Up and running!
Jun 17, 2014 11:03:57 GMT -5
Post by cassie on Jun 17, 2014 11:03:57 GMT -5
Okay. I am ready to comment on "Love Kills" now. Not a cohesive narration, but random thoughts about the song and the interpretation.
* Who is the genius who heard the Freddie disco version and recognized that beneath that gawd-awful whoop whoop Saturday Night Fever beat was a gorgeous, touching power ballad? I'm guessing Adam Lambert, that's who. I am sure the other musicians helped create the final version, but the vision to take it in that direction I would bet came from Adam.
*Watching the stream live I had another "Mama" moment when Adam sang the first phrase. The beauty, delicacy, purity and resonance of those few notes and I knew this would be extraordinary. The song brought tears to my eyes as I listened, enraptured. It still does.
* Those folks who say that Adam has damaged/ruined/compromised his voice and can no longer sing with the beauty of CTMBTM are seriously deranged. They need to hear what he does with this song. That voice is not compromised. It is even BETTER. It has matured into greater richness and depth, as has the artist singing.
* The performance is a technical tour de force. All the more so because you hear the beauty and power and emotion of the song without once thinking about what he is doing technically. He is in total control of his instrument. He knows just what he wants to do with the song, and is able to bring it from his mind and body to the reality of a live performance.
* There are still those misguided souls out there who think all Adam is known for is his stratospheric rock screams. Bullshit. This is an example of the depth of his talent and technique. He doesn't once take the song into the stratosphere. The highest note I think is a B4. That's an octave lower than Adam's highest note performed live that we have heard. There is no place in this interpretation for a crazy rock wail, and Adam doesn't try to graft one into it just cuz he can. The voice is used in service to the message and emotion of the song.
* I had never heard this song before last night. Yet, I understood practically every word of the lyrics. That is remarkable! Who else does that? His articulation is stellar. He can even use the production of the consonants to emphasize the meaning of the words. Hear how percussive and cold the word "kills" is?
* His breathing and phrasing is a masterclass. It is obvious that he has put lots of thought into how he wants to phrase the song for maximum impact. It is so refreshing to hear a singer take breaths where they make sense, not where he runs out of air. A singer who breathes intentionally. Notice when he sings "cuz love, love, love won't leave you alone". He connects the words with one breath. Almost anyone else would break after "love" and before "won't". And he holds "alone" for as long as he wants rather than clipping it short cuz he cannot sustain it further. He also has such mastery of his breathing that he can add power and oomph when he wants to, when it is called for, without compromising the phrasing or the purity and consistency of the note.
*Adam colors his voice and tone differently throughout the song to enhance the lyrics. Do you hear the metallic twang to the phrase "cold steel?" It sounds brittle and cold.
*Perfect arc to the song. Beginning, build, climax, denouement.
I think I have to go back and listen to it another dozen or so times. And this is the premiere performance. Just think how impossibly good it will be after repeat performances!
Please, I would love to read what others think. Not just the vocal experts, but anyone who was moved by this performance. Chime in!
* Who is the genius who heard the Freddie disco version and recognized that beneath that gawd-awful whoop whoop Saturday Night Fever beat was a gorgeous, touching power ballad? I'm guessing Adam Lambert, that's who. I am sure the other musicians helped create the final version, but the vision to take it in that direction I would bet came from Adam.
*Watching the stream live I had another "Mama" moment when Adam sang the first phrase. The beauty, delicacy, purity and resonance of those few notes and I knew this would be extraordinary. The song brought tears to my eyes as I listened, enraptured. It still does.
* Those folks who say that Adam has damaged/ruined/compromised his voice and can no longer sing with the beauty of CTMBTM are seriously deranged. They need to hear what he does with this song. That voice is not compromised. It is even BETTER. It has matured into greater richness and depth, as has the artist singing.
* The performance is a technical tour de force. All the more so because you hear the beauty and power and emotion of the song without once thinking about what he is doing technically. He is in total control of his instrument. He knows just what he wants to do with the song, and is able to bring it from his mind and body to the reality of a live performance.
* There are still those misguided souls out there who think all Adam is known for is his stratospheric rock screams. Bullshit. This is an example of the depth of his talent and technique. He doesn't once take the song into the stratosphere. The highest note I think is a B4. That's an octave lower than Adam's highest note performed live that we have heard. There is no place in this interpretation for a crazy rock wail, and Adam doesn't try to graft one into it just cuz he can. The voice is used in service to the message and emotion of the song.
* I had never heard this song before last night. Yet, I understood practically every word of the lyrics. That is remarkable! Who else does that? His articulation is stellar. He can even use the production of the consonants to emphasize the meaning of the words. Hear how percussive and cold the word "kills" is?
* His breathing and phrasing is a masterclass. It is obvious that he has put lots of thought into how he wants to phrase the song for maximum impact. It is so refreshing to hear a singer take breaths where they make sense, not where he runs out of air. A singer who breathes intentionally. Notice when he sings "cuz love, love, love won't leave you alone". He connects the words with one breath. Almost anyone else would break after "love" and before "won't". And he holds "alone" for as long as he wants rather than clipping it short cuz he cannot sustain it further. He also has such mastery of his breathing that he can add power and oomph when he wants to, when it is called for, without compromising the phrasing or the purity and consistency of the note.
*Adam colors his voice and tone differently throughout the song to enhance the lyrics. Do you hear the metallic twang to the phrase "cold steel?" It sounds brittle and cold.
*Perfect arc to the song. Beginning, build, climax, denouement.
I think I have to go back and listen to it another dozen or so times. And this is the premiere performance. Just think how impossibly good it will be after repeat performances!
Please, I would love to read what others think. Not just the vocal experts, but anyone who was moved by this performance. Chime in!
