The Other Side of the Mirror

The Other Side Of The Mirror
Studio album by Stevie Nicks
Released	May 11, 1989
Recorded	1988-1989
Genre	Rock
Length	56:10
Label	Modern Records
Producer	Rupert Hine
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Rolling Stone link
Stevie Nicks chronology
Rock a Little (1985) The Other Side of the Mirror (1989) Timespace - The Best of Stevie Nicks (1991)

The Other Side of the Mirror is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter and Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks.

Released in May 1989, it was recorded partly in The Netherlands, partly in Buckinghamshire in England, and partly in Los Angeles, and is loosely based around the theme of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The album reached #10 on the U.S. Billboard album charts, propelled by the hit single "Rooms on Fire" (#16), and eventually achieved platinum status.

Following the huge success of Fleetwood Mac's Tango in the Night in the UK, The Other Side of the Mirror ironically became Nicks' highest charting solo album there, reaching #3 and spawning her first UK top 40 hit with "Rooms on Fire" (also #16). Her first, and so far only, solo tour of the UK and Europe, (Sweden, France and The Netherlands) followed the album, as well as a tour of the U.S., though Nicks has famously commented since that she has no recollection of the tours due to her increasing dependency on the prescribed tranquilliser Klonopin at that time.

"Two Kinds of Love", featuring vocals by Bruce Hornsby and instrumental interlude by Kenny G, became Nicks' first single to fail to chart, missing both the Billboard and Cashbox charts completely. The track "Long Way To Go" did gain substantial airplay, making Billboard's Top Album Tracks chart, and also charted as a single in the UK, as did "Whole Lotta Trouble".

Two promotional videos were shot for "Rooms On Fire" and "Whole Lotta Trouble". The former was released in two slightly different edits, while the "Whole Lotta Trouble" promo was shot during Stevie's American leg of The Other Side of the Mirror tour at the Summit Arena in Houston TX, and presented the singer in a somewhat debilitated and glassy-eyed condition, sending shockwaves of concern through her legion of fans.

The Other Side of the Mirror is notable for a distinct change in nasal quality to Nicks vocal sound as the results of cocaine abuse and Klonopin dependancy took their toll. Many have observed that whilst there are some excellent songwriting skills on display (most of the songs were written in 1986-87), the production approach by Rupert Hine was somewhat heavy-handed and tends to over-compensate for Nick's changed vocal style. Mixed reviews accompanied the album's release, and some unfavourably commented on Nick's seeming over-preoccupation with fairytale settings and a self-obsession with her (then) 15 years of fame and its misfortunes. However, "Rooms On Fire" has become one of Nicks most beloved pieces of anthemic pop gold (but is lamentably absent from her recent tour setlists), and like her 1985 release Rock a Little, The Other Side of the Mirror is now far more positively regarded by fans and critics alike.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Stevie Nicks, except for "Cry Wolf" and "I Still Miss Someone (Blue Eyes)"

1. "Rooms on Fire" (Nicks, Rick Nowels) – 4:30
2. "Long Way To Go" (Nicks, Nowels, Charles Judge) – 4:06
3. "Two Kinds of Love" (Nicks, Nowels, Rupert Hine) – 4:48
   • performed by Stevie Nicks & Bruce Hornsby
4. "Ooh My Love" (Nicks, Nowels) – 5:02
5. "Ghosts" (Nicks, Mike Campbell) – 4:45
6. "Whole Lotta Trouble" (Nicks, Campbell) – 4:58
7. "Fire Burning" (Nicks, Campbell, Hine) – 3:16
8. "Cry Wolf" (Jude Johnstone) – 4:12
9. "Alice" (Nicks, Hine) – 5:50
10. "Juliet" (Nicks) – 4:55
11. "Doing The Best I Can (Escape From Berlin)" (Nicks) – 5:53
12. "I Still Miss Someone (Blue Eyes)" (Johnny Cash, Roy Cash Jr.) – 4:08

"I Still Miss Someone (Blue Eyes)" is a cover version of a song from the 1959 album The Fabulous Johnny Cash

Charts

Album

Singles

Certifications

Miscellanea

• The UK 12-inch and CD single releases of "Rooms On Fire" feature an extended version of the song running at 9:00, and also include a live version of "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You?" recorded during the 'Rock a Little' tour, and featured in the video/ DVD release of the Red Rocks concert in 1986. A limited edition of the UK 12-inch also came with a glossy, full-size, double-sided poster.

• The UK CD-single release of "Long Way to Go" features the non-album track "Real Tears", as well as an extended remix of "Long Way to Go", running at 7:25. The UK 12-inch release of "Long Way to Go" was also available in a limited edition, and now highly sought after, gatefold sleeve, featuring some charming hand-tinted photos of Stevie.

• The UK CD-single release of "Whole Lotta Trouble" features a live version of "Beauty and the Beast", recorded during the 'Rock a Little' tour, and featured in the video/DVD release of "Live At Red Rocks". A limited edition of the UK 12-inch release also came with a glossy, full-size, double-sided poster.

• The Japanese CD release of the album includes the bonus track "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You?" recorded live during the 'Rock a Little' tour.

• The album features Bruce Hornsby on two tracks – "Two Kinds of Love" (sharing lead vocals with Nicks) and also on background vocals and keyboards on "Juliet".

• The album features Kenny G who plays saxophone on the track "Two Kinds of Love".

• The track "Juliet" was considered for Fleetwood Mac's Tango in the Night album, but ultimately was not selected. However, an instrumental version of the song, "Book of Miracles", was released as the B-side to Fleetwood Mac's "Seven Wonders" single in 1987.

• Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers wrote the music for "Whole Lotta Trouble", "Ghosts" and "Fire Burning".

• As a promotional giveaway, the vinyl album and CD was released with a limited edition holographic sticker in certain territories - now highly collectible.

References