship with Charlie.  “Dreams” is a solid crowd pleaser as always and Waddy does a brilliant job imitating Lindsay Buckingham’s original work while still putting his own stamp on the track for great effect. 

Faithful renditions of “Landslide,” “Sara” and a scorching cover of Tom Petty’s “I Need To Know” flesh out the middle part of the set nicely.  Vanessa Carlton is the obligatory guest performer and the pair cover her own “The One” and Bonnie Raitt’s brilliant “Circle Dance,” both of which sound fantastic.  Having said that, it would have been nice to hear a couple more of Stevie’s solo gems instead. 

The show closes with the rollicking one-two punch of “Edge Of Seventeen” and “Rock And Roll.” The former is Nicks’ epic rocker from Belladonna that still packs a mean punch.  The latter is a slightly underwhelming Zeppelin cover that’s always fun to see but is almost outdone by Stevie’s Mad Hatter/Witchy Woman outfit.  Overall, this is a delightful package that all fans – the die-hards and casuals alike – will be happy with.  Nicks has retained her beguiling stage presence and still captivates an audience without even trying, and although the eerie high notes are gone, her voice has taken on a deeper, sexier but still powerful mix that any rocker would be pleased to posses.  This is a great account of Stevie Nicks doing what she does best and effortlessly so.

Rating: A-

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