The Highwomen Cover “The Chain” in Howard Stern’s Studio

[@edwin6012]

The sound engineering in this piece is incredible. I've never heard a more beautifully mixed piece that captures the distinctness of each voice in the harmony plus the unique qualities of every single instrument. The sound engineers deserve every audio engineering award there is for this beautiful accomplishment

[@joannroshnieable]

Yes it is pretty incredible!

[@POWER-LINKS]

Comment thief. Proud of yourself?

[@sillennium]

Its because of the ATM350GL mics from audio-technica

[@egads2]

Bettern' those there American Idol reverb artistes.....

[@givemedrums83]

That reverb rings until tomorrow. We must not be listening to the same piece...

[@sarahdell4042]

I don’t know a thing about Howard stern, but whoever the sound engineer is needs a raise. Every performance I come across, is aces.

[@warrenmichael918]

his in studio performers really shine in there. His engineers and sound guys are just top notch. I agree, every song in his new studio at sirius is just top notch.

[@Demento1974]

A violin solo instead of guitar??? Brilliant!!!! I get goosebumps every time that I hear this cover. The harmonies are just so killer and spot on!! I love it, love it, love it!!!

[@Matt561]

fiddle

[@scottdykema5385]

Harmonies? You hear harmony?

[@aaronmrn]

It's a bass solo not a guitar in the chain

[@Owennevulis]

Holy shit…that was amazing!! The sound engineers alone deserve a raise. Their vocals sync beautifully with the instruments, and it just gives my chills. Beautiful rendition of a classic, loved it.

[@MtgCoach]

You are dead on!

[@flophilp]

That would be Howard lol. He mixes his own shit.

[@seanrickard4475]

amen.

[@blorseman]

Does he? @@flophilp

[@danclark9987]

Nailed it! Synchronization was perfect and voices created an amazing sound. Yes, they gave me chills. One of favorite music videos!

[@chaffeecityusa1129]

The gal with the violin steals my soul during the chorus.

[@laurent5994]

Amanda Shires

[@todddaugherty110]

Amanda Shires, the now ex-wife of Jason Isbell, the guitarist on the far left.

[@KGO80313]

Holy shit. This is UNREAL. Every artist and sound engineer in this performance were at their best. I never thought anyone could cover this song until now.

[@johnfranke1374]

Simply badass....

[@anonymous4142]

Fleetwood Mac Praised Harry Styles cover of this song , check it out you will not regret it . I was very pleasantly surprised.

[@megmeg9461]

And it only took 7 people to do it!

[@sharonsegal1255]

I think the vocal levels were a tad too high and with too much reverb. Beautiful though.

[@chucklepalace]

Harry Styles does this well too

[@russe8914]

4 part harmony is next to impossible to pull off. Here, it's perfect. The violin is absolutely masterful in the solo. I could watch this on a loop for hours.

[@loubush6761]

9

[@lizarddronedude3617]

i do

[@victorwilburn8588]

This is an awesome performance from some very talented women, but 4-part harmony is pretty routine. Choirs full of ordinary people do it all the time, and it's pretty common to split beyond that, even. It can get a bit tricky when there is a lot of dissonance or exotic harmonic language, but still quite doable.

[@mcanphotographyltd5551]

@@victorwilburn8588 Its a cover. simple no emotion

[@hurti1000]

listen to the band Warpaint!

[@lbritton1022]

Jesus, that violin mixed with the classic bass solo is incredible! Great cover!

[@shannonh.n.4046]

👑's are 💣!!! 👑💯👑💯😍👍👑

[@michaelprosperity3420]

I thought the same thing

[@sweetandsoursoup]

I’m obsessed, I keep coming back for that part. I love that you can tell that they enjoying playing it!

[@MegaWritergurl]

That sounds lower than a violin-- viola range.

[@crystalp7242]

Sarah Freligh It’s a five-string violin, which has a C string added. The pitches of the five strings are typically (with C4 being Middle C): C3, G3, D4, A4 and E5. It basically combines the range of both a violin (G, D, A, and E) and a viola (C, G, D, A) and allows the player to cover a wider range of notes than on either a traditional violin (which the five-string violin is structurally similar to) or a traditional viola (which is a little bit larger than a traditional violin). The strings on all three instruments are tuned to perfect fifths from each other.

[@cookbookgirl]

There should be awards for this kind of thing. Absolutely brilliant performances, sound engineering, all of it!!

[@mivan5652]

This is the most perfect recording I’ve ever heard

[@BonnChnd]

Never thought anyone could pull this off. They more than captured the spirit of Stevie and Lindsay. Their harmonies are incredible and the violin/fiddle replacing Buckinghams guitar was a genius move. On my playlist now.

[@Heartboy1031]

*Lindsey

[@sweetandsoursoup]

I can’t stop listening to it-I must come back once a day at this point.

[@alexcunningham4847]

Took them four people to live up to Lindsey and Stevies’ vocals. Not giving them shit, just proves how incredibly Fleetwood Mac once was.

[@craig5649]

Lindsey's guitar was substituted with violin but I thought he was going to pop out and jam the fuck out of it any second.

[@cohokid6936]

@@alexcunningham4847 The body of work that Fleetwood Mac has is tough to wrap your head around, so many original absolute classics

[@jhendersonic]

Holy shit that four part harmony gave me chills. Incredible performance.

[@nyyankeeslady]

My.exact.words. Ho-ly SHIT!

[@killabees-m4t]

Best cover I've ever heard of Chain!!!!

[@mr.jazzbodkelsey58]

They nailed it! It's very cool to see all these musicians that I've listened to individually and have respect for playing on the same stage. Doing Fleetwood Mac, no less!! (Also, Gov't Mule ft. Grace Potter doing "Gold Dust Woman" was a good one, too.)

[@buggy4cars]

Without question the best recording of this song ever made. The harmonies are exquisite, the band perfect background balance and the women all amazing in their talents. If this isn’t a Grammy winning performance I don’t know what is. Can’t listen to it enough.

[@tgamron]

you can’t beat the original.

[@ph_oeni_x_]

Harry Styles’s version is my favourite cover of this song! He absolutely nails it

[@richarddeturner]

this isn't a patch on the Show Ponies cover of this iconic song

[@TonyAielloRTW]

Best cover. I'd have to give that honor to HSCC. This is wonderful though.

[@rla1000]

Bullshit

[@kevinlucken8558]

Dear Lord! These women are incredible. And I don’t know what Howard Sterns team knows, but the sound from these performances are insane and this one tops them all. The mix is perfect.

[@50shadesofShay.]

Best cover of this song ive ever heard. They all sound amazing. Brandi Carlisle's voice can shatter glass 💙. So underrated its ridiculous. Get it girls.

[@moonchild8422]

Is she the one that kinda looks like Khloe Kardashian?

[@juliefitzgerald-frangos2211]

You are so right about Brandi Carlisle 🙌

[@melissatyree566]

@MoonChild84 ...Brandi is in the longer beige jacket. Third from left.

[@dancassidy7471]

That is what I was just thinking Brandi oh my

[@frederickfranchi6408]

Couldn't agree more blown away by this version of this classic song 😃😍

[@peterrosscochrane]

Superb! Amanda Shires with a fantastic 🎻 solo 👏🏻

[@Namorah1]

Every single one of them is so clearly heard in this! It's stunning how talented all 4 are and how well they can stand out, and blend so beautifully back into harmony, yet be individually recognizable if you are paying attention to a specific one. I'm captivated each time I hear it, and THIS specific one, is so well produced compared to ANY other! This, is the definition of artistic talent across the board! ♥

[@valeriasindicic6256]

what a powerfull chilling harmony...just love them

[@JFHeroux]

That violonist! Excellent on the violon... and that crystal pure voice! 😍

[@markmagwire7921]

Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell's wife. He is playing in the back.....

[@AngelA-qj4jx]

That was actually fucking brilliant, they did justice to this classic track!!!

[@gmantramp404]

Fleetwood Mac don't do it justice no more.,lol 😂😂👍

[@jimrauh3584]

Angel: I wouldn't say brilliant; solid but not really that memorable. The vocals are more workmanlike than passionate.

[@polarbear2579]

Since they screwed Lindsey Buckingham over and kicked him out, this is the best version you will hear.

[@bernieponcik1351]

@@polarbear2579 Yeah. Creatives gonna be Creatives.

[@renegaderunner332]

Agreed!

[@cw9817]

Standing ovation! This is an incredible cover. I love the addition of the fiddle. The way each singer takes the "run" background vocals in turn at the denouement is also an inspired choice. Many kudos!

[@Kevhead7]

I am not sure Howard is fully aware of his ability to influence the music scene. This is so well done live in his studio. Props to Sirius for putting it out on KZbin for the world to hear (see).

[@twt3716]

Its Christmas eve in England and I choose to listen to this. Tremendous. Thank you. Thank you America.

[@blaskow5]

I’ve probably watched this 100 times so far

[@ianballie2978]

10000

[@trh8201]

I. Can't. Stop. Watching. This. Wow, such an amazing cover of this classic song.

[@thomaspaciello1068]

How cool is Amanda Shires version of Lindsay Buckingham's guitar solo. Awesome

[@telyn1389]

thomas paciello my friend Is named Amanda

[@azbluesdog]

Indeed! It was nice to see Jason playing second fiddle (pun intended). They're both amazing musicians all around.

[@derekrandle3856]

Was it just me or was there a brief homage to Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire" in her solo?

[@cjhooversd]

@@derekrandle3856 Yes! Dammit, *that's* what it is. I knew she was lifting a line from something familiar, but I just couldn't place it. Her fiddling btw on this take is *lit*. She goes even more off into brilliant madness territory with the fiddle part on the version they did with Jimmy Fallon. What a brilliant talent.

[@BastardZombieKiller1]

Her "runnin' in the shadow" after the solo sounded like Dolly.

[@Gruñón92]

My regards to Howard's audio engineer-amazing quality

[@n67637]

@Aaron A420 VERY heavy on the reverb, especially considering how powerful the voices were. Edit: Listening to other versions, it seems that it's the Highwomen's choice. Everything else about this production does sound amazing.

[@se7515]

Scott must have taken the day off

[@DIESEL0759]

@FEAR The Walking Don That was going to be my question! Does Scott the Engineer still work for Howard?

[@swayinsc]

I bet it was Scott. Jokes aside he is actually a good producer. Howard wouldn't have kept him around for so long if he wasn't.

[@augmentedkeys5971]

@Aaron A420 I agree and not enough room for a drummer.

[@brieannadottle7013]

I think this may be my favorite cover I ever heard. I love the versatility in the voices and the generation differences. It's a sweet reminder that music is eternal and binds us together. ❤

[@grimshaid]

The harmony in these voices is insane. Amanda Shires singing atop them through the chorus is epic.

[@jpsheldon]

WOW! Never thought in a million years anyone could cover and do justice to this song. The engineering , the players and the vocals are over the top! Absolute sweetness.

[@tarcrystalline]

Stellar performance. You don't need elaborate music videos - just super talented musicians in a well lit studio.

[@wolfkins]

As a very longtime Fleetwood Mac fan I adore this cover!!! The violen adds such a gypsy feel to it that it conveys the essence of Stevie's musical aesthetic perfectly!

[@bigdave5946]

This what you get when you some super talented artists and they take great song . And completely blow you away with a version you didn’t even know you needed to hear . Their voices together are so special this performance should have been opening the Grammy’s unbelievable is all can say . Well done ladies I see so much greatness for you all in the future as a group and solo .

[@bigtmk5015]

There’s harmonizing, and then there’s this. Absolutely incredible! When the fiddle hits 🤯

[@EyeWatchThemAll]

Even as an ensemble, you can still hear Brandi Carlile's vocals stand out!

[@davebosworth1778]

Sure enuff! Had no idea who these ladies were but even out of the group of them singing I thought i heard Brandy. Yup, there she is.

[@robertdean138]

I love that Jason Isbell is playing guitar is playing in the background, letting Amanda shine, as she always does.

[@mikephillips1043]

His name sounds really familiar did he have a song on sons of anarchy called something like go it alone?

[@Octa973]

@@mikephillips1043 I don't watch Sons of Anarchy but his band Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have a song called Go It Alone. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmrMinSAYtyJgbM Check out his stuff, especially the album Southeastern. It's great

[@lastnote]

@@mikephillips1043 I haven't seen Sons of Anarchy, but he does have a song called Traveling Alone - great song.

[@KariAaraas100]

Wow, bravo for focusing on one of the only men in the room, and applauding him. Instead of applauding his kick ass wife and the other kick ass women in this band. You should do better RObert.

[@nakedsavage]

@@mikephillips1043 Yes, I think it was with Drive By Truckers though.

[@markcodysr]

If this doesn't give you chills... check your pulse.

[@Stargazer-px7fw]

Child every time I watch it, but 3:44 till the end just wow!

[@kdh06004]

It’s good but If you want CHILLS go listen to the original.

[@slitherlock]

Hauntingly beautiful. That violin...the feels, the powerful voices and that classic bass part we all love so much.

[@mikebunner3498]

What a wonderful cover of a great song. The fiddle really ties it all together. The sound engineer deserves a medal for this recording... Great! I love this tune.

[@JohnQGuitar]

Fantastic! All of it! Instruments - check Vocals - check Sound mix - check Stage presence - check One of the best covers of any song I have ever seen!

[@florancerudi]

All members of Fleetwood Mac would be very proud of this piece.... Sounds phenomenal

[@martianvideo]

RIP Christine McVie

[@colleenposadas8415]

​@@martianvideo❤

[@bryanboatwright1671]

The Highwomen did for The Chain what Disturbed did for Sound of Silence. What knocks this version out of orbit is the violin solo.

[@jakestokes398]

Amanda Shire is awesome !!! What a gorgeous little thing ❤️

[@bsanderson77]

Best cover of "The Chain" ever performed! Every aspect of this performance is pure perfection. Fleetwood Mac should be very proud of what they did with this classic song. 😄

[@RonTuriello]

Seven of the best songwriters out there today. Brandi, Maren, Amanda, Natalie, Jason, Tim, and Phil.

[@zacharymann5643]

You realize this band didn't write this song, right?

[@jakors]

Actually, this is a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain," from the 1977 album "Rumours." It was written by Christine McVie, John Mc Vie, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and Stephanie Nicks.

[@dannyberry8725]

They are still 7 of the best song writers in existence today. Not to take anything away from the other 6 but, Jason Isbell is this generation's Bob Dylan. Go listen to the man's work.

[@AK-kh2ek]

Incredible mix of voices. Shires adds that extra something in my opinion. Not only with her vocals but also with her fiddle skills. Isbell is the icing on the cake. Really cool take.

[@Kelleyp]

Agreed! And not just with her incredible fiddle. I get the impression in interviews that she might not be super confident with her vocals--at least maybe with the HW? But she's special.

[@brianmedeiros417]

Love Amanda's twist of the vocals during the chorus.

[@callmehank88]

The sound engineer responsible for the mixing of this track deserves a pay rise. Top shelf.

[@dkmi]

I enjoyed just listening to Amanda play the violin. Such a cool tone to it.

[@johnparkerreed5712]

At first I thought no way, but then I listened and DAMN they absolutely nailed it! That four part harmony is haunting but in the most good way anyone could have done! Well done!

[@jenniferhenderson3488]

All of these artists are incredible, but honestly, I would listen to Brandi Carlisle sing literally anything.

[@maggiemay74]

Jennifer Henderson after 100percent

[@SM-nv2uu]

Agree!

[@jeffbrehove2614]

Agreed

[@designerdancer94]

She could literally read me a narration of paint drying and I would pay good money for it

[@stephenbenner4353]

I heard her do a pretty awful Led Zepplin cover at a concert, but the rest of the concert was great. She’s one of my favorite musicians so I’ll forgive the transgression.

[@nickwardmusic]

Great line-up! Brandi Carlisle has an incredible voice. And Jason Isbell on guitar!

[@breandanangley3828]

Goosebumps! Check! wow it’s these little pockets of perfection in humanity that make this world magical. It’s a great day not to be dead thank you for this masterpiece!

[@bertblue9683]

I watch this one every day. Such a wonderful, spirit lifting edition. God bless you all!

[@bernardshakey2609]

These women are so friggin phenomenal! Together and alone, so much talent

[@jamescarr9663]

Amanda Shires just nails it in every way !

[@1975jwheeler]

The best cover of "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac I've ever heard. These ladies did a fantastic job.

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Give me Roger Sheppe covering King of the Road

[@footieloose5109]

Try Florence and the machine at Glastonbury festival 2010.

[@themarc6453]

Between this, and the Dixie Chicks version of "Landslide" (the best version IMO), an all Country/Women-led album of Fleetwood Mac covers would be transcendent

[@falconeer99]

That would be interesting

[@theycallmejodamo]

How has no one thought of this before?! I want that so bad now

[@nathan453]

Who's the Dixie chicks?

[@barbaravyse660]

You should check out Stevie Nicks with Lady Antebellum on Crossroads!

[@jessicafalstein]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KSC6981]

All I gotta say is Wow!!! 🤩 Not only do these ladies sing like angels- they’re all beautiful as well!!! They’ve got a new fan in me!!! F#ckin’ incredible!!! ❤️👍🏻😉

[@dannyberry8725]

Brandi Carlile is now in my favorite two cover song videos of all-time; this and her cover of 'Madman Across the Water' by Elton John. It is here on youtube. I never in a million years would have thought someone would have the balls to cover 'Madman Across the Water', but Brandi did it and it is amazing!!!

[@MrUncle2009]

They made this their own. I am a serious Fleetwood Mac fan and I never heard this song done so well, original artists included.

[@BeachIT4Life]

Not only did this give me chills, it nearly brought tears to my eyes. Bravo!

[@billffitch1787]

So we all fell in love with the original “Chain” by a landslide, but, if we’d never heard this song until now, it would be THE Benchmark reference, imho....flawless harmonies and musicianship...thanx for sharing!

[@WILDBILLSOUTDOORS]

"Landslide".... I see what you did there :)

[@srobson150]

"So we all fell in love with the original 'Chain' by a landslide..." I see what you did there...

[@83farmer]

I think you are right. The first time I heard this I thought it was lacking Stevie Nicks range and the Fleetwood percussion. But listening to them back to back this version is incredible, just a little different.

[@jemztokely1985]

💖Such a beautiful cover of 1 of my favourite songs from Fleetwood Mac, The chain,the harmonies are spirit soaring x

[@FIELDSbass]

I rarely get goosebumps when I listen to cover songs. These ladies have just done it. Magnificent.

[@bobwinters6459]

They sounded incredible! That studio they created is phenomenal, every artist that records there sound incredible!

[@gehenna4life1888]

Fleetwood Mac 's music has been a huge influence in my life. I'm a purist. I have to say these Ladies did a fantastic cover of "The Chain". Great!!

[@MrRumBacardi]

This rendition was stunning! I just can’t stop listening to it!

[@robertjensen1048]

This is freeking awesome. My fav FM song and these girls nailed it.

[@katjahinds3521]

Such a beautiful cover of an amazing song. Gives me goosebumps....it's rare that a cover is better than the original, but I think this one achieves that. Props to the amazing engineers 👏

[@leightumlin3534]

Love how @jasonisbell and the twins sit back and play guitar while the ladies slay this song! Props to all of you; loving every minute of it!

[@sgarvey9]

These Howard Stern recordings are just on a whole new level, every one I've listened to is pristine 👌

[@debbiefulton1001]

These ladies, musicians, and engineers are incredibly talented! They do justice to Stevie Nicks and Christy McVie!

[@sharky_spike]

the addition of the closing bassline theme at the very end played by the violinist was a nice idea & neatly wraps a bow around the entire song

[@donna3465]

Those vocals, those harmonies!! Wow…

[@stephanieolmedo2435]

Damn, that harmony! I still love the original best, but this version is something real special.

[@auramac]

It sure beats the Buckingham-less Fleetwood Mac!

[@jcx5659]

@@auramac No, cannot agree.

[@chanellegale914]

Holy WOW.. How am I just now seeing this. Gave me chills. Their harmonies perfection the sound amazing these Ladies are pure perfection! Best cover of this song I've ever heard!!!

[@jerlikes1181]

Sent chills down my spine, and brought tears to my eyes. Dear God that was sweet.

[@baitfisch]

That was pure talent and emotion, it's not music without emotion, music is emotion. nailed it.

[@syzygy21055]

Damn, that's the best cover of the song I've ever heard, and I've heard plenty. Close your eyes and you can't tell it's a live performance. Absolute perfection by everyone involved.

[@GirlVirginian]

Damn right!! and that fiddle! Go Amanda! All y'all sound amazing, and so great together.

[@niceguy2171]

That was simply outstanding! Had heard they were doing this song, one that is so hard to justice to, as it is a complex piece of music with so many different elements, but they did it honorably.

[@kierantaylour9655]

I think probably for the first time, I have been completely blown away by a live track... the engineering on this is down to a T and everyone here is just incredible!

[@maxharris2555]

As a guitarist for just 27 short years, I appreciate Fiddle players very much. 11/10

[@MrSteve0916]

I may not be a country music fan... but DAMN, did that performance give me chills! Stevie and Lindsey must’ve been beaming with pride (when they weren’t trying to kill each other)!

[@j.dtruths5577]

I see you hiding back there Jason , a Good Man supports his very talented Wife ! Amanda and Jason True Love!

[@johnspratta5193]

The only cover to ever outdo the original. More Fidel please

[@gordonpetersmith]

don't want to go overboard here but this might just be the best 4 minutes of music i have ever heard on KZbin.

[@lisakay8798]

ALL the feels, gooseys and butterflies! Probably the best cover tune I've ever heard.

[@ronnyfurst5511]

holy moly! a 4 part harmony in such a quality.... well done! fleetwood mac would be proud!

[@mije9858]

AMAZING VOCALS....and harmony in the band.....respect...CHEERS

[@jefferybarnett6056]

Just amazing!!! Great job Amanda Shires and The Highwomen!

[@joannroshnieable]

Wow this was AWESOME! Seriously stellar sound. This song was mood-altering. These women are amazing

[@craigwubben6973]

That was stellar! Whoever dislikes this should be banned from ever offering their opinion on anything musical ever again. Seriously, ever again.

[@mircea415ify]

Craig Wubben and never be allowed to vote.

[@Bree_n_Bear]

Yes!!

[@kso4068]

Thats exactly what I'm saying!

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Sorry Craig Give me Wayne Newton on Ellen doing Freebird you set yourself up Lol

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Craig......it was dreadful awful i bet you would enjoy Barry Stadlers Green Beret ...or...Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA with Nancy Reagan looking in your eyes...or ..Craig ............

[@mariebaxter473]

You cant help but notice a real crisp clean sound in this studio, the mind boggles what would have happened if Fleetwood Mac had this tech back in the 70's

[@marksummers1751]

Damn, how have I not heard this before. They need to release another album with this version on it. Four very talented women! More talent than a lot of men in country music!

[@katierichardson6146]

Probably the best cover I have ever heard of Fleetwood Macs awesome song! Well done

[@darlenelavelle6206]

AGREE

[@HubertofLiege]

Go listen to “rumours of Fleetwood Mac”

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Katie almost as superb as Anne Murrays cover of Highway 61 by Johnny Winter

[@ellisagutierrez9574]

Love the harmonies. Love the fiddle playing on this. Love the bassist’s sparkly shoes. You all are just awesome-sounding together!

[@wil9after9099]

🇨🇦 Stunningly recorded, never heard a piece done to this standard.Thank you.

[@kimberlywelch522]

Amazing! Their voices blend so well and compliment each other. ❤ I've heard a lot of covers of this song but this is probably one of my favorites.

[@fireman4516]

Nice cover. The sound quality is exceptional. I wish more of Fleetwood Mac’s. versions sounded this good on the Tube.