Stevie Nicks, as I mentioned in a previous blog, is my all-time favorite singer. While talking about my previous Stevie post, I was asked to put her albums in my order of preference. This was a daunting task, as I usually just jump and buy whenever she releases a new album and don't think about whether I like it more or less than any of its predecessors. I'm just glad for the music! However, I'm not one to shirk from a challenge.
I've buckled down and listened to all of her albums back to back (well, over the course of time), and below is my ranking, and why. I'm also putting my top 2 favorite songs, and, for a twist, my least favorite of each album. I am not including Greatest Hits packages (I have 4), any of her Fleetwood Mac releases, nor (after a lot of thought) Buckingham Nicks. I just wanted to focus on her solo work.
Here we go:
8. Street Angel (1994)
This is an album which, for all intents and purposes, should not have been made. She had some health issues & was not at the top of her game here. While there are a few good songs on here, there are a few misfires. Some songs suffer from repetition, odd vocal choices, and...a Bob Dylan cover? Cool fact: Dylan himself plays on that track! David Crosby also sings on the title track. Favorite songs: Street Angel & Blue Denim; Least favorite: Just Like a Woman.
7. 24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault (2014)
This is subtitled "Songs From the Vault" because that is what it is. Every song on this album was written years ago, during the making of previous albums. It's a fun album - there's some really sweet nuggets in here - but they're definitely "second tier" compared to the ones that actually made the albums. Lady A sings along on one track. Side note: I can't help but wonder if Taylor Swift got her idea for calling the songs she's adding to her redo's of her albums "From the Vault" from this. Who knows? Favorite songs: Cathouse Blues & Lady; Least favorite: Belle Fleur.
6. The Other Side of the Mirror (1989)
I'm not sure what to say about this album. It's just kind of...there. I like the nods to Alice in Wonderland. With one or two exceptions, she really doesn't get too experimental. There is also another questionable remake. I'm not against her doing remakes, but she really should choose better. Her choices for guest artists were a little unusual as well: Bruce Hornsby and Kenny G. Favorite songs: Whole Lotta Trouble & Doing the Best I Can (Escape From Berlin); Least favorite: I Still Miss Someone (Blue Eyes).
5. Trouble in Shangri-La (2001)
It took seven years for her to get her mojo back after "Street Angel" (releasing the 3-disc "Enchanted", filled with greatest hits, b-sides & rarities, in between), and did she ever! Shout out to Sheryl Crow for saving this project, both co-producing and adding vocals. THIS is the Stevie we know and love. Bold writing choices, and a nice balance between rockers, ballads, and in-betweens. My only complaint - and why it's so low - is her choice of Natalie Maines as a duet partner, making that song the only "skip" (meaning I skip over it) in her entire discography. I REALLY don't like her. Other guests are Lindsey Buckingham, Macy Gray, and Sarah McLachlan. Favorite songs: Fall From Grace & Planets Of the Universe; Least favorite: Too Far From Texas.
4. Bella Donna (1981)
Her first solo album, and what a way to start a new branch of her career! Her songwriting is wonderful, there are some killer harmonies (a little overdone in my "least favorite"), and great guests, Tom Petty and Don Henley. This one has my all-time favorite Stevie Nicks song on it. Favorite songs: Edge of Seventeen & Bella Donna; Least favorite: Think About It.
3. The Wild Heart (1983)
Anyone who thought that "Bella Donna" was a fluke must have been greatly surprised to hear this one. It took the promise of her first solo outing and cranked it up to 11. What is amazing is that she released this while going through great emotional turmoil. At least she had her old buddy Tom Petty returning, and Prince played on my favorite track, albeit uncredited. Funny story: the day before the album was to be released my husband & I went shopping. In the music department we saw a box that was open; in it was copies of this album. We figured, it was on the floor & open, so why not? When we got to the register the cashier told us that we couldn't buy it. We said, "It was out on the floor, and the box was open. that told us that it was available." The manager agreed, so I actually got it the day before it was released! (Oh, and the clerk who took the box out early got a stern talking-to.) Favorite songs: Stand Back & If Anyone Falls; Least favorite: I Will Run To You.
2. Rock a Little (1985)
At this point she just kept getting better and better. I have to admit that I was hard-pressed between #2 and #3...but this one has a better personal story, which I will get to. She gets a little more experimental here, really rocking out, then pulling back to gentle ballads: the final track is so soft and sad, and trails off...and off...and you can still hear soft slight instruments, almost like in a dream. Also, there are no major guest stars in this one...just a LOT of guest players! Now for the story: I had had a really crummy day and was in a really rotten mood. I got home from work. My husband was home, and a dear friend of ours was visiting. I heard "I Can't Wait" playing & thought that they had the radio on, but then I looked at their smiling faces, then down at the turntable, where the album was playing. My husband had gone out & gotten it for me as a surprise...just because. Favorite songs: The Nightmare & I Can't Wait; Least favorite: Rock A Little (Go Ahead Lily).
1. In Your Dreams (2011)
It took 10 years, with the release of yet another Greatest Hits package AND a live album, before releasing what is easily her best album to date. Dave Stewart took the reins (no pun intended, looking at the album picture) as co-producer, also adding guest vocals on a couple of songs; the only other guest is Lindsey Buckingham, in one of the starkest, simplest songs on the album. She is truly up to form in this, proving herself that the label of legend is not misplaced. There is not a single weak track on this album, making ranking the songs themselves a most difficult task for me. Powerful, fun, and definitely worth the listen. Favorite songs: Wide Sargasso Sea & Ghosts Are Gone; Least favorite: Everybody Loves You.
