Stevie Nicks - Trouble in Shangri-La
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Free Music Notes for Trouble in Shangri-La
Free Music Review: Lyrical Shangri La
Hit: 5 Stars
Without mixing words, "Trouble in Shangri La" is lush - the lyric sheets, the photos, the production. Everything is as rich and beautiful as Nicks' own lyrical style. A lone Nicks heading toward an ephemeral sea graces the cover and sets the tone for an amazing collection of songs.True, Nicks may be in her best for since "Bella Donna," but this is by no means to suggest that this is "Bella Donna II." "Trouble" features a collection of poetic discourse that spans decades - you feel Stevie's journey in these songs. Her distinctive voice, now much throatier than it was in the "BD" days, is a testament to her experience. In short: you believe her.
"Trouble" takes itself very seriously, and it should. I liken this album to the great concept albums of the seventies. Each song is really a piece of a much larger picture of a Shangri La splintering and crumbling, climaxing in a heartbroken Stevie Nicks, brought to her knees in a tearful goodbye on "Love Is."
Stevie Nicks has always written songs that are visual, but the imagery here is somehow stronger than it has been in the past. The title track is an epic - Hollywood Babylon in nature. There is a newfound bluntness in the undisguised "That Made Me Stronger," where you can almost see Tom Petty defiantly sitting across the table from you. "I Miss You Now" is frightening in its loneliness; it nears desperation in its apologetic desire to go back. "Fall From Grace" encapsulates thirty years, but is not angry, despite its straightforward rocking, but rather explanatory.
The aforementioned "Love Is" is perhaps the most visual of all Stevie Nicks songs. It really does describe a scene - one in which a woman is left to deal with her own future. Though the song proclaims the singer's happiness, it sounds as if she must convince herself of the same, but stops short of truly believing in it.
As the lyrics fade, and Nicks is left crying, the listener knows only too well that the paridisio of Shangri La is fleeting, and the world can crumble around you leaving only you and your strength to deal with what is left. The lesson is strong, and you cannot help wishing that you could meet Nicks on the other side of that doorway to the sea that graces the cover just to ask: "Is it all true?"
Free Music Review: Sheryl and Stevie: The dream team
Hit: 5 Stars
There's a saying among Stevie fans: "Stevie Rocks." And this CD definitely proves it. I really appreciate how the sequencing of the songs simultaneously lures and captivates the listener, kicking things off with the title track "Trouble in Shangra La," followed the brilliant and spine-tingling introduction of "Candlebright." Such an amazing song, and yes, written about Lindsey Buckingham back in the days when she wrote her most classic Fleetwood Mac tunes like "Rhiannon," and "Landslide." The absolute most amazing song on the album, and my favorite, is "Sorcerer," another older and never-before released Stevie tune that has been crafted into one of Stevie's best all-time cuts. WOW. Sheryl Crow totally nailed it with the production and the rhythm. Simply a brilliant combination, Sheryl and Stevie. You can't help but wonder what they could have done together had Sheryl had time to produce the entire album. You just gotta love every last nuance of "Sorcerer," especially Stevie's improvisational vocalizing toward the end. MOJO! In fact, I was dismayed that "Sorcerer" wasn't the first single from the album. It seemed like the record company wanted to play it safe by releasing "Every Day" as the single, but that song isn't even penned by Stevie. (although she sings it wonderfully, and it is a sweet departure from some of the intensity of some of the album, it doesn't hold a candle to "Candlebright" or "Sorcerer.")
Stevie pays homage to her country roots with "Too Far From Texas," in which she duets with Dixie Chick Natalie Maines. Fun. And the song, "That Made Me Stronger," inspired by Tom Petty, really does rock. (No surprise that Sheryl produced this one as well.) Vocally, Stevie is in the finest form ever, and this song really captures it.
Personally, I don't care that much for "Love Changes," mainly because the rhythmic intro seems dated and uninspired. The album ends with "Love Is," very personal and intimate. Anyone who has loved Stevie throughout her career will really enjoy this album, so buy it and marvel at one of the great female rockers ever.
Free Music Review: Stevie's best work.
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is very well crafted! I love it! I think it is her best solo album to date. She began her solo career with "Bella Donna," and she's almost 53 and continuing it strongly with "Trouble in Shangri-La." Stevie puts her all into these songs. The title track is a true rocker, with Stevie chanting the chorus, "i hear there's trouble in shangri-la..i run through the grass, i run over the stones, down to the sea, show me the way back, honey." The three re-recorded demo's, "Candlebright," "Sorcerer," and "Planets of the Universe," are great tracks! Stevie reaches outside her bounds on Sorcerer and hits some great high notes. On Candlebright and Planets her voice is more stronger than ever. Sheryl Crow wrote the beautiful "It's Only Love," for and about Stevie's life, and Stevie's voice is great for it. Natalie Maines fits greatly into the project as she duets with Stevie on "Too Far From Texas," a country-rocker. Sarah McLachlan's voice is perfect background, in the haunting "Love Is." The wide range of producers on this album, including Sheryl Crow, have helped add to the mysticism and creativity. "Fall From Grace," is awesome, and rocks! Stevie rocks out in this song! All the songs are awesome, and Stevie does a lot of producing on this CD. It is worth every penny, and I suggest everyone buying it. I love the booklet photos and art. It is such a great CD, we've been waiting a LONG time! Her legendary lyrics and haunting vocals, are still here. This prolific songwriter is in pure form. She only wrote 10 out of the 13 songs. But the John Shanks written song, "Every Day," which is the first single, matches Stevie's style great. The chorus is especially catchy. This CD puts her 1994 "Street Angel" album to shame. I liked "Street Angel," ok but it's no comparison to this cd. This is definetely one Stevie Nicks CD all should get!!!!!!!!!Free Music Review: Nicks: Sure To Score Gold w/ 1st Collection in 7 Years
Hit: 5 Stars
Stevie Nicks has always been a mystical force to be reckoned with in the Rock Industry. Her lyrics are poignant, introspective, and interladen with mysticism; Her voice strong, defiant, independant, soothing and at the same time lulling.
The years have seen many of Nicks' multiple facets. Whether it be with Fleetwood Mac or her own incredibly successful solo career...Nicks' words have always held special meaning in the hearts of her captivated audience.
And there are many songs within the confines of Nicks' 7th studio album that are destined to become classics.
From the rolling, rocking thunder of the albums opener and title track, "Trouble In Shangri-La," to the carribbean-esque, "Bombay Sapphires," The introspectful Nicks provides her fans with the same enchanting lyrical melodies that have become her signature trademark throughout the years.
On this her best album since 1981's "Bella Donna" (#1, 4 wks.), Nicks enlists the talents of the most respected voice in women's music today. Sheryl Crow, a longtime friend of Nicks who co-writes and holds production credits on 5 tracks is also found playing guitar and bass and adding her vocal harmonies to 3 of the albums' tracks.
Macy Gray gives a stellar performance alongside Nicks in the image-laden, Bombay Sapphires; While Dixie Chick, Natalie Maines croons along with Nicks on the country-rocker, "Too Far From Texas."
Sarah McLachlan also lends her hand and voice to the album offering up her pianist expertise and haunting vocals to the albums closing track, "Love Is." As well as contributing vocals, McLachlan also designed the albums logo.
While remaining both true to self and form, Nicks offers up her legions of fans an album of 13 tracks that offers a little bit of something for everyone. Albeit, not without a little help from her friends. 06MAY01
Free Music Review: The Re-birth!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is an amazing CD..not only because it shows Stevie in top form again..FINALLY....but it is also one of the best CD's...musically, and lyrically, to come out from a major artist in years.The most amazing parts of this cd are:
1. The writing - FINALLY almost EVERY song on here can be heard and understood easily...something not so easy in past Stevie songs....it's like she has come down to earth to speak to us in words we can finally understand!
2. The voice - Stevie seems to have re-discovered every aspect and tone of her voice again. Her vocals have never been stronger. On some of the songs you'd swear the vocals were recorded back in the 70's when she could hit all those high notes! No unnecessary "screams" or "whoooooooo's" like in some of her past efforts (although the last line in "Fall From Grace" gave me chills when she yells "make sure you surviiiiiiiive"...sounds great!)
3. The music - The music on this CD would fit perfectly in the 70's, 80's, or 90's. There is nothing that sounds "dated" like on Stevie's 80's work. The updates are very subtle...some electrionic noises heard...a drum loop here an there..but mostly the sound is very organic.
Best songs:
FALL FROM GRACE: Simply ROCKS..but why is it the 2nd from last? Should have been placed earlier in the CD! SORCERER: Stevie and Sheryl sound as if they have been playing together for years...very intense! PLANETS OF THE UNIVERSE: Intensity builds up and just pulls you in so your lost in the song....love the fresh sounding music too! LOVE CHANGES: A very smooth, almost funky song....almost sexy sounding. Again, Stevie's voice sounds so refreshed and new here. EVERYDAY: Not a Stevie song...but very pretty and poignant. TOO FAR FROM TEXAS: Not tooo country, not tooo pop...Stevie and Natalie sure blend well!
All in all an AMAZING CD!