By the time 1981 rolled around, Stevie Nicks was already a rock and roll star. Being part of the rock juggernaut, Fleetwood Mac propelled her to higher ground as a vocalist. Her popular songs like “Gold Dust Woman,” “Landslide” and “Dreams” cemented her as a household name. But, between Fleetwood Mac’s 1979 record, Tusk and their 1982 record, Mirage, there was an opportunity for solo material.
It was in the year 1981 that Nicks released Bella Donna. The entire record runs shy of an hour, clocking in at 42 minutes of eventual Nicks classics. On this record, numerous guests appear as well. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers appear on song three, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” and Eagles drummer Don Henley sings on song eight, “Leather and Lace.”
The record starts with the tranquil title track. This five-and-a-half-minute song is atypical for a rock and roll record. Usually, an artist or band starts with a heavy, hard-hitting track. Not Nicks though, she approaches this song from a slower, melodic angle. This track allows Nicks to showcase her vocals with background vocalsists, Lori Perry and Sharon Celani. Both Perry and Celani still tour with Nicks to this very day. Nicks keeps the Fleetwood Mac vibe throughout the tune but has a sharper edge on guitar from Waddy Wachtel. It’s a great soft rock song that leaves so much anticipation for the listener to continue with the album.
The record continues with track No. 2, “Kind of Woman.” It opens with a piano melody from Roy Bittan, a longtime member of the E Street Band. The entire three-minute track has the same feeling as Fleetwood Mac’s “Silver Springs.” There’s an eeriness to the song which is calming as it matches Nicks’ aura and persona. Despite this being a Nicks solo record, it’s amazing to hear the creative freedom the session musicians have. The dreamy song is another calm listen and flows nicely behind the title track.
Track three, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” features the previously mentioned Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Petty and Mike Campbell wrote this song for their band but was arranged for Nicks to sing instead. The entire Heartbreakers band plays behind Nicks and their chemistry as a band is undeniable. The Heartbreakers are just coming off of their Hard Promises record which would reach the No. 2 spot on the United States Billboard 200 charts. Nicks and Petty complement each other’s voices perfectly. Throughout the song, there’s a great exchange of lead vocals which allows both Nicks and Petty to get a moment to shine.
On song No. 4, “Think About It” there’s more of a jumpy, peppy beat from drummer Russ Kunkel on this tune. Now and then in the background, you can hear the inclusion of organist Benmont Tench. With the addition of Tench in the background, it adds another great new layer of sound. I like the change of pace on this song, it breathes fresh air into the record whose front half had a slower tempo.
“After the Glitter Fades” is song five on the record. It’s Nicks’ oldest song that appears on the album. Nicks ended up writing this song in 1972, just a few short years before she joined Fleetwood Mac. It’s a pretty good song which is unfortunately sandwiched between two great songs. But Wachtel’s guitar stands out as one of the bright spots in the song.
“After the Glitter Fades” is overshadowed due to “Edge of Seventeen” being the track right after it. By this point in 2024, the tune is so iconic and it’s instantly recognizable from the first guitar chord. “Edge of Seventeen” is one of the major reasons that this record reached the No. 1 spot on the United States Billboard 200 charts. From the driving power chords from Wachtel that heave the track forward, Nicks’ vocals again stand up to whatever powerful band is behind her. Background singers Perry and Celani allow Nicks’ to be able to breathe with louder and higher vocals which stands out among the controlled chaos of noise behind her. This is, of course, the top song on the record due to its powerfulness and the fact that people still crank up this tune no matter when it comes on.
Listeners find themselves returning from the rock and roll high of the previous song with “How Still My Love,” as song No. 7. I like where this song was placed. It’s two sides of the coin, fans get a true rock and roll heavy hitter with “Edge of Seventeen” before getting a slower, laid-back song in “How Still My Love.” Jimmy Iovine and Petty who produced this record did a fantastic job at positioning tunes and putting them in a spot that allows them to shine on their own.
Another guest stars on one of the last songs on the record. The previously mentioned Eagles drummer Don Henley appears on song eight, “Leather and Lace.” This lullaby song is one of the best ballads ever. It’s dreamy and mellow and Henley gives one of his best vocal performances on a non-Eagles record. All the sounds incorporated in this song make it worth multiple listens. Nicks and Henley both of higher vocals so it’s nice to hear that harmony in a higher register.
The final two songs, “Outside the Rain” and “The Highwayman” bring the record to an end. They both are good songs that unfortunately are placed on the “B-side” of the record. There’s a small Eagles takeover on “The Highwayman” as former Eagles guitarists Don Felder and Henley appear on the record. Henley takes to the drum kit and background vocals while Felder, of course, is on guitar. Having Henley and Felder at the end of the record is a nice little easter egg that fans might have missed if they didn’t pay close enough attention or if they didn’t read the notes.
By the time, Nicks’ Bella Donna hit the shelves and airwaves in 1981, she was already a superstar. But, once the frenzy of her first solo record quieted down, she was thrust into rock and roll icon status. This is one of, if not her very best solo record ever. Ever since the release of this record, it has put her down into legendary status.
Rating: 9/10
Tracklist:
1. Bella Donna
2. Kind of Woman
3. Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
4. Think About It
5. After the Glitter Fades
6. Edge of Seventeen
7. How Still My Love
8. Leather and Lace
9. Outside the Rain
10. The Highwayman
Band:
Stevie Nicks – vocals, tack piano (track 9)
Waddy Wachtel – guitar (tracks 1–2, 4–8)
Davey Johnstone – acoustic guitar (tracks 1–2, 4–5, 7, 10)
Bob Glaub – bass guitar (tracks 1–2, 4–7)
Benmont Tench – organ (tracks 1–7, 9)
Russ Kunkel – drums (tracks 1–2, 4–8)
Additional musicians:
Tom Petty – rhythm guitar (tracks 3, 9), co-lead vocals (track 3)
Mike Campbell – guitar (tracks 3, 9, 10)
Don Felder – guitar (track 10)
Don Henley – vocals, drums, backup vocals (tracks 8, 10)
Stan Lynch – drums (tracks 3, 9)
Donald Dunn – bass guitar (track 3)
Tom Moncrieff – bass guitar (track 9)
Richard Bowden – bass guitar (track 10)
Dan Dugmore – pedal steel guitar (track 5)
Bill Elliott – piano (track 1)
Bobbye Hall – percussion (tracks 1–2, 4–7)
Phil Jones – percussion (tracks 3, 9)
Roy Bittan – piano (tracks 2, 5–8)
Billy Payne – piano (track 4)
David Adelstein – synthesizer (track 1)
Lori Perry – backing vocals
Sharon Celani – backing vocals
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My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in New York/New Jersey and go to school in Connecticut majoring in Journalism and I am always looking for the next concert to attend.
