Stevie Nicks
As Fleetwood Mac suffered breakups, meltdowns and traumas, it figured the group's most recognizable voice would eventually strike out on her own. But before doing so, Nicks sang on John Stewart's "Gold" and had a major hit with "Whenever I Call You Friend," a duet with Kenny Loggins (the song appears on Loggins' '78 album, "Nightwatch"). These successes illustrated Nicks' penchant for collaborative efforts.
During the gap between Mac's studio albums, "Tusk" ('79) and the weak "Mirage" ('82), Nicks released "Bella Donna" ('81), her most accomplished and commercially successful record. Free of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks got plenty of help from Tom Petty ("Stop Draggin' My Heart Around") and Eagle Don Henley ("Leather & Lace"). Top flight studio and touring guitarist Waddy Wachtel, Heartbreaker keyboardist Benmont Tench and E Street keyboardist Roy Bittan lent their expertise to the project. Interestingly, Nicks' music was more textured yet had a harder edge than her Fleetwood Mac songs.
"Wild Heart" hit in '83. Though it contained several marginal hits ("Nightbird," "If Anyone Falls" and "Stand Back"), it didn't have nearly the impact of its predecessor. A handful of albums followed with depreciating results. There were hits but little else. By the end of the decade Nicks was pretty much done as a solo artist.
"Bella Donna" is Nicks' moment. It's a strong album with her best duets and most dramatic/dynamic hit, "Edge Of Seventeen." From there Nicks is best viewed as a singles artist. "Enchanted" is a 3-CD set that has everything of value and more (live tracks and demos). For a fan lacking that level of commitment there's "Timespace - The Best Of Stevie Nicks."