Stevie Nicks: Trouble in Shangri-La
By Parke Puterbaugh | Reviews | US | May 7-14, 2001
"I am something of a dream," Stevie Nicks sings on
"Candlebright," the mandolin-driven second song on her
excellent new album, Trouble in Shangri-La. Has a major
artist ever made so self-evident a statement? Spinning
highly charged fables of latter-day lords and ladies, dream
weaver Nicks plays the resigned but ever hopeful fairy
princess waiting for some gallant hero to sweep her off her
feet. The sobering accumulation of life experiences by the
former Fleetwood Mac chanteuse, combined with the gauzy
mysticism that has been her hallmark since she twirled
herself dizzy to "Rhiannon," makes for an attractively ripe
set of songs, her first new collection since the largely
forgotten Street Angel in 1994. Nicks has never sounded more
grounded or passionate than on Shangri-La, which is her best
and most varied work as a solo artist. The title track has
an urgent propulsion reminiscent of "Edge of Seventeen,"
albeit with a more adult outlook, while "Fall From Grace" is
a galloping, intense rocker that would be impressive for an
artist of any age, especially one on the edge of 53. While
the fire is entirely of Nicks's making, she's joined by
eager acolytes like Sheryl Crow, who coproduced and plays on
five songs. These include the eloquent "Sorcerer"--listen to
Nicks's brief, angelic ascent into falsetto--which is as
lyrically and musically concise as her work with ex-partner
Lindsey Buckingham (think "Landslide") in Fleetwood Mac. R&B
singer Macy Gray adds soulful spice to "Bombay Sapphires,"
and Natalie Maines (of the Dixie Chicks) imparts twang to
the countrified lover's lament "Too Far From Texas," an
earthy departure for Nicks. Mainly, though, Shangri-La is a
triumph of resurgent creativity and a profoundly gusty
second wind.
* * * 1/2 (Three and half stars) Nicks is back, at her
bewitching best.
