Sunday, July 31, 2011

A Comprehensive Look At Female Pop Singers IIIA

This is supposed to be in alphabetical order. Somehow, I managed to forget Beyonce. So, let's recap a moment. 1.Adele 2. Badu 3. Benatar 3A. Beyonce 4. Blige.


Beyonce


     Beyonce. However sweet and adorable, is not the best singer to ever grace the scene. She is, though, the second most winningest female pop singer ever behind Dolly Parton with 16 Grammy's. Even if she is cleaning up at most award ceremonies I believe that she lacks true artistic vision. The one that should steer these talents toward the light. The light that is placed inside one's heart at their very moment of conception. I say this because I do respect her. Her performance of Etta James' "I'd rather go blind," in the film "Cadillac Records," is unforgettable. It was in those few moments that I recognized that light, but haven't since.

Technicalities

Vocal Range:

Mezzo-soprano
B2-C6, and 1 note

Projection:

Pop Culture

Style:

A blend of glam-pop+hip-hop

"Fun at the club;-)"

   

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A Comprehensive Look At Female Pop Singers IV

Mary J. Blige

     O.k., Mary. She has been at the top of the game for awhile now. Bizarrely, I did not fall in love with her music until just recently when a co-worker gave me a copy of,"What's The 411." From then I've been hooked.She could sing about blowing her nose and I think I'd like it. It's Mary. However, with all due respect, her songs are a bit...well...cheesy. What gets me is the voice. It's always the voice. When Mary was nominated for a Grammy for her version of U2's "One," I actually cried.

Technicalities:

A2-C6, 3 Octaves

Projection: Forward

Style: R-n-B most of the time with a twist of Hip-Hop. Alot of people regard her as "The Queen of Hip-Hop?" Guys, she's not rapping...she's singing!

"To awaken the Gospels"

Monday, July 25, 2011

A Comprehensive Look At Female Pop Singers III

Pat Benatar

     When I was really young, Pat Benatar was my favorite. I really wanted to be what she was-an amazing singer. Obviously, I loved her voice. I knew she was special. She had a natural talent and then I learned that she had been trained professionally in opera(4-octaves) so her ability really stood alone in her genre(Rock/Pop.) To most her music is typical 80's, but to me she is timeless.

Technicalities:

Vocal Range: Wider than most.
                      D3-B6

Projection: The stars

Style:  Pure Female Rock'N'Roll
          Unprecedented

"Good driving music"

A Comprehensive Look At Female Pop Singers II

Erykah Badu:

     I think I tend to cling to singers.When I like someone's music, I want to know everything about them. Where they're from, where they were born, etc. With this information, I believe I can have a better understanding of their art. Before I was introduced to Badu's music, I had Lauryn Hill. Understanding full well that Lauryn's ability would carry her career above and beyond. But, as most of us are aware it did, and then she seemingly gave it up. I will always be a gigantic L.Hill fan-regardless of what her misdirection led her to say in the media. I'll discuss Hill more later in her own post as I digress from Badu. Almost as soon as Hill disappeared from the scene I had been developing a deep admiration for Badu and her interesting style. To me she is like a cross between Billie Holiday and Chaka Khan. Badu certainly has a voice, but I strongly believe it took some extra concentration on what her influences had taught her to perfect her ability. This is not a rarity by any means. Alot of singers train this way. I have. She combines a light flow of beautiful and original lyrics with the possibility of erupting at any moment into a powerhouse vocalist. She is the calm and the storm. Badu has served as a huge influence for me. Just by listening to her songs and singing them around the house or what have you, I have learned a great deal about the technique of a vocalist. As someone who loves to sing--Thank you, Erykah with all my heart.

Technicalities:

Vocal Range:  D3-B6, C7(Live-"Stay" by Chaka Khan)

Projection:  Your soul

Style: Original nuanced with her personal influences

"Floats in the Air."

Sunday, July 24, 2011

A Comprehensive Look At Female Pop Singers

     First, let us begin with a brief overview of this list. The following will be an outline of the vocal abilities of the modern era's female singers. I have been thinking of this project for some time, but did not pinpoint the real goal of it until I found myself reading about Mariah Carey and her deafening vocal talent. There was a wee fact located there in the text about how there did not exist an official account or study of the vocal abilities of today's pop singers. That kind of thing was only taken seriously in the Classical music/Opera department. So, the goal is that these singers are serious singers, too! I may not exactly be a fan of any of them(some), but I understand the importance behind the talent and the importance of these females that made themselves heard. We will go in alphabetical order.

Adele:


     Thank you, God. I will listen to her until the day I die. First of all, her style is that of grace and composure. Even though she keeps singing about her breakups. Most people cannot even listen to songs that remind them of their exes. Is she marketing self-anguish? Perhaps. Leave it to the Brits. All that is woeful is me, now can we make a bit of cash off it? Probably. I'm teasing, but so bloody English, isn'tit?(Emphasis on a British accent there-not a typo) Adele rules. Her voice comes from waaaaaaaay down deep like a coalminer who crawls out of a dark pit covered in black dust and clenching a raw diamond. "Reflecting the light of the sun. I praise the day, he turned my way."-Badu. I want to nickname Adele, "Mama London." She's barely 22 years old, and has already quit drinking. Nice. Cheers to a long and prosperous career, my dear.
         



Technicalities:

Contralto

Ranging from 3 Octaves+1 Note--C3-D6

Projection: The Moon

Style: Rolls words...one at a time...very soulful

Vocal Strength: DEEP

"This one was born with it."