Trouble in Shangri-La [CD]

This CD marks the first new album since the 1994 album Street Angel.Whilst that album was something of a disapointment to Stevies many fans this album will not disappoint anyone.

The album is quite simply perfect from the opening notes of the title track to the haunting closing strings of the final track Love Is.Stevie has worked with Sheryl Crow on this album and Sheryls guitar driven music is evident although at no time does it overpower the feeling of this album.

Stand out tracks are the title track Trouble In Shangri La,Planets of the Universe,Every Day.Too Far from Texas,Its Only Love,I Miss you and Love Is.

The album features guest vocals from Sheryl Crow,the Dixie Chicks very own Natalie Maines,Macy Gray and on the closing track Sarah McLachlan..Each guest artist adds their own touch to this amazing album and the album is enriched by their presence but this is without a doubt a Stevie Nicks record.

This is the finest album Stevie has made since Bella Donna.To not own this album would be a crime.This record could do for Stevie Nicks what Supernatural did for Carlos Santana.

As someone who grew up on Fleetwood Mac, but only discovered the wonder that is Stevie's solo work in 1999, I had to buy this as soon as it was released. I pretty much saturated myself in this album for a month. In the last 5 years I have frequently come back to it, but only now feel I know it well enough to review it.

As all Stevie fans will know, she herself was somewhat disapointed with 1994's "Street Angel". Having suffered stinging reviews from critics, both for the album and the ensuing tour, her confidence was badly dented. Then along came Clinton's election campaign, and "The Dance". Realising her fans had not deserted her, and being a prolific songwriter, it was time for a new album.

I will say now that the two tracks that never did it for me are 'Everyday' and 'Too Far from Texas'. Personally, I don't think either of these show her voice as it should be, and I find 'Too Far from Texas' somewhat droney, so it would not be fair for me to review them.

But to the album:

We open with the wonderful 'TROUBLE IN SHANGRI-LA', a song that seems to build like a rising wind ("in pillars of colour"). It's gentle, then it rocks, briefly comes back down again, then the drums kick and it rocks out!

'CANDLEBRIGHT' originated as a song from the Buckingham Nicks days called 'Nomad'. It has a mystical & early 1970's feel (makes me think of Christine McVie's 'Say You Love Me').

'SORCERER' had its debut in the Buckingham Nicks live performances of 1973/74. It emerged again in a rock-ballad form in 1984 on the soundtrack to 'Streets of Fire', performed by Marylin Martin with Stevie singing backing. There are hints of 'Rhiannon', 'Enchanted' & 'Blue Denim' in there. It's an upbeat rock song - think 'Angel'!

'PLANETS OF THE UNIVERSE' can be found in 1976/77 rough form on disc 2 of 'Rumours - Expanded'. This is classic rocking Stevie, and similar to her songs on FM's Say You Will, with maybe even a hint of 'Edge of 17'. It was definately written aimed at Lindsey ("I still wish you gone, and I will live alone").
If you have heard the 'Rumours' version, you may wonder where the lyrics at the end have gone here ("You will remember, but I will die slowly..."). For those you will need the 'extended album version' on the now deleted single.

'EVERY DAY' 'TOO FAR FROM TEXAS'

'THAT MADE ME STRONGER' in 1995, still getting over her slated tour, Stevie had dinner with Tom Petty. They talked about her making a come-back album, but her low confidence led her to ask him "Will you write these songs for me?". Thankfully, Tom said "No, you write your songs yourself." This track rocks (reminds me of 'Kick It'), but it has a slight eastern flavour.

'IT'S ONLY LOVE' written by Sheryl Crow, is different enough from Sheryl's own version to stand out. It has an acoustic guitar base, with very light drums - a bit Beatles, 'Norwegian Wood'. Sheryl's sounds rather sad, whereas Stevie makes you think 'this is only the beginning, the ride isn't over yet'!

'LOVE CHANGES' is more 'pop' sounding than rock, but it is very upbeat and happy.

'I MISS YOU' is not a ballad, though it seems to be about a sad subject. It's along the lines of 'I sing for the Things', but not so stripped down (there is a lot of music in there!). But Lindsey added guitar! (I'm not overly fond of this track - least favourite of the 11 I like).

'BOMBAY SAPPHIRES' takes us softly (but with a rock edge) into the mystical east. More classic Stevie, but for the 2000's! She returns to her tendancy to reuse lines from her earlier songs "The sea never changes..." ('Edge of 17'), and she nods to Jimi Hendrix in there "And it's like Purple Haze...".

With 'FALL FROM GRACE' the Rock Chick returns! This is like late-70's live FM...the end halves of 'Rhiannon' or 'Gold Dust Woman'. It has the intensity of 1981's live 'Edge of Seventeen', and the energy of 'I Need To Know'. You would be forgiven for thinking it was Mick Fleetwood on those drums!

Finally, 'LOVE IS' is the beautiful ballad we drift out on. This is 'Beautiful Child' for a new generation (hey, I was only born in 1982, but I love them both!). The georgeous piano playing is by Sarah McLachlan, who Stevie herself is a fan of (Stevie says one of the only non-FM songs that can wake her in the middle of the night is 'Posession'). This is one of the few songs that can have me in tears and singing along at the same time!

If you've ever liked any Stevie Nicks songs, or 70's era Fleetwood Mac, you ***NEED*** this album!!!

The 'S' in Stevie's name was drawn by Sarah McLachlan. It was originally just a drawing of a dragon, but when they reversed it they realised it was a perfect 'S' for the album!

Although I'm a long-time Stevie fan, Stevie's best work has always genrally been with Fleetwood Mac, where she had the production genius of Lindsey Buckingham to give her songs the eclectic treatment they required. In comparison, her solo-albums to me have always sounded under-produced and her vocals under-rehearsed (there have been some excellent solo songs). Stevie's vocal problems have also been a source of concern. Trouble in Shangri-La is the solo album I've been waiting for, a reaffimation of everything that is great about Stevie, great melodies, poetic lyrics and distinctive vocals. Stevie's voice is deeper than it was, but it remains completely distinctive and effective and she shows the kind of range and energy that she hasn't shown in years.

There are a number of excellent songs - personal favourites being the hard-rock of "Fall from Grace", the heartbreaking ballad "Love Is", the pop of "Love Changes" and long-time Stevie fans will be glad to hear that Stevie's trademark mysticism remains intact on "Candlebright" and "Sorceror".

A real treat, and my favourite album of the year.