While the cynic may naysay at Fleetwood Mac’s busy re-release schedule, Rhino’s reissues certainly earn their deluxe stripes. The remastered Tusk received 42 (!) extra tracks and for this pair of early 80s LPs, Stevie fans are similarly blessed.
1981’s solo debut Bella Donna gets the most love; a crisply remastered album, a disc of alternate versions and a live set. A ragged take on “Edge Of Seventeen” doesn’t quite nail the final version’s airbrushed drama but the Bella Donna solo piano demo is a thing of true beauty. As for the live disc, 14 songs are included, all with an enormodome sheen. Taken from a show at the Fox Wilshere Theatre on December 13th 1981, it’s a shame Rhino haven’t included it in video form (given it was shown on HBO and released as White Wing Dove) and bootleg fans will see the full 16-song set remains unreleased.
1983’s The Wild Heart only gets nine extra tracks, but the accent is on lesser-spotted songs. Highlights include a remastered “Garbo” (a B-side for Stand Back), unreleased fan faves “Sorcerer” and “Dial The Number” plus a belting demo of “Wild Heart.” What next? Almost Inevitably something else–and one day, we’ll hear just what else Prince did for The Wild Heart apart from uncredited synth on “Stand Back” — but if it’s Rhino releasing, it’ll be worth the wait.
The deluxe editions of Stevie Nicks’ first two solo albums Bella Donna (1981) and The Wild Heart have been released. Both albums are available as CD deluxe editions with remastered sound, bonus tracks, new liner notes, and rare photos. The remastered vinyl edition of each album is also available.
A RELEASE of two deluxe albums next month will see a whole lot more Stevie Nicks blasting from radios, stereos and iPods across the country.
On November 4, Warner Music Australia will release Bella Donna: Deluxe Edition and, two albums of classic songstress Stevie Nicks.
Bella Donna was the debut album of the now legendary performer, released originally in 1981.
The Wild Heart was Stevie’s following album, released in 1983.
Both albums achieved platinum status, with Bella Donna in fact being certified quadriple-platinum.
The album spawned four substantial hit singles during 1981 and 1982: the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-penned duet “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” the Don Henley duet “Leather and Lace,” the iconic “Edge of Seventeen,” and country-tinged “After the Glitter Fades.”
Bella Donna: Deluxe Edition and The Wild Heart: Deluxe Edition will be released by Warner Music Australia on November 4.
Deluxe reissues of singer-songwriter’s first two solo albums, Bella Donna and The Wild Heart, out November 4th
On November 4th, Stevie Nicks‘ first two solo albums — Bella Donna and The Wild Heart — will be reissued via Rhino. Each deluxe release will feature not only the original LP but rarities and bonus tracks, like the previously unreleased demo of her solo debut’s title track, streaming below.
Stripped of its backing vocals as well as the raucous live band and synthesizers featured on the original album version, Nicks’ demo is a tender, intimate take on the song. She sings softly above just the piano track, nearly whispering “Bella donna, my soul” and barely reaching the full-throated belt she unleashes on the 1981 recording.
Later this month and just before releasing the reissues, Nicks will embark on a solo tour with opening act the Pretenders. Nicks’ tour is in support of her 2014 album 24K Gold, a collection of songs she had cut from her prior solo releases for various reasons. “These are the glory songs,” she told Rolling Stone of her reason to follow a multi-year world tour with Fleetwood Mac with the solo dates. “These are the sex, rock & roll and drugs songs that I’m actually not really writing right now, and these are the songs I could never write again.”
Brittany Spanos / Rolling Stone / Thursday, October 13, 2016
STEVIE NICKS TO RELEASE DELUXE EDITONS OF HER FIRST TWO SOLO ALBUMS
Legendary Singer-Songwriter Builds On Her Unparalleled Legacy With Deluxe Editions Of Bella Donna And The Wild Heart. Available From Rhino On November 4.
24 Karat Gold Tour With Pretenders Kicks Off October 25
LOS ANGELES – Stevie Nicks, the legendary singer songwriter whose highly acclaimed 30 year solo career includes seven studio albums, iconic hits, and record sales in the millions, will release deluxe editions with newly remastered audio and never before released live and recorded music from her first two solo albums Bella Donna and The Wild Heart. The end of October dual releases will come out in conjunction with the start of Nicks’ 24 Karat Gold Tour with Pretenders which begins in Phoenix on October 25. Complete tour schedule follows this release.
BELLA DONNA: DELUXE EDITION is a three-CD set for $29.98 and THE WILD HEART: DELUXE EDITION is a two-CD set for $19.98. Both will be available on November 4. On the same day, newly remastered versions of the original albums will also be available on LP ($21.98) and CD ($11.98). The music will be available digitally and through streaming services as well. A complete list of cuts on both deluxe editions follows this release.
“I’ve had so much fun reliving the making of Bella Donna and The Wild Heart while working on the liner notes and listening to all of the alternate versions and demo takes,” says Nicks. “The liner notes are so much more than liner notes. They are like a little novel. I tried to make whoever reads this feel like they were there. I think…I succeeded….”
Nicks joined producer Jimmy Iovine to begin recording songs for her solo debut, Bella Donna following the recording of Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk and subsequent tour. The 1981 album was quickly certified platinum. Today, the album is 4x platinum thanks to Nicks classics like “Edge Of Seventeen,” “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) and “Leather And Lace” (with Don Henley).
BELLA DONNA: DELUXE EDITION uncovers unreleased versions of “Edge Of Seventeen” and “Leather And Lace,” as well as rarities like “Blue Lamp” from the Heavy Metal Soundtrack and “Sleeping Angel” from the Fast Times At Ridgemont High Soundtrack. This deluxe edition also includes a concert from 1981 that features performances of songs from Bella Donna along with several Fleetwood Mac favorites.
Nicks returned in 1983 with her follow-up, The Wild Heart, which peaked at #5 on the album chart and has been certified double platinum. The album produced hits like “Stand Back,” “Nightbird” and “I Will Run To You,” which features Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. THE WILD HEART: DELUXE EDITION builds on the original album with unreleased versions of “All The Beautiful Worlds” a session version of “Wild Heart” and “Garbo,” the B-side to “Stand Back.”
BELLA DONNA: DELUXE EDITION
Track Listing
Disc One: Original Album
“Bella Donna”
“Kind Of Woman”
“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” – with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“Think About It”
“After The Glitter Fades”
“Edge Of Seventeen”
“How Still My Love”
“Leather And Lace”
“Outside The Rain”
“The Highwayman”
(Photo: Herbert W. Worthington, III)
Disc Two: Bonus Tracks
“Edge Of Seventeen” – Early Take *
“Think About It” – Alternate Version *
“How Still My Love” – Alternate Version *
“Leather And Lace” – Alternate Version *
“Bella Donna” – Demo *
“Gold And Braid” – Unreleased Version *
“Sleeping Angel” – Alternate Version *
“If You Were My Love” – Unreleased Version *
“The Dealer” – Unreleased Version *
“Blue Lamp” – From Heavy Metal Soundtrack
“Sleeping Angel” – From Fast Times At Ridgemont High Soundtrack
Disc Three: Live 1981
“Gold Dust Woman”
“Gold And Braid”
“I Need To Know”
“Outside The Rain”
“Dreams”
“Angel” *
“After The Glitter Fades”
“Leather And Lace” *
“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”
“Bella Donna” *
“Sara”
“How Still My Love” *
“Edge Of Seventeen”
“Rhiannon”
THE WILD HEART: DELUXE EDITION
Track Listing
Disc One: Original Album
“Wild Heart”
If Anyone Falls”
“Gate And Garden”
“Enchanted”
“Nightbird”
“Stand Back”
“I Will Run To You” – with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“Nothing Ever Changes”
“Sable On Blond”
“Beauty And The Beast”
Disc Two: Bonus Tracks
“Violet And Blue” – from Against All Odds Soundtrack
1983’s The Wild Heart only gets nine extra tracks, but the accent is on lesser-spotted songs. Highlights include a remastered “Garbo” (a B-side for Stand Back), unreleased fan faves “Sorcerer” and “Dial The Number” plus a belting demo of “Wild Heart.” What next? Almost Inevitably something else–and one day, we’ll hear just what else Prince did for The Wild Heart apart from uncredited synth on “Stand Back” — but if it’s Rhino releasing, it’ll be worth the wait.
