Customer Reviews

The Soundstage Sessions

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although not all "new" songs, "The Soundstage Sessions" is Stevie's first live album, and first album of completely new recordings in 8 years. What makes this album so special is that it was produced to sound like a studio album. The album was recorded at Grainger Studio in Oct. 2007, and Stevie is proud of the amount of post-production work that has gone into this release. Stevie is also a master of sequencing, and each song flows into the next seamlessly. "Stand Back" opens up the album, and gets everything going. "Beauty and the Beast" closes the album, and along with "Crash into Me", was one of the most anticipated songs of this release. I would recommend this to all fans, because even for the "die-hards", this release offers something new and exciting.

I admit my bias. I fell in love with Stevie Nicks' music when I first heard her voice on Rhiannon when it first played on the radio when I was 16 in 1975. I like the classics. I look forward to some new songs as well and do not doubt her ability to produce some more. This CD is okay, but the video greatly enhances the experience, so I recommend getting the DVD or Blu-Ray and then ripping the sound if you want sound only for an MP3 player. The show was great and I found the picture show of Stevie and her father through the years that was the backdrop for "Landslide" very touching.

I really can't understand why people criticize her voice. It was strong and emotive for this concert. I think she has aged well. Good thing she quit the drugs several years ago. Now if we want to talk about old crows who can't sing anymore and should indeed go away, I would put Kevin Cronin at the very top of that list. Stevie, on the other hand, has plenty left to give.

This video concert is a must have. Stevie Nicks is at her finest, with her look and her voice being as great as ever. If you are reading this, you are more than likely a Stevie Nicks fan and therefore will most likely buy this video concert.
With her guest star, her absolutely great band and her lovely backup singers, it's time to crank up the sound and kick back for a 2-hour concert that will knock your socks off.
I've attended several of her concerts, both solo and with Fleetwood Mac, dating back to their original TUSK album and Stevie has not been one to talk much during her performances. This time she breaks her routine and we get to see Stevie in a "Livingroom" style performance where you feel the concert is in your honor.
This DVD was done in the utmost finest quality available. Both the video and audio aspects are superd. If you are a Nicks fan, all I can say is get this DVD. You will not be disappointed at all!!
As always Amazon came through with flying colors and because I ordered this DVD through a pre-order, I received a really good deal. Not that the price would have mattered much any way.
Stevie Nicks once and for all demonstrates why she [Still] holds the title of "The Queen of Rock & Roll"!

5+ Stars

After listening to this CD, I wasn't sure how I felt about my purchase. More songs should have been included. I've heard so many released versions of 'Landslide' and 'Stand Back', that I don't think fans need more. I would have preferred to hear new versions of 'Gypsy,' 'Nightbird,' Whenever I call Your Friend,' and 'Blue Denim.' I'm a Stevie Nicks fan but I hope the next CD she releases is of new material.

The Soundstage Sessions are totally about the music~~~~the clean, clear voice of Stevie allows the listener to go within the song and become conscious of the love she has for the lyrics. This is one of the best performances I've enjoyed from solo Stevie, truely a pleasure to watch.

Stevie Nicks is such an inspiration. This album is fantastic--she sounds as great as ever! Though some of these songs have been previously released on studio albums, this live collection is an absolute must-have. Long-time Stevie fans will find much to love here and new listeners will hear why Stevie is considered one of the greatest rock-n-roll performers of all time.

And I mean diva in a great way. No one writes like Stevie Nicks..no one sings songs the way she does either. I have to say though..and agree a bit with some that she does sound deeper and different. I also agree that her life experiences helps her to put a realness into her vocals and you can hear it. I think other women like Annie Lennox though...does a better job putting "where they are now" into their music. Annie lennox's Bare was masterfully done. I think that is one difference..I hope that Stevie will write a new album. I think it will be one gem of a album. It is great to hear her spin on her older music but I would like to her new words to match her deeper elegant voice. You don't hear this difference on all the voices. It is just the biggest and easy to hear. some of her songs take you back to the day. Again there is no one who write and sings like Stevie. She is a quess in her own right. I pray she comes out with new material, but love how she puts herself out there. This album is worth the buy and will be one I treasure for a long time.

I love Stevie Nicks; she's my favorite songwriter/singer. I was thrilled when I found this set was being released. The set list is great, although I do think the audio component could have had more of the tracks from the Live In Chicago performance this was plucked from. I actually ordered the cd/dvd limited edition combo through [...] and received audio mp3s for "The One" and "Rhiannon." What intrigued me about this set was the studio quality. The "live" audience track has been removed giving it a more studio feel. This really works. I do feel, however, Stevie should have touched up some of the vocals in that same studio session, especially on the faster rock cuts, like "Stand Back," "If Anyone Falls," and "Fall From Grace."

As for the content ... superb. I am thrilled "Beauty And The Beast" was included on the audio set. Her vocals are chilling. I don't quite understand some people's criticism of her voice. Yes, she blew a hole through her nose with years of cocaine abuse and that's evident in the way she sings today. Her voice is deeper and that soft, lilting quality she had in the late seventies/early eighties is pretty much gone. But what's left is a deeper, richer quality that I think is refreshing and actually reflects the experience in her words. Even if she hadn't hurt her voice with drug abuse, it still wouldn't be the same. Check out Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Ann Wilson, and even Annie Lennox .. a woman's voice deepens as she ages.

That being said, if you order this you have to get the DVD counterpart, Live in Chicago. There are some things I feel Stevie's set always misses, I think a lot of fans would prefer to hear her do more of her solo hits ("Rooms On Fire" and "Talk To Me" for instance, both hits and both sorely missed in her solo concert sets) though I am thrilled at the covers of "Crash Into Me" and "Circle Dance" and the inclusion of Vanessa Carlton's "The One" on the DVD. I would have gladly traded "If Anyone Falls" for "Rooms On FIre" or "Talk To Me."

Overall this is a great purchase ... I do wish she would hurry up and record a new studio album ... but there will probably be a new Fleetwood Mac album this summer anyway ...

Don't get me wrong, please. I love Stevie. I've adored her for many years. But honestly!! Has making the monthly mortgage payments reduced her reissuing the 12th version of songs that we've already heard several versions of? (Stand Back, Beauty and the Beast, Landslide). Stevie is a prolific songwriter, apparently has lots of energy, and still has quite a following. So why after 8 years since the last CD or original music are we being given more of the same?
Secondly, who's idea was it to call this a "Live" CD? It's unfair to isolate a mike, eliminate applause and cheering, and still call it a live recording. Isn't that half the thrill of a live recording? Hearing the crowd roar; feeling the adulation and feeling like you were there? It's all missing.
I bought the DVD also and I am hoping that I will offer some more positive feedback after watching it.
{Stevie, if you're reading this, I really do still love you...wink}

Stevie Nicks has outdone herself, once again, in this mind blowing live show! She takes you from the heights of hard rocking happiness, with such hits as: Stand Back, Edge Of Seventeen, and Lep Zepplin's Rock and Roll, to the depths of bittersweet emotion with tear jerkers like: Lanslide and Beauty and the Beast. If you do not own this wonderful live performance, do yourself a favor and buy it today. Stevie Nicks is the Queen of Rock and Roll for a reason. The reason is shiningly evident in the Live In Chicago album! Not to mention the live DVD of this performance, also a must have for any fan!