Underrated, even by Stevie
To hear Stevie Nicks disinherit Street Angel in recent interviews, one would think it is an unlistenable embarrassment fit only for the bargain bins. Some of her fans seem to agree, but I think most will be surprised to find this Stevie's most appealingly down-to-earth offering. "Blue Denim," "Listen to the Rain," and "Love Is Like a River" rock with a well-worn assuredness that only a veteran like Stevie could convey. The latter song is especially lively, with a churning Hammond organ, '70s-rockin' cow bell, and sassy backup singers creating a bracing, earthy brew: "You say your life is wild," Stevie sings to an unnamed adversary, then wryly asks, "Compared to what lifestyle?" The album could have been trimmed of a couple tunes, however: "Unconditional Love," which sounds like something Starship would have cut in the mid-'80s, and Stevie's take on Dylan's "Just Like A Woman," which adds nothing new to the much-recorded song. I wonder--if Stevie thinks this album is so bad, why did she included some cuts from it on her lovingly compiled Enchanted set? Maybe the experience she had making Street Angel has colored her judgment of the overall product. I say, give it a chance. If you have the technology, listen to some cuts using this site and make up your own mind. Stevie wouldn't have it any other way.
Our very own angel ...
It actually makes me mad that the record-buying public in America in the mid-90s was turning its back on any artist that was over 40, at least on the radio. If I'm not wrong, I think "Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind" reached #46 on the charts, or at least somwhere around there. But after listening to it a few times you will begin to realize that it should have been a Top 10 hit. Many of the songs on this album would've made good singles, but alas Stevie Nicks was no Madonna. "Blue Denim" is a perfect single, along with "Street Angel," "Listen to the Rain," "Destiny," or "Love is Like a River." All of these could have, and should have been, hits. It's just a real shame that Stevie's career didn't have the trajectory that Madonna's or someone similar's had ... in terms of singles, anyhow.
Better ten years later...
I have to admit that I only liked a few songs when this CD came out in 1994. I have all of her CD's plus everything Fleetwood Mac since 1975, however, I just could not get into "Street Angel" when it was first released. Listening to it today, I realized that I did not give this album a chance. I liked and still like Blue Denim, Greta, Rose Garden and Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind (which is great in the UK remix if you can get it, called Maybe Love) and still don't like Just Like A Woman. Although Stevie did TV spots like Leno for Blue Denim (which is amazing, still reminds me of Lindsey Buckingham), it was the Sandy Stewart penned Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind that became a Billboard Top 100 charter, mostly because former Los Angeles powerhouse KIIS-FM added it to their playlist. Ten years later, I really appreciate Street Angel, Listen To The Rain, Kick It and the beautiful closer Jane. It's interesting that Stevie's vocals are so clear and youthful on this record, even though she was having personal problems and has said that this was a troubled record. Considering that you can get this CD for a pretty decent price now, it's worth buying to get a glimpse of Stevie transitioning from beautiful rock queen to unhealthy and unhappy person back to beautiful rock queen. This is one artist that we need to be grateful for coming back to us.
ONE OF HER BEST!!!
Even though a lot of people HATE this album, it is still the album of ROCK'S QUEEN - STEVIE NICKS. I admit, Unconditional Love and Jane are not too much to brag about but Blue Denim, Greta, Street Angel, Love Is Like A River, Destiny and Kick It are ALL wonderful songs! Stevie's best SELLING album was Bella Donna, but as far as for effort and lyrics, I think the whole Street Angel era was overpowering and fabulous!
FOREVER A FAN
Jeremy
Wow!
I can't believe that most Stevie fans hated or greatly disliked this album! I think it's one of her bests! This, Bella Donna, and The Other Side of the Mirror. Lyrically speaking, this is her best work. I think that "STREET ANGEL" is haunting, too! But my favorite song on this album is "LISTEN TO THE RAIN"...
She rocked on...
Nicks will never again match the sales of her 1981 solo debut, Bella Donna (5.2 million units worldwide), but she continues to turn out dependable music on her fifth album and first since 1989. Lead single "Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind" plays to her strengths with mellifluous ease. --Jeff Bateman
