In a message dated 11/15/02 11:29:18 AM Central Standard Time, Greypins@a... writes:
> > (i was wondering how you two met.) seriously leslie, perhaps it > would be useful for you to go into more detail about who you think sucks > and > why you think they suck.
Sheesh. I'm so bad I don't always know their names. I know I don't like Kelly Clarkson's voice because she sounds like she is screaming. There is absolutely no vibrato (and I don't always like a huge vibrato, either). I get the sense that her vocal cords are going to spew forth from her mouth at any moment.
I don't like the Dixie Chicks. Same reason.
I don't like the "new" Stevie Nicks. Her voice sounds like it has been ravaged by cigarettes and menopause. Or worse. It is too low and gravely. Again, no ring, no clear tone.
Faith Hill, Shania Twain, they all sound alike to me. I actually do like some of their songs--words and tune and what not.
It occurs to me that these are mostly country singers, but I live in Alabama and that is what is huge around here. Country is also not what it used to be (thank heaven) and has a lot of Pop-ness to it, at least to my ear.
What I don't like about these singers, and I think I went through this somewhat in another post, is that their sound is "pushed," they sound like they are in pain. There is no vibrato, which is the by-product of a well produced sound, and doesn't have to be very wide or even all that noticeable, but just give a tone warmth. When forced to listen to these singers (which happens quite a bit around here. Don't think that he would ever let me listen to Bryn Terfel or Natalie Dessay in his presence....) I have the sense that the voice is going to crack at any moment. Sounds like yelling. They remind me of the young children I teach, who always seem to come to me singing in their speaking voice. Also, the "pushed" quality seems to flatten the pitch.
Now I realize that, at least I have been told, that in country music the text is more important than the voice. Perhaps this is also true for pop music. Maybe that is why some of the artists are so popular, even though they would likely never be given a solo in your basic church choir.
I DO like Allison Krauss--I think I like her because she sounds like Allison Krauss and not everyone else. She sings in a higher tessitura than most, at least what I have heard her do, and while I don't always like some of the stylistic qualities of this voice, the voice itself is pleasant and unique.
OK, I will shut now. I have probably infuriated quite a few people, but you asked.
Leslie
|
| |