gabby
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Post by gabby on Feb 21, 2012 1:20:17 GMT -5
Thank you, cassie... I'm sure Brian and/or Roger will coach Adam re:timing adjustment if needed during live performance with that kind of venue and massive crowd :D. If they follow that 1985 Live Aids format with so many bands performing Queen had 20 minutes: www.setlist.fm/setlist/queen/1985/wembley-stadium-london-england-5bd47f28.html However, being a headliner might mean longer setlist and probably 45-60 minutes. Queen always record their rehearsals and performances regardless of whether it is televised or not. Brian May said in one earlier interview that he used to bring his own video and have somebody record it. I'm hoping he will release it as a DVD. I still wish Adam would sing You Take My Breath Away....  |
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Holst
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Post by Holst on Feb 22, 2012 10:44:38 GMT -5
Cassie, et al, I'm a real sucker for the live, and especially acoustic, performances. However, with the latest round of acoustic performances, I'm a bit bothered by the amount of rasp in his voice. Unlike some people, I love his pure tone. During these gentle performances, it seems like every time he pumps up the volume, the rasp enters in. I know what Angelina says about the rasp, but I'm not enjoying these performances as much as I'd like to because: - I'd rather here the pure tone in these cases (in the rowdy rock stuff, it's fine)
- I worry about vocal health when I listen (can't help it, I've got vocal issues myself)
Anyone else noticing this, or is it just me? |
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Post by cassie on Feb 22, 2012 11:50:01 GMT -5
Cassie, et al, I'm a real sucker for the live, and especially acoustic, performances. However, with the latest round of acoustic performances, I'm a bit bothered by the amount of rasp in his voice. Unlike some people, I love his pure tone. During these gentle performances, it seems like every time he pumps up the volume, the rasp enters in. I know what Angelina says about the rasp, but I'm not enjoying these performances as much as I'd like to because: - I'd rather here the pure tone in these cases (in the rowdy rock stuff, it's fine)
- I worry about vocal health when I listen (can't help it, I've got vocal issues myself)
Anyone else noticing this, or is it just me? I'm with you there. When he has such a unique, pure tone that few can even approximate, and when he is singing a soft acoustic version, why in the world would he want to rough it up? My only guess is that it is closer to the sound of other male pop stars. That push or strain seems to be de rigueur for pop songs. (Oops, for international readers, that means "prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom" --- the IN thing.) I do cringe a bit, because it SOUNDS like it is damaging his cords. Angelina has had to reassure me that he is not. Crossing fingers and toes. Does Adam do this because he likes the sound? Or is it his compromise to "fit in" with pop and avoid being seen as "theatrical" or too pure, too good? If it is the former, I will have to shake my head and shrug and wait til he changes his mood. If it is the latter, it just pisses me off --- not at Adam, but at the generic, pop drek he feels compelled to emulate. I have heard that Adam is continuing to work with a vocal coach on a regular basis. This bodes well for him taking good care of his instrument. Sure hope that he works closely with his coach as he prepares to sing a full set with Queen. And, as much as I sympathize with Adele for her struggles with her voice, I hope that Adam took her difficulties as an object lesson to never let go of proper technique. |
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Holst
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Post by Holst on Feb 22, 2012 15:18:46 GMT -5
Cassie, et al, I'm a real sucker for the live, and especially acoustic, performances. However, with the latest round of acoustic performances, I'm a bit bothered by the amount of rasp in his voice. Unlike some people, I love his pure tone. During these gentle performances, it seems like every time he pumps up the volume, the rasp enters in. I know what Angelina says about the rasp, but I'm not enjoying these performances as much as I'd like to because: - I'd rather here the pure tone in these cases (in the rowdy rock stuff, it's fine)
- I worry about vocal health when I listen (can't help it, I've got vocal issues myself)
Anyone else noticing this, or is it just me? I'm with you there. When he has such a unique, pure tone that few can even approximate, and when he is singing a soft acoustic version, why in the world would he want to rough it up? My only guess is that it is closer to the sound of other male pop stars. That push or strain seems to be de rigueur for pop songs. (Oops, for international readers, that means "prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom" --- the IN thing.) I do cringe a bit, because it SOUNDS like it is damaging his cords. Angelina has had to reassure me that he is not. Crossing fingers and toes. Does Adam do this because he likes the sound? Or is it his compromise to "fit in" with pop and avoid being seen as "theatrical" or too pure, too good? If it is the former, I will have to shake my head and shrug and wait til he changes his mood. If it is the latter, it just pisses me off --- not at Adam, but at the generic, pop drek he feels compelled to emulate. I have heard that Adam is continuing to work with a vocal coach on a regular basis. This bodes well for him taking good care of his instrument. Sure hope that he works closely with his coach as he prepares to sing a full set with Queen. And, as much as I sympathize with Adele for her struggles with her voice, I hope that Adam took her difficulties as an object lesson to never let go of proper technique. Cassie, thanks for your opinion. The Adele situation has prompted me to go back to a specialist to look into my own vocal health issues. We music teachers are notorious for having such problems with trying to sing and speak loudly to large groups while being sick (terrible for the cords), not warming up properly, singing tenor parts, not drinking enough, etc. I just read an article in a journal for music teachers about this, so it's really been on my mind. What to other people think about Adam's rasp? |
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Post by lambo on Feb 22, 2012 18:06:10 GMT -5
It's possible to add rasp without damaging your throat, the problem is most people tend to tense up in the throat to add the rasp. The way to do it without damaging is to bring more air "above" the cords so that the false cords push inwards, they're above the regular cords, thicker, and don't really function in the same way, pushing them inwards merely "distorts" what comes from the cords below, but without damaging either set of cords at all. You can really feel this grit in the soft palette in the back of the throat if you just sustain a fry note, merely a matter of combining that with regular singing.
I THINK that's what Adam is doing lately, and he certainly does it on this WLL.
Listen from 3:29
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Post by evergreen on Feb 22, 2012 18:12:23 GMT -5
I feel priveleged to be "a fly on the wall" as the pros here discuss technique. And I bet Adam would love joining in the conversation if he knew about it. He would appreciate having his skill recognized and appreciated!
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gabby
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Action with Vision is making a positive difference.? Joel Barker
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Post by gabby on Feb 22, 2012 23:43:20 GMT -5
Cassie... this guy (Tony Vincent) is a member of WWRY (Brian May's broadway production in London). BTW this group, WWRY, will provide the vocal rest  for Adam on the Sonisphere event as well as Brian and Roger). Anyway this guy auditioned for The Voice last Monday and what do you think of his rendition of WATC ... not Adam, of course  ... I only know about this because Brian May posted on his soapbox his audition and wished him luck! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sva0JcPQb2E
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Post by cassie on Feb 23, 2012 0:18:08 GMT -5
Cassie... this guy (Tony Vincent) is a member of WWRY (Brian May's broadway production in London). BTW this group, WWRY, will provide the vocal rest for Adam on the Sonisphere event as well as Brian and Roger). Anyway this guy auditioned for The Voice last Monday and what do you think of his rendition of WATC ... not Adam, of course ... I only know about this because Brian May posted on his soapbox his audition and wished him luck! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sva0JcPQb2E Oh, my. Ummmmm, yeah. Well, actually... no. Sorry. But it so pales in comparison to Adam's rendition. In so many ways. If I hadn't heard Adam sing, maybe. But, every phrase just sounded chopped off, attacked without real strength beneath it, tinny instead of powerfully resonant. And, there were more than a couple pitch problems. Adam has probably ruined me from appreciating anyone else (even Freddie??) from performing that song. Adam sings thru the phrases and holds on to the final notes of the line like he doesn't want to relinquish them. Comparing the two, it is so apparent to me that Adam knows how to sing the power of the vowels rather than cutting the notes short with the consonants. He knows to just hit those consonants quickly at the very beginning or ending of the note so that the voice carries on the vowels with pure tone. (Don't think I am explaining that very well.) Plus, There is such powerful presence in the tone of Adam's voice. When Adam sings "but I've come THROUUUUUUUUUUGH" it rings thruout the hall with victory. Tony's note sounded sort of strangled. When Adam sings "and we'll keep on fighting" he hits that high note with power, where Tony has to back off and hit it in falsetto -- very jarring and breaks up the momentum. Tony has swagger and attitude, a fierce look. But, vocally, I think the song is too big for him. Adam inhabits the song. IMO. |
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gabby
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Action with Vision is making a positive difference.? Joel Barker
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Post by gabby on Feb 23, 2012 0:33:42 GMT -5
Ha ha!
Thanks, cassie.... I, too had been comparing everybody's rendition of WATC to Adam's ...
BTW, what does Brian May actually meant by saying that Adam is great "interpreter" of Freddie's songs? Delivery of verses and/or phrasing?
IMO he didn't say Queen songs (although he wrote TSMGO) because I think he wants the focus on Freddie's vocals comparing to Adam's and probably wants to let the public know that Adam is just as capable to have them appreciate how great their music is!
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Post by cassie on Feb 23, 2012 1:51:48 GMT -5
Ha ha! Thanks, cassie.... I, too had been comparing everybody's rendition of WATC to Adam's ... BTW, what does Brian May actually meant by saying that Adam is great "interpreter" of Freddie's songs? Delivery of verses and/or phrasing? IMO he didn't say Queen songs (although he wrote TSMGO) because I think he wants the focus on Freddie's vocals comparing to Adam's and probably wants to let the public know that Adam is just as capable to have them appreciate how great their music is! I think that Brian May has heard the negative comments about Adam not being Freddie, or not sounding like Freddie, or not singing like Freddie or not being able to replace Freddie. He has probably heard it over the years with anyone doing Freddie's songs. What he wants to emphasize is that Adam is not trying to imitate Freddie or sound like Freddie. He wants to honor Freddie by singing the shit out of those iconic songs and giving them new life. Adam is interpreting Freddie's music in that he is putting his own spin on it. Using his own voice, his own incredible range, his own style, his own riffs. Adam IS a master at interpreting a song. Finding the arc of the song, from low to high, from intro to pinnacle. Placing emphasis on certain words or phrases by how he pronounces them, by how he improvises, by what kind of tone he employs, even by how he breathes. He gets the essence of what Freddie was saying with his music and his performance and doesn't so much reproduce it as reinvigorate it. Oh, BTW, you did push me down the rabbit hole by posting the previous version of WATC. I had to go to YT to find live versions of Freddie singing it, to see if I thought that Adam had also "ruined" Freddie for me. The result? While I can clearly see what an exceptional showman Freddie was, he ain't got nothing on Adam. They both inhabit the stage and appear larger than life. And, sorry, Freddie, but Adam's vocals ARE better. Just sayin'. From a singer's point of view. |
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for Adam on the Sonisphere event as well as Brian and Roger).
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