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Permalink Reply by Sue Rarick on March 25, 2010 at 9:46pm

Some very old school song delivery http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMcfUjIguSs

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Permalink Reply by Drew Sanford on April 2, 2010 at 6:45am

Does anyone think all this over-singing going on is due at least in part to the loudness wars?

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Permalink Reply by Travis + Julie on April 2, 2010 at 7:20am

Probably. I guess some people think the louder they sing, the closer they are to a record deal. Somebody out there started that trend.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Millward on April 2, 2010 at 12:17pm

I do...but I don't think that if you look at the current top 20 in country radio you'll necessarily see "oversinging"...unless it means singing "over" a pretty densely produced track...some of it's pretty cool, and there's sure a lot of variety in styles these days...it's funny that when something works it's hard to pinpoint why...it defies analysis and that's the magic. For example the current #1 song is Lady A, and it's pretty tasty for my 2 cents, and I admire the craft and all, but it doesn't quite give me goosebumps like when Patty Loveless or Emmylouy hits those high sweet notes...that's what's so amazing, it really comes down to personal preferences and nobody hears anything the same way.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Hopkins on April 2, 2010 at 7:18pm

Not only "belting it out", but I hear a LOT of melisma these days. What ever happened to tasteful embellishment? Many singers seem to think that because they hear every-phrase-melisma on american Idol and in todays pop charts that singing several pitches for each syllable is what defines them as a "good singer". What gives?

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Permalink Reply by Rick Millward on April 2, 2010 at 9:25pm

hey, I learned a new word...thanks!.. Yes, melisma is rampant and it seems to me it really started with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Celine and it's escalated from there...Melisma is originally a gospel thing isn't it? You have to admit it is pretty impressive, technically. And it also seems to me that some songs are written with phrasing that encourages melisma. Actually, it sounds like a rash. "You've got a nasty case of melisma there, son"...

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Permalink Reply by Greg Hopkins on April 3, 2010 at 12:50am

haha sounds kind of itchy :)

the use of melisma is not a new thing, and I agree that some tunes absolutely call for it and in some cases the song wouldn't even be the same without it, as it gets written in. In fact, even Robert Johnson used it when singing the blues!
There are probably more qualified people around here when it comes to music history, but while Mariah and Whitney come to mind, it worked for them. My gripe is that it turned into a prominent feature in pop music today and it is overused, IMO. I am not anti-melisma, but I hear so many lousy singers using it when they need to concentrate on keeping just one pitch. Dressing up bad singing doesn't hide the fact that it is still bad singing :)
You're right, it can be impressive. When executed properly, it can send chills down your spine! However it is no substitute for talent, and a lot of less than stellar singers use it to create the illusion of true skills.

Ok, I'm done griping. As pop is redefined with subsequent generations this too will pass, just like men wearing perms and spandex lol

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Permalink Reply by Drew Sanford on April 3, 2010 at 3:02pm

I'd agree with this too. The fact is it has to sound like you have a fantastic voice and tons of talent to get a deal today. People want their music perfect. I remember imperfect songs that sound really good. The end result is people falling victim to trying too hard, then being tuned - which doesn't make anyone sound good, in my opinion. Some of the simplest songs ever written and performed seem to me to be some of the best, at least in the rock/blues world. With everything being loud and overdone these days, the intimacy in simple music is gone. There was nothing complex about Bob Seger singing Night Moves, but I feel like I'm in the front row every time I hear it.

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