Re'....Lets count them down....Stevie Nicks Solo Albums

Alright, Re'..I get the hint. Not enough Stevie Nicks on here. LOL. So, I have decided that each week, I will post about one of Stevie Nicks's solo albums, add some maybe "unknown facts" about the album. The highest ranking it achieved on Billboard and maybe through in some "Rumours" that may encircle the album.

First off we have Bella Donna. Stevie Nick's first solo album release

Meaning::Main Entry: bel·la·don·na
Pronunciation: "be-l&-'dä-n&
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian, literally, beautiful lady
1 : an Old World poisonous plant (Atropa belladonna) of the nightshade family having purple or green bell-shaped flowers, glossy black berries, and root and leaves that yield atropine -- called also deadly nightshade
2 : a medicinal extract (as atropine) from the belladonna plant

Released On: Modern/Atlantic Records in July 1981
Producer: Jimmy Iovine

Tracks:
1. Belladonna
2. Kind Of Woman
3: Stop Dragging My Heart Around (w/ Tom Petty & The Heart Breakers)
4: Think About It
5: After The Glitter Fades
6: Edge Of Seventeen
7: How Still My Love
8: Leather And Lace (w/ Don Henley)
9: Outside The Rain
10: The Highway Man

Tracks Recorded For Belladonna But Not Used On Album
1. Belle Fleur
2. The Dealer
3. Gold & Braid
4. Gypsy

Ahh...Belladonna. The album that started it all for Stevie Nicks and her solo work. Alot was riding high on the success of this release. Atlantic records had invented it's own recording label extension (Modern) specifically for Stevie Nicks and her solo work. Fleetwood Mac band members were not thrilled with the idea of Stevie branching into a solo act. Fears ran high that if she was successful in accomplishing this, Stevie would venture away from Fleetwood Mac and become soley a solo act. The main question on everyone's mind was IF Stevie Nicks could be successful without the "helping hand" of ex boyfriend/Fleetwood Mac Bandmate Lindsey Buckingham? After Belladonna was released the answer was clear.....Yes, she most certaninly could. Being in a band and only being permitted to submit two to three songs per album was not sufficcient enough for such a prolific songwriter as that of Stevie. If she hadn't ventured into the solo arena, more than likely most of the songs she had written would NEVER be released/heard. She felt she owed it to herself, her music, her gift of song penning and her fans to do this. When Bella donna was released it entered straight into the BillBoard Charts at #1. The statement was clear...Stevie Nicks COULD make it with or without Fleetwood Mac. And she was infact, a force to be reckoned with.

Stevie played her cards right here though. She enlisted numerous well known artists to "Guest Appear" on this album.

This album clearly has a theme. As do most of Stevie Nick's albums. The trademark for many songs on the Belladonna release were those of loneliness, a yearning for permanence, haunted by men who come and go,probably never to see them again, or haunting women. This is the sort of aura that Stevie Nicks is not only known for but the only one who can sell this and make it sincere. She is Rock-N-Roll's Mystical Lady. The High Priestess of Rock-N-Roll and an Enchantress.

The songs...well....Lets start with "Kind Of Woman". The song involves a man who though committed falls in love with another woman. "You didnt mean to meet her you cry...but the sun goes down everynight, you have another waiting at home, and yet, she matters to you...kind of woman that will haunt you". This is one my favorite Stevie songs.

"Stop Dragging My Heart Around"...duet with Tom Petty. Tom gave Stevie Nicks this song because he infact did not care for it. Stevie managed to convince Tom to do this song as a duet and it was the first track from Belladonna to be released as a single. Yes, the song has the signature Hearbreaker sound, plainly making it a radio staple. A bit over played, not one of my favorites...but you will NEVER hear of me "Bringing Stevie Down". LOL

"Think About It". The third track.... Stevie wrote this song specifically for fellow Fleetwood Mac band mate Christine McVie during the time when Christine and John McVie were divorcing. Christine was not sure how she could remain in Fleetwood Mac along side John and was seriously contemplating leaving the band. Stevie wrote this, hoping to change Christine's mind about departing. It worked.

"After The Glitter Fades"...This is by far one my favorite Stevie Nicks songs. Stevie gave the song a country music feel and recently admitted that she wrote this with Dolly Parton in mind for recording it.

"Edge Of Seventeen"....Once anyone hears that chugging guitar rhythm opening it is plain to who this song belongs to. Destiny's Child ripped this for their single "Booty Licious" and asked Stevie to appear in the video. Yeah, everyone got "Bootylicious" for a few....But Stevie Nicks owns this. If you have ever been to a Stevie show you know when this song plays, the show is nearly over and it also represents a time for her to appear at the front of the stage to shake fans hands. The song, about death, was written for two people. Her uncle who was actively dying in a hospitol and for the death of John Lennon. "I did not find the answer, but I did hear the call of the nightbird, singing...come away...come away."

"How Still My Love"...Great tune, a mellowed reminiscent melody of a Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams".

"Leather & Lace". The other duet on the album. This one with Don Henley. Stevie origionally wrote this song for country singers Waylon Jennings and his wife Jessie Colter upon their request. In the end they turned it down. Stevie asked then boyfriend Don Henly to duet on this song and Don told Stevie that he would duet with her but not on this song. He HATED it. So, Stevie rewrote the song numerous times before Don finally agreed that it was "OK Enough" to sing. Don Henley still does not care for this song.

"Outside The Rain"...Love this song. Tom Petty, Michael Campbell and Benmont Tench are the players here. I could see them performing this tune during their "Damn The Torpedo's" era. The lyrics I most enjoy are...... "Ohh, no love's that hard to find...and I'm tired of....I'm tired of trying". Pure Stevie.

"The Highway Man" Another country music flavored tune that has Don Henley on back vocals. The song showcase's a man who is a free spirit and though in love refuses to settle down. A perfect ending to a perfect album.

Though Bella Donna was a huge success, sold millions and spawned numerous hits (Stop Dragging My Heart Around went to # 3, Leather & Lace went to # 6, Edge of Seventeen went to # 10 and After The Glitter Fades went to # 32 and ROLLING STONE Magazine also named Stevie Nicks "The Reigning Queen Of Rock 'N' Roll) Stevie Nicks did not have a chance to enjoy this success. It was around this time Stevie had to cut her touring for the album short,giving HBO one of it's first ever televised concerts, to go back to work with Fleetwood Mac and she was also handed the news that her best friend and vocal coach, Robin Anderson was diagnosed with terminal Leukemia. To further make matters worse, Robin also was found to be pregnant. Stevie was deeply wounded.
Robin eventually had an emergency C-section and shortly after the birth of her child, she lost her battle to the cancer. The loss of her best friend, now tore Stevie apart emotionally, mentally and physically. Stevie states that she felt an obligation to Robin afterwards to care for her child and married Robin's widowed husband. The marriage was short. Stevie states that one evening while nestling with the child in the nursery room Robin had prepared, Robin's Rocking Chair began moving in a rocking motion. Stevie took this as a sign. She could leave....Robin's spirit would ensure that husband and child would be ok without Stevie. Stevie states that "Robin is/was the ONLY person who TRULY knew ME...not for the famous Stevie Nicks."