STEVIE NICKS | FLEETWOOD MAC RECORDING SESSIONS

A Timeline... 
For the most current, scroll down to the bottom of the post.

The Nashville Sessions and The Village Sessions:

With Fleetwood Mac back together as a five piece all eyes have been focused on what the reunited group would come up with in terms of new music, before they head back out on the road as a reunited group in September. With band personnel sightings (Mick and equipment set up at The Village) and with recording equipment installed at The Village Studios in L.A. and photographed between March 11th and 16th it became obvious they were up to something a little bit more different then your typical rehearsals.  Plus they are to far out from the first date of the tour to be rehearsing just yet... So the only conclusion is new music... With Christine back in the band and with her publicly indicating that she sent Lindsey her newly written and demoed tunes and with Christine IN L.A. during the tour announcement March 27th it only made sense that they were working on new music. What form that would take, whether it be a new album, or another EP, is all up to speculation.  This has been the focus since early March... What was the band up to?
[Update May 2nd] Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie confirmed in LA Times interview they are working on a new album at Village Studios.]

APRIL 18, 2014

Fast forward a number of weeks to April 18th and Dave Stewart posts on his Facebook page that he and Waddy Wachtel (Stevie's guitarist in her band) were headed to Nashville on Saturday (4/19). Also on April 18th, on Instagram, sunshine_dusted (Brittany) posted that her father was able to get an autograph from Christine McVie who was on the same flight as he was headed for Nashville. On Instagram she said the following:

"My dad was flying back from Oklahoma with a stop in Dallas to come home to Nashville and she was on the Nashville flight"

APRIL 19, 2014

Then the following day on Saturday (4/19) Dave Stewart again posts via Facebook, this time with a photo of the Wiltern Birthday Show from 2011 saying "On way to Nashville, Tennessee this morning with Stevie Nicks and Waddy Wachtel."

From this it was confirmed that Stevie, Christine, Dave and Waddy were obviously recording in Nashville... But for what?  Were they going rogue and working alone on their own little piece of the Fleetwood Mac puzzle... or was this something else?  Nobody really knew!

APRIL 26, 2014

Moving on a week later to April 26th in Los Angeles at Barnes and Noble with Jenny Boyd and Mick Fleetwood, Mick along to help promote her book "It's Not Only Rock 'N' Roll" and also to interact with fans and sign copies of the book... a Ledge member by the name of HelloMonster was at the event too and was able to have a book signed by Mick and she asked him during their brief encounter what was going on in Nashville? Not only did she ask him, she recorded the conversation! Here's the transcript of the recording:

HelloMonster
"What's going on in Nashville?"

Mick
"Ah, she's making ah, Stevie's making an album."

HelloMonster
"her own, or not"

Mick
"I think it's going to be a first for her where's she's doing that Nashville thing where they go in and just all the musicians just play the songs and they get it all done really quickly... we're hoping."

HelloMonster
"I heard that she is there with Dave, and Christine was seen in Nashville too, are they all doing something together".

Mick
"Dave's producing it.. Stewart. Ah, and she's using the wrecking crew down there, to my knowledge, where they all just come in and jam out the songs in like two weeks and tell you to go home."

HelloMonster
"But it's not for your new album" (meaning Fleetwood Mac)

Mick
"If she doesn't, she's not going to finish her album."

From this, it's all too clear what's going on in Nashville! Stevie IS recording a new album and thankfully Mick wasn't tight lipped about it!

Not only is a new Stevie Nicks solo album completely unexpected what with Fleetwood Mac's reunion tour on the horizon and with the speculation and somewhat proof that Fleetwood Mac did book studio time at The Village to record - it's confusing!... How on earth is this going to come together?  There is such a short window of opportunity to work on Fleetwood Mac music before the tour, given their recording habits. but now the focus seems to have shifted to a new album from Stevie... and what was Christine doing in Nashville?  So many unanswered questions!

APRIL 29, 2014
Moving ahead to April 29th... Dave Stewart posts on his Facebook page this caption along with a photo of Stevie.

"been here in Nashville since Easter Sunday rocking out with @stevienicks ! Stevie Nicks"

Back in Los Angeles at The Village a band by the name of "Flavia and The Red" posted the following picture and caption on Twitter:

Sat in a session with SERIOUS cats today at #TheVillageStudios. Next door were #FleetwoodMac & #FlorenceAndTheMachine pic.twitter.com/wb1Z6bez9d
— Flavia and The Red (@Flaviaandthered) April 30, 2014

So it would appear from this that Fleetwood Mac still have space at The Village... Doing what? We don't know.

Also on April 29th... The final proof that it in fact is a Stevie solo project being worked on in Nashville.  This from Dave Stewart:

Post by Dave Stewart.

So from the little bits and pieces that have revealed themselves, this is all starting to feel very familiar and a little more like 2010 where we followed Dave's every word and move to find out the latest details on what was happening with the then "In Your Dreams" solo album.  That was a fun year! And it basically was a year.  What's interesting about 2014 is the time frame and the recording surroundings.

A) They are in Nashville, which you would think can't help but lend a country flavour to the music being recorded.  Is Stevie trying something a little new fresh on the heels of her collaboration with Lady Antebellum? And... 

B) Dave's kind of mastered the art of knocking out these solo projects one after another in just a number of weeks. He uses, or has used the same crew at Blackbird Studios in Nashville on his last three solo albums that came out in 2011 (Blackbird Diaries), 2012 (Ringmaster General) and 2013 (Lucky Numbers).  If what Mick indicates is true, that they are planning a 2 week window to record the album... Then they are practically done... And then what?  Is Stevie planning on joining Fleetwood Mac at The Village Studios in L.A, or will she be focusing on this untitled solo album.  Again, there are a lot of questions surrounding this and I'm sure as the weeks and months roll on right up to when the band is planning to go into rehearsals in August, we'll find out more details.

MAY 1, 2014
Another day... Another photo and an update from Dave via Facebook:

"15 songs down still working , all sounding great , classic Stevie Nicks"

ROAR... Photo by Dave Stewart

MAY 2, 2014
The Los Angeles Times printed an article in their Calendar section of the May 2nd edition showing Lindsey and Christine working in the studio and the accompanying interview with the two shed some light on what Fleetwood Mac have been up to at Village Studios with or without Stevie's involvement, and it was made clear that it is a new album they're working on, but it will be shelved until either after the new year or tour until they have more time to work on it (and I suspect, when Stevie has time to get involved)... Check out the article here  

Mick was also spotted on May 1st at LAX headed back to Maui. Not sure for how long, but this may be another indication they are finished (for now) with studio work in L.A.. Check that out HERE


MAY 3, 2014
Today, Dave posted a picture of him and producing partner Waddy Watchel at the mixing desk working on Stevie's new album.

"at the mixing desk with my great pal and producing partner Waddy Wachtel 

for Stevie Nicks new album"

Photo: Dave Stewart

Below, Dave Stewart was spotted at LAX in Los Angeles on May 3, 2014. I suspect he's arriving from Nashville... Recording could be finished. (Photo by GVK/Bauer-Griffin)

MAY 6, 2014 Update from Dave today... Ann Marie Calhoun is on this project again adding strings.

Post by Dave Stewart.

MAY 13, 2014
While being honoured at the BMI Pop Awards in Beverly Hills on May 13th, Stevie revealed a lot of information regarding her upcoming solo album. She gave multiple interviews on the red carpet that night, one of them to the Associated Press.  Here's what she said about her new music:

"We went on to YouTube and we found all the songs that, somehow, were taken from my house or picked up or loaned out or whatever, and we picked up all the songs that like -- there was like 25 songs that the fans really wanted me to record, and we picked 18. And we went to Nashville and we recorded 17 songs. So they're like all starting from like 1969 maybe? I call them my 24-carat gold songs."

MAY 14, 2014
The following day via Billboard, Liz Rosenberg expanded on what Stevie said to The Associated Press indicating that the new album was tentatively titled "24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault".  Liz also indicated that the hope was to have the album out in October, 2014.

MAY 26, 2014
Been awhile since we've heard anything... Dave Stewart posted this today on Facebook... Are we to read between the lines?  Not sure if this is a clue to the sound, or just a random photo of words fitting of a post regarding Stevie and the new album.

Post by Dave Stewart.

MAY 31, 2014

Wow!... I'm so stoked for this...

"Starshine

Oh, you used to be silver

Loveline, love affair

Well, you used to make me shiver"

Post by Dave Stewart.

JUNE 2, 2014
Davey Johnstone, who is Elton's Musical Director in the studio and in his touring band, The Elton John Band, did some overdubbing work for Stevie at her house for the new album.  Davey previously worked with Stevie back in 1981 on Bella Donna adding acoustic guitar to many of the tracks on the album.

Post by Dave Stewart.

JUNE 9, 2014
New week... New update from Dave today. More layers going on today it appears with additional violin by Ann Marie Calhoun...

Post by Dave Stewart.

via Dave Stewart Facebook: The equipment says it all... Lot's of work happening at Stevie's house on this new album!... Waddy Wachtel, Ann Marie Calhoun, Dave and Stevie sitting around discussing string arrangements. 

(Hard to believe this is actually happening! - Appreciate the updates Dave!)

 

"beautiful violin recording under Stevie's magic staircase !" - Dave Stewart Photos

JUNE 16, 2014
New week... New post from Dave.  The work will continue today at Dave's studio in Hollywood on Stevie's new album..... and it looks like the new album will find it's way to vinyl when it's released, which is pretty cool!

Post by Dave Stewart.

JUNE 18, 2014
Mixing at Mix LA with it looks like Chris Lord-Alge.

Post by Dave Stewart.

JUNE 19, 2014
New sound bite posted by Dave Stewart tonight. This one had me stumped! It is the song "24 Karat Gold" Stevie is singing from the beginning "You like my 24 karat gold... chains... My Love"

Post by Dave Stewart.

JUNE 22, 2014

Again.... Mystery to me right off the bat!  Name that track!  Whatever it is, it sounds heavy and it's bangin'! And Stevie's having a good time! 12 songs mixed... 4 more to go... 16 Tracks!!  The only words I can hear are "I would follow you anywhere... " and "How do I care" at the end.

Again.... Mystery to me right off the bat!  Name that track!  Whatever it is, it sounds heavy and it's bangin'! And Stevie's having a good time! 12 songs mixed... 4 more to go... 16 Tracks!!  The only words I can hear are "I would follow you anywhere... " and "How do I care" at the end.

Post by Dave Stewart.

Post by Dave Stewart.

Post by Dave Stewart.

JULY 2, 2014
Not sure what this means... a meeting about Stevie Nicks but a picture of Fleetwood Mac... and a Tango In The Night era shot... hmmm...

Post by Dave Stewart.

JULY 8, 2014

@DaveStewart has there been a decision made on whether Stevie's new album artwork is going to be fan made or not? :)
— Sam☾ (@PillarsOfColour) July 8, 2014

@DaveStewart yaaay! can't wait! thanks so much for replying :)
— Sam☾ (@PillarsOfColour) July 8, 2014

JULY 11, 2014
Great news!!!  Looks like the complete package is done!  Looks like the ball is in the labels court now to schedule the release and get the word out. Exciting stuff!

"Mixes done , Album mastered , Photos chosen exciting stuff with Stevie Nicks Chris Lord-Alge Waddy Wachtel"
Photo: Dave Stewart

JULY 12, 2014
Today (July 12th)... Dave posted this pic with this caption. Lucky guy is listening to a referece copy of the new album!

JULY 16, 2014
Unconfirmed tracklisting appeared briefly on wikipedia July 16th (Removed today, July 17th) showing the following tracks on Stevie's upcoming album.  Personally, I think this is bogus, typically something as important as a tracklist and the actual album title (which still hasn't been published) should and will come via a Reprise Records press release accessing one of their many avenues to release such information rather than some sort of haphazard random post on a wikipedia page which can be altered simply by anyone.  But for historical purposes and to make note, this is the track list that was posted preceded with the words "Reprise Records confirmed". The list of songs has since been removed:

TRACKLISTING

1. 24 Karat Gold
2. Gold and Braid
3.The Black Space Needle
4. Something Exquisite
5. Star Shine Silver
6. Priest of Nothing
7. My Sanctuary, My Stronghold
8. All the Beautiful Worlds
9. I Call You Missing
10. The Maker of Birds - Rhiannon's First Song
11. The Forest of Black Roses - Rhiannon's Second Song
12. Forsaken Love - Rhiannon's Final Song
13. Cecelia
14. The Charmed Ones Remain
15. Turnstile 69
16.Blue Water

This tracklist was confirmed as fake by Dave Stewart.

JULY 23, 2014
Stevie Nicks announced her new Instagram Account 'Stevienicksofficial' where beginning August 5, 2014 previews of the new album will be posted weekly.

JULY 24, 2014
Press Release

STEVIE NICKS NEW SOLO CD ‘24 KARAT GOLD – SONGS FROM THE VAULT’

SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 7TH RELEASE 

PRE ORDERS AVAILABLE BEGINNING August 5th.

Nicks Scheduled to Join All Fleetwood Mac Bandmates for ‘On With the Show’ Tour Beginning September 30th in Minneapolis.

July 24, 2014… For Immediate Release… Burbank, California….. Stevie Nicks will be releasing her highly anticipated new CD ‘24 Karat Gold –Songs From The Vault’ October 7th on Warner Bros., Records which will include never-before seen Polaroid photos taken by Nicks throughout her career. A special Limited Edition Double Vinyl Album will be released on September 29th. Additionally, a Deluxe Photobook CD album will be available for fans, which includes two bonus tracks plus 48 pages of exclusive photos from Nicks’ personal photo collection. Pre orders are available beginning August 5th. The artwork for 24 Karat Gold CD will include never-before-seen Polaroid photos taken by Nicks throughout her career. Produced by Dave Stewart, Waddy Wachtel and Stevie Nicks, the new album was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles. 24 Karat Gold follows the release of her critically acclaimed 2011 CD “In Your Dreams.”

“Most of these songs were written between 1969 and 1987. One was written in 1994 and one in 1995. I included them because they seemed to belong to this special group. Each song is a lifetime. Each song has a soul. Each song has a purpose. Each song is a love story… They represent my life behind the scenes, the secrets, the broken hearts, the broken hearted and the survivors. These songs are the memories - the 24 karat gold rings in the blue box. These songs are for you,” commented Nicks.

Nicks, a multi-Grammy winning, multi-platinum and gold selling Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee also has a new official Instagram account – ‘stevienicksofficial’ where she will be previewing snippets of her new album each week beginning August 5th.

A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Nicks is scheduled to embark on the Fleetwood Mac ‘On With the Show’ Tour with recently returned bandmate Christine McVie beginning September 30th in Minneapolis. “It’s so exciting to have Christine back after so many years. We can’t wait to get on the road together,” stated Nicks.

JULY 26, 2014
Well this is GOOD news... Looks like we'll see at least one video for Stevie's new album, and by video I also mean a single!

Post by Paul Boyd.

Director Paul Boyd of Dave Stewart Entertainment posted on his facebook page that he has a Stevie Nicks video shoot coming up on Monday... Also today Kaya Stewart posted on her instagram that she was back in Nashville with Stevie Nicks.  Do these two situations collide?  Are they shooting the video in Nashville? Is Kaya in the video like she was in Moonlight (A Vampire's Dream)?  Is Kaya playing/singing on Stevie's new album?  So many questions!  Or are these two completely separate situations and Stevie will be back in LA for Monday to film!  Interesting things happening.... Hopefully the video won't take months to get out there to the people.

Post by KAYA MUSIC.

JULY 28, 2014

Post by Dave Stewart.

JULY 29, 2014

Director Paul Boyd posted these photos below to his instagram account last night. One photo shows a camera crane in a theatre. The theatre pic (United Artists Theatre in Los Angeles) suggests they filmed the video in LA (and not Nashville) as a live performance on stage. No description on the photo with Dave and Stevie except to say "Rock Royalty". This looks like it could be the team behind Stevie's video shoot taken Monday in LA...

It's unconfirmed which song they filmed the video for. 

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