Vocal quality

[Fucker29]

You get an automatic blowjob from me for just mentioning the name of the unbelieveable virtuoso vocalist Rachelle Ferrell. The things that that woman can do with her voice is a sight to be seen to believe.

Let my girl Rachelle hit her whistle register. Run Mariah's ass straight out of town.

I, personally, prefer Mariah's whistle register. Rachelle's whistle register, although impressive, can have that violin-like sound...wich I hate when people's whistle register sound like that. Adam Lopez, Georgia Brown have that sound...and it's annoying...to me. Not saying it isn't good or that it doesn't have quality but I just don't like the sound of it.
Mariah's whistle register is more soothing and smooth...much more melodic and pleasant.

 

[Sausy]

Impressive list,Marley.You sound as if you really have had a great in depth music education and look forward to how much this thread will inform and educate as well as entertain.There is definitely much about the techniques,styles and in depth stuff I really would like to get more informed.

 

[Fucker29]

Actually, Rachelle has held a D7 note for like 10 seconds or so...Mariah never did that...maybe she could've done that but she never did. Rachelle's whistle register is stronger and louder while Mariah's a bit lower in volume but smoother and not as strong...although she could "belt" some fucking loud powerful whistle notes...check in her "Emotions" performance in Arsenio Hall in 1991, that B6 she belted there was so damn loud and effortless.

Although I appreciate and enjoy the really high range whistle register, say above C7, if done too oftenly, it's annoying...I usually prefer when singers keep it in the 6th octave.

The notes in "Loving You" are just gorgeous, quite angelic indeed. But listen to Mariah's whistle notes in the end of this song:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7MxAzTC2A4[/ame]

I wouldn't say better but I'd definately say they're equally as melodic and beautiful.

 

[Fucker29]

This is a portuguese fado singer, Mariza. She has an incredible voice. She's considered one of the very best singers since Amália Rodrigues (THE best). If you understand spanish, you might understand some of the lyrics:

Mariza - Gente da minha terra (People of my land...literal translation)
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UDQDl1tcw[/ame]

Oh god, I have to include this one too:

Mariza - Chuva (Rain)
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzrUs08-SWs&feature=related[/ame]

I love Mariza's husky yet really powerful voice. Sometimes she gives this raspy sound to her notes (not really in this performance but in others) that gives it, vocally, a rock edge to fado...wich is pretty groundbreaking and original. And the way she executes these arabic-like runs, wich were first incorporated in fado by Amália Rodrigues (before her, it has never been done), is just chilling. She's a great control over her voice. Belting notes the way she does ain't exactly easy and if done carelessly and without proper training and technique could be risky.

 

[Fucker29]

WRONG! "Stronger" isn't really an objective adjective (try saying that three times fast). "Different" is much more appropriate, the beauty of vocalising lies in 2 main facets:

1. The versatility of the human voice.

and

2. The versatility of the human voice.

I probably wouldn't even listen to music if everybody had the sweet, pretty, non-threatening tone that the Mariahs and Justins have. Give me something different, something ugly, something gutteral, something almost inhuman.

Fucker was right that Rachel's whistle sounds like a violin, and that's exactly why I love it! I have an irrational fascination with the way one instrument, the voice, can be used to mimick so many different sounds and instruments.

Ella Fitzgerald did a mean horn, Billie Holiday could do Louis' trumpet to the T, Mary J. Blige can sound like a flute when she hits her "falsetto." Bobby Mcferrin could sound like...well, you name it. Nikka Costa and Rachelle both have upper ranges that have the texture of woodwind instruments. I played the clarinet for awhile so I can pick out that timbre like a fucking hawk.

I don't want every whistle register to sound the same, I don't want one kind of voice, I want variety, it's the spice of life!

I agree. It's fascinating but IDK, I can listen for a bit but after a while it starts to become unpleasant. But I can recognize it's due value and quality, absolutely.
It has been said that the voice is the ultimate and perfect instrument, there's none like it. I agree. All the instruments we've invented try to reach the potential and versatility the human voice...but they simply can't.

I've actually seen Mariah doing a flute...it was impressive. I dunno how she did it but it sounded EXACTLY like a flute. I don't know if she was doing it with her voice or the way she positioned her fingers and hands (probably the latter)...either way, really hard to do and fucking amazing.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqacIr_BYjU[/ame]

She also did it once on Oprah. 'Twas cute.
I've also seen and heard Patti doing a sax and a flute (I was like...is that her voice?!?).

Human voice...best instrument ever!

 

[Fucker29]

Oh and I must throw Eva Cassidy in here as well. I'm getting gradually more and more hooked on her voice. What a great instrument she has! Her tone is angelic, so smooth and soothing...listening to her is like going to a spa getting a relaxing massage.
What I also really enjoy about her voice is how surprising it can be. You listen to her and you think "She has a soft, smooth voice and sometimes she can belt a bit but her belting range isn't that great"...WRONG!!! I was FLOORED while listening to her live performance of "Oh Had I A Golden Thread"...when I hear her executing this glissando going up to a damn powerful A5 with vibrato with a gospel-like tone...I was in the kitchen listening and when that came up I was like "Oh no she DIDN'T!!!" and I had to listen again. Mostly, when she belts, she goes up to around D5 but, judging from her tone, you'd NEVER say she'd pull off gospel powerhouse vocals...NEVER! I love how surprising her voice can be.

And her sense of pitch and melody is amazing as well.

 

[matt1980111]

I think Eva Cassidy may be in the running for best female vocalist ever. Very few can combine her sweet, angelic tones with those powerful belting. It amazes me that the same person can sing such a pure, clean version of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' and thing turn around and sing something like 'People Get Ready' with such soul and power.

Speaking of Rachelle Ferelle, I grew up listening to her a lot. But like Fucker said, I prefer Mariah's whistle notes.

You've guys have named some amazing talents (Donnie Hathaway is my newest favorite...they just did a special on him on 'Unsung' along with one of my personal favorites Phyllis Hyman) but some I just don't get like Nikka Costa and Amy Winehouse.

 

[matt1980111]

^I happen to love Nikka's voice. I think she has an amazing voice. It reminds me of Anastacia a lot but my problem with her is the music she produces. I have yet to like one of her songs.

Now, Amy Winehouse. I can't stand her voice, her music or everything she stands for. I'll admit, she has written some amazing stuff ('Love Is a Losing Game' is simply amazing) but I can't stand her voice and wish someone else sang it.

And I know my biggest problem with her is that she's a nasty, crazy hobag but I can't seperate her from her music especially when she makes songs like 'Rehab'.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

I know you made this thread to lure me right, Marley? I'm going to go against the norm for a minute:

Jazmine Sullivan: She's a relatively new vocalist in the major market. There's nothing special about her voice in terms of her range or power, but she has such a rich tone.

Vitas Bumac: This man is a beautiful countertenor. He is a multi-octave singer and fell in love with his voice on Opera #2. However, he is not well known in America.

The Dream...