Here's something you might be interested in.
I've been listening to a lot of the KOGO 95.7 Christmas mix this season. There are a lot of repeat songs but you get to hear a lot different singers sing them.
A few things have impressed and terrified me while listening to this hodge podge of holiday offerings.
What could possibly be terrifying? Realizing Baby it's Cold Outside is a song about date rape. No joke, listen to Dean Martin's part. It's chilling.
What's been impressive? Bing Crosby and Karen Carpenter.
No doubt these are beloved singers but their greatness has been confirmed to my ear in new ways. I'm willing toput their singing up against any opera singer in history when it comes to their phrasing, connection to the text, and consistency of tone.
Bing Crosby has "space" in his tone that other crooners are missing.
This lack of space would be my main complaint with a singer such as Josh Grobin. It is a lovely voice but the depth of tone is missing which makes his voice quality inconsistent when you listen with care.
Every note Bing sang was full, warm, and round except when he made a choice to come off the voice for effect.
Take a listen to the phrase, "with every Christmas card I write". He digs into the front of the phrase so he can back off the top of the phrase to sing the word "Christmas" wistfully. That's good singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAR7uw-34RA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
What about dear Karen Carpenter? The way she emphasizes the conversational stress of the each word while maintaining a legato phrase is exquisite and a lost art for many singers.
The consistency of each vowel and the consistency of her vibrato help to create her smooth and intimate singing style. She also sings through voiced letters such as the "m" in Merry Christmas.
Take a listen and have a Merry Christmas--darlings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR34VJ7HWqU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I've been listening to a lot of the KOGO 95.7 Christmas mix this season. There are a lot of repeat songs but you get to hear a lot different singers sing them.
A few things have impressed and terrified me while listening to this hodge podge of holiday offerings.
What could possibly be terrifying? Realizing Baby it's Cold Outside is a song about date rape. No joke, listen to Dean Martin's part. It's chilling.
What's been impressive? Bing Crosby and Karen Carpenter.
No doubt these are beloved singers but their greatness has been confirmed to my ear in new ways. I'm willing toput their singing up against any opera singer in history when it comes to their phrasing, connection to the text, and consistency of tone.
Bing Crosby has "space" in his tone that other crooners are missing.
This lack of space would be my main complaint with a singer such as Josh Grobin. It is a lovely voice but the depth of tone is missing which makes his voice quality inconsistent when you listen with care.
Every note Bing sang was full, warm, and round except when he made a choice to come off the voice for effect.
Take a listen to the phrase, "with every Christmas card I write". He digs into the front of the phrase so he can back off the top of the phrase to sing the word "Christmas" wistfully. That's good singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAR7uw-34RA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
What about dear Karen Carpenter? The way she emphasizes the conversational stress of the each word while maintaining a legato phrase is exquisite and a lost art for many singers.
The consistency of each vowel and the consistency of her vibrato help to create her smooth and intimate singing style. She also sings through voiced letters such as the "m" in Merry Christmas.
Take a listen and have a Merry Christmas--darlings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR34VJ7HWqU&feature=youtube_gdata_player