Customer Reviews

Crystal Visions - The Very Best of Stevie Nicks

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

78 minutes of power and pleasure, that's what this is. Not a weak track on here. All 7 of Stevie's major solo hits are included, and they sound fabulous! Then there are 3 solo songs that I was not familiar with: "Sorceror", "Rooms On Fire" and "Planets Of The Universe". All 3 are good, strong tracks, especially "Sorceror", which opens with a line that I can frequently relate to: "I'm tired, I'm thirsty, I'm wild-eyed in my misery..." For a little more variety, we have live versions of "Rhiannon" and "Landslide". "Rhiannon" packs quite a punch once the intro is done, and the orchestra gives "Landslide" an added dimension, making a song that was already beautiful even more so. And I'm glad to have the studio version of "Silver Springs", because I had never heard it before. Getting into some really different territory, there is the Deep Dish version of "Dreams", which is faster and harder than the original. And I absolutely never imagined that I would ever hear Stevie Nicks burn up the place with Led Zep's "Rock And Roll", but here it is.

Now - why 2 versions of "Edge Of 17"? Well, the studio version obviously is the one most people would want, so it is right up front. But by ending the album with the same track, we complete the circle, which, in Stevie's mystical world, just might be a cosmic necessity. (The End is just The Beginning, right?) Also, this album needs a very muscular finish, and with Stevie, the backup singers, the rock musicians and the orchestra having a field day at the end with additional lyrics and instrumental passages, the finale is quite a musical catharsis. Whew! I'll say it again: 78 minutes of power and pleasure!

Stevie Nicks is one of the last of the greats in pop/rock and roll music. Here is a woman who lived the mythical rock story: sex, drugs and rock and roll. Besides that, though, she is an excellent singer/songwriter who undoubtedly had to deal with the male egos of both Fleetwood Mac and record executives. She's one of the few female artists to find success in both a music group and solo career.

This collection may not have all the original versions of her hits but the live verisons and remixes that do replace the originals are still worthy of a listen. The recent live version of "Rhiannon" is powerful, and hearing "Dreams" in a dance version brings this timeless song into the millennium. It's a treat to hear the original "Silver Springs". It's hard to believe this track was not included on the original pressing of "Rumours". It's simply brilliant, and it's easy to understand why Nicks was upset that it wasn't originally included. But at least this song is getting its due. It's become an important part of Nicks' legacy.

And there are so many more great songs: "Edge of Seventeen", "I Can't Wait", "Talk to Me", "Stand Back", and "Rooms on Fire".

It would have been a perfect collection if this compilation included "Gypsy" and "Sara", two of Nicks' finest songs with Fleetwood Mac, but ultimately integral to Nicks' own career.

Small quibbles aside, this is highly recommended.

I really can't say I am a diehard Stevie Nicks fan but I always have enjoyed a good number of her popular hits (with and without Fleetwood Mac). Her best of collection CRYSTAL VISIONS is perfect for casual listeners like msyelf. The cd contains all of my favorite songs that Stevie has done in the past and present. My personal favorite songs? "Room on Fire" and "Talk to Me" (which goth band Diva Destruction does a spectacular cover for the indie film GYPSY 83). I never really was crazy about Fleetwood Mac's music but in this case I really enjoyed songs like "Silver Springs" and "Landslide".

In this day and age of Hannah Montana, The Pussycat Dolls, and other disposable pop tarts who tries to pass themselves off as singers, it is refreshing to hear Stevie Nicks. In my opinion, Stevie sounds as good as ever with her distinct raspy vocals which I absolutely adore. She can definitely teach the latest pop du jour on a thing or two about singing and maintaining a career that has gone on for more than the proverbial 15 minutes. CRYSTAL VISIONS is a great testament to Stevie's longevity in an industry that is more concerned with the bottom line than creating long-lasting careers for artists.

The only good songs on here are "Edge of 17," but only the original and not the live version at the end, and "Leather and Lace." That is a duet with Don Henly and is great. Most of the rest of these songs are live or redone some other way, and they just don't sound as good. The live version of "Rhiannon" was especially horrible.

This is a fantastic CD. The songs are are beautiful and emotional. The dvd's are interesting and captivating to watch. Stevie only keeps getting better and better. To the reviewer who said she would tour with anyone who asked-- are you jealous? Stevie continuously makes new music that is wonderful.

"Leather and Lace" is worth the price, IMHO, but there's too much missing. "Gypsy" for a start, I'd like to see the CD as a Vol 1 with a second volume that's including more of her solo work and maybe some tunes with other artists in duets.

There was definitely waaay too much good music left out to reprise "Edge of Seventeen" at the end. I realize these are two totally different renditions, but leaving one out would have allowed another song on.

I especially would love to see some of the Buckingham Nicks CD, which was Stevie's first work with Lindsay Buckingham, released. "Frozen Love" and "Crying in the Night" are too good to fade into obscurity.

I think Stevie Nicks' voice is totally intriguing. Her raspy tone makes any song delightful to your ears. This is a great mix- fast and slow songs for all moods.

This is an amazing CD - because it also comes with a GREAT DVD. Stevie gives a good hour of commentary about what went on behind the scenes while making the videos. Really interesting. Her depth and music bring a whole lot of joy to my life. "Edge of Seventeen", Rhiannon, & Landslide are fantastic here. Definitely a great buy that I'll buy again after mine wear from playing a few hundred times.
10 Stars!

Nicely updating Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks, this 2007 Best Of catches up with the music Stevie Nicks has been making since then. Nicks' asset has always been that her dreamy voice meshes so perfectly with her hippy queen image, and allows her to get away with making poetic statements like "Edge Of Seventeen" or "Rhiannon." That hippy image also contrasts sharply with the fact that she could rock pretty hard when she chose to, like on "I Can't Wait" or the classic duet with Tom Petty, "Stop Dragging My Heart Around."

Frankly, I doubt that anything I could say here would influence anyone's opinion of Stevie Nicks...so just suffice to say that the remastering of the songs is quite good and a step up from the previous best-of's. The live takes of Fleetwood Mac material are nice additions, and I get a charge out of Nicks' version of Zep's "Rock and Roll" (although Heart's version tops Stevie's). "Leather and Lace" remains a highpoint of both Nicks' and Don Henley's musical lives, and the re-working of "Dreams" is the best "new" thing on this CD. Add Stevie's personal notes (she loves Jack Black!?!), and this is certainly worth having if you're a fan.

We had a chance to listen to Crystal Visions and I really enjoyed hearing Stevie all over, she is a really great singer and now we have most of the favorite songs together. We had some friends over for New Years Eve and it was good to listen and say which songs were favorite.
My husband is a fan forever and really had a good time listening, he always remembers Stevie Nicks at Red Rocks in Colorado and how he can't forget hearing her sing.