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Beauty and the Beast (Stevie Nicks song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Beauty and the Beast'" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks. It is the final track on her second album 'The Wild Heart', released in 1983. It was later released in a live version from Nicks 1986 'Rock a Little' tour as a B-side to the UK single "Whole Lotta Trouble" in October 1989. It also appears on two compilations: 'Timespace The Best of Stevie Nicks', released in 1991, and the boxset, 'Enchanted', released in 1998.[http://www.nicksfix.com/beautyan.htm Beauty and the Beast at The Nicks Fix] A new studio version appears on her album, 'The Soundstage Sessions', released in 2009.
Inspiration and interpretations
The song receives its titles and initial inspiration from French filmmaker Jean Cocteau's 1946 film 'Beauty and the Beast', one of Stevie Nicks' favorite classic films.Derringer, Lix (March 1982). 'Time' interview with Stevie Nicks Nicks explains the importance of the song to her, both during live performances and in various interviews, as one that encompasses her whole life and represents how everyone is either a beauty or a beast, usually bothNicks, Stevie (1991). Timespace Liner Notes.Nicks, Stevie (1983). Wild Heart Press NotesDerringer, Liz (March 1982). 'Time' interview with Stevie Nicks
On its re-release in 'Timespace The Best of Stevie Nicks' (1991), she dedicates the song to Vincent and Catherine, of the late 80's television show, "Beauty and the Beast."
Studio session
"Beauty and the Beast" was recorded during a single three-hour session in Gordon Perry's recording studio. It is recorded with a full string orchestra and grand piano. During the recording session, Stevie Nicks and her back-up vocalists wore long black gowns and served champagne to the visiting musicians.Nicks, Stevie (1983). Wild Heart Press Notes.
Personnel (1983 studio version)
'Main performers'
*Stevie Nicks vocals
*Roy Bittan piano
*Sharon Celani backup vocals
*Lori Perry backup vocals
'String section'
*Paul Buckmaster arranger & conductor
*Gene Bianco harp
*Jesse Levine viola
*Julien Barber viola
*Theodore Israel viola
*Harry Zaratzian viola
*Jesse Levy cello
*Frederick Zlotkin cello
*Seymour Barab cello
*Jon Abramowitz cello
*Marvin Morgenstern violin
*Herbert Sorkin violin
*John Pintavalle violin
*Max Ellen violin
*Regis Eandiorio violin
*Harry Glickman violin
*Peter Dimitriades violin
*Paul Winter violin
*Matthew Raimondi violin
*Harry Cykman violin
*Raymond Kunicki violin
*Lewis Eley violin
*Ruth Waterman violin
*Paul Gershman violin
Personnel (2009 studio version)
'Main performers'
*Stevie Nicks vocals, producer
*Sharon Celani backup vocals
*Lori Nicks backup vocals
*Jana Anderson backup vocals
'String section'
*Eric Roth conductor
*Janice MacDonald flute
*Deb Stevenson oboe
*Greg Flint horn
*Christine Worthing horn
*Guillaume Combet violin
*Jennifer Cappelli violin
*Carmen Llop-Kassinger violin
*Christine Keiko Abe violin
*Carol Cook viola
*Jocelyn Davis-Beck cello
*Eddie Bayers drums
*Michael Rhodes bass
*Joe Thomas keyboards
Live performance
During her 2006 and 2007 tours, Stevie Nicks performed "Beauty and the Beast" as her encore. For this number, she changed into a black dress and styled her hair into an up-do to resemble Belle from the 1946 film. Footage from the film played in the background as well while she performed. Due to issues obtain copyrights for the 1946 film, a performance of the song was cut from the final edit of her 2009 'Live in Chicago' DVD. Instead, a new studio version recorded in Nashville in January 2008 appears on the accompanying album, 'The Soundstage Sessions'.
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